He leans in close and practically purrs his next words in my ear. “Such a brave girl. I’m so proud.”
A shiver runs down my spine at both his words and his closeness. Just when I think he might kiss me, he pulls away, placing his hand on my lower back as he leads me toward the private rooms. I can feel his touch like a brand, even through my clothes. I can’t imagine what it would feel like on my bare skin.
Am I brave enough or bold enough to find out?
We pause at the entrance to the private rooms, and Axel turns a wolfish grin in my direction, which tells me there is at least one available room. He leads me down the hallway and through a door, then closes it with a decisive click. My heart is pounding in my chest, and I’m starting to wonder what in the heck I’m doing here.
Maybe this is a terrible idea.
“You okay, doll?” he asks, tucking my hair behind my ear. “You know you can leave at any time, right?”
That simple reassurance has me relaxing instantly. He’s right. This can be as little or as much as I want it to be. I’m in control here. He may be the daddy dom in this situation, but it’s always the submissive's boundaries that are respected first and foremost.
“I know. I’m just nervous.”
Axel reaches for my hands and pulls them apart gently. I didn’t even realize I was wringing them together—a bad habit I have any time I’m stressed and drifting into anxiety mode.
With a gentle tug, he pulls me into his arms for a hug. At first, I’m stiff in his embrace. How long has it been since I was truly hugged? It’s been forever. I didn’t realize I was starved for it until this moment. Axel runs his hand down my back in a soothing caress, and I relax into his hold.
I let myself sink into the moment. I wrap my arms around him and just enjoy being held. I’m surrounded by his heat and spicy, masculine scent. I could wallow in his scent. I wonder if he would give me his shirt if I asked. He smells so good.
He gives me a gentle squeeze, then pulls away. “Better?”
“I don’t want to let go,” I say honestly, even though the truth of it scares the crap out of me.
I’m only looking for something casual,I remind myself. The problem is I don’t know if Axel is the casual kind of guy. I know the feelings he’s bringing out in me feel like they could lead to something more than casual if I let them. If I can’t keep this casual, I need to end it right here and now.
“We can stand here as long as you want. Or we can have a seat and talk.”
I nod because sitting and talking is safe. “Let’s sit.”
I’m about to take my seat when Axel pulls me down onto his lap. I put up a meager fight, but honestly, I don’t try very hard to get away.
I’m in so much trouble with this man.
“So tell me about yourself,” he casually asks.
Where on earth do I even start?
“What do you want to know?” I ask.
“Everything.”
The sincerity he puts into the word and the excitement in his eyes tell me he’s not teasing. He’s dead serious that he wants to know everything about me.
I’m not anywhere close to ready to tell him everything. Definitely not any of the important things, so I cop out and decide to tell him my favorite color. A nice, safe topic.
“My favorite color is yellow.”
“What else?” he pushes when I don’t immediately tell him more.
“I love potatoes. Any way they come… well, except for potato pancakes. Those are just wrong. What about you?” I ask, trying to turn the conversation around.
“I also love potatoes,” he says with a teasing smile.
I lightly slap his shoulder but find myself smiling. “What is your favorite food?”
“I love a good burger. Now tell me more about you,” he says, not letting me distract him from his goal.