“Know that, girl. One day, but that day isn’t today. Won’t be tomorrow, but maybe one day.”
And that is that. I go to bed that night feeling lighter than I have in years. Dr. Maxwell was onto something when she told me to open up and let people in. All these years, I was afraid to let my guard down, and one big bad ex-Marine finally let me feel close to normal again.
I sleep for the first time in years without dreams, an almost peaceful sleep full of promise . . . until Maddox’s terrifying screams wake me up a few hours later.
*
The next morning, I’m making breakfast for both of us when a sharp knock sounds at the door. Maddox is still sleeping. I heard him screaming out a few times throughout the night. Whatever haunts him was doing a bang-up job last night. My heart hurts for my friend.
Glancing over at the clock above the stove, I note the time—7:00 a.m.; too early for normal company.
I have to remind myself that this isn’t my place and it probably is wise for me to go wake up Mad. After all, I am here for a reason. The knocking continues, so I go up to the door and check the peephole. I jump back like the door bit me when I see who is on the other side.
Axel.
Just who I don’t want to see bright and early in the morning. Well, I didn’t want to see him, but a small part of me is jumping up and down like some stupid cheerleader just by seeing his handsome face.
“Hold on, hold on . . .” I mutter under my breath while I disarm the security system and throw open the door. “Good morning, your assholiness. To what do I owe this esteemed pleasure?” Throwing a snarky smile on my face for good measure, I look up into wide, shocked eyes.
“What the fuck are you wearing?” He growls.
Uh, oh.
Looking down, I notice that I am still wearing my bed clothes—a tank top and panties, which are doing a bang-up job of hiding nothing.
Shit.
“I just woke up, Axel. What do you expect me to sleep in? A snowsuit?”
“I expect you to not walk around naked in another man’s home.”
“Excuse me? What does it matter to you what I wear when I am sleeping!” I need some serious caffeine before I can be expected to deal with his bullshit this early. “Idiot,” I grumble under my breath and turn to walk back into the kitchen.
I take the eggs off the burner, plate the bacon, and grab the toast out of the toaster. I set up two spots at the table, effectively ignore Axel, and walk down the hall to Maddox’s room. I can feel Axel burning his eyes into my back. Just to piss him off, I throw some more swing than normal into my hips. His answering groan is all I need to hear to bring a small smile over my face.
Knocking softly, I call out to Maddox, “Hey, you want to eat something?”
Wide awake and hollow, his voice calls back through the door. “No.”
I knew he wouldn’t be in a good mood this morning, but I really hoped I could help him. Even by just being here.
“You sure? I made you breakfast.” I turn the knob and peek in.
Maddox is sitting on the side of his bed with his elbows braced on his knees, his head folded down into his big hands. It breaks my heart.
“I’m here if you need me, okay? Even if that’s all I can offer, I know how important it is to have someone waiting to help carry your burdens.”
“Yeah, girl. Go eat. I’m good.” He looks up at me, his dark eyes seeming to see right through me. It would seem that Maddox is still very much trapped in his head.
“All right, Mad. Axel is here, and he is fuming at the top, but what else is new.”
I turn around and immediately draw back. Axel is standing directly behind me, and with no warning, I end up pressed tight against his hard body.
We both suck in sharp pulls of air. I can feel my body instantly becoming aware of his being this close. Every single inch of my exposed skin that presses tightly to his denim-and-cotton-covered body is tingling. And just with this small press of our bodies, I can feel my panties become soaked in seconds. His eyes are dark with desire and his breathing has picked up; at least I’m not alone here.
He shifts closer, pressing his thick erection into my stomach. I let out another sharp gasp, not even realizing I was holding my breath this whole time. My nose fills with his hardy scent immediately. Mouthwatering. My nipples pebble and my heart is pounding.
His big, strong hands reach out and grab both of my small wrists. Slowly, oh so painfully slowly, he starts caressing his way up my arms, my skin breaking out in millions of tiny goose bumps along the way. When he reaches my shoulders, he brings his hands up, one going to the back of my neck, fingers lacing into my hair. The other travels up to the side of my face, holding my cheek and part of my neck tenderly. My body is on fire. The skin he touched is burning, and the overwhelming need to feel him has consumed my every fiber.