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I swooped my eyes up to his. He may not have answered my question, but I could see it in his eyes—he cared.
We stared at each other for a long second before I broke the connection. “Thanks for this.” I patted my bag. “But how did you know what to bring?”
He exhaled a labored breath and scanned the room, scratching the scruff on his chin. When his gaze settled on the french doors, his jaw ticked. He stalked over and swung them right open.
“Shit. Why weren’t these locked?”
“I don’t know. I’ve only been in here a couple of hours.”
“You didn’t open them?”
I shook my head. “No.”
He went out onto the balcony. I couldn’t see him from where I was perched on the bed. “Axel?” I could hear him speaking angrily.
When he appeared, he had his phone in hand, pressed to his ear, and was pinching the bridge of his nose with the other.
“This is unacceptable. I want a man down below guarding the balcony and reporting to me.”
A shiver speared down my spine and goose bumps covered my arms. I really wanted to take off the dress I was wearing and put on my sweatshirt and leggings. I grabbed my tote and padded toward the bathroom.
“Wait,” Axel commanded in a harsh voice.
I immediately stopped. Was he talking to me?
Jesus, he was fierce-looking, striding my way with his jaw tight. He was broad through the shoulders with narrow hips. The more I saw him, the more I wanted to have him wrapped around my body, kissing me, but I knew it couldn’t happen.
“What?”
He put his phone in his pocket. “I need to check it out first. With the doors not secure, I need to do a sweep of the bathroom and bedroom.”
I wrapped my arms around myself as a tremble ripped through me. “You think he’s been in here?”
“Probably not. But I won’t take any chances with you.”
He what? Won’t take any chance with me? I turned around and stared at the french doors. He couldn’t have meant it the way my heart longed for. The emotions of the last several hours were just getting to me, messing with my head.
Axel disappeared into the bathroom. As I listened to him rummaging around, I fought the growing tremors in my limbs. I hated feeling vulnerable and afraid. Usually, I could hold myself together, shielding myself from others. But with Axel, I seemed to turn into a hot mess.
A hand gripped my bare shoulder, and I jumped. “Ah!”
“Hey. It’s just me.”
I whirled around and threw myself into Axel’s firm body, hooking my arms around his waist and clasping my hands together so he couldn’t move. All evening I’d wanted to be held. Told everything would be okay, the way I was sure Will was telling Miranda. Yet nobody offered me the support I desperately needed. My parents weren’t huggy people. They never cuddled me as a child. Hugs were only given during holidays and special events.
So I would take what I needed from Axel.
“Hold me.” I sensed hesitation as his muscles flexed under my hands. He could deny his feelings all he wanted, but I knew better. Axel wanted me just as I wanted him. The kiss from last fall had revealed the desires of his heart. I’d been warring with my own back then, knowing he could never be more than an acquaintance. Or, as of today, my bodyguard.
“I need to go.” His hands still hadn’t touched me.
“You have something more important to do than protecting me?”
His breathing deepened.
“Can’t you hold me? Just for a minute? I’ve been alone for hours, with nobody to lean on. Nobody to hug me and whisper, ‘Everything’s going to be okay.’” I squeezed him tighter, my body and spirit aching for comfort, something he seemed to not want to give me. “I need to be assured he won’t harm me. I’m scared, Axel.”
A low growl rumbled against my chest as I was swallowed up by his massive arms. His frame curled around mine, soothing me from the outside in. Woodsy notes of bergamot and musk engulfed my senses. My eyes closed, delighting in this euphoric feeling of wholeness.
