Page 50 of Freed By the Witchbone Knife

“I’m not,” he bit out. He was a lot of things, but angry wasn’t one of them. Possessive. Hungry. Desperate.

“I had a bad dream. Woke up with night-sweats. I usually wear my pajamas a few times before washing them but I only brought two pairs and the other night I ruined those too and haven’t had a chance to wash them yet and⁠—”

He closed the distance between them. “You were having nightmares?”

“I…just bad dreams. Yeah. I might need to wash your sheets. Luckily your bed’s big so I was able to move to the other side. I hope you don’t mind. I swear I didn’t go through all your drawers. It was just the first one I opened and so I put it on, that way I wouldn’t⁠—”

“What were your nightmares about? Fuck. Is it Blackthorn? Did he—” His vision was tunneling. He took her face in his hands. Just the feel of her skin against his palms was immediately calming. “Did he hurt you? Tell me what he did. I will fucking end him.”

“Axel.”

“You’re right. You probably shouldn’t.” He dropped his hands and began to pace. “Because if you do, I’ll break half the things in here first. Then I’ll have to build more. And it would scare the little snacks. They’re only just getting brave enough to venture out.”

“Axel.”

“Maybe you could write it down for me. Then I can drive into town and read it there. Then I will find him. Then I will end him.”

“Axel!” she cried.

This time he whirled, then stalked back over to her. “What is it? Tell me what he did. Was it bad?”

“He…” Something flashed in her gaze—an old hurt. Then she pulled her head back, out of his reach. “It’s nothing you need to concern yourself over. My past is not your business or your responsibility.”

He didn’t like that. “Rebecca.”

“No.” She backed up another step. “I’m sorry about the shirt. I should have dressed first before coming out. I just wanted to check on the bunnies. I’ll go change. And if you direct me to your laundry room, I can get everything washed. I won’t invade your privacy again. I’ll… I just need to go by my place again today and I can get more stuff.”

A low growl built in his chest. “No.”

“No?”

“You can keep wearing my shirts. No need to make a special trip to your place.”

“Axel. I don’t know what this is with you. This hot and cold. But you will drive me to my place and I will get more of my things. Unless you don’t want me living here anymore?”

He pinched the bridge of his nose. She was right. He was being a right bastard.

“Fine. But you’re eating breakfast first.”

She hesitated. “I’ll go change and then⁠—”

“Now, Rebecca. There’s no need to change.”

Because he was a masochist and wanted to see her in his clothes just a little longer, even if it hurt to know he’d never have her.

“Axel. Why are you being like this?”

“Because I’m lacking in the people skills department, remember?”

She sighed. “Something tells me that’s not the whole truth of it. And maybe if you wanted me to be more open about things, you ought to lead by example.”

She had him there.

Stomping over to the island, she finally took a seat. He relaxed at her compliance, then went into the kitchen and began dishing up breakfast. Knowing it was best if he kept quiet, he tried his best to eat without staring at her the whole time.

He had to shift multiple times to get comfortable.

Her eyes darted to him every time he did. He wondered if she noticed the raging hard on beneath his sweats, but her eyes hadn’t dropped to his crotch. Hopefully.