Gently, so damn gently, I cup her uninjured cheek and tilt her head up a little more. Her breaths grow shallow as I lean down, brushing the tip of her nose with mine. “I’m going to kiss you now,” I murmur against her slightly parted lips.
“Please,” she begs so sweetly.
I press my lips to hers, sipping from her, teasing her top lip, then her bottom lip, before licking inside her mouth. Gemma gasps softly, her tongue tentatively sliding against mine. It shouldn’t make me nearly feral that she’s so inexperienced, but I won’t lie; I love it. I love that I’m her first kiss. Her first everything. I’m sure as hell going to be her last.
Gemma moans, rolling her body against mine. I feel the kiss leading to something more, something deeper, but I pull away. Barely. My girl follows me as if our lips are connected by magnets. I smile and press a quick kiss to her lips and forehead.
“Can’t wait to do that again,” I whisper into the shell of her ear. “But right now, you need rest.”
Gemma sighs, making me chuckle.
I pull back the covers for her, watching as she crawls under them. I want to be in there with her so badly, but I don’t want to move too fast.
“Goodnight, princess.” I lean down to give her one last kiss on the forehead.
“Night,” she whispers, her eyes already closed.
Good. I’m sure she’s exhausted, and not just from tonight. Her whole life has been a battle, but I’m here now. Gemma will never be alone again.
CHAPTERSIX
GEMMA
“No. No, please. I can’t…”
I jerk awake, not sure what happened or where I am. My throat feels raw, like I’ve been crying or screaming. My heart pounds so fast that it’s hard to catch my breath. Fear grips my muscles, each one tense to the point of shaking.
The door bursts open, and I scream, but all that comes out is a broken sob.
“Gemma,” someone says, their voice laced with worry. “Gemma, what’s wrong? I heard screaming.”
It takes me a second to realize it’s Axel. I’m in his guest room.
“N-nightm-mare,” I stutter between heaving sobs. I can hardly remember what it was about, only that it ripped me from my sleep and left terror behind.
Axel climbs onto the bed, slowly reaching toward me and giving me plenty of time to pull away. I don’t want to. All I want is to curl up with Axel and have him hold me and tell me everything will be okay.
Thankfully, he seems to want the same thing.
“You’re safe,” he whispers, cradling me in his arms. I tuck my head under his chin, loving how protected I feel when he holds me like this. “I’ve got you. I’ll never let them touch you again.”
I believe him.
Once my breathing has returned to normal and my tears have dried, I uncurl myself from Axel’s embrace. He seems reluctant to let me go, which warms me. Is he as drawn to me as I am to him? It doesn’t make sense. Then again, the way he kissed me like I was precious and irresistible…
“Can you stay here with me?” I blurt.
Axel doesn’t say anything for a beat, and I’m about to pull the blankets over my head and never come out again. “I’ll stay with you as long as you want. As long as you’ll let me.”
I smile at his sweet and sincere answer. Who knew a tatted-up biker could say such comforting things? Axel is kind of perfect.
I get settled back down in bed, and Axel crawls under the covers, scooting up behind me and spooning himself around me from behind.
“Is this okay?” he asks, his lips right next to my ear. “I’m not hurting you?” His breath tickles my skin, and I swear I can feel the sensation all the way down in my core.
“It’s perfect,” I whisper.
We stay like that for a while, but I can’t seem to fall back asleep. Every time I start to doze off, the remnants of my nightmare jerk me awake.