Looking up, I peer into his uncut, honey jewels. It’s rare to see Axel serious. Solemn, even. But when he reveals the poet’s heart he keeps hidden behind layers of hyperactive energy, it reminds me how hard he performs for the world.
“Damn. Sometimes you’re too smart for your own good, Ax.”
“Don’t tell anyone. I have a reputation to maintain.”
“Your secret’s safe with me.”
Axel swipes amethyst hair from his eyes, left long to maintain his faux hawk. His smile fades when he sees the moisture that’s burning my eyes.
“What is it?”
“Gracie’s parents… What if they hate me?” I manage to whisper the question that’s been eating me up inside.
He shakes his head with a patient smile. “You did the best you could to keep their baby alive. How could they ever hate you?”
“I still failed her.”
“No.” He nudges my nose with his. “The world failed you both.”
“They may not see it that way.”
Fingers comb through my hair, pushing snarled strands back from my face so he can search every inch. I lose myself in the roiling, golden expanse of his expressive orbs, full of determination.
“You don’t have to face them today. No one is going to force you, but if I’m being honest, I think it’s time. You need to forgive yourself for what happened to Gracie.”
When I try to push him away, Axel tightly cups my face between his hands. Water sluices between us, sealing his inked chest to my naked breasts.
“What if I can’t do that?” My voice trembles.
“Then I’ll be right here every single day to remind you that you deserve to be forgiven until you believe it too.”
“You can’t do that.”
“Just fucking watch me.”
His mouth brushes over mine, sealing the declaration with a light, almost innocent kiss. Our lips linger, trading gentle pecks in the tiled oasis. His touch is a balm to the ball of dread growing inside me with each second.
When Axel’s hand dips to smooth down my spine, curling around my hip, a faint tingle flickers over me. His lips slant on mine, firm and attentive, ensuring I can’t spiral any deeper into my thoughts.
I take the lifeline he’s offering with open arms, deepening the kiss by sliding my tongue into his mouth. He happily accepts, filling my senses with the taste of freshly brewed morning coffee as our tongues dance a slow waltz.
Then the fear creeps back in.
The dread. The guilt.
No. I want to forget.
Reaching behind me, I flick the shower off then place my hands on Axel’s bare shoulders to walk him backwards. He grunts faintly, letting me steer him from the walk-in shower and back out into the steamy bathroom.
The tingle under my skin has grown into a sizzling spark that consumes every thought. I hungrily peck his lips, needing morereassurance to stop myself from falling back into the bottomless pit I’m rapidly drowning in.
He breaks the kiss to clasp my chin. “I didn’t come in here for this.”
“That’s too bad.”
“Em—”
“I need to feel you, Ax. Please.”
