"You're scared of jumping out of a plane but not of running a criminal empire?"
"One I can control. The other is just falling and hoping the parachute works."
She laughs, then her expression turns serious. "Do you really think we'll have time for that? For bucket lists and adventures? Or are we just going to be running from one crisis to another forever?"
"I'm going to end this," I tell her firmly. "Whoever's testing me, whoever's behind these attacks, I'm going to eliminate the threat. And then we're going to have a life. A real one."
"How?"
"I'm working on it. But Aurora, I promise you, this isn't forever. The constant fear, the attacks, the chaos. I'm going to fix it."
"What if you can't?"
"Then we'll adapt. But I won't let you live in fear for the rest of your life. Won't let our child grow up the way we did."
She studies my face, searching for something. Whatever she finds makes her nod.
"Okay. I believe you."
Those three words hit harder than they should. She believes me. Trusts me to protect her, to build something better.
I don't deserve that trust, but I'm going to earn it.
"Come here," I murmur, pulling her closer.
She comes willingly, pressing her body against mine in the warm water. I can feel every curve, every soft place. The desire that's always simmering between us flares to life.
"Axel," she breathes.
"I want you."
"Here? In the water?"
"Everywhere. Always."
I kiss her, deeper this time. My hands roam her body, relearning curves I touched just last night. She makes small sounds against my mouth, her nails digging into my shoulders.
"The dock," I manage. "There's a platform."
We make our way to the dock, where there's a lower platform meant for sunbathing. I lift her onto it, and she lies back, water droplets glistening on her skin in the fading sunlight.
"You're so beautiful," I tell her, kneeling between her legs.
"You say that a lot now."
"Because it's true. And I should have been saying it from the beginning."
I start at her ankle, kissing my way up her calf. She shivers despite the warm air. I take my time, worshipping every inch of her leg until I reach her thigh.
"Axel, please..."
"Patience, baby. I'm going to make this last."
I kiss and lick my way up her inner thigh, deliberately bypassing where she wants me most. Moving to her other leg, starting the whole process over. By the time I finally reach her center, she's trembling.
"Please," she gasps. "Stop teasing."
"I'm not teasing. I'm savoring every inch of you."
