Page 24 of Axel

“My sister,” she grumbles, grabbing another cookie.

“You have a sister?” Ruby asks, her eyebrows drawn in confusion. The three of us, along with a few of Hope’s other friends, have been spending a lot of time together these past several months. We’ve even formed a book club. We’ve grown close, so Ruby’s surprise is warranted.

“Don’t take it personally,” Hope says. “I like to pretend she doesn’t exist.”

“What did she do?” I ask. Hope hardly talks about her older sister, but from what little I know, I don’t like her. She’s always criticizing Hope, as though she can do nothing right. Thankfully, she lives on the other side of the country and hasn’t been home in years.

“She’s coming to visit.”

“What? When?”

“For New Year’s. Yay,” Hope says, mocking excitement. “Can’t wait!”

“Why?”

“Says we need to have some sister bonding time.” Hope looks on the verge of tears. “And she’s staying with me because of course the B&B is booked solid.”

“What can we do to help?” Ruby asks.

“There’s nothing anyone can do. She’ll come here like the perfect hurricane she is and belittle every life choice I’ve ever made during her entire stay. She’ll tell me my job sucks, that my clothes are outdated, and that the reason I haven’t snagged a man when literally everyone else in town has is because I’m toopudgy. She’s a real treat.”

“Can’t wait to meet her,” I deadpan. “So I can strangle her.”

“I might have an idea,” Ruby says, glancing across the room where her husband Caden and her older brother Marshall are engaged in an animated conversation. Hope doesn’t seem to notice as she devours another cookie. “Hope, come with me.”

Ruby drapes an arm around Hope and leads her away. But before I can see where they’re headed, I feel Axel come up behind me. His hot breath tickles my neck as his hands shackle my hips. I lose focus on everything but his presence. “Having a good time?” he murmurs against my ear.

“Yeah, I am.” I turn my head over my shoulder to meet his lips. What was intended to be an innocent kiss leaves me panting. My panties are instantly soaked, and I’m suddenly wishing it was time to kick everyone out.

“Think anyone will miss us if we slip away for a bit?” he asks. God I love that devilish tone when he’s up to no good.

“What did you have in mind?”

“If I tell you, it’ll spoil the fun.” He tugs on my earlobe with his teeth. “But it will involve you coming, Princess.”

“I like the sound of that.”

I take his hand, letting him lead me down the hall to our bedroom.

Days like today, I still can’t believe I almost boarded a plane and risked leaving all this behind. Life with Axel has been everything and more. The story ideas have multiplied faster than rabbits on a caffeine diet. We’ve traveled to nearby towns together, and this spring, we’ll be going to Hawaii for two weeks. Turns out Axel served in the Navy, so we can stay at the resort in Paradise Cove as guests.

“What are you thinking?” he asks, leading me to the bed.

“I’m thinking I’m the luckiest romance author on the planet to haveyouas my muse.” I snake my arm around his neck and pull him down for a kiss.

We don’t come up for air until we drop onto the mattress. My skirt’s pushed up, panties MIA, and Axel’s cock is nudging my entrance. I arch into him as he slides into my pussy. “I love you, Axel.”

“Good.”

I look at him then, raising an eyebrow. “Good? That’s your response?”

“Yes.” He pulls out slowly and thrusts back in hard. My body trembles in pleasure, desperate for him to do it again. The gleam in his eyes tells me he knows exactly what he’s doing to me.

“So romantic. Maybe I take back what I just said?—”

“It’s a good thing you love me, because I want to marry you, Princess.”

“Where’s the ring?”

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