Page 25 of Hard as Stone
Poppy
Depends on your definition of safe.
His response is immediate.
Axel
What’s wrong? Need me to come back?
The instant protectiveness makes me smile.
Poppy
Just family drama. I’m fine. What are you up to?
Axel
Still thinking about that kiss.
Heat pools low in my belly.
Poppy
Which one?
The reply comes so fast, I barely have time to breathe before my phone vibrates again.
Axel
All of them.
I bite down on my bottom lip, trying to suppress the grin spreading across my face. This is ridiculous. I’m lying on a creaky twin bed in a room that’s technically meant for plants, texting a man who could probably bench-press a motorcycle. A man my father would disown me for even speaking to. And yethere I am, cheeks flushed, heart racing like a teenager sneaking out after curfew.
I tap out a response, fingers hovering over the keyboard as I try to decide if I should play it cool or let him know just how much those kisses affected me too. In the end, I settle for something in between.
Poppy
Funny, I can’t stop thinking about your jacket.
His reply comes quickly.
Axel
Maybe next time you won’t take it off.
Next time.The promise in those two words has me pressing my thighs together.
Poppy
That a threat or a promise, Road Captain?
Axel
Both.
From Dad’s side of the wall, I hear the murmur of another late-night phone call. Something about ‘progress reports’ and ‘keeping things on schedule.’ Usually I’d ignore it—Dad’s always working, always scheming about the next big contract. But after Axel’s vague warnings about the town and questions about Summit... something about it makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up.
I set my phone down, moving closer to my wall. Dad’s voice gets clearer: “No, no one suspects anything. I’ve got it under control. Just make sure the money?—”
