Page 26 of Broken Souls

“I feel protected with you... but I'm just scared,” I admit.

“Elora.” Axe grabs my hands in his and steps closer to me. “I will never let someone hurt you again.”

“Yes,” the word leaves my mouth before I let myself overthink.

“What?” He lifts my chin up to look at him.

“I owe myself this.”

A beautiful smile stretches across his face, overwhelming me with delight that I was the one who put it there. That's the first time I've seen him smile. To see that smile on such a broken man and to be the reason for it makes giving us a chance worth it. He leans down and softly presses his lips against mine. His lips move slowly and sensually. This kiss is even better than the first. I wrap my arms around the back of his neck as his go to the back of my thighs and he lifts me onto the bench. His teeth tug on my lip making an involuntary moan come from me, which makes him growl against my lips. Oh God. The burst of adrenaline that travels through me when his lips touch mine makes me never want to stop. He kisses me harder, pushing himself closer between my legs. I lose my breath when his thumb rubs circles on my inner thigh.

“Axe.” I lean back. “I need you to know something so you don't get carried away.”

“What is it?” His dark eyes stare into mine.

“I'm a virgin,” I confess. He leans his forehead against mine.

“Thank you for trusting me with this.” Axe pecks my lips again then pulls away. I want to kiss him again but he's probably trying to be respectful after my confession. Axe stares at the food on the bench.

“I should finish cooking.” I step down from the bench and look at the food, suddenly not hungry for it. I hate to say I'm hungry for something else instead.

“Can I help? You could teach me to cook.” Axe looks willing to help.

“I'm still learning, but sure.” I chuckle. “How about you get some vegetables and dice them up while I fry the chicken?”

“On it chef,” he says humorously.

We move around the kitchen and there's something serene about it, doing something as simple as cooking together. Even though we were just heavily making out, now we're making a meal together, I smile knowing we can go from a couple kissing to friends cooking in seconds. I feel our still developing friendship will make it easier to become partners. I notice Axe carefully cutting up the food into actual squares, making me laugh.

“What?” he asks, confused.

“You don't actually have to dice them into squares. They should just be small pieces.”

“Well it should be called cutting, not dicing.”

I watch him, now cutting the vegetables in big chunks. We cook dinner then sit in the living room and eat while we watch a movie. When we finish our food, Axe wraps his arm around me.

“Are you going to be secretive now that we're getting closer?” Axe turns to me.

“I don't know,” I mumble.

Getting closer to Axe means eventually opening up. That's not something I look forward to doing. But I guess he's in the same position as me. He'll eventually open up about the grief for his mate and I’ll open up about the abuse I've suffered.

“You don't have to be anymore.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

After the movie, we both go to bed, to our own rooms. Even though we agreed to give us a chance, staying in our rooms is the better option. It's too soon to start sharing a bed. We've just decided to be more so we shouldn't put too much pressure on ourselves. Besides, I want my privacy and I'm sure he wants his too. Also, I don't want to jump into this too quick. As I lie in bed, staring up at the ceiling, I think about today. I actually gave the alpha a chance. I'm still stunned by that. Now that we're getting close, I wonder about the holidays. I planned on getting my own place after the holidays but now, I don't think it will happen. Will Axe and I become more social? Will we stay in isolation? I'd prefer the second one. If I could stay in this house with just Axe forever, I would love that. I know Axe will take care of me. He's already proven that by everything he's done for me.

I don't want to put too much pressure on us, though. He lost his mate. I got rejected by my mate. We're both sensitive and apprehensive when it comes to a relationship. But maybe we're it for each other. I don't think there's anyone else out there for either of us. But then there's the question I want to know the answer to, the question I've been asking for a while: why did Axe save me? And then, why does he want me?

***

Waking up, I put on a coat of the bruise cream, do my bathroom routine and head downstairs. As I pour some cereal, hands slide around my midsection.

“Morning,” Axe's deep morning voice says against my ear, making a shiver go through me. He's clearly comfortable with touching me, but I'm still new to his touch. I'm new to affection.

“Morning. Do you want some cereal?”