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“To explore this connection.” He dropped his hands from the stone, and placed them around my waist. With my heart pounding against my chest, I swallowed hard, wondering if Axel could see how he affected me.

“Can I kiss you?” he asked in a soft whisper.

I nodded, unable to say a word. Axel didn’t hesitate and gently placed his lips against mine. They were soft and warm, softer than any kiss I had ever had. Axel explored my mouth slowly, with the most delicate touch. He tightened his grasp around my waist with one arm, and brought his other hand up to caress my cheek. With a velvet stroke, Axel’s hand wrapped around my neck, pulling the kiss even deeper.

With Axel’s body pressed strong against mine, I was surprised to feel his broad chest up against my own. His tongue moved faster, with more passion, and with more need. I had never kissed liked this before. This kiss was new, exciting, tantalizing, and burned to my inner core. Never had I kissed with so much passion and sensuality. Never had I longed to explore beyond the kiss so much. Never had I imagined a kiss could pull out such strong emotions.

It was too much. The passion grew, the breathing turned to pants, gasps turned to moans, and I panicked. I pulled away, burying my face into Axel’s hair.

Caressing my back, Axel took a moment to soothe me before backing away slowly. He looked deep into my eyes. “Let’s go sit down.”

We walked over to a wooden bench underneath a huge tree. We both sat, turning so we faced each other.

Axel stared at me and smiled, highlighting the sexy scar near his lip. “You really are pretty, you know that?” He leaned forward and placed a very soft peck on my lips. “So, you said you’re from San Francisco. Why did you decide to move here?”

I straightened up a little, suddenly feeling on edge. Talking about reality was popping the wonderful fairy-tale bubble I had been in. I didn’t want the moment to end. “I haven’t exactly moved here. It’s just temporary.”

“Why is it only temporary?”

I shrugged. “Just staying for a while to figure out my future… I guess.” I glanced at Axel, hoping we could move on to another subject. I wanted the bubble back.

“How long do you plan on staying?”

I looked out into the night sea and just shrugged again. “I’m not sure. Just playing it by ear.”

Axel was silent for a moment. He examined me, eyes full of questions.

“Is there anyone back home to return to?” he asked.

“My sister died not that long ago, and that left me with a pretty broken family. My sister and I were raised by our parents who were only children, so I’ve always had a really small family. Now, other than my parents who are sort of dealing with their dark crap, I just have some acquaintances and my really close friend Harrison. He’s the closest thing I have to a normal family right now. He’s been in my life for a long time. But we’ve never been anything more than friends, as crazy as that might sound. People find it hard to believe men and women can just be friends. It also helps that he’s gay.”

I noticed how intently Axel watched me when I spoke, as if he didn’t want to miss a single word.

“I don’t think it sounds crazy at all. I have women friends. Friendship doesn’t always have to involve sexuality.” Axel looked at me thoughtfully and put his arm around my waist. “Well, until you leave, I’d still like to explore this connection we have. That kiss only confirmed my feelings that you and I may have something.”

I stared at him, speechless.

Axel smiled. “Let’s not think of the future and you leaving anymore. Let’s focus on right now.”

His lips were on mine again. I allowed myself to close my eyes and just take in the moment. I allowed the feelings of passion, desire, and need to rock my body. I didn’t fight the emotions with any doubt or confusion. I allowed the kiss to be just that. An amazing, affectionate, and life-altering kiss.

CHAPTER FIVE

FREAKED THE FUCK OUT

QUINN

I COULDN’T REMEMBER the last time I’d felt so alive. Soaking in the bath with the warm water blanketing my body, I thought of Axel as I lathered my skin. The feelings rushing through me scared me as much as they thrilled me. This was Axel, the famous Axel Rye that I’d heard so much about. This was a man known for selling drugs. This was a man who hadn’t left my thoughts since last night.

My body quivered at the memory of the kiss. So gentle, yet so passion-filled. Axel’s lips and tongue were softer than any kiss before. His touch was more tender and sensitive. The kiss tantalized and seduced my very core. Never had I imagined kissing someone would stir up so much intensity. Confusion mixed with desire as I sat and fantasized of what was yet to come.

The first thing I did last night when I got home was call Harrison. I had told him everything, not wanting to leave anything out, especially about the kissing. Harrison hadn’t been surprised at all that Axel was interested in me. He was happy I sounded so excited, but warned me to take it slow, although it already seemed we were in overdrive and I really had no control of the speed. Harrison had told me not to overthink everything and not make it more dramatic then it needed to be. Kissing did not make an instant future. Harrison always had a way of calming me down.

I climbed out of the bath and dressed. After getting ready, I walked into the kitchen to find Felicity sitting at the table, eating her morning cereal and drinking coffee.

“Where are you going so early?” she asked, looking shocked to find me already ready to go.

My cheeks warmed. “Axel’s coming to get me.” I tried not to blush any more.

Felicity’s eyes widened and her jaw dropped. “Oh really?”

I nodded, unable to hide the smile. I walked over to the coffee pot and poured myself a cup of coffee with Felicity staring in disbelief. “I can’t believe you’re going out with Axel Rye again. Details, details!” She said his name almost in a sing-song-like tone.

I sat down at the table across from her. I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it. The more I made out of this now, the harder it would be if this all turned out to be nothing or if I was just another girl to Axel. A small amount of pain attacked my heart just thinking about it. But I knew it was a definite possibility.

“Nothing much to say,” I said. “I’m trying not to overthink the whole thing. It is what it is.”

Felicity rolled her eyes. “Please. Don’t give me that line of crap. I know you well enough to know when you’re withholding the full truth,” she said.

“We hung out one night. There’s nothing to this.”

“I’m telling you, there is. You’re in uncharted territory. Does he know you’re working on the book?”

“No. I don’t see why that matters. We just hung out.” I could feel myself getting defensive.

“I think you haven’t said anything because you’re interested in Axel, and you’re pretty sure he wouldn’t go for it.” She smiled. “I don’t blame you.”

I shrugged and took a sip of coffee. “Well, like I said, this is no big deal—”

“Yet,” Felicity interrupted. “We’ll see how quickly you guys get serious.”

“What makes you so sure we’ll be getting serious? You yourself said he’s never had a girlfriend. And have you forgotten about his lifestyle? I can’t exactly get serious with a fucking drug dealer now can I?”

It was almost a rhetorical question. I didn’t really want to hear the answer. Felicity made this too stressful. It was way too soon to start worrying about what Axel really wanted out of all of this.

Felicity leaned back in the kitchen chair and crossed her legs. “We’ll see. Mark my words, you guys will be a full-blown couple soon. You’ll be fucking by the end of the week.”

I almost choked on my coffee. “Felicity! Jesus!”

“I’m just saying.” She laughed.

AXEL

I PULLED up to the house and was getting out of the car when I saw Quinn come out the door. Immediately, I smiled like a silly schoolboy. She was havin

g that continued effect on me. I couldn’t hide my excitement to see her. She was dressed casually, so different from all the other women I had ever been interested in. Everything about her seemed natural and pure. I liked the simplicity in her beauty.