Page 30 of Modern Romance September 2026 Books 1-4

She let the handle of the door go and walked over towards him. Had it been only days since he’d met her? Since she’d looked up at him on that plane and rewired something in his brain?

She stopped a couple of feet away. ‘Look, I have to say something first.’

‘Go ahead.’

‘I know that I’m not…as experienced as you.’

She blushed.

He’d been right in his original suspicion. He said, ‘It’s not about experience, it’s about chemistry.’

He put down his glass but Hope said, ‘Actually, can I have a sip?’

Axel picked up the glass again and handed it to her, watching as she took it and downed what was left in the glass. More than a sip. She handed the glass back and he raised a brow. ‘Better?’

She nodded. ‘I think so.’

He had definitely never been with a woman who’d taken a shot before sleeping with him. He took her free hand and led her over to one of the couches. He sat down and tugged her onto his lap and she fell against him, all soft curves and smooth skin.

She looked at him with those huge blue eyes and for a moment he felt as if he were drowning. She was curled against him and he could feel the press of her breasts.

Blood rushed to his erection, making him harder. He moved a little and she slipped into the cradle of his lap and her cheeks flushed even pinker when she became aware of how much he wanted her.

He had half a mind to ask her exactly what she’d meant by ‘not as experienced’, but he wanted to kiss her more. So he did, pressing his mouth to hers and almost groaning aloud at the feel of her plump lower lip. Stroking the seam of her mouth with his tongue, she opened to him on a sigh and Axel’s cognitive ability stopped functioning as he was taken over by need and lust and fire.

She was soft and sweet and tart all at once. Deliciously hesitant one second and then bold the next. She wound her arms around his neck and pressed closer and Axel’s hands moved over her, learning her curves, spreading his fingers across her ass and squeezing the firm flesh.

She nipped at his lower lip and then smoothed it with her tongue. Axel heard himself growl softly. He wanted more. He put his hand to her head, fingers in her silky hair, angling her so that he could plunder and taste all of her.

After a few minutes she pulled back breathing harshly, opening dazed eyes. ‘Wow…you’re a good kisser.’

‘So are you.’

Axel’s hand was on the curve of her waist. The bodice of the dress was gaping and Axel’s hands itched to tug it down, explore her breasts. He said, ‘OK if I move?’

Hope nodded. Hair mussed, cheeks pink. Mouth swollen. Axel’s cock was so hard it hurt. He tugged her up to sitting and then he lifted her onto his lap, her thighs spread over his, straddling him. The bottom of the dress was up around the tops of her thighs.

Axel pulled the bodice of the dress down. He feasted his gaze on her. She had the most beautiful breasts. Small but perfectly formed. Plump and pert. Pink nipples. Hard. He brought his hands up the sides of her bare torso and felt her shiver minutely.

He dragged his gaze up. ‘OK?’

She was looking at him with wide eyes and she nodded. Axel could almost span her back with his hands and then he urged her head back towards his and kissed her again. They were going to have to take this slow because he’d never been so turned on.

* * *

Axel’s hands were hot on Hope’s skin. The way he’d just looked at her now, and at her breasts—which she’d never thought of as all that special—had almost made her melt into a puddle in his lap.

She could feel his erection pressing against the tender point between her legs. She wanted to move against him but didn’t have the courage. So she let him take the lead. And now he was kissing her again and, honestly, she’d never experienced anything so mind-meltingly delicious.

He tasted divine. And if she stopped to think for a second about who she was kissing her mind might implode. So she didn’t. She pressed closer, until he moved her back a little and broke the kiss.

She was dizzy. Breathing harshly. And then his hands were on her breasts. Cupping them. Testing their weight. Teasing her tingling nipples with his thumbs, moving back and forth. Hope moved against him, feeling a stirring in her core. An ache for more.

He came forward and put his mouth on her breast, surrounding one taut peak in heat and moisture and sucking and she tried to clamp her thighs together to stem the rush of heat between her legs but she couldn’t and Axel put his other hand there, between her legs, fingers sliding under her gossamer-thin underwear and the feel of his fingers against her bare skin and now moving inside her along with his mouth on her breast was the most exciting collection of sensations she’d ever experienced.

She’d never known sex could be this electric.

Was she undulating against his hand? Hope didn’t know, but she was caught up in some ancient rhythm and suddenly the tension built and built until it reached a plateau and then she fell into wave upon throbbing wave of bliss.