Axel tightened his arms around her waist. “I need you every night, Kerrigan. We need to talk about this soon.”
She wasn’t sure where he was going. Her pulse quickened.
Squirming until his grip loosened, “Okay, we’ll talk soon. I have to get back to my office now,” she said.
She spun around in his arms, tiptoed and met his kiss as he leaned down.
Axel’s finger swiped the tip of her nose. “I mean what I said Kerrigan. Soon.”
Her eyes darted, avoiding his impassioned gaze. “Yes. Soon.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
She was glad that Brenda wasn’t sitting there when she finally walked out of Axel’s office, thoroughly fucked. She made her way back to her office, trying to maintain a low profile. She hurried in, closed the door and pulled out her lipstick. Their relationship was still unbelievable to her. Just a few short weeks ago, she was a virgin who would do anything to avoid his imposing intensity and now she was in his office doing things she’d never even imagined. Being with him was surreal. How long would they last?
She continued working until five o’clock. She noticed that he hadn’t canceled their late afternoon “meeting.” She was under no circumstances going back into his office today. At a quarter after five, there was a knock at the door.
“Come in,” She announced. When she turned around and saw him standing in the doorway, a hard lump formed in her throat. He walked in, closed the door behind him, and then stalked over to her desk. Her heart hammered in her chest. Was he out of his mind?
“Axel, what are you doing? We can’t do that in here. Besides, I’m still sore.” Her voice pitched.
“As tempting as the thought is, that’s not why I’m here.” His eyes narrowed, and jaw tightened, Axel pressed his lips into a thin line. His expression made her stomach wrench with pain.
He placed his hand under her chin, raised her face to his and leaned down. Suddenly, the office door flew open, and Megan marched in unannounced, and then she screeched to a halt. Axel slowly lowered his hand and turned around.
Megan stared with her mouth agape. “I, I’m so sorry Mr. Christensen, Kerrigan. I thought Kerrigan was alone.” She stammered, blood draining from her face.
“What do you need?” he asked sternly.
“I can come back later,” Megan replied.
“No. Obviously, whatever you needed was so urgent that you burst into Kerrigan’s office unannounced, which is not only rude, but also unprofessional. Now, what do you want?”
Megan’s eyes darted from Kerrigan to Axel. “I, I just came in to find out about the trip last week. I was going to ask Kerrigan if she needed any help, with um, reports.” Megan’s stammering voice faded to a whisper.
“Oh? I didn’t realize you were assigned to this project or on this team.”
“I’m not sir. I just thought …”
He interrupted her before she could finish her response. “Megan, I know exactly what you thought. Let me make one thing clear for you. This is my company. What happens between me and Kerrigan is of no concern to you. Stay out of our personal business. All you need to worry about is your job and projects assigned to your team.” He stood to his full height and moved so close to Megan that he could see as the tears formed in her beady eyes. “If I hear about you starting or spreading any more rumors about Kerrigan or me, I’ll fire you on the spot with no questions asked. For the record, Kerrigan and I are involved romantically. I dare you or anyone else to say another word about our relationship. Are we clear?” She nodded her head. “Now get out of this office,” his voice boomed loudly, reverberating across the sea of cubicles.
Megan turned, making her exit as quickly as she could move. Tripping over her own feet, she fumbled to a near fall, gripping the edge of Kerrigan’s desk, and then the wall before fleeing into the hall and closing the door behind her.
He softened his tone, lowered his voice and addressed Kerrigan. “Baby, that’s what I came down to tell you. Brenda told me about all the gossip last week. She was concerned about how the rumors might affect you, us. I’m sorry, but this is my company and you are my woman. I won’t stand for this behavior any longer. I’m not going to hide our relationship. Anyone who has a problem with us can leave.”
Kerrigan’s breath hitched, and her belly fluttered. “Thank you.” She said, staring wide-eyed at him. Axel was her knight in shining armor.
Axel stood behind her and massaged her shoulders. “I’ll always be here to protect you. Come on sweetheart. Let’s go home.”
Coming to her feet, she picked up her handbag, and he grabbed her hand and led her down the hall. Silence fell across the floor as they made their way out hand-in-hand. Glancing around, she caught Ashley’s smiling eyes.
They reached the parking garage elevator; he leaned down and kissed her gently on the forehead. She lifted her eyes to his, feeling herself beam all over. The elevator arrived, and they stepped inside. As soon as the doors closed, he swept her up in his arms.
She peered into his eyes. “Megan has been a nuisance for months. Before we were involved, she used to pass insinuating remarks all the time about how I was your favorite and how lucky I was to spend time with you. This is a giant weight lifted off my shoulders.”
“She was right about one thing—you are my favorite.” His smoldering gaze sent Goose bumps prickling across her arms.
He moved one hand around her waist and cupped her behind with the other hand, massaging and kneading her cheeks as he pulled her into him.
“Axel, stop that! You can’t have me tonight. I was nearly unconscious after our rendezvous in your office and I’m still sore. Stop that!” She giggled, and flushed.
He knew what he had done to her.
He stopped groping her and instead moved both hands to her waist. “All right baby. Come stay the night with me and I promise to let you rest. I swear.”
The elevator stopped, and he released her. They stepped out and stood in the parking deck, finishing their conversation.
“Uh, I don’t know,” she said hesitantly.
“Come on. I miss being with you and I can’t sleep unless you’re lying in my arms. I’m begging,” he pleaded.
“Who would have thought that I’d have Axel Christensen begging me for anything?” She patted his chest. “Okay. I’ll take pity on you this time.”
He pumped his fist in the air. “Yes!”
She shook her head, laughed and rolled her eyes. They walked to his Range Rover, and he opened the passenger door, and then helped her climb inside before walking to his side of the vehicle.
He closed his door and started the engine. “I’d beg for you any day. You’re going to pay for that.” He said with a devious grin. Then he opened the sunroof.
“Axel, you swore! Seriously, I can’t tonight,” she squealed.
“Miss Mulls, you have a dirty mind. I can punish you without sex being involved. You’ll find out soon enough.”
“I don’t have a dirty mind! And why am I being punished?”
“Because of the position you’ve put me in. I’ve never begged for anything from anyone, ever.”
“I guess you’re in unfamiliar territory.” She lightly touched his arm.
“Very,” he replied before grabbing her hand.
He stared deeply into her eyes. “Kerrigan, I mean everything I’ve said. I’ve never felt about anyone the way I feel about you. This is new territory for me, and I’m not afraid. I don’t want this feeling to end.”
She gulped hard, not sure what to say next and uncertain where he was going with his comment. The same old nagging thoughts of self-doubt returned. Don’t read too much into his words. Someone like him doesn’t get serious about someone like you for the long haul. This is only temporary.
She decided on the safest thing she could muster. “I’m in unfamiliar territory, too.”
He leaned in and kissed her slowly, sucking her bottom lip. Her tongue tangled with his. They were lost in each other, falling deeper unti
l he stopped and pulled back.
“I guess that means we have to figure this out together.” He smiled and moved his hand to her thigh. “Are you sure there’s no way I can persuade you tonight?”
“No!” She swatted his hand gently.
“You can’t blame a guy for trying. Let’s go home.” he referred to them going home, made her wonder, if she were foolish to hope for a future with him. A future that held promised permanence.
That night, they ate the supper that Emma had prepared and left for them. After their meal, they settled down in the family room, cozying up on the charcoal microfiber sofa.
“Let’s watch some television. I have no idea what’s going on in the world these past few weeks.” He flipped through the channels.
“Can we watch a mix of real news and a little entertainment?” she asked, batting her eyes at him.
“My thoughts exactly. A little Hollywood, a bit of Washington and a snippet of the local flavor.”
“Perfect.” She snuggled against him, resting her head on his chest.
“Of course, no evening is complete without a little reality television. Sad, but that’s my vice.” He confessed.
“I love reality television as long as the show has something to do with food, singing or humor. No blind dating or crazy personal drama.”
He kissed the top of her head. “How about CNN, the Voice and Top Chef?”
“You’ve got a date. Since you’re accustomed to staying up late, maybe later tonight we can tune into the local news and catch a little comedy,” she said. “Do you like Tosh.0 or Chelsea Handler’s show?”
“I knew there was a reason I love you so much.” He squeezed her arm and laughed.
At nine o’clock, he turned off the television. “I’m going to work out, and you’re going to join me—your punishment.”
“That’s my punishment? Bring it on,” she retorted, confidence in her voice.
He flexed his pecks up and down. “Sweetheart, look at this body.”
“I’m quite familiar with your body, thank you very much. Obviously, you have forgotten what my legs look like. I’m pretty sure I can keep up with you.” Her toned muscular leg stretched across his lap.
He grabbed her leg firmly, and then pushed her back onto the sofa, arching over her and tickling her mercilessly.
She panted heavily between laughs. “Ah! Axel. Stop. Stop it.” She laughed more.
Moving his hand away from her side, he sat up. “Woman, you are such a tease. Let’s go, before I break my promise.”
When they walked into his home gym, she remembered her first night at his house when she had accidentally spied on him from the guest bedroom’s balcony. She never imagined that her relationship with Axel would blossom in this way. Glancing out of the window, she fixed her eyes on the balcony.
“You’ve upgraded your view. Would you like an up-close-and-personal show?” He asked.
Not waiting for her response, he peeled his shirt off and lied flat down on the bench press. His muscles rippled and strained as he pumped the heavy weights with all his strength. She gawked at him, her mouth agape.
He lowered the bar onto the rack, and the weights clang loudly. “Sweetheart, are you going to stand there staring at me all night?” A broad grin spread across his lips. “If you can keep up with me in here, you can keep up with me in the bedroom.”
“You’re a cruel man. I’m going over to the elliptical where it’s safe,” she said, and then stuck out her plump bottom lip.
“It’s never safe when I’m near you. Stop pouting or I’ll bite your fat bottom lip.”
Butterflies danced in belly. She almost wished he would make good on his threat. Almost. She tucked in her lip.
“Fine. You want a workout?” She bent over, her firm round lobes perfectly positioned in front of him. “I’ll need to do some stretching.”
He sprung up and pursed his lips. “Careful where you put that beautiful ass of yours, Kerrigan. I’ll wear you out worse than any workout in this gym if you keep tempting me.”
“I thought you were a man of your word.” She teased.
“I am, but the truth is I’m easily torn from my convictions in your presence. Tempting me is not a good idea.”
Sweaty musk filled the air, their hot bodies pumping and straining to complete physical exertion.
An hour and a half later, they retreated to the house, heading for his bedroom.
Outside of his room, he paused. “You shower in my bathroom. I’ll use the guest bath down the hall.”
Back from the guest bath, Axel leaned against the doorframe, observing her quietly. Kerrigan was already in bed hammering out work on her laptop. The sight of her sitting in his bed, his heart swelled. He clambered into bed next to her. Even though they had slept in the same bed together many times before, tonight felt like a milestone. It was a work night, and there would be no sex. They were a normal couple. He liked the idea.
At eleven o’clock, she put her laptop away.
The lights turned off, he pulled Kerrigan close to him, enjoying her scent. “Hmm. Baby, I love holding you close, how your body presses into mine.” Her small hand on his chest made his flesh sizzle. “This feels good, natural. Do you like this?” He never wanted the feeling to end.
“Yes.” She agreed and nuzzled her face against him.
The word rolled off her tongue like a waterfall cascades over a cliff. When the time was right, he hoped she would say yes to his ultimate question with such ease.
Don’t get too comfortable, her inner voice told her. The thought tormented her. She lay awake for an hour in the cocoon of his arms, unable to shake the feeling of impending doom and heartbreak.
CHAPTER NINE
Tuesday, October 9
When they arrived at work the next morning, Axel walked Kerrigan to her office. He made a point to make their arrival together known. Just inside her office, he leaned down and kissed her swiftly on the lips, careful not to lay the kiss on too heavy, for both their sakes. He wasn’t concerned about professionalism. He knew they couldn’t have a repeat lovemaking session as they had in his office the day before. A deep kiss would leave him wanting and unable to fulfill his needs or focus for the rest of the day.
“Sweetheart, we’ll go home at five. I’ll see you then.” His statement was a command and not a question.
She didn’t argue with him. She looked up at him sweetly. “I’ll be ready.”
He used the word home again.
Nothing out of the ordinary happened all day. She chuckled to herself thinking about Megan’s facial expression when he confronted her the day before. The dynamics in the office were improved instantly.
Ashley was herself. At noon, the two women went to lunch to catch up. The topic of conversation would be her and Axel, of course.
“Kerri, I thought I was going to fall out of my chair yesterday when Axel busted Megan.” Ashley laughed.
Kerrigan twisted her lips into a faint smile. “He was brilliant, wasn’t he?”
“Obviously, he’s serious about you, but his public outing of your relationship surprised even me. That’s a very good sign. Remember what I said?”
“Yes, and that’s a little scary. I’m comfortable with him, I feel as if I’ve known him my whole life. We … we fit.”
“But?” Ashley tilted her head and raised her brow.
“Well, I can’t help thinking it’s just a matter of time before he’s ready to move on. He says he loves me, but I can’t say the words back. I’m trying to protect my heart.”
“Kerri, too late for that. Just because you haven’t said the words aloud, doesn’t mean you’ll be spared of heartbreak. Anyone with two eyes can see that he’s in love with you, and you’re in love with him, too. Face facts, Axel is done chasing woman, and you’re the one he wants. That’s a great thing.”
“This is too soon. A few weeks ago, I still called the man Mr. Christensen. Isn’t that crazy?”
“Hasn’t he been after you for
a while? I remember the way he looked at you your first day here. He began courting you from then, getting to know you better. Then he made his move. I would say he’s been pretty darn patient.”
“Okay, fair. Haven’t you given me this same pep talk before? Let’s talk about something else.”
“I’ll keep giving you this talk until you come to your senses. After all, if I don’t look out for you, who will?” Ashley reached across the table and patted Kerrigan’s hand.
“You know, he has a younger brother. He’s cute. Maybe I should introduce the two of you. His name is Ryker.”
Ashley shook her head in objection. “Oh. No. I’m not into younger men, and I’ve heard all about him. He’s a total player.”
Kerrigan laughed, and then changed the subject. “Okay. Well, how are things with Sam?”
“He still wants more than I can give him. I’m about to break up with him,” Ashley said.
“I hope I get to give you a pep talk about some handsome hunk one day soon.”
“I hope so too,” Ashley said, and then laughed.
They finished their lunch and headed back to the office.
The rest of the day was routine. At five o’clock, he came to her office, and they left to go to his house. That night, they made slow and easy love all night long. She knew Ashley was right. Her heart already belonged to him. Though she hadn’t said the words or allowed herself to accept the truth, she knew. She was madly and hopelessly in love with him.
Wednesday, October 10
Axel and Kerrigan were meeting Harris McBride at his office later that day. Kerrigan was nervous about this meeting. Taking long strides, she paced the length of Axel’s office, clanking her heels against the hardwood with each step.
Thumbing through the presentation, Axel sat at the conference table. He watched her glide, the measured steps of her graceful gait. “Kerrigan, you’re going to do an outstanding job. Stop worrying.” He had practiced with her over, and over while he gave her pointers. She was well prepared.
Closer To You (Suits in Pursuit) Page 7