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He leans into my touch, his eyes fluttering closed. "I would never hurt you. Not intentionally."
"I know," I say softly. "But that doesn't make it any less terrifying."
We sit there for a long moment, lost in the raw honesty of the moment. And for the first time since he walked back into my life, I feel a glimmer of hope. A chance for something real, something true.
But the moment is shattered by the sound of my phone buzzing, a harsh reminder of the reality we're facing. I pull away, reaching for my purse.
It's a text from Simon, a reminder of an early morning interview. I sigh, the weight of my responsibilities crashing back down on me.
“We have to go," I say, standing. "I have an interview in the morning."
Axel nods, standing as well. “OK, let’s go”.
As we make our way back through the party, I can feel the eyes on us, the whispers and speculation. But for once, I don't care. Because in that moment, with Axel by my side, I feel stronger than I have in years.
And as we step out into the night, his hand finding mine in the darkness, I know that whatever happens next, we'll face it together. Not as bodyguard and client, but as two people who have found their way back to each other, against all odds.
8
AXEL
Ilean against the door frame, watching Sasha as she works at her desk. The soft glow of the lamp illuminates her face, casting shadows that dance across her features as she frowns in concentration. She's so focused, so intent on whatever she's doing, that she doesn't notice me standing there.
I take a moment to just… observe her. To drink in the sight of her, with her hair falling in loose waves around her shoulders and her lips pursed in thought. She's beautiful, there's no denying that. But it's more than just her physical appearance that draws me to her. It's her ability to keep going even in the face of adversity.
My fingers clench around the door frame as I fight the urge to go to her, to wrap my arms around her and pull her close. I want to bury my face in her hair, to breathe in her scent and feel the warmth of her body against mine. I want to tell her how much I admire her, how much I care about her.
But I can't. I won't.
I'm here to do a job, to protect her from the threat that's been looming over her. I can't let my personal feelings get in the way of that. I can't let myself cross that line, no matter how much I might want to.
The silence of the room seems to press in on me, amplifying the turmoil inside my head. I feel like I'm being torn in two, pulled between my duty and my desire.
Sasha shifts in her chair, letting out a soft sigh as she rubs her temples. The sound of her voice, even that small exhalation of breath, sends a jolt of awareness through me. It's like a spark, igniting a fire that burns low in my belly.
I swallow hard, my throat suddenly dry. I need to get a grip, to rein in these emotions before they spiral out of control. I'm a professional, damn it. I can't afford to let my guard down, not now.
But as I stand there, watching Sasha, I can't help but wonder... what if? What if I allowed myself to feel—to really feel—without any barriers or restrictions? What if I let myself fall, just this once?
The thought is both terrifying and exhilarating, a dizzying mix of fear and anticipation that leaves me feeling off-balance. I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself, to regain some semblance of control.
It's then that Sasha looks up, her eyes meeting mine across the room. There's a question in her gaze, a flicker of uncertainty that tugs at my heartstrings. And in that moment, I know... I'm deeper than I ever thought possible.
"Axel?" she says, her voice soft. "Is everything okay?"
I push away from the door frame, forcing a smile onto my face as I step into the room. "Everything's fine," I tell her, my voice steady despite the chaos inside my head. "Just making sure you're safe."
She studies me for a moment, her eyes searching my face. Then she nods, turning back to her work. "Thank you," she murmurs, her fingers dancing across the keyboard.
I watch her for a moment longer, my heart aching with a need I can't quite name. Then I turn and walk away, leaving her to her work.
I'm standing in the makeshift command center we've set up in Sasha's guest cottage, my eyes glued to the screen in front of me. The rest of the team is scattered around the room, their focus just as intense as mine. We're all on edge, waiting for something to break in this case.
"Creed," Derek's voice cuts through the tension, and I turn to look at him. He's holding up his phone, a frown on his face. "I just got an anonymous tip. Says they might have some info on our guy."
My heart kicks up a notch, adrenaline flooding my system. It's been weeks of chasing shadows, of watching Sasha's every move, and now... now we might finally have something solid.
"What's the info?" I ask, moving towards him.
