“Can I take your hair down?” he whispered. The soft rumble vibrated against my face.
Lifting my head, his right hand gently pulled the elastic band away. When it was free, he tossed it on the table and ran his fingers through my hair. My eyes rolled back in my head as he massaged my scalp. I never knew how good that could feel, so much so that a moan escaped from me. Axel froze.
“I’m sorry. Did I pull your hair?”
I shook my head, afraid that if I tried to form words in such a relaxed state, I might blurt out something that would embarrass both of us. But when his lips met my forehead in the sweetest kiss, and he went back to messing with my hair, I curled into his side, wishing he’d never stop.
“So you like to cuddle. Good to know,” he teased, kissing my head again.
“I plead the fifth,” I mumbled into his shirt.
“The what?”
He wouldn’t know what that meant. “It means I’m not going to respond to that statement because I might get myself in trouble.”
His chest rumbled under my cheek. “You’re really adorable when you’re snockered.”
“Shut up,” I moaned. “I can’t defend myself. I might not ever drink again.”
Another kiss to the forehead. “I can fix that.” His hand left my hair to stretch across my body, smashing his chest into mine. “Please don’t dump me on the floor.” I hung on for dear life as he reached for something, then settled back.
“I would never.” His smirk said he definitely would. “Hold out your hand and take these. I’ll get the water.”
“What is it?”
“Acetaminophen. For your headache,” he replied, reaching across me again. When he pressed me into the sofa, my heart fluttered. I wanted more of his body weight on me. Wanted the connection. I knew in my heart I wanted him. And it was terrifying.
“Up you go.” He pulled me up and handed me the bottle. “You need to drink this.”
Axel watched as I swallowed them down, then took the bottle. “Are you hungry?”
I shook my head. “Not yet. I can grab something at home.”
Axel gave me an annoyed response. “No. Post-hangover breakfast is a delicate balance of carbs and fat. I’ll order breakfast.”
My stomach churned at the thought of food. When I didn’t respond, he sat down next to me, shoulder to shoulder. His heat radiated through his shirt, and I wanted to curl into him. “If you ever want to talk about anything, I’m here if you need me.”
“I know, but I’ve shared a lot with you. It works both ways, you know.”
I looked toward the office, needing a moment. “I’m gonna go to the bathroom to freshen up.” When I returned after a quick shower, I felt marginally better. “That shower is killer. I wish mine…”
Axel was still on the sofa where I’d left him fifteen minutes ago. “Are you okay?”
His brow was furrowed as he fixated on his phone screen. Glancing down at it, the screen was dark. But when he looked up, his expression changed. “What’s wrong?”
With a weighted sigh, he patted the sofa next to him. I took my seat and looked at him.
“You’re right.”
Slipping down, I put my head on his shoulder. “I usually am. But what about this time? Care to enlighten me?”
Axel chuckled at my cheeky response. That was a start. “About the sharing thing. You’re right. You share way more than I do. I’ve kept myself closed off from everyone for so long that I don’t know how. I keep it all neatly compartmentalized safely in my head.”
“Start with something small. Just one little thing. Talking about it might help you unpack it up there.”
“Nothing about my family is a little thing.”
“Then start with your birthday. When were you born?”
