Page 38 of All's Fair in Love & Wrath

“You offering, Axel?”

“Nope. But if you’re asking, then my answer is yes. It’syourchoice.” Sienna gives me a partial smile, like she appreciates my answer. She had better get used to it. I’m not making decisions for her.

“What’s it feel like to be high?”

“It takes the edge off for me, relaxed, a little floaty, but for me, it’s just a smooth calmness. Some people get silly and playful, but the strain I get is pretty chill.”

“Axel?” she says, batting her pretty little eyelashes at me. Fuck, she’s cute.

“Yes, Sienna?”

“Can I get high with you?”

“Easiest yes ever, sweetheart.”

I move to the window, lifting it open and letting the warm late-summer air inside. Then I drag the wooden chair across the floor and set it in front of the window. I sit my ass down on the edge of the desk and get to work rolling a joint. I can feel Sienna watching me, and it makes it hard to focus. I find myself wanting to be in her orbit, wanting her attention. This is so much fucking better than anything that was going on outside this door.

“So, you found my puzzles, huh?” I say without looking up from my task.

“Oh, uhm, I’m sorry. I got bored of TV; I actually like the quiet. I hope you don’t mind. I wasn’t snooping or anything. It was just at the top of your closet.”

“Of course I don’t mind. Which one did you choose?”

“The autumn skyline. The trees remind me of a life that no longer exists. Reminds me of my mom.”

“What happened to her?” I ask, knowing that I already know the story. Not that she needs to know that. Plus, maybe she wants to talk about it.

“She was killed in her sleep. Cain? He snuck in and killed both of my parents in their beds. After that, Saint kind of lost his shit. Showed up at my apartment in the middle of the night and said there had been a coup. We packed what we could, and then I went into hiding.”

“He’s going to die, Sienna.”

She’s silent for a few moments, and I don’t press. Instead, flicking my lighter and taking a few short puffs from the joint.

“You promise?”

“Yeah, sweetheart, I promise. Now come get high, and then we’ll work on the puzzle together.” Sienna gently climbs off the bed, leaving what little she’s done on the puzzle intact. Her shorts are ridiculously tiny, the large T-shirt falling past the hem to about mid-thigh. Her hair is loose, hanging down her back, wavy from being in a braid all day. My heart trips over itself then picks up its beat, pounding recklessly against my ribcage. Damn this woman. What is she doing to me?

Sienna stands in front of me, about two feet away, arms wrapped around her midsection. The warm outside air blows through the window, caressing over her skin, the scent of jasmine filling my senses.

“How do I do it? You make it look so easy. I watched Lincoln do it for the first time when I was like fourteen, and he coughed for a few minutes straight.”

“You might cough; it’s foreign to your lungs, but . . .” A thought comes to me, but I don’t know if she’ll go for it.

I gently grip the material of her shirt, tugging her closer to me. Her eyes widen for a brief moment, then she relaxes, stepping willingly into my space. I’m careful not to touch her, leaving us just enough space so I can lean forward.

“Trust me,” I whisper. “Take a small breath, then breathe in slowly as I breathe out. Then don’t hold it in your lungs, just let it right back out.” Her pretty blues dart all over my face, but she nods. I take a hit of the joint, holding the smoke in as I give her one more little yank closer. Then I’m leaning forward, my head angled just enough, like I was leaning in for a kiss. I stop right before our noses brush, her lips falling open just enough. Then I’m gently blowing out, the smoke mingling between us, dancing and curling upward, until Sienna starts to breathe itin. The smoke transfers easily between us as she fills her lungs with it. When I’m done, I lean back, letting the hand that was curled around the fabric of her shirt fall to my thigh. I watch as Sienna holds it for a quick moment and then exhales without coughing, smooth and like a fucking natural.

“That’s it, baby girl,” I praise, the name rolling off my tongue naturally, easily. Sienna smiles up at me, unrestrained for the first time, and it almost brings me to my fucking knees. How do I want to spend my time? Like this. Right here. With her. “Not so bad, huh?”

“No, I like it.”

“You want to try it on your own?” I ask, holding the joint out in offering. Sienna looks at it, then back at my mouth, her chest rising and falling, nipples straining against the thin material of her shirt. Jesus, I’m affecting her just like she’s affecting me. I’ve never been harder, and I’m hoping like fucking hell she can’t tell. Being this close to her, shotgunning that smoke? I’ve had a lot of experiences, but somehow that was the hottest. “Tell me what you want, Sienna, and it’s yours.” My voice is deeper, my desire affecting me in more ways than just one.

“Will you do it again, Axel?” Fuck yes, I will.

“Come here, sweetheart. Hold it in your lungs a little longer this time.” Sienna steps into my space all on her own, this time a little bolder, putting her body right between my spread knees. We’re not touching, but my hand itches to run my fingers up the outside of her thigh, to feel how warm and soft her skin is. I want to push up her T-shirt and suck on those pert nipples, strip her of her shorts and underwear, see what’s waiting for me between her legs. My mouth waters at the thought of tasting her, of bringing her pleasure with my tongue on her pussy. Jesus Christ, I need to rein it in. This is the last thing she needs.

I take a few puffs of the joint, leaning in, but this time, as I go, my eyes flick down to her pretty pink lips. I don’t kiss women. It’s too personal, and it gives them the wrong idea. But right now? I have the strongest urge to kiss Sienna, to taste her, to pull her into my arms and worship her mouth. When my eyes flick back up to hers, I catch her looking down at mine. Fuck, is she thinking the same thing? Our eyes finally meet, tension and electricity thrumming between us.