Page 111 of Axel

“I’ll be right back.” She races up the stairs and is back down within a couple of minutes.

I shove my hands into my pockets, fighting offdisappointment. This is what we have wanted, for her to be able to go home and not be in danger.

“What’s wrong?” she asks as she leans against the couch.

“I don’t know how to say this without sounding…” I’m not even sure how to finish this line.

She drops her bag and holds my hands in hers. “What’s going on?”

I take a deep breath and then let it out. She needs honesty, even if it does make me feel more vulnerable than I’m comfortable with.

“I’m afraid that once you get back home, you will realize what you felt for me was only because I was protecting you.”

She frowns. “You’re insecure?”

My brow shoots up, and I take a step back. “What? No.”

“No, I don’t mean it like an accusation. I’m just surprised. You don’t seem like someone who would doubt themselves.”

“I don’t. Normally.”

She grins as she steps closer. “What I feel for you isn’t simply a product of adrenaline. Over the last few weeks, I’ve gotten to know you, and I can say, without a doubt, I’ve completely fallen for you.”

“What?” Did I hear her right?”

She places her hand on my cheek. “Hunter, I love you.” Then she leans in and presses her lips to mine.

“I love you, too,” I say between kisses.

She tugs at my T-shirt, pulling it up. I yank it off and then pull up on hers. We head up the stairs and thenresume stripping off our clothes as I walk her backward toward my bed.

She falls back onto it, and I climb over her, my mouth moving up her body as I go. When I get to her neck, she moans. I stop and stare at her. My heart flutters as I take in this woman.

“I love you,” I say.

Her fingernails lightly scratch up my back and into my hair. My fingers move down her body. I discover she’s already so wet, but I don’t want to rush this. I find her clit and rub it back and forth. She moans. I move my mouth to her nipple as I rub faster.

She pulls on my hair, and I look up. “Please, now.”

I lean over and grab a condom from my nightstand and quickly put it on. Then I line up and slide inside of her. She tightens around me, and it’s almost my undoing.

I pull out and thrust back in as I find her clit again with my fingers. My other arm is holding me up so I can watch her. As I move in and out, she smiles.

“Yes, faster!” she says.

I oblige.

Her fingernails scrape gently into my back. “Oh, I’m almost there!” she yells. “Yes!” She wraps her legs around me, pulling me tighter against her. “Yes!” she yells again.

Her legs relax, and she smiles at me. I slow down and move both arms to either side of her head as I lean down to kiss her.

“I love you, too,” she says as she runs her nails lightly down my back again.

And I can’t hold back any longer. I’m coming harder than I can remember.

I kiss her a few more times before I leave to take care of the condom. When I return, she’s under the covers, waiting for me. I join her, pulling her close to me.

We lounge together, enjoying each other’s closeness for about an hour before we finally get up.

---