Eve
I woke to Axel’s hands tracing slow, deliberate paths along my skin. His forehead rested against my shoulder blade, his lips hovering just above my collarbone.
A smile tugged at my lips.
His hands slid from my sides to my hips, pulling me closer. I sighed, leaning back against him, wondering why the universe had decided to punish me.
"What are you doing?" I asked, though I already knew.
"How does someone who looks like they lost a fight with a wild beast still crave a woman’s touch?"
Axel, half-dead but still arrogant, cracked open one eye. "Survival instinct."
I snorted. "Oh, is that what this is? So, what—you think if you hold onto me long enough, your wounds will magically heal?"
His lips twitched, but exhaustion dulled his usual smirk. His arm tightened around my waist, his breath warm against my hair.
"Worth a shot."
I moved closer, pressing against his bare chest. His scent filled my lungs, grounding me and calming me.
"You’re impossible."
Axel exhaled, shifting slightly aga
