Page 115 of Axe Marks the Spot

“I’ve got you,” I say as I grip her.

“Sir—”

“Shh.” I slip out from under her, and before she can argue, I lift her up in my arms easily. I know again what she’s thinking as her eyes widen and she panics, throwing her arms around my neck to hold on to me with a death grip.

“I’ve got you, baby. Just relax.”

“Dane!” she tries again, using my name, but I take a step forward and ignore her weak protest. If she didn’t want it, she’d tell me her safe word. Of that, I’m sure. But Lindsey wants and needs to be cared for, and I’m carrying her to bed. End of story.

After another few steps, she finally relaxes against my chest and accepts my gesture. I carry her down the short hallway, and by the time I’m setting her on the bed, her eyes are drooping shut again.

I lean down and kiss her forehead. “I’ll be right back.”

I’m walking toward the bathroom when I hear her say, “Thank you, Sir.”

35

Lindsey

I WAKE UP TO the mattress moving beneath me. My eyes peel open, and I blink away sleep to see Dane sitting up against the dark, wooden headboard, morning light flooding the room. He’s shirtless and…wearing glasses.

Jesus, how does this man keep getting hotter?

I blink another few times, and when I try to move, I find that I’m tucked under covers. The last thing I remember is him carrying me—yes, carrying me—to bed, then him cleaning me up with a rag and warm water as I floated in a space of half-awake and half-dreaming while my body felt all tingly and wonderful. That apparently led to me actually dreaming, except I was dead asleep and don’t remember a thing I dreamed about.

“Good morning,” Dane’s gruff voice greets.

I stare at him, blushing for some reason. I don’t know if it’s because he’s wearing square, thick-framed glasses that make him look extra delicious or if it’s because I fell asleep on him last night after we did very dirty things together.

“Morning,” I answer back. My voice is hoarse, and when I swallow, it feels like the back of my throat is a little bruised. The reminder of his cock hitting that spot before he came in my mouth makes me flush a deeper red.

The corner of his lips lifts up a little, and he reaches to the side table next to him where he has a cup with a metal straw. So not only is this man hot, caring, and sweet, but he also cares about the environment? I think I’m screwed.

Dane holds out the drink, and with my arms trapped by the covers, he puts the straw to my mouth. My body heats under all this attention, but I wrap my lips around the straw, sucking down the cool water. It feels good against my used throat and dry mouth, and I drink almost half of it before I tell him I’m done.

“Thank you,” I say.

“You’re welcome.” He puts the glass down, and my eyes drift to his chest. I realize it’s the first time I’ve seen him without a shirt on, which seems ridiculous after all we’ve done. He notices me looking and flexes. When I look up into his eyes, he’s smiling at me, a gleam in his hazel orbs.

“How are you feeling?” he asks.

I shift under the blanket to pull my arms free, and the first thing I notice is how my nipples smart while rubbing against the sheet. My ass isn’t much better. The movement is also a reminder that I’m completely naked under his lightweight, slate-gray comforter and sheet set.

“A little sore,” I say honestly. It’s not like I can lie—I clearly cringed.

“I’ll get you some cream. I put some on you last night, but it’s good to reapply.”

“You don’t have to.”

“Maybe not,” he says, “but I’m going to.”

Dane shifts on the bed, and that’s when I notice he has a laptop on his lap. How long has he been up for? I don’t even know what time it is. Then I remember I have a short shift at work tonight, and I should call Kas and check on her before that, even if that means I have to talk to Jeremy. He hates when I call, but I do it anyway.

I grab Dane’s forearm to stop him. “It’s okay, really. I should probably get up and get moving.”

“Why’s that?” he asks as he closes his computer and puts it on the side table next to the water.

“I didn’t mean to fall asleep last night.”