Page 21 of Come Around
Inside me.
The realization hits me like a bucket of ice water.
Again. We did it again without protection. Panic rises in my throat as Axel collapses beside me, pulling me against his chest.
“Oh no.” I press a hand to my mouth. “We didn’t use anything. Again.”
Axel’s arm tightens around me. “I know.”
“Aren’t you worried?” I push up onto my elbow to look at him. “What if I get pregnant?”
His expression surprises me. Instead of concern, there’s something like satisfaction in his eyes.
Something almost... hopeful.
“Would that be so terrible?” His fingers trace lazy patterns on my bare back. “Having my baby growing inside you?”
I stare at him, completely stunned.
“Are you serious right now? We’ve known each other for a day.”
“Some things you just know.” He repeats his earlier words, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “Some people are meant to be together. Some things are meant to happen.”
“This is insane.” I shake my head, trying to make sense of his reaction. “Most guys would be freaking out right now.”
“I’m not most guys.” His smile is gentle but certain. “And you’re not some random hookup, Sami. You’re the woman I’ve been waiting for.”
“Why me? Out of all the women you could have had, why did you pick the broke waitress from The Summit? Was I just convenient? The right place at the right time?”
Something shifts in his expression, a decision being made. “You weren’t convenient, Kitten. You were necessary.”
“That curse Ruby mentioned,” I whisper. “The Fit Mountain curse. Is it real?”
Axel smiles, pulling me back against his chest. “One look, and a mountain man knows. That’s what they say.”
“And you knew? Just from seeing me at the diner?”
“I knew.” His voice is absolute certainty. “And now you know too, don’t you?”
The scary thing is, I do. Despite all logic, despite every self-preservation instinct, despite knowing him for less than a day—I know. This connection between us isn’t normal. It isn’t rational. But it’s real. As real as the mountains outside his window, as real as his heartbeat beneath my palm.
“Yes,” I admit softly. “I know.”
Chapter Seven
AXEL
I tapmy fingers against the steering wheel as I drive toward The Summit, a smile playing at my lips.
It’s been one week since I brought Sami home with me, and everything is falling into place exactly as I planned. She sleeps in my bed every night, wears my clothes around the house, and depends on me for rides to and from work. Each day, she surrenders a little more of her independence without even realizing it.
Each day, she becomes a little more mine.
She hasn’t even asked about her apartment in three days. The last time she mentioned it was to complain about her landlord’s latest text about the water heater. I nodded sympathetically while secretly thanking the incompetent bastard for making my job easier. Nothing helps a man stake his claim like offering solutions to problems.
As I’m driving, my phone rings through the car speakers. Lainey’s name flashes on the screen, and I hit accept.
“What’s up, step-mommy?” I say, taking the turn that leads to The Summit.
