Page 333 of Axis of Fire

“To hell with it.”

His mouth found mine.

Sudden.

But not rough.

Like he'd been holding himself back for far too long—

and had finally stopped trying.

The world shrank to a single point.

To his hands.

To his breath.

I tangled my fingers in his hair, not thinking, not analyzing—

simply trying to hold on.

Trying not to lose myself.

One of his hands slid down my back.

Lower.

Pausing at my hip before his grip tightened slightly.

My body responded before my mind had a chance to interfere.

Too honestly.

Too openly.

He felt it.

He pulled back just enough to look into my eyes.

“I don't want this to be the reason you stay,” he said quietly.

But his voice—

his voice betrayed him.

“Then don't stop,” I whispered, barely recognizing myself.

For a moment, he froze.

As though weighing something.

As though fighting a battle only he could see.

Then he drew me close again.

His lips brushed my cheek.

Then lower.