CHAPTER 114: TAKE ME

~LAYLA~

"Maybe it’s already changed," I said softly. "Maybe it changed weeks ago and we’ve just been pretending it hasn’t."

Axel reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, his hand lingering on my cheek. "I don’t want to hurt you."

"Then don’t."

"It’s not that simple..."

I leaned across the console and kissed him. It was just a soft press of lips to test his reaction. But the moment our mouths met, something ignited.

His hand fisted in my hair, angling my head as he deepened the kiss. It was desperate, hungry, like he’d been starving, and I was salvation. My hands clutched at his jacket, trying to pull him closer despite the awkward angle and the console between us.

When we broke apart, both breathing hard, his forehead rested against mine.

"Inside," he said roughly. "Now."

We practically tumbled out of the car, his hand clutching mine as we made our way to the front door. He fumbled with the keycard, cursing under his breath, and I giggled, short of breath and lightheaded with desire.

The door finally opened, and we spilled inside. He had me pressed against the wall before it even fully closed, his mouth claiming mine again with a fierce intensity that made my knees buckle.

"Tell me to stop," he murmured against my lips, even as his hands skimmed down my sides, over the curves of my hips. "Tell me this is a mistake."

"It’s not," I gasped as his mouth moved to my neck. "It’s not a mistake."

"Layla..."

"Axel, please. I need..." I couldn’t finish the sentence, couldn’t put into words the ache inside me, the desperate need for him that had been building for months.

But he understood. Of course, he understood.

He swept me up into his arms, carrying me toward the stairs, his mouth never leaving mine. The romantic tension that had been simmering all night finally reached its breaking point.

And neither of us wanted to stop it anymore.

I had no idea how we made our way up to his bedroom door without tripping, as his lips were on mine most of the time, my arms around his shoulder to keep myself steady.

He kicked it open, dropping me gently, and slammed it shut with a force that echoed in the quiet house.

"God, Layla," he growled in a rough voice filled with want as he pressed me against the door. His lips collided with mine, filled with desire, and our tongues moved together in a wild, clumsy rhythm.

I moaned into him, my fingers digging into his shoulders, pulling at his shirt as if it were an enemy.

"You’re driving me insane," he muttered as his lips trailed down my jaw. His teeth grazed the sensitive skin of my neck, and I gasped, arching into him. "Been wanting this for too damn long."

"Then take it," I whispered; my voice was shaky but sure. "Take me, Axel."

His hands slid up my sides, thumbs brushing the undersides of my breasts through the thin fabric of my gown. A jolt of pleasure shot through me, and I pressed myself closer, needing more.

His fingers cupped my breasts over my dress fully, squeezing gently, and I whimpered, the sound swallowed by his mouth as he kissed me again, deeper and harder.

"Fuck, you’re perfect." His thumbs circled over the fabric, teasing my nipples into tight peaks, and I squirmed against him, heat pooling low in my belly. "You have no idea what you do to me."

"Show me," I challenged, my hands tugging at his shirt, yanking it free from his trousers.

My fingers found the hard planes of his abdomen, tracing the ridges of muscle, and he groaned, the sound vibrating against my neck as he sucked lightly at my pulse point.

"Careful what you ask for," he warned, but there was a smirk in his voice.

His hands moved with purpose now, sliding over my breasts again, kneading them with just enough pressure to make me gasp. "You sure you can handle me?"

"Try me, I dare you," I shot back, tilting my head to give him better access to my neck. Without missing a beat, he leaned in, his lips and tongue exploring my sensitive skin, leaving a trail of fire where his tongue was.

Every nip, every suck sent sparks straight to my core, and I was already aching, my thighs pressing together to ease the throbbing need.

He pulled back just enough to look at me; his eyes were intense, pupils blown wide with desire. "You’re so fucking beautiful," he said.

His hands slid down to my hips, gripping tight as he spun us away from the door, guiding me toward the bed. My legs hit the edge, and I sank down, pulling him with me.

"Axel," I breathed, my hands fumbling with the hem of my gown.

He helped, his quick fingers pulling the strap of my gown, making it fall off my shoulders.

"Layla, fuck," he murmured, his gaze raking over me, taking in the way the gown clung to my curves, the way my skin flushed under his stare. He slid the gown down, leaving my upper body bare, except for my bra.

The cool air gave me goosebumps, but his warm touch chased the chill away.

His hands found my bra, fingers slipping beneath the straps, and he paused, looking at me for permission.

"Do it," I said in a whisper, but there was no hesitation. I wanted this, wanted him, more than I’d ever wanted anything.

He didn’t need to be told twice. His fingers worked quickly, unhooking the clasp in a way that made my stomach flip.

The bra fell away, and his breath hitched; his eyes locked on my bare chest. "Damn," he whispered, almost to himself, before his hands were on me again, cupping my breasts, his thumbs brushing over my nipples.

I moaned, loud and unashamed, my head tipping back as pleasure rolled through me.

His touch was reverent but hungry, like he couldn’t get enough. "Axel, please," I begged, my hands gripping his arms, nails digging into his skin.

"You like that?" he asked in a voice thick with desire as he lowered his head, his lips closing around one nipple.