With one last look that could have given me an orgasm with just his eyes, Axel lowered his mouth to me. The moment stretched between us, steam curling around our bodies, creating a sanctuary where only we existed.
The first touch of his tongue sent lightning through my veins. I jerked. Gasped. My fingers found the cool porcelain edge of the tub, gripping hard as he circled that perfect bundle of nerves. Over and over. My hips bucked of their own accord, my back arching as I threaded trembling fingers through his wet hair. Dark strands slipped between my knuckles. Water droplets traced paths down his neck, disappearing into the hollow of his throat.
I had never seen anything like this. My wet body with suds lingering on my toes, perched on the tub’s edge. Axel Pierce on his knees before me, shirtless, his soaked pants clinging to powerful thighs. He touched me like I was something sacred. Something worth worshipping. The memory surfaced, unbidden:“You deserve to feel worshipped, cherished, absolutely wrecked in the best possible way.”
His groan vibrated against my skin.
“You taste so good, Sunshine.” His voice was rough velvet as he pulled back to look at me. One finger traced along my folds with maddening slowness. “Just like I knew you would.”
He flattened his tongue. Pressed hard. The sound that escaped me was primal.
Good Lord. He wasn’t kidding. Axel Pierce knew my body better than I knew it myself. He moved against my folds with the same intensity he’d shown when he’d slept on my floor, protective and unwavering.“Go to sleep, Sunshine. I’ll be right here.”But now that protective intensity had transformed into something darker. Hungrier.
He teased. Brought me to the edge. Those knowing eyes locked with mine before he retreated. When I moaned in agony, his lips curved into that familiar smirk. The same one he’d worn when he’d growled against my ear,“You’re telling me if I dip my fingers in your panties right now, they won’t come back glistening?”
“Trust me, Sunshine.” His breath was hot against my sensitive flesh. “It’s going to be so much better if I make you wait for it.”
“Please.” The word broke from my lips.
“Good girl.” He licked around my sex while his hands gripped my thighs, anchoring me. Possessive. Like when he’d tangled his fingers in my hair. Like when he’d promised violence to anyone who dared hurt me. “When you shatter, it’ll be my name on your tongue. You understand?”
I bit my lip. Nodded desperately. “Yes.”
His mouth returned to the apex of my thighs with renewed focus. Swirling. Sucking. Building a climax that gathered like a storm in my core. His tongue moved with the same certainty he’d shown that day in the snow, when everything between us had shifted.“I’ve never looked at snow the same way since.”
And suddenly, I understood. This wasn’t just physical. This was Axel seeing me. Really seeing me. The way he’d noticed undercooked meat made me nauseous when no one else paid attention. The way he’d known I deserved passion that would leave marks on my soul.
I wasn’t holding back anymore. Wasn’t self-conscious about being spread before him. Wasn’t wondering if my body was perfect. I had completely surrendered to the riptide of Axel, letting the current of desire pull me under. Into his ocean. Into him.
The climax built. Crested. When it crashed over me, I was brazen enough to hold his head in place. My fingers twisted in his hair. Our eyes locked as I screamed his name. No shame. No hesitation. Just pure, devastating release.
He watched my mouth part. Watched the moans escape. His tongue never stopped its rhythm as I quivered and trembled against him. Wave after wave of pleasure rolled through me until I thought I might come apart entirely.
This was what he’d promised. To make me forget my own name. To worship me until I saw stars.
And, God help me, he delivered.
“I love you,” I said as he licked the last remnants of my orgasm into submission.
“Mmm …” He kissed my inner thigh. “I love you too, Sunshine.”
He stood up, water dripping from his pants, his erection pressing against the zipper so hard, I wondered if the metal would burst open. I leaned forward and grabbed his belt, pulling the leather from the buckle.
When a very unwanted sound interrupted us—the penthouse’s version of a doorbell: a chime.
The one that alerted us that someone was on their way up, about to spill out into the penthouse. Not just anyone could come up; they had to check in with the front lobby, of course, which meant this was someone scheduled or preapproved.
Axel went completely still. His eyes widened as he looked toward the hallway, then slowly, painfully, back at me.
“No.” He shook his head. “No, no, no …”
Right. Ryker had graciously organized the detective to comehererather than us having to wait who knew how long at the ER for him to show.
“The police,” I realized.
He dropped his forehead against mine, looking like a man who’d just been informed his birthday had been canceled. Forever.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” I let go of his belt.
