Page 116 of Black Sheep

Axel’s stunning penthouse is my sanctuary and my hell. It’s where I’m saturated in his love and mourn my inability to embrace it.

I remain at the penthouse when he goes out. It’s an easy choice given his concern for my safety and my own desire to stay put. A not-so-easy choice was finding a way to get through the hours without driving myself over the edge.

Because with time on my hands and the threat of Finnan temporarily held at bay, my brain gains the audacity to plot a future. A future I’ve never contemplated.

A future where I might learn to accept a killer as the love of my life? Possibly the father of my children?

For the hundredth time, I push the thoughts away. But they return, stronger than ever.

When my phone beeps, I jump on it. It’s a text from Axel.

Need to escape this madness. Lunch?

My fingers tap out a Yes before I take my next breath.

Great. See you in half an hour. Wear the yellow sundress.

The irony of distracting myself with the same man who dominates my thoughts isn’t lost on me as I quickly shower.

By the time Axel walks through the door a whole ten minutes early, I’m ready and waiting.

He gives me the once-over, from my carelessly knotted updo, to the strapless heels complimenting my dress. Striding over, he catches me in his arms. His mouth trails kisses along the curve of my shoulder before he breathes me in. “You look breathtaking, baby. Although I was hoping to catch you just out of the shower.” His hands mold my ass, and he uses the leverage to yank me into him. He’s hard and ready to go.

My body revs to attention, a slave to its need. With no shame, I melt into him.

He groans and pulls away. “I’d love nothing better than to fuck you right now. But our ride is waiting.”

Catching my hand in his, he kisses my knuckles and walks me to the door. When we reach the elevator, he hits the button for the roof.

“I thought you said our ride was waiting.”

He smile is devastating enough to make me lose vital brain cells. “It is,” is all he says before he pulls out a pair of stylish aviator glasses and slides them on.

We exit into the hot late-July sunshine and onto a roof on which perches the sleekest helicopter I’ve ever seen. Black with gold trim, the gleaming machine is even sexier than Axel’s McLaren Spider. And that car is sexy.

The pilot spots us heading over, and the rotors begin to spin.

Axel helps me in and secures my headgear before he sees to his own.

When the aircraft lifts and I gasp, Axel grabs my hand. “Shit, I didn’t ask. You’re not afraid of flying, are you?”

I’m a little startled to hear his voice directly in my ear. When my gaze snaps to him, he points to the tiny mic attached to the headset.

“I…don’t think so. I’ve only been on a plane three times.”

He works it out, and his mouth flattens. “Connecticut to Boston?”

I nod.

“So you’ve never been out of the country,” he says.

“No.”

His face turns grim, but he squeezes my hand. “When this is over, we’ll go on a world tour of my clubs. You’ll enjoy Rio. And Paris. I’ll fuck you in my ice hotel in Helsinki,” he murmurs into the mic.

He laughs when I blush, but I turn away. The future plans I’m trying to run away from come screaming back, but luckily, the banking chopper scatters my thoughts when my stomach dips alarmingly with it.

My fingers tighten around Axel’s. He leans over and puts his arm around me.

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