He steals a kiss then lets me go just as abruptly. Axel swats my ass before continuing, “I can’t function with you naked.”
I slip into some colorful bikini panties and the matching bra when I notice he’s frowning. “What now?”
“I need you dressed, but I am mad that you’re covering your body. I’m so confused.”
I smirk at his cute, man-pout. “Poor baby,” I coo with a laugh as I pull him into a hug. He kisses my forehead and rests his chin on top of my head.
“This takeover will take longer than expected because you have me so distracted.”
“Don’t blame me; I was summoned because the big, bad ex huffed and puffed.”
I love the way his body rumbles under my cheek when he laughs.
“You were summoned because I missed you. Warding off Janet’s false claims is a bonus.”
I bury my face in his chest and blush. I know this is part of the act-like-our-relationship-is-real phase, but his words still touch me. I missed him as well. I don’t have time to dwell on my feelings because I just remembered something vital.
“Shit. Shit. Shit,” I complain out loud.
Axel pulls me away from him and stares at me. “What’s wrong?”
“Well,” I begin suddenly embarrassed. “You know how we had that talk about me being free because I’m completely virtual?”
“Yes,” he prompts. He looks so damn cute with his blondish-brown eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
“Well, I would need the proper tools to be virtual. I was in such a rush to get here, I don’t have any of my technology outside of my phone.”
Axel’s face relaxes. “Is that all?”
I nod confused. “Well, yeah but that’s thousands of dollars’ worth of equipment. I would be scared to have it shipped to me. I must go back to Texas to retrieve my things.”
Axel squeezes my shoulders. “It’s not necessary.”
Now, I’m the one frowning. I spin out of his embrace and pace while I speak. “It is if I want to work while I’m here. I have stuff to do. I don’t want to buy it all over again. Buying a plane ticket is much more cost-effective than buying a new home office set up! Who has thousands to just buy new stuff just because you forgot it?”
I find Axel smirking at me with his hands in his pockets and his chest still deliciously bare.
“Are you finished?” he questions, fully amused.
“Yes?” I don’t know why my predicament is so funny to him.
“There’s an office on the first floor. The furniture is there, you just need the equipment. I have a whole corporate office with my own tech team. I’m sure they can get you set up without you having to travel or spend thousands of dollars, don’t you think?”
“I almost feel patronized, Axel.”
“It’s not my intention.” His words contradict his smirk. “I’m just amused at the difference of our definitions of an emergency.”
I slip a sundress over my head and squint at him. “I would be really difficult with you right now if I didn’t need you to get me set up in an office and felt I wouldn’t be horny later.”
Axel laughs harder and pulls me back against his chest. “All I’m saying is your man is the head of a major company with lots of money at his disposal. Utilize me.”
I look up at him with big innocent eyes. “I would like toutilizesomething else, Sir.”
Axel’s face drops into a scowl. “Get the hell out of my room, woman.”
* * *
Axel
