Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 72658 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 291(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72658 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 291(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
We entered his suite, a few lamps on for visibility, and he guided me into his bedroom.
I hadn’t slept in that bed for more than six months, but I remembered everything about it, the firmness of the mattress, the softness of the sheets, the way they smelled like him with a hint of detergent. They were so crisp, like his housekeeper ironed them once they came out of the dryer.
Axel immediately undressed, popping open all the buttons until he removed the shirt and left it on the floor. He was facing away from me, so I could see all the muscles of his back, the way they padded his spine with strength. Then he loosened his belt and the button of his jeans before he kicked off his boots. Everything came off piece by piece, until he stood there in only his boxers.
Oh Jesus…
He ran his fingers through his short hair before he turned to me.
Was he more muscular than he used to be?
He moved to the bed and got underneath the sheets, leaving them at his waist. Then he reached up and turned off his bedside lamp. His butler had completed the turn-down service, placing a glass of water on each nightstand, like Axel had planned this before we left for dinner.
His head was propped up on his arm. “Help yourself to the dresser.”
I forced my eyes away and looked at the dresser against the wall. I walked toward it, opened a drawer, and found a black t-shirt that I could wear. My heart was like a racehorse inside my chest—and I’d put all my money on him.
I considered walking into the bathroom to change, but he’d already seen me naked many times. The vanity seemed unnecessary. I turned away and unzipped my dress so it fell off. I didn’t wear a bra, just tape over my nipples, so I ripped those off then pulled the shirt over my head, which fit like a soft blanket. My heels remained, so I slipped them off with my fingers then let my bare feet touch the hardwood. He got a view of my ass in my black thong, and I was certain he had stared.
I turned around and saw his face.
It was a little harder than it’d been a second ago.
I approached the bed and flicked the covers back so I could slide inside.
I slipped between the sheets and immediately smelled his scent of scotch and sandalwood and cigars.
The second my head hit the pillow, he was all over me, his strong arms dragging me across the bed until I was nestled into his side. He maneuvered me slightly on top of him, my leg crossed over his stomach, his big hand cupping my thigh.
He kissed my temple as his other hand moved underneath my shirt, touching the bare skin of my back. Then he lay still, his eyes closed, his breaths deep and even.
I lay there in the crook of his arm, my hand stretching across his hard stomach, warm in his embrace, safe in his touch. He was drop-dead gorgeous, with all those muscles and power, eyes so blue they looked like paradise, but now that I was beside him, what I wanted most was…this.
Just to be with him.
I spent the day working in the study, and once I was done for the day, I headed back to my bedroom to change for the evening. My father had asked me to dinner, and we were going to my favorite restaurant for a night packed with wine and carbs. After I changed in my bedroom, I knocked on Axel’s door.
“Come in.”
I walked inside and stilled when I saw him, standing there in workout shorts, drenched in sweat from head to toe. His skin glistened in the light, tinted red from all the blood flooding his muscles.
He had a container in his hand, some kind of protein mix, and he shook it before he took a drink. “Don’t knock.”
I missed what he said because I stared at him so hard, completely captivated by how strong and sexy this man was. Not just any man…but my husband. “Sorry?”
After he took another drink, he smirked, like he was fully aware of my distraction. “You don’t need to knock. Just walk in.”
“I didn’t want to be rude.”
“It’s your house, baby. You aren’t rude.” He finished off his drink then left it on the table for the butler to take care of. “I’m going to hop in the shower.”
Can I watch? “I’m going out to dinner with my father.”
He didn’t seem annoyed by that information. “Have a good time. I’ll be here when you get back.”
“Alright.”
He walked into the bedroom then turned the corner and disappeared.
I inhaled a slow breath, suddenly hot under the collar, and then walked out.
Father and I made small talk over dinner.