Page 43 of Broken Souls

Axe goes to the bathroom and I hear the tap running. He comes back and picks me up, wrapping me in his arms. I lean my head on his chest, feeling utterly protected when I'm in his arms. That may sound contradictory, as I was thinking earlier how apprehensive I was with him on top of me. But being in his arms is a different feeling.

He lowers me into the bath after taking off my nightie and surprises me by stripping and climbing in behind me. He grabs my stomach and pulls me so my back is lying on his chest. I can feel every indent of his body behind me, his chest, his manhood against my back, his legs around my body.

“Thank you.” Axe's lips press against the back of my head.

“For what?”

“Everything,” he murmurs.

I close my eyes in bliss. The serenity of this moment is mind blowing. Even though we had painful sex earlier for both of us; physically for me and mentally for him, we are both in a state of contentment and stillness now. I know we'll be fine, always.

***

I wake up on a cushioned surface. Looking around I see I'm in my room.

“Axe,” I call, sitting up. I'm wearing one of Axe's shirts. The door opens and Axe comes in with a tray. “Where were you?”

“I was changing the sheets in my room. Here, Carson made breakfast.” He sets the tray on my lap and my mouth waters at all the breakfast foods littered over the tray. “How'd you sleep?”

“Great.”

“I could tell. You fell asleep when we were in the bath.” Axe chuckles.

“I'm surprised I didn't wake up.”

“You were sleeping peacefully.”

“Did you sleep in here?” I ask.

“Can't you tell?” He gestures to the crumpled-up pillows disarranged on the bed. “Are you sore?”

“Yeah, but it's more of an ache than pain,” I tell him.

“Do you need anything?” he offers gently.

“No, thank you.”

“Well, you enjoy breakfast. I'm going to spend some time with Carson since she's leaving tomorrow. Are you okay here by yourself?”

“Yes, I think I'll spend the weekend in bed.” I prop the pillows behind me and lie back, looking at what I should dive into first on the tray.

“I'll be back later.” Axe kisses my lips and then walks out.

I smile at how sweet he is. Even though he has a traumatic past, he is the sweetest man. To me. I doubt anyone else in the pack would say that. I eat my food and by the end of it, I'm so full, I fall back asleep.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Iwake up to the smell of chocolate wafting through the air. Since I'm only wearing Axe's shirt, I put a pair of underwear on then head downstairs. Carson is in the kitchen and so is Brian. Axe and Dash are sitting at the dining table.

“Elora,” Axe greets me, coming over to me.

“Um, I should put some pants on if we're having dinner,” I say quietly.

“It's just us. If you wrapped a belt around my shirt, it'd be like you're wearing a dress anyway. Come sit down.” Axe grabs my hand and I sit down beside him.

Axe and Dash go back to their conversation about guy stuff so I look to the kitchen. There is a chocolate cake sitting on the bench that looks delicious. There's a smell coming from the oven too. Carson and Brian are laughing together. There's clearly a connection there; one they've never acted on, though.

“Elora,” Dash's voice snaps me back into their conversation.