Page 53 of All's Fair in Love & Wrath

“Baby, you haven’t heard anything yet.” Even though I just came, I can feel the wetness pooling between my legs. I haven’t felt aroused since before that night with Cain, but Axel is changing everything. “Get some sleep. I’ll see you in the morning.”

He stands to leave, the bulge between his legs noticeable against the fabric of the towel. It seems both of us are affected by the other person. I don’t know why I say it, why I want it, but continuing on my reckless streak tonight, I lean into it instead of denying myself. I haven’t felt good in so long, and I don’t want it to end. A terrifying thought.

“Axel?”

“Yeah, sweetheart?”

“You don’t have to sleep on the floor tonight. The bed’s big enough for both of us.” He arches a brow at me.

“Are you sure about that? I don’t mind giving you space.”

“I-I don’t want space, Axel.” He bends over, running his hand over my head affectionately, and I lean right into the touch.

“Such a good girl, telling me exactly what she needs.” My entire body melts. I can’t explain why I respond the way I do, but when Axel praises me for speaking up, using my voice, it’s slowly healing the broken pieces inside me; it’s helping me find my strength.

Axel walks over to his dresser and drops the towel, his firm ass on full display. I let my eyes wanderover the tattooed muscles of his back, the slight dip before his round ass. Even that skin is tattooed. He steps into his boxer briefs, pulling them up to his waist, the fabric clinging to his body like a second skin. He really is an incredibly gorgeous man.

Axel turns off the light, and the room is illuminated by a light-yellow glow from the moon shining in through the open window. He pulls open the sheet and pauses, always giving me an opportunity to change my mind.

“You’re sure this is what you want?”

“Get in bed, Axel. Let’s get some sleep.” If I can. Sleep has always been evasive for me, fear creeping its ugly, slimy hands through my veins and calling all the shots. But tonight? With Axel’s warm body next to me, the lingering haze of my orgasm still pumping, I fall asleep without a fight, my body relaxing and giving in to something I haven’t felt safe enough to do in years.

Chapter Nineteen

SIENNA

Iwake slowly, the sun peering through the open window of Axel’s room, my heart in my throat. For a few seconds, I just lie perfectly still, caught in that space between sleep and consciousness, my body at ease, but my heart and mind very aware of what happened last night. My chest tightens, waiting for the panic to hit, waiting for that sharp jolt of fear to drag me back under before I even have the chance to gasp for breath.

But it doesn’t come.

The room is bright and quiet, my body rested and at ease. There’s no nausea, no ache in my jaw from clenching my teeth, no tight muscles, just . . . warmth.Completely surrounding me.Axel’s arm drapes across my waist, his breath hot against the back of my neck, his stomach flush against my back, his scent invading all my senses.

The realization lands so gently, my heart physically aches. I slept. And not for an hour or broken pieces as my body gave in to exhaustion, only to be woken up by that fear that clings to me like a shadow. I actually slept straight through. My throattightens unexpectedly as I stare at the yellows and oranges of the morning light spilling across the floor.

Axel breathes slow and steady behind me, completely unaware of my mental freakout right now. I don’t dare move, working hard to keep my breathing even. My life has been inherently cruel, and if this is a dream, I never want to wake up. I never want to go back to a life where every single thing means danger, where I’m constantly running and hiding.

Axel’s fingers twitch lightly against my stomach, absentmindedly touching me, bringing me comfort even in his sleep, and something inside me cracks completely open because of it.

I don’t know where this man came from, but my body figured it out long before my mind did. Some battered and bruised instinct that survived the abuse despite everything recognized the safety before my mind caught up. Only, now they seem to be on the same page, which is what completely unravels me. It was never a decision to trust Axel. I never had to convince myself that he was safe, he just was. Like all these years I’ve been falling, and he’s where I landed, a safe harbor, a quiet place to finally rest.

Another shaky breath leaves me, and I press my hand over where his rests against my bare stomach, threading our fingers together, just wanting to ground myself in the reality of this. His warm skin, his steady heartbeat, the scent that gives me hope for new beginnings and better days. His touch feels incredibly profound, magnetic, and life-changing. Tears trickle down my cheeks, and I can’t help the sniffle that escapes. Could I be any more of a fucking mess?

Axel stirs behind me, his voice rough with sleep. “Hey, are you okay, sweetheart?” He asks me this often, and for the first time, I don’t want to reply with “fine” because right now, I’m better than that. For the first time in my life, I rested, and I know it’s because my heart found someone it doesn’t fear,found someone who doesn’t look at me with pity in their eyes, found someone who just accepts me. No control, no regret or self-loathing because they think they failed me or feel bad for me . . . just something real. But that scares the shit out of me in the same breath.

Axel pulls gently on my stomach, turning me over to face him. His hand reaches up, brushing my hair from my face, his touch always so gentle. His eyes are heavy from sleep, but they’re so clear, looking at me with awe and adoration. As if I’m something to be revered.Me.

“Why are you crying, baby?”

“I slept, Axel. You calm my nervous system. I just seem to power down around you, but in all the right ways.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever been given such a compliment.” His eyes search my face, thumbs wiping the salty tears from my cheeks with a simple stroke.

“I’ve never slept next to another woman before, Sienna. I want you to know that.”

“I’ve never slept next to a man before,” I whisper, my heart pounding against my chest. The hand around my waist pulls gently, sliding our bodies flush against one another. My breathing hitches, his other hand continuing to stroke my hair.

“Is this okay?”