Page 107 of Black Sheep

We both look down at the moss-green dress with black crystal detailing at the neckline and hem. Tight from neck to thigh, there’s no way to fool around in it without earning myself a public indecency citation.

“I guess I’ll just have to work harder to get in.” Although his tone and expression are as powerfully sexy as ever, my senses continue to jangle.

“Or maybe tonight I’ll take care of you,” I say, the words falling out before the thought process is completely formed.

Narrowed eyes gleam down at me. A muscle twitches in his jaw. “You think you’re up to taking on the challenge?”

I don’t need a crystal ball to deduce the question extends beyond the giving and taking of public sex. My senses tumble even harder. “Maybe…”

A dart of disappointment chases through his eyes. “Be sure to let me know when you’re sure.” He goes back to kissing my temple, my cheek, the corner of my mouth.

The drinks and appetizers arrive. Axel pours and passes me a glass of Malbec.

Before I take a sip of the full-bodied red, he raises his glass to me. “Toast?”

I shake my head. “I’m…not sure what…”

A terse little smile twitches his lips. “Don’t worry, I’ll go. To ‘maybes’ in all shapes and sizes. To the possibilities they offer. To…being taken care of.”

He clinks his glass to mine and takes a large drink. I follow suit, although the unwillingness to cloud my senses with alcohol slows my intake. If Axel notices, he chooses not to mention it.

Maybe he doesn’t notice. His attention keeps darting to his phone.

“What’s going on?” I finally blurt, unable to stand the tension seething through him.

He sets down the fork he’s using to feed me the exquisite spicy crawfish served in bite-sized filo pastry. His fingers slide through my loose hair, arranging it over my shoulder. I’m fully prepared for a firm non-answer, much like I’ve received so far.

“I gave Ronan forty-eight hours to accept a deal I proposed to him. The time expired three hours ago.”

Shock holds me still for a second before I dive through the open door. “What type of deal?”

“Financial compensation for abdication of a throne that will never be his,” he states with dauntless arrogance.

“What did he say?”

“He postured. He swore. Predictably.”

I shudder. He frowns. “What?”

“He…he scares me sometimes.”

Axel’s nostrils thin as he inhales sharply. “Did he ever hurt you?”

I shake my head immediately. “No, but I…sensed that he could.”

He captures my nape and turns me to face him, his face set in granite. “No one will be allowed anywhere near enough to hurt you. You have my fucking word.”

His words are harrowingly evocative of the words he said to me on the beach a long time ago. But now, like then, he didn’t exclude himself from the equation.

My heart shreds as I stare at him. “Axel—”

“Trust me, Cleo. Please.” There’s a fever in his eyes that light dangerous fires inside me.

He’s seriously obsessed with you.

In that moment, I almost believe it. Almost believe that, somewhere along the line, fate’s black magic has selected us to be its puppets. That our destiny is inescapable. Forever intertwined. Set on a course of ultimate destruction.

“Yes, Axel. I trust that you won’t allow anyone to hurt me.”

---