I watch his face and I know he’s being honest. “I’m still sorry for doing it.”
His fingers pinch my butt cheek and I yelp. “I’m not sorry. The feeling of your fingers trying to wrap their way around my cock have gotten me through every night since then.”
“Oh.”
Axel grins – full on grins – at me, and I feel my face go pink all over again.
“God, you’re fucking adorable.” His fingers spread against my ass until he’s palming my whole cheek. “And fucking sexy.” He squeezes. “Pretty sure doing all the things I want to do to you might kill me. But I’m willing to take the risk.”
I flatten my hand back against his chest. “I mean… you are pretty ancient.”
He barks out a laugh, then pinches my ass again, “Keep it up, Brat. See where that gets you.”
My palm slides down and across his stomach until it’s stretched out across him in an approximation of a hug.
I let my eyes close, and the last bit of tension drains from my body. “I’m glad you were there tonight, Axel.”
“I’m glad I was too.” He grunts, “I’m not thrilled that you were out with some douchebag, but I was hoping you’d be there. Coming right to your front door felt a little too invasive.”
I smile against his chest, “But shoving your thumb into my mouth in the back of a bar…?”
The shoulder under my head lifts in a small shrug, “Worth it.”
I let out a sleepy laugh, “I’ll give you my number, for next time.”
The hand on my ass grips me again, “Damn right you will.”
My head turns further into him as I yawn.
“Go to sleep, Maddie.”
I always thought I couldn’t sleep next to another body, but every inch of me is melting into the comfort and warmth of Axel. And I know I’ll be able to rest, so long as he’s with me.
“You’ll still be here when I wake up?” I hate the uncertainty in my voice, but I need to ask.
A finger presses up under my chin, and I open my eyes to look at him.
His blue gaze holds mine, “I’ll be here.”
Chapter26
Axel
I crossmy arms over my chest and stare out at the scene before me.
When I was here before it was late at night and dark out. But now, with the sun streaming through the glass doors that lead from the living area to Maddie’s back porch, I have a perfect view of Darling Lake.
There’s a stretch of marshy land between here and there, tall cat tails waving in the breeze, but just beyond is the shimmering surface of water.
It’s beautiful and calming and I’m glad that Maddie lives here. Glad she gets to wake up and see this every morning.
I look over my shoulder towards her bedroom door, tempted to wake her but also wanting to let her sleep.
A warmth spreads through my chest remembering what it was like to wake up with Maddie still in my arms. Her soft naked body pressed against my rough one. It was warm. A little sweaty. But wonderful. And her quiet snores were the cutest thing I’d ever witnessed.
Cute.
Good god, I’ve never called anything cute. Or adorable.