Page 56 of Axel

“You bet. Go.”

*****

Ellie sat around the familiar counter, her hands cradled on the cup of tea, she had yet to take a sip of. She had promised both Cathy and Caitlin that she would pop by and say goodbye and she would. But seeing him just now, was wreaking havoc on her senses.

The black sweater and the jeans looked great against his tan and even the scruff was very attractive. She had wanted to fling herself into his arms and beg him to love her. Getting out of that bedroom had been the most difficult thing she had ever done.

“I need something stronger.” She muttered. Pushing away from the counter, she was making her way to the fridge when she heard a knock on the door.

Could it be…? Her heart stopped for a second and then picked up its beat as she wondered if he had come after her. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to take moderate steps toward the door.

Pulling it open, she stood there staring at the man who had haunted her dreams since the day she met him.

“Hi.” His deep voice sent shivers racing up and down her spine and it was all she could do to keep from dissolving.

“Hi.”

“May I come in?” His thick brows lifted teasingly as she continued to stand there.

“Oh, of course.” Stepping back, she allowed him entry and closed the door.

“I hope I am not disturbing you.”

“No.” She led the way into the living room where there was a fire going. Walking over to the window, she leaned against the pane and watched him standing in front of the fireplace.

“It’s cold.”

“Yes. I left home to moderate weather and came here to almost winter like temperatures.” She lifted her shoulders in a shrug. “Your mother looks well.”

“She does.”

“The treatments are working…”

“I did not come here to talk about my mother or the weather.”

“Oh.” She rubbed her hands over the sweater. It was just then she remembered that she had removed her jeans and was wearing only her underwear and sweater.

“You are leaving.”

“Yes. Europe.” She smiled brightly. “I have always wanted to go in a non-working capacity.”

“You are on vacation?”

She shook her head. “I took a leave of absence. I am trying to decide what to do with my life.”

“I see. The article was outstanding.”

“Thanks. I wasn’t certain…”

“Stay.”

“What?” she was sure she had heard him correctly.

Moving away from the hearth, he walked towards her slowly. “Stay.”

Ellie swallowed the lump in her throat. “Why?” She whispered.

He stopped in front of her, broad shoulders and blocking out the rest of the room.