Page 322 of Axis of Fire

And another.

Until only a breath remained between us.

Impossibly close.

Yet somehow...

Still not close enough.

“I want all of you,” he said quietly.

“Your thoughts.

Your body.

Your emotions.

Your fears.

Your doubts.

Your heart.

Your soul.”

“Isn't that asking a little too much?” I whispered, barely able to breathe through the pressure tightening around my chest. “Why would you even want all of that from me?”

“Then why did you kiss me?” he asked without hesitation.

“Did you only want my body?”

His eyes never left mine.

“Can you honestly tell me that's all you wanted?”

I swallowed hard.

“I wasn’t thinking about anything more,” I admitted quietly. “Because from the very beginning, you made it pretty clear what your interest in me was.”

I wanted to wound him.

Wanted explanations.

Something concrete.

“A few seconds ago, you got the real answer.” Airis’s voice dropped lower.

I stared at him, unable to believe this conversation was actually happening between us.

None of this felt real anymore.

Another fantasy my mind had invented.

“You said love wasn’t for you,” I whispered. “You said that if you were ever with someone, they’d have to embody strength.”

He stayed silent.

As though I was speaking both the questions and the answers for him.