Page 122 of Axel

“Axel,” she huffs, “I can’t let you buy this for me. Because no price tag means it’s more than my annual salary.”

I tsk. “Reminds me; I need to give you a raise.”

“I need to punch your balls.”

“Promise? You know I love a good fight.”

“I’m serious.”

“So, am I. This suit is one of many that my queen will wear. Because you look breathtaking in it and because I said so.”

She lifts her chin. “I’d rather be naked than bought.”

“We can play that kink, too, Wildfire. Whatever my queen wants.”

“I’m not wearing this.”

“Well,” I say, “not all night. I’ll take it off when I fuck you. Itisexpensive as shit.”

I’m pushing her buttons, and she’s spewing lava.

It’s so hot when she’s hot.

“Listen.” I cup her cheek. “I’m giving you everything, Ruby. Everything I have, body, soul, and wallet, is yours. I’ve already signed the contracts, making it very real. You’re sexy as fuck in Daisy Dukes. You kill me in NASCAR pajamas. And you’re my goddamn queen in Chanel.

“And tonight, you’ll see what that means to me, tous.Most of our queens wear Chanel, Prada, whatever. We dress formally for our rituals. But you’ll bemyqueen, the firstqueen in ranking after my mother, so wear whatever you want, as long as you wear it for me.”

She blinks. “Wow. That was some speech.”

“Mic drop.”

“Okay, I’ll wear the suit. It’s pretty. Thank you. And you had me at blindfolds and bondage hoods, but I have a question.”

I smirk. “Yes, you may kneel and suck my cock in this dressing room.”

“Axel.” She slaps my chest. “Who’s going to be Vale’s second king tonight?”

I hate where this is going.“I can’t say. You know that. Only a queen can tell you or … show you.”

“Because the queens pick their second kings?”

“Yes.”

“If you make me queen and?—”

“WhenI make you my queen.”

“Okay,whenyou make me your queen, can I choose Grant as my second king?”

MURDER must flash in neon across my face.

“Axel, I trust him, too,” she explains, “and you know that’s hard for me. No offense to the other kings, but if…”—I glare—“I mean,whenI become your queen, I would be honored if Grant is my second king. Like you, he makes me feel safe.”

Suddenly, it’s not about petty jealousy or primal possession. Since my father has found us, it’s about protecting Ruby.

This is why I fell in love with her. Fuck yes, it can happen at first sight. With her bloody knee, proud chin, fiery hair, jeweled eyes, and plump lips that wouldn’t stop talking, she blazed through me. I was done. I was hers.

Now, together, we’ll fight back. We won’t live afraid of my father.

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