Page 87 of Bound By Temptation

She shook her head. “Can’t do it again, Ax. Just can’t.”

I pulled my hand out and rebuttoned her jeans, turning her to face me. She wouldn’t make eye contact with me, so I lifted her chin with my fingers. “You ever feel uncomfortable or don’t like somethin’, you tell me. Always. I’m sorry, babe. Didn’t think about that. Just wanted you so bad that my cock wouldn’t stop pointin’ your way.”

She chuckled at that, breaking up the tension that had grown in the space between us. I kissed her gently. “Let’s go on the Ferris wheel.”

She bit her bottom lip and nodded.

Fuck, my cock was hard as hell now, but I’d do anything to make Indie feel safe with me. She needed that, and I wanted to give her that any way I could.

Holding her close to me, we got out of the funhouse and made our way to the Ferris wheel without much being said. My huge mistake put a damper on the night, and I could feel the tension come back to Indie.

Fuck.

I hadn’t thought about it. Never crossed my mind.

But it crossed hers, and worse—it made her try to close herself off to me.

That was not what this night had in store for us.

We arrived at the ride, and I handed the man our tickets and he put us in some rickety tin cart with a latch on it that would not save us if it tipped over. As high as this fucking thing went, you’d think there’d be something more secure.

“Behind you,” he said, pointing to the harnesses, and I nodded, getting Indie’s and giving it to her. It wrapped around under her arms and stayed attached to the metal.

I did mine up. All of this in silence.

Putting my arm out, I wrapped it around her and pulled her into me. She didn’t resist coming naturally and resting her head on my shoulder.

“I’m sorry I freaked out on you.” She apologized, shocking the fuck out of me.

“No, Indie. I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinkin’. You were totally right.”

“Thank you for stopping,” she said quietly.

I cupped the side of her face so her eyes would meet mine as the ride started going up and up. “Always. You don’t like something, Indie, you tell me. No hesitation. You’re safe with me. Fuckin’ swear it.”

Brushing my lips ever so slightly against hers, I whispered, “Love you, Indie. With everything inside of me. I love you. Never said those words to anyone but you. It was true then. It’s been true the entire time we were apart. It’s true today. You hold my heart in the palm of your hands, Indie. And you have my dark and battered soul. You’re the only one I’ve ever wanted. Ever needed. Please see it.”

A tear rolled down her cheek, and I brushed it away with my thumb.

“I want to say yes. I want to throw myself in your arms and never let go,” she admitted. “But I have this tug of war inside of me. One part says yes. The other says remember he hung you out to dry. Then I see how you are now. How you look at me. How I feel when you look at me. I’m terrified you’ll hurt me again. Because this time, Ax… This time I won’t be able to pick up the pieces. And that’s what keeps me pulling away. If I’m broken, I’ll be nothing.”

“Baby. Fuck, I hate you feel that way, and I understand it. Just know I won’t give up. I know my future, and it’s with you by my side with my babies in your stomach.”

She gasped and put her hand on her stomach. “And get stretchmarks? Have you lost your mind!” And just like that, the tension lifted.

She told me flat out how she stood.

Me, I was going to keep doing what I had been and make sure she never had to pick up any pieces again.

30

INDIE

“Don’t be nervous.You know them, and they both love you.” Ax tried to reassure me, but I couldn’t shake the nerves. I wasn’t sure if it was one hundred percent because we were having a family dinner with Buzz and Bella. Oh, and Raid too. I hadn’t had a chance to talk to Raid yet, and I knew it had to be done at some point.

“I know.” The tray of sweets I put together was in my hands, threatening to fall to the ground if I didn’t stop shaking. What the hell was wrong with me?

He was right when it came to his family.

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