Page 37 of Axel
“Well, it’s not.”
He studied her mutinous expression for a second before reaching for her arm. “You are pissed.”
“I am perfectly fine and tired. You should go home.”
“I was expecting the pub guy to accompany you.” He kept his hand on her arm, even though she tried to wrestle it away. “There were others sniffing around as well. Did you give them your number?”
Inserting the key into the lock, she ignored the question and marched in. Taking off her jacket, she hung it on one of the hooks just inside the doorway. Heading into the kitchen, she slammed the kettle down and turned on the knob. “Say what you have to say and get out.”
Biting off a sigh, he moved up behind her, trapping her between the counter and his hard muscled body. “You were expecting a phone call.”
“Where you are concerned, there are no expectations.”
“I told you that I am not interested in a relationship.”
“Neither am I.’ She shot back at him. “Now that we have established what we don’t want, will you please leave me the hell alone?”
“No!” His hands spanned her small waist, before moving up to cup her breasts. “No strings, which translates to no phone calls the day after.” His breathing accelerated. Her nipples were rigid, belying the rigid non-response of her body. “We enjoyed each other well enough…,” his hands drifted to the edge of her sweater.
Pushing it up, he groaned softly when he felt the warmth of her skin. “But I want you. Damned if I don’t.” He deftly unhooked the front clasp of her bra so that he could palm her flesh. “And you would be lying if you tell me, you don’t want me too.”
“I don’t want you.” She whispered. The kettle on the stove was forgotten and all she could concentrate on were the sensations racing through her body. She was playing with fire and should stop while she was ahead. But his touch, the press of his body against hers, was making her weak and needy.
“Liar.” He whispered against her neck. His thumbs were barely glancing over the nipples, and he was taking advantage of the graceful curve of her enticing flesh. He nibbled at the skin and sent sparks of flames throughout her body, sending her blood rushing to the core of her.
She did not protest when he tugged the sweater over her head and dropped it onto the floor. The shrill whistle of the kettle had him pausing, but not for long. Reaching over, he turned the knob off and turned her to face him.
Sliding the dark blue straps off her shoulders, he lifted her onto the counter and stepped between her thighs. His hands cupped her neck, his thumbs lifting her chin.
“I wanted to tear that guy from limb to limb because he was touching you.” His voice was harsh, his eyes the usual intense golden eyes with the flecks of green.
“But I don’t have a claim on you, do I? “One hand drifted to her bottom lip where he could not help but stare in fascination at the alluring shape, made even more so by the bold red color she had applied.
“This is just a fling. You leave in a few days and afterwards, we will never see each other again. You go your way, and I go mine.” His head lifted to look at her as if he wanted her confirmation, but she said nothing.
“It cannot be any other way. “It sounded as if he was trying desperately to convince himself.
“Whatever.” She did not want to say anything else and was certainly not going to disagree with him. Last night and this morning had been a milestone for her – one she had chosen to ignore and not explore. He made her feel things she never felt before and it scared the living daylights out of her.
Usually, she would not be severely affected. She was self-assured and confident and had always been able to walk away from anyone. She was cool and collected and focused on her career. But that was over now. She was falling in love with him, and he had the power to hurt her. Damn him.
His thick brows lifted at her juvenile response. “I cannot offer anything more.”
That made her angry enough to push him away. “Am I asking for more?” Dark brown eyes snapped at him and sent his blood pressure through the roof. Christ! She was magnificent.
He had walked away from the function, telling himself that he was headed home, but found his way to the cottage where he spent thirty minutes cooling his heels and smoking a cigar while he waited on her. If she had brought back anyone with her, he was not certain how he would have reacted.
“No.” Tilting her head up, he bent his so that he could brush his lips against hers. “You are under my skin.” He muttered. Using just the tip of his tongue, he parted her lips and sipped from her mouth.
He had tried to imagine the taste of her, to bring back to memory, the texture of her lips, but nothing compared to the reality. His fingers slipped to her neck and then the back of her head as he angled her head back to deepen the kiss.
His cock grew hard, so much so that it was bursting inside his underwear. Ending the potent kiss, he lifted her in his arms and carried her towards the bedroom.
*****
She was sprawled half on top of him, her breathing still labored. The lovemaking had been frenetic with him practically tearing off his clothes so that he could join her on the bed. His arm was draped over her waist, his fingers idly stroking the skin. Neither of them had said anything and he had once again made love to her without using anything.
He was playing a dangerous game, but he was trying to tell himself that he had not planned any of it. It had been a spur of the moment decision to come here tonight. And once he was here, there was no way he could leave without making love to her.