Page 69 of Shattered

“Axel—”

He kissed me again. This time with intent. His hands slid under my shirt and mine went to his hair and things were about to get very inappropriate for an office when someone knocked. Again.

“Go away,” Axel said without breaking the kiss.

“It’s Mark. I wouldn’t interrupt if it wasn’t important.”

Axel pulled back with an expression that made me want to laugh. He looked like a child who’d been told Christmas was canceled—betrayed, outraged, and slightly murderous.

“This better be important,” Axel called out, glaring at the door like it had personally offended him. “Otherwise someone is typing out their resignation letter today.”

“The Tokyo investors are on the phone. They’ve been waiting ten minutes.”

Axel’s glare intensified. I did laugh then. I couldn’t help it.

“Go,” I said. “Take your call.”

“I don’t want to take the call.”

“Yes, you do. You’re just being difficult.”

He kissed me once more—quick, hard. “Stay. We’ll have dinner after.”

“Okay.”

I watched him take the call, switching into professional mode like flipping a switch, and thought about how I got to have all of him. The nerdy museum CEO and the man who blushed when I called him pretty and the person who’d learned my favorite meal by watching cooking videos.

This was the happiest I’d ever been.

And somewhere in the back of my mind, a small voice whispered that things this good never lasted. That happiness this complete always came with a price and the universe wasjust waiting for the perfect moment to remind me nothing was permanent.

I ignored the voice.

Completely.

CHAPTER 15

Delia

The call cameon a Wednesday afternoon while I was in Axel’s arms.

We were in his bed, sheets tangled around us, the afternoon sun making patterns on the wall. I’d shown up at his place after teaching because I couldn’t wait until evening. Because wanting him had become this constant thing that made normal functioning difficult.

My phone buzzed on the nightstand.

I ignored it.

Axel’s mouth was on my neck, his hands gripping my hips, and thinking about anything else was impossible. The phone stopped. Started again.

“Should you get that?” he asked against my skin.

“No.” I pulled him closer, my fingers digging into his shoulders. “Don’t stop.”

He didn’t stop.

The phone buzzed a third time. Then went silent.

I forgot about it completely. Forgot about everything except Axel and the way he was looking at me like I was the only thing that existed. We moved together, desperate and perfect, and Iremember thinking I’d never been this happy. Never felt this wanted. This seen.