I should lie. Should change the subject. Should focus on the spreadsheets and pretend this conversation isn't happening.
Instead, I tell the truth.
"To not be able to touch you," I whisper. "To not be able to kiss you. To lie in bed at night remembering what we did in the garden and wishing we could do it again."
The air between us ignites.
"Aurora." His voice is rough, strained. "You can't say things like that."
"Why not? It's true."
"Because it makes this harder."
"This is already hard." I turn my chair to face him, our knees touching now. "It can't get any harder than lying to everyone,sneaking around, pretending I don't want you when I—" My voice breaks. "When I can't stop thinking about you."
He closes his eyes like I'm hurting him. "We can't."
"I know."
"Then why—"
"Because I don't care anymore." The admission spills out of me, desperate and true. "I don't care about the danger or the consequences or what happens if we get caught. I just—I need—"
"What?" His eyes open, pinning me in place. "What do you need?"
You. I need you.
"Kiss me," I breathe.
He doesn't move. "Aurora…"
"Please." The word comes out broken. "Please, Axel. I'm begging you. Just, kiss me. Touch me. Make me feel like I'm not going insane."
Something in his expression cracks. "You're begging me?"
"Yes."
"Fuck." He groans, low and rough. "You know I love it when you beg. Love hearing you say please in that desperate voice. Makes me want to give you everything."
"Then give it to me."
He's on me before I can take another breath.
His mouth crashes onto mine, hard and desperate, swallowing my gasp. His hands are in my hair, on my waist, pulling me out of my chair and into his lap. I go willingly, straddling him, pressing as close as I can get.
The kiss is fire. Consuming. Everything I've been craving for three weeks poured into this single moment.
He stands, lifting me with him like I weigh nothing. Turns and sets me on the edge of the desk, scattering papers and pens. Steps between my legs, caging me in with his arms.
His hands find the hem of my shirt, pull it over my head in one swift motion.
"So fucking beautiful," he breathes, his eyes roaming over me.
"Axel..."
His mouth moves to my neck, biting and sucking hard enough to mark. I gasp, arch into him, and his hands make quick work of my bra.
"Perfect," he murmurs, his mouth closing over my nipple. "So fucking perfect."
