Axe’s Fall(69)
“I’m glad you’re here.”
“Me, too, babe. I belong here with you in my arms.”
“You’re sweet.” She kissed his chin. “I’m beat. Long day with a lot of emotions. I’m gonna change.”
When she came out of the bathroom, Axe was already under the covers, the TV barely audible.
“Come here, sweetheart.”
She molded herself against him, his arms holding her tightly. He ran his fingers through her hair as he watched the TV screen, the lights flickering in the dark room. Each time he stroked her hair, her limbs loosened, and her mind recalled a comforting, loving memory from her past—her mother brushing her hair before bedtime.
Baylee snuggled deeper in to Axe, content to be back in his arms.
* * *
The morning sun spilled into the rooms, forcing Baylee’s eyelids open. She squinted against the intruder, too lazy to leave the warmth of Axe’s body to close the curtains.
He yawned. “Fuck, it’s bright in here.”
“I forgot to pull the curtains last night. Sorry.” She buried her head against him.
“What’s the time?”
“Too early,” she said into his side.
Chuckling, he rose from the bed and grabbed his phone. “Damn. I gotta go. We got church.”
Peeking out from between the fingers over her eyes, she asked, “You want me to relieve that?”
He squinted, looking down. “Would love it, but I gotta go. I’m already gonna be late, and I’m not even dressed.”
“Not into quickies?”
“With you, babe? Never.” He hovered over her, bending down to kiss her.
“What do you want for breakfast? I’m going to order room service. I can’t figure out the coffee machine.”
He laughed. “The coffee machine has you stumped? Nothing for me. I don’t have time. I gotta haul ass.”
As he showered, she ordered a pot of black coffee. Axe came out with a white towel tucked around his waist, small drops from his wet hair trickling down his bronzed chest. Baylee rubbed against him and licked the drops off him. A growl passed through his lips.
“You keep teasing me and I’m gonna have to spank you, babe.”
“That’s what I’m planning on.”
“Fuck, you make me want to skip church and spend the day fucking you.”
“Sounds good.”
He yanked her head back and slammed his mouth to hers, their tongues twisting and lashing together. With a frustrated sigh, he pulled back. “Later on, okay? Fuck. You don’t know how this is killin’ me.”
She feigned a pout, then sat on the chair, tucking her legs under her. “When you were in the shower, I was thinking about all the crap that’s happening to me, and I decided to call the police. I have the text messages, so I have the proof now.”
Putting his jeans on, Axe stopped midway. “Are you crazy? No fuckin’ badges.”
“Why not? Isn’t that what people do? They call the police when someone threatens their life.”
“We don’t. We take care of our own.” He zipped up his jeans.
“I’m not a part of your world. I’ll feel better if I call the police.”
Axe gave her a hard look. “You are so damned stubborn, woman. The badges aren’t gonna do shit. You have to either be attacked or killed before they do anything. In my world, we don’t sit around and wait, we act.”
Baylee averted her gaze, shrugging. She wanted to believe he could make everything all right with her, but she’d still feel better if the cops were involved. After she arrived at the office, she’d call the police—it couldn’t hurt.
“After church, I got some work to do. I’ll send Puck over.” Axe scrubbed the side of his face. “Fuck. I forgot about you gettin’ to work.”
“I’m sure I’ll be okay driving alone. It’s only ten minutes away.”
“A lot of shit can happen in ten minutes.” He tapped his fingers against his lips. “I’ll have to be late for church. I’ll send a text.”
Baylee watched him, her eyes lit with an inner glow.
“Don’t just sit there smiling, woman. Go get ready. I’m gonna catch enough shit for not being on time.”
Twenty-five minutes later, the Harley jerked to a stop.
“Thanks for taking me.” Baylee gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
“I’m making sure you get to your office okay.” He held her elbow and tugged her into the building.
When they walked into her office, an arrangement of wildflowers and baby’s breath in a country basket greeted her.
“Where the fuck did those come from?” Axe asked as he surveyed the room.