Page 65 of Shattered

Time blurred. We found each other in the dark, learning the shape of this new thing between us. Every touch felt like finally understanding something I’d been circling for weeks.

“Okay?” he asked at some point, voice rough.

“More than okay.” I touched his face, tracing the shape of it in the dark. “Don’t stop.”

And he didn’t.

This was Axel saying my name like he’d forgotten every other word, his hands trembling even as he tried to be steady, his eyes on my face like he needed to memorize it.

When everything crested, he held on to me, face buried against my neck, saying my name like it was the only thing he knew. It felt like falling and landing at the same time.

Afterward, we lay tangled together, breathless and quiet, my heart racing against his.

“That was—” I couldn’t finish.

“Yeah.”

I pressed my face against his chest. His heart was pounding so hard I could feel it. “I think I forgot what I was about to say.”

His hand moved through my hair slowly. “Talking’s overrated anyway.”

I laughed but it came out shaky. “You’re being smug.”

“A little.”

“Why?”

“Because I got you speechless.” He kissed my forehead. “I’m counting that as a win.”

“You’re ridiculous.”

“You love it.”

I did. I really did.

We fell asleep like that. When I woke up later, the room was darker. Axel was already awake, just watching me with this look that made my stomach warm.

His thumb brushed my cheek. “You okay?”

“Everything’s different now.”

“Yeah.” He said it quietly. Sure. “No taking it back.”

“I don’t want to take it back.” I met his gaze, meaning every word.

His eyes darkened, and he kissed me again—slower this time but just as consuming—and we found each other all over again, losing ourselves in the moment until neither of us could breathe.

Eventually I made it to the kitchen wearing his shirt. “I need water. And food. Actual food.”

“I can make food.” Axel showed up behind me looking way too pleased with himself.

“You’re going to cook? Now?”

“You need to eat. And you need your strength.”

“Why?”

“Because we’re not done.” His voice dropped, and my face went hot. “Not even close.”