“Are you close with your brother?” she asked.
He maneuvered the vehicle from one lane to another, steering clear of a sputtering yellow van straight out of 1970. “Yeah, we hang out sometimes. You’ll get to meet him one day.” Lane change safely complete, he glanced at her. “Your mom teaches piano lessons. Do you play?”
“I used to. My apartment is too small for a piano. I love it, but I’m out of practice. Do you play an instrument or have any talents?”
“I don’t play the piano, although I do have one. You’ll have to come over and play for me sometime.” Pausing, he narrowed his eyes. “I do have other talents that I’m eager to share with you. You’ll have to wait a while before you enjoy those though,” he said, and then bit his bottom lip, waiting for her reaction.
She blushed and squirmed in her seat. “Exactly to what talents are you referring Mr. Christensen? If I have to wait, I’d like to know it’s worth it.”
Boldly, she ran the tip of her long delicate finger down his arm sending an exhilarating shiver through his body. “Mmm.” He released a low groan. “Don’t tempt me Miss Mulls. You don’t want to throw stones at this giant. I’ll turn this vehicle around and violate every damn rule we agreed to earlier today.”
“I didn’t know you were a man so easily torn from your convictions.”
Looking down at his lap, he eyed his hard-on and her gaze followed. “Only when it comes to you,” he said, flashing a wicked smile.
The vehicle pulled into a crowded parking lot. He hadn’t told her where he was taking her that afternoon, keeping her in suspense. Jumping out of the SUV, he opened her door and extended his hand offering to help her down. They made their way toward a large white brick building. There was no signage anywhere to be found.
“I hope you enjoy mountain biking.”
“It’s been a while, but yes I do.”
“Good. We’re picking up our rental bikes here.”
“What would you have done if I said I couldn’t ride?” she asked.
The corner of his mouth lifted into a slow, sexy smirk. Leaning in close, he whispered. “I would have said it’s another thing I get to teach you to ride.”
When they walked into the building, he immediately spotted Betty, who made her way to them and threw her pale arms around Axel’s neck, giving him a firm hug. He wrapped his arms around her warmly, greeting her with equal enthusiasm.
“It’s been such a long time. How have you been? Is this Kerrigan” She paused. “Oh Axel, she’s gorgeous.” Not giving him a chance to answer her questions, the white-haired woman looked at Kerrigan. “Every time I talk to him, he goes on and on about you. It’s such a pleasure to meet the woman who finally has captured Axel’s heart. I’m Betty.” She pulled Kerrigan into her arms and squeezed tightly.
“Oh?” Kerrigan answered with a questioning smile, flashing him a skeptical look over Betty’s shoulder. “Nice to meet you too … Betty.”
“The bikes are ready and everything…”
“Okay!” Startled by the loud thunder of his voice interrupting her mid-speech, Betty jumped. “Thanks for your help Betty. We’d better get going.” He liked Betty, and she was a dear friend of his family’s, but the woman talked too much.
“Oh, right! Let’s go get your bikes.” They headed to the restrooms, which were located on the outside of the building, to change their clothes. He had packed riding gear for them both. He came out first, strapped on his helmet and then sat on a bench and waited for Kerrigan. When she finally appeared, he stopped breathing. Her shorts highlighted her shapely golden brown legs, and he struggled to stop gawking. The fitted shirt accentuated the delicate curves of her small frame and voluptuous breasts. Her long hair flowed down her back underneath her helmet. As she got closer, his pants tightened around his groin. How in the hell am I going to keep my hands off her?
“I’m ready,” she announced.
“I need a few minutes,” he said gruffly.
“Is everything all right?” Her forehead wrinkled with worry.
“Yeah, just give me a minute.” He said flatly and then cleared his throat.
She noticed the hulking bulge in his lap. “Oh … Oh! I’m sorry,” She turned beet red and laughed at the same time.
“Woman, do you see what you’re doing to me? You’re driving me crazy.”
“I’m sorry. Is there anything I can do?” Her expression was serious as she moved closer to touch his shoulder, but then stopped.
“I can think of a few things,” he gave her a dangerous grin. Spend the night with me and never leave.
“I’m sure you can, but I think what you have in mind might violate our agreement.”
“What I have in mind would most definitely violate our agreement.” He took a deep breath and exhaled. “Let’s go.” He stood up and bit his bottom lip. His body had never responded so spontaneously to any woman the way it did to hers. Despite his best intentions to go slowly with her, he didn’t know if he’d be strong enough to wait much longer before fully claiming her.
They rode side by side down the bike trail laughing and talking.
He slowed his speed and turned toward her, peering at her from underneath his green and black helmet. “What kind of music do you like?” he asked.
“I like a little of everything from pop and rock to alternative and jazz. Nineties throwbacks are also great. What about you?”
“I like a little bit of everything too, but classic R&B and old school hip hop are at the top of my list.”
Her lips curled down into a frown. “Really?” She asked.
“Why does that surprise you? I bet I could teach you a thing or two.”
Rolling her eyes at him, she smirked. “You’ll have to add it to your growing list of things to teach me.”
“I’ll be sure to do that because you’ll need a healthy appreciation for classic R&B to enhance the experience of the number one thing on my list.” Her eyes widened and her mouth fell open. He chuckled. “But only when we’re both ready,” he added.
The corners of his lips dipped, his gaze scanning the asphalt trail as they rode. “I have a confession. You should know about some of my quarks.” He knew this would spark her interest.
“Everyone has a thing. I have several, and I hope you don’t hold them against me. You tell me yours, and I’ll tell you mine.” She smiled.
Focused on the trail, he saw the split. “Follow me.”
“Where are we going?”
“No questions. Just follow me. This way.” Hanging a left, he led them down a secluded bike trail surrounded by wild flowers and tall evergreens. “Okay. I have this weird thing about not letting my bare feet touch the ground.” He hoped she had a good sense of humor. “You’ll always find me in a pair of socks. There are only two places where I make an exception, in bed and on the beach.”
She shook her head. “That’s not too bad. I have to close my bathroom door when I brush my teeth. I don’t know why, but I shut the bathroom door in my apartment, and I’m the only one there.”
He pursed his lips and nodded his head. “I’m always aroused by you and I can’t stop staring. You’re beautiful. It’s becoming a thing,” he admitted.
Kerrigan threw her head back, her laughter boomeranging in echo. “I may have noticed,” she said, and continued laughing. “Well, I can’t sleep without hugging my pillow,” she said. “I know it’s weird.”
“Really? Sounds as if you’re missing something.”
Her laugh subsided into quiet. “I’ve done it for as long as I can remember.” She said, shaking her head.
“I think your pillow is a surrogate for the man you need who’ll give you what your heart deserves, cherish your body tenderly and sensually, and keep you safe in his arms. I’ll take replacing your pillow as a personal challenge.”
Her breath seized, gaping at him with wide, timid eyes.
“Someday Kerrigan, I promise I’ll make sure you don’t need that pillow ever again.” He knew from her ex
pression that he hit the right chord. “You should know that I’m a man of my word.”
They continued riding for five minutes until she broke the tension-filled silence.
“Giving back to the community is important. I volunteer twice a month at a couple of elementary schools reading to first and second graders. How do you give back?”
“I give with my wallet and thanks to you I’ve significantly increased my donations this year.”
“There are so many people who need help. Donations are great, but your time is invaluable. I know you’re busy, but you should consider giving some of your time. I also mentor and tutor middle school students once a month. There’s nothing like seeing their faces when the light clicks on, and they learn something they’ve been struggling to understand. Maybe…”
Finishing her sentence, “Maybe we could go together sometime.”
“Yes. I think you would find the experience rewarding.”
“You like helping kids, don’t you?” he asked.
She nodded her head. “I love it. Some of the kids I help don’t get any encouragement or support at home. It makes me feel good to help them with their school work or personal issues.”
“You’re giving and compassionate, and you love kids. I love that about you. Do you want a large family of your own someday?”
She kept her eyes fixed ahead down the long winding trail. “Well, I hope to have at least a couple of kids one day, I suppose.”
“You don’t sound too sure,” he said, glancing at her.
She sighed. “Ideally, I’d like to settle down first, but life is unpredictable. Who knows what the future holds.”
“Ah, I see.” He smiled. “I don’t think you have much to worry about. I’d say chances are in your favor that you’ll settle down and have a family of your own someday.”
“What about you? Do you want a big family?” she asked.
“I want whatever my future wife wants,” he replied, giving her a coy smile. She didn’t seem to catch on to his subtle hint.
She frowned. “Really? If your wife wanted ten kids or if she didn’t want children at all, would you just go along with her demands? That’s a noble gesture, but Axel, surely what you want matters too,” she scolded.
“Well baby, my preference is two children, but if you wanted more, then we could have more. I hope you don’t want an army, though.” This time he held her timid gaze, waiting for her response.
She choked a nervous laugh back, her eyes moistening. “You, you can’t possibly think of me in this way. Me?” Her voice was shaky.
“You. You’re the only woman I’ve ever thought about in this way.” His reply was short and pointed. “How does that make you feel?”
She hesitated for a moment before responding, wrinkles creasing her brow. “Makes me nervous, but in a good way.”
“Makes me nervous in a good way too.” He gave her a Cheshire cat-on-steroids grin, his pulse racing.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
When they reached Axel’s secret destination, they parked and locked up their bikes at a nearby rack. He took her by the hand and led her down a winding trail that descended into a valley flanked by large grass-covered hills looming all around them. At the base of the valley was a wide creek with wild flowers growing along its banks. Tall willowy trees and jagged rocks lined its edges. Streams of water cascading over steep slopes created a series of beautiful waterfalls that flowed into the water.
Kerrigan gasped. “Wow, this is absolutely beautiful!”
His eyes affixed to her. “Yes she is.”
His remark wasn’t lost on her. Her cheeks tinted like red roses in bloom. He always found a way to turn up the heat. Don’t get caught up. He’s only flattering you. This is just infatuation, and he’ll be moving on to someone new in no time.
They walked hand-in-hand, his large masculine hand wrapped around her delicate, soft one until they reached a large shade tree covered in vibrant shades of green. The sound of the tree’s leaves rustling in the wind was reminiscent of light raindrops falling. She stopped. Closing her eyes, she delighted in the sound washing over her in waves.
“You like that.” He said, words spoken softly. “The tranquility, the breeze.”
She opened her eyes and grinned broadly. “I love the sound of rain falling. The leaves, they sound just like rain. This is … unbelievable.”
Releasing her hand, he brought his palm to her face and caressed her cheek tenderly with his hand. “I love to see you so relaxed, so carefree...” Staring at her as if he ran out of words, he paused. She had never seen that look in his eyes before, a new emotion that she couldn’t place. “…so beautiful.” His voice was a whisper.
Beneath the tree laid a large blanket where a picnic spread was set out. A bottle of Riesling, wine glasses and unlit candles were set on top of a picnic basket. Her heart hammered against her breast and her legs trembled under her quivering body. This was the most romantic and beautiful place she had ever been, not to mention the fact that she couldn’t keep her eyes off him. She leaned her head against his shoulder, relishing the feel of him. His arm swathed her pulling her closer to him. Knowing that he had especially arranged the day just for her, she barely contained her emotions. He probably does this for all of his dates. You’re not special. The thought was sobering, snatching her back into reality. She had to keep her guard up.
“What do you think?” His brow wrinkled and head tilted down, he studied her face with his intense narrow gaze. As if he were directly addressing her unspoken thoughts, he added, “I hope you like my surprise. I’ve never done anything like this before. We have the entire area to ourselves. Let’s sit down.”
Tears pooled in her eyes. “Your surprise is perfect Axel. I…I can’t believe you did this. You did this for me. No one has ever done anything romantic for me before. This place is so beautiful,” she said, her voice shaky, choking back tears.
His eyes sparkled. “You inspire me Kerrigan. I think I’d do anything for you.”
Conflicted, she was afraid to hope for a future with him. Wasn’t she merely a conquest to him? Once he captured her…well, despite what she thought, she would enjoy this day.
He offered his hand and helped her down onto the blanket.
“Close your eyes and open your mouth,” he said, a twinkle in his eyes. “You can trust me, baby.”
She wanted him to press his lips to hers so badly that she ached to the core.
She closed her eyes then opened wide and awaited his next move. She heard the creaking sound of the basket opening. The sour sweetness melted onto her taste buds. “Mmm. That is delicious. What is this?”
He moved in close and whispered in her ear. “Concord grapes. Glad you like them. I hand-picked them for you.”
If he had asked, she would have let him make love to her right there in broad daylight, under the tree and on that picnic blanket. He didn’t ask.
They fed each other an assortment of treats from the basket, tempting and teasing and satisfying their physical hunger. Kerrigan had never liked the company of a man more than this date. For the first time since she stepped foot in his office more than a year ago, she was relaxed, enjoying him, her armor surrendered and her heart exposed.
“Lie down on your stomach. You’ve made this day so special for me, this is the least I can do.”
“Yes ma’am. I like the sound of that. How can I resist?” Lying down, he placed his head down on the blanket, closed his eyes and smiled.
She swiped playfully at his arm. “I hope I don’t disappoint you.”
He let out a throaty laugh. “Miss Mulls, you never disappoint me.”
She grabbed hold of his shoulders and gripped him hard. “This is something I learned while paying my way through school.” She rubbed and pulled, digging her fingers into his firm, muscular shoulders, massaging deep.
“Oh, god. Kerrigan.” He moaned. “Your hands are magic.”
She smiled. “So I’ve been told.”
He po
ked his head up again. “I’m jealous. Who else have you given this massage to? No past boyfriends I hope.”
“I’ve never had a boyfriend.”
As if that were his cue, he rolled over and placed his hands behind his head. “I still can’t believe you’ve never … never even had a boyfriend.”
“The longest time I dated anyone, was two months, but he wasn’t my boyfriend.”
He leaned up, placing his weight on his forearms. “That’s close enough. What was the reason the relationship didn’t work?”
“I dated this guy named Greg for two months. I liked him, but he was a complete jerk. He told me that I was too beautiful to be taken seriously and too smart for a man to stick around.” Her chest tightened, and her throat turned dry. The pain of his words still stung her heart. “He dumped me when I refused to have sex with him.” She’d never even told Ashley the details. She gazed down at him, inhaled a breath and sighed.
Axel sat up straight, frowning. “I’m sorry Kerrigan. He sounds like a colossal asshole to me.” His hand placed under her chin, he raised her downturned face up to him.
“After similar dating experiences, I just became fed up. That’s why I don’t date anymore.” She blinked repeatedly.
Always attuned to her emotional needs even without her saying a word, he stood and held out his hand. “Then, to be given this chance, I am privileged.” His slow sexy smile melted her heart. “Let’s go for a walk.”
An hour later, they settled along the creek’s edge, resting on the bank. She was enamored with the scenery. He pulled her close to him and she nestled her head against his chest.
“I’ll wait as long as I have to Kerrigan,” he made love to her with his sweet and gentle words. “You’re beautiful, kind, smart and fun. Everything this man could want,” complimenting her. “Plus you can’t keep your hands off me,” teasing her and tantalizing her senses to the limit.
Despite her best effort, denying her feelings had been difficult. “I’ve never felt about anyone the way I feel about you.” She admitted, lost in the moment with Axel.
Pull Me Closer (Suits in Pursuit) Page 15
