“Let’s start with you walking out four months ago, Jenna.” I say with a little more bite than I intended. I gave her time and space to work her shit out, but months? The feelings I have for her are unexplainable and to think this thing might be one-sided, that she can just turn and leave, rips me open.
She glares at me, her face flushing red as anger sparks in her eyes. “Fine, you want to talk about this?”
She lets the blanket fall from her shoulders as she straightens further, raising her chin. I have to force myself not to get up and wrap it back around her.
“We both know me walking away was the best thing for us, Axel. This thing between us…” Her voice falters slightly as she starts spinning the thin ring around her finger. I’ve noticed this is a tick of hers when she’s nervous. “It’s not healthy.”
She’s lying.
To anyone else, she might seem calm and collected, like she means every word she says. But I know her better than that.
“Bullshit,” I say, leaning back in my chair. Jenna slightly shakes her head and looks at me with surprise.
“What?”
“You heard me. Bullshit.” I stay completely still, not giving her an inch. She crosses her legs and folds her arms across her chest, clearly trying to put a wall between us.
“I needed space,” she finally says, her voice low. “I needed time to sort through all of this. Axel, the way I feel about you isn’t normal.”
There it is.
“Angel, I gave you your space because I know all of this shit is new to you. But I feel the same way. In this life, everything moves fast because tomorrow isn’t promised.”
“That’s what scares me. This much intensity is bound to combust at some point.” She uncrosses her arms, rubbing her temples. I don’t know how to respond to that, because she’s right. In most relationships, this kind of passion would burn out and leave nothing but ash behind.
But what she doesn’t realize is that our relationship isn’t like others.
“We should get back; the wedding is in a few hours.” She whispers, pulling me from my thoughts. I watch as she moves towards the door.
“Come here.” I say in a low voice.
She looks back at me again but this time with longing, “Axel.”
“Jenna, come here.” I say again. This time my tone doesn’t leave room for debate. We aren’t leaving things like this. She lets out a huff and rolls her eyes, at me or herself, I’m not sure. I watch as her curvy body walks around the desk until she’s standing between my legs. Fuck, I can see her nipples peaked under the silky fabric covering her. Her cheeks are flush and her breathing is uneven. She feels it too.
I move my hands up the side of her thighs, bunching the olive fabric to her hips. I rest my forehead on her stomach, taking a moment to revel in the feel of her in my hands. She runs her fingers through my hair and rests her hand on the back of my head.
That irritating voice sounds in my head again, reminding me that she is too fucking good for me. That she might be right and her walking away was the best thing for her. But I’m not a good guy, fuck I’m the guy people warn you about. She sighs and a calm feeling settles in my chest. She is my solace, my home.Mine.
“Don’t run from this Jenna, that shit that happened back at the clubhouse… fuck it wasn’t what it looked like,” her body stills beneath my hold.
“I know you were telling the truth. Marley told me what happened after I left. But I couldn’t come back. I hate the fact that when I’m not with you, other women are practically sneaking into your bed. I won’t deal with that.” She moves to step away, but my hold stays firm. “And the part that really hurt was that I felt as if I couldn’t really be upset, because we were just hooking up. We never talked about what this actually was.”
“That shit won’t happen again.” I say through gritted teeth. I’m not letting that stupid shit infect us more than it already has.
“I want to believe you, Axel.” She says as she drops her head back to look at the ceiling. Her voice is laced with sadness and I can feel her getting ready to bolt.
“Believe it baby, because from here on out, it’s only you and me. Even if that means we take this slow.” Moving my hands to pull up the rest of the dress, I run my fingers over the soft flesh of her thighs. A moan escapes her lips as I trail kisses over her stomach and across her hips. She may not believe my words now, but I will spend the rest of my life proving to her that I am all in on her.
“Dane,” she says in a breathy voice, “We need to go… the wedding.”
I raise my head and stare into her eyes, rimmed with red, and her usually clear eyes are glassy and unsure. Fuck, I hate seeing her like this.
“Do you want me to stop?” I don’t move, waiting for her response. Jenna calmly brings her hand to my face and rests her palm against my cheek.
“I want to try this again.” My heart thunders in my chest. “But I’m scared.”
I stand so that I can wrap my arms around her, my hand traveling up around cupping the back of her head and pulling her to me.
