Page 92 of Wild Card
“You said you got this place to hide out,” he reminded me.
Shit. I’d been so distracted in the car, with his hand creeping up my thigh, that I’d been a little too forthcoming.
“Left a job in Phoenix. It wasn’t a great time for me. That’s all.”
He leaned in. “So you want to know all about me, but that’s all I get?”
I set down my fork and reached for my beer. Axel was right. It was only fair I share too. It just wasn’t easy for me to think about Shane.
“My partner died on the job.”
“Shit,” Axel said. “I had no idea.”
I nodded. “I don’t like to talk about it. When I got here, I was a mess, and I wanted space.” I glanced back at the falling-down cabin I’d purchased. “It might not have been the best investment, financially, but it was what I needed.”
Axel reached for my hand and squeezed it. “I’m sorry for prying.”
“No, you were right. Not like I haven’t done my share. Hell, I really put my foot in it when I talked to the mayor about the animal abandonment issue. I called him this afternoon, by theway. Asked him to put the brakes on any changes to the law for now.”
He pulled his hand back. I missed his touch, his warmth. “Thank you. I know I overreacted.”
“You gave me an honest reaction, which is all I’d ever ask of you.”
He stared down at his plate, his hair obscuring most of his face as it swung forward like a curtain. “I fell apart like a fucking child, is what I did. It’s embarrassing.”
“Axel,” I said softly. “Darlin’, please look at me.”
He lifted his head, glaring. “When are you going to get that I’m not some soft, sweet thing for you to love on? I’m fucked-up.”
I stared him down. “When are you going to get that you can’t fool me? I know how to read people, andyouare overdue for some sweetness.”
He shook his head, a brittle laugh escaping. “Fuck sweetness. I want your dick, not your heart.”
“Well, you’re going to get both,” I said.
I was pushing him again, but if I didn’t, Axel would relegate me to nothing but my dick, damn it. And he might not want more than that, but heneededmore. He was just too damned afraid to admit it.
I pushed back my chair and stood. Axel got to his feet, a wary expression on his face.
“I don’t want your fucking heart,” Axel said. His voice was edgy, but I could sense the uncertainty underlying his words.
“Well, it’s part of the package.” I came around the table and reached for him. I wasn’t sure if he’d fall into my arms like earlier today or shove me away. “Take it or leave it.”
“Why do you have to do this shit?” he demanded.
“Because you deserve it.”
“I don’t.”
“Darlin’, you deserve everything you want in this world. I’d be lucky to give it to you. Don’t you see that?”
“Fuck,” he snarled, eyes wild.
For a split second, fear struck me. Not fear of Axel, but fear I’d ruined this fragile connection between us. Pushed him too far. Run him off for good.
Then he lunged toward me. I got my arms up in time to catch him as our mouths collided. He kissed me savagely, so aggressive I could hardly keep up. I tried like hell, though, grabbing hold of his hair and tilting his head so I could plunge my tongue deep into his mouth.
He groaned, one hand snaking around to grope my ass. “Tell me we’re done with this dating bullshit.”
