“Axel! You controlling dick!”
“Did someone call my name?” His head pops into the room.
The evil glint in his whiskey-orange eyes is making me want to do some nose breaking of my own. Axel leans against the door, thumbs hooked in the waistband of his sweats, his bare, tattooed torso on full display.
I don’t know if showing off his stacked abdominals, muscle-carved chest or beautifully defined pectorals is some kind of tactic, but I’m not falling for it. Even if my mouth grows dry at the delicious sight.
“You look suitably rested,” he teases.
“Unlock the cuffs.”
“And let you kick my ass? I’ll pass. You’re on bed rest.”
“I’m not a fucking child!”
“Then don’t act like one.” He winks at me. “You need to learn to trust us with your condition, once and for all. If that involves forcing you to get some rest, then I’ll take one for the team.”
“How often does handcuffing a girl result in trust for you?” I sass back.
Axel runs a hand over his faux hawk, smoothing the flyaways. “All the time.”
“Bullshit.”
“Surrender can be quite fulfilling. Care to try it?”
“Fuck you!”
“Me? Or Blaine Madden?”
Straining against the cuff, I long to wrap my hands around his throat. This is such a mess. And honestly, an unwelcomedistraction. We don’t need to be fighting over this right now, and I definitely don’t need to be confined to this bed.
“I have a job to do.” I glower at him.
Axel shrugs. “You can go back to work once you’ve seen the specialist next week. Warner’s orders. Until then, get used to me waiting on you hand and foot.”
“Next week? No chance!”
“Then the cuffs will stay. To be honest, it’s fun to watch you wriggling around like a fish on a hook. I don’t mind if you continue to struggle.”
“Argh!”
Flopping back, I slump against the pillows. I’m still recovering from the intense seizure and don’t have the energy to play his stupid game all day. Especially not if he’s enjoying it.
Axel pouts then vanishes, his footsteps padding away from my bedroom. I stare up at the ceiling, attempting to breathe through my indignation until I hear him returning. The dick hums under his breath all day long.
“You want peanut butter or cheese?”
My head lifts. “Huh?”
Axel waves two plates, approaching the bed where I’m still restrained. “Ladies’ choice. Gotta keep my caged bird fed.”
“I’m not a pet.”
“No, a pet would take the sandwich without being difficult.”
“Peanut butter.” I stick out my one free hand.
“Good girl. Now, promise you’re not going to throw it at me or slit my throat with the shattered plate?”
