I pulled him to me then, kissing him with a ferocity I’d never kissed anyone before, rocking my hips.
Maybe we could sneak into my bedroom and?—
“Get a room,” Axel grumbled.
We jerked apart, both standing quickly, brushing our clothes like we hadn’t been busted making out on the floor like a couple of teenagers.
“Dude.” Axel shook his head like he’d witnessed a nature documentary gone wrong. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you kiss another woman. It’s seven levels of disturbing. Like watching a monk discover tongue.”
“Shut up, Axel.” Ryker’s face went three shades of red.
But I bit back a smirk. Axel’s banter made me feel as if life was normal, and I appreciated that.
“What? I’m just saying, for a guy who’s supposedly this legendary dude in the courtroom, you kiss like you’re afraid she’s going to evaporate if you breathe too hard.” Axel grinned. “Also, Faith? Your lipstick is now decorating Ryker’s entire face. He looks like he got attacked by a very passionate clown at a crime scene.”
I shouldn’t have bothered with the lipstick when I changed. Itwasn’t going to distract from the bandage on my head or the smell of jail still clinging to my clothes.
Trying not to smile at Axel’s smirk, I brushed out nonexistent wrinkles while Ryker frantically wiped at his mouth.
Axel’s gaze dropped pointedly south. “Oh, good God. It’s standing at attention like it’s saluting the flag. Should I play the national anthem?”
“Axel, I swear—” Ryker started.
“Seriously, it’s like watching my celibate uncle finally get some action. Deeply uncomfortable but oddly fascinating.” Axel grabbed a fresh bottle of wine from the counter. “Should I alert Blake? Does he know you’re groping his little sister in the kitchen?”
“Axel …” Ryker growled, but his threat lost some impact when he had to pause to scrub more lipstick off his chin.
“Oh, and next time? Maybe lock the door. Or put up a sign.Caution: Sexually Frustrated Lawyer at Work.” Axel twisted the wine opener with theatrical flair and a wink at us. “I came in here for alcohol, not a live-action romance novel.”
“Are you done?” Ryker asked through gritted teeth, but I couldn’t contain my smile any longer.
“Almost. Just need to burn this image from my retinas.” Axel popped the cork. “There. Alcohol always helps with trauma.”
He headed for the door, paused, and turned back. “Oh, and, kids? Blake’s coming in for fresh whiskey in about thirty seconds. Might want to fix your … everything.”
The door closed. Ryker and I stared at each other, disheveled and panicked.
I grabbed a dish towel, attacking his face with determination. “Hold still.”
“This is insane.”
Twenty seconds.
His hands caught mine. “Faith.”
“What?”
“We need to talk about what this is.”
“A really bad idea with excellent timing?”
A muscle in his cheek twitched. “I’m serious.”
“So am I.” I swiped at a smudge of lipstick near his collar. “We can dissect our feelings later when my brother isn’t about to walk through that door.”
“Later implies there’s going to be more of this.” His voice dropped lower. “Is there?”
The question froze me mid-swipe. I looked up and found those blue eyes locked on mine, intense and wanting and terrified I’d say no.
