Chapter Fifteen

Star

I was stuffed from dinner, yet I found myself back in the kitchen, sneaking one of the cornflake wreath cookies.

“What are you doing?”

I froze mid-bite, cookie still in hand, and turned around to see Axel standing in the doorway. His arms were crossed, and a knowing smirk played on his lips.

“Caught red-handed,” I said sheepishly and held up the cookie as if it were evidence. “Want one?”

He shook his head, but his grin grew wider. I turned back to the container and reached for another cookie, unable to resist.

Before I could turn around again, I felt him behind me. His warmth radiated through me as he pressed himself gently to my back. His arms wrapped around my waist, and his lips brushed against the shell of my ear.

“Hm,” I hummed. “I thought you didn’t want a cookie.”

“I don’t,” he murmured, his voice low. “I’m hungry for something else.”

My pulse jumped as he kissed the soft spot behind my ear.

“Axel,” I whispered and glanced at the doorway nervously.

“Relax,” he said and turned me gently in his arms. “Everyone’s either outside or sleeping. It’s just us right now.”

His eyes locked onto mine, and the intensity there was enough to make my knees weak. I tossed the cookies over my shoulder onto the counter and wrapped my arms loosely around his neck as he dipped his head to catch my lips in a kiss.

The world outside the kitchen faded as the kiss deepened. It was slow and unhurried but laced with the kind of heat that sent shivers down my spine. Axel moved closer, and his hands slid up my back.

Somehow, I found myself lifted onto the counter, and his strong arms steadied me as he stepped between my legs.

“Axel,” I whispered and pulled back just enough to speak, “we can’t do this here.”

“Why not?” His lips trailed down to my jaw, then my neck. Each kiss sent a thrill through me.

“We’re in the kitchen!” I hissed, though my hands betrayed me as they slid into his hair. “Someone could walk in any second.”

He pulled back enough to look into my eyes. “Your mom, Jim, Rickie, and Davis are all taking a nap, and your sister’s outside. We’ll hear them if they come in.”

I opened my mouth to protest, but he kissed me again, and all coherent thought evaporated. The way he held me, the warmth of his hands against my skin, and the way he whispered my name—it made me forget everything else.

“Okay,” I finally murmured against his lips.

“Okay,” he repeated, and a satisfied grin tugged at the corners of his mouth.

It wasn’t just hunger or impulse—it was the way he made me feel seen, safe, and wanted.

Axel didn’t say another word, but the intensity in his gaze spoke volumes. He pulled his jeans down just enough, and his hands returned to my thighs as I sat perched on the edge of the counter. “This skirt,” he murmured, and his lips brushed my ear, “you’re only allowed to wear skirts from now on.”

A surprised laugh bubbled out of me. “Oh, is that so?”

He slid his hands up the bare skin of my legs and pushed the fabric higher. “I like the easy access,” he said, and his voice was low and rough.

I shook my head. “Only if you wear gray sweatpants more often,” I countered.

“Deal,” he growled, and his hands gripped my thighs to pull me closer to the edge.

His movements were swift as he pushed my underwear aside with practiced ease. His touch sent a jolt of anticipation through me. Then he was there, inside me, and the world seemed to stop.

The connection between us was instant, deep, and overwhelming. He moved within me slowly at first, as though savoring the moment. His forehead rested against mine. The angle was perfect and sent shivers through my body with every motion. I clung to him, my fingers tangled in his hair, desperate to keep him close.

His hands tightened on my hips, but one slid lower. His fingers teased against my clit in a way that made my breath hitch. My head fell back as he pressed his lips to my neck and trailed kisses that left heat and urgency in their wake.

“You’re incredible,” he murmured against my skin, his voice thick with emotion.

I answered with a soft gasp, and my arms wrapped tighter around him. Every movement drew us closer, our bodies perfectly in sync, and the rest of the world seemed to fall away.

“Axel,” I whispered, my voice shaky with emotion.

The rhythm between us built steadily, each movement drawing us closer to the edge. Axel’s hand tightened on my thigh while his other continued its teasing, his touch igniting sensations that left me breathless. My fingers gripped his shoulders for support, the world narrowing down to just him—his body, his touch, his presence.

“Star,” he rasped, his voice strained, his forehead pressed to mine. “You feel so damn good.”

My name on his lips sent a wave of emotion crashing through me. I couldn’t hold back anymore. “Axel,” I whispered, and my voice trembled. “I’m so close.”

His lips found mine, the kiss deep and consuming. “Come for me, honey,” he murmured against my lips, his voice rough with restraint.

It was all I needed. My body tightened, every nerve alight, and I shattered around him, the release so overwhelming I cried out, clinging to him as waves of pleasure washed over me.

The intensity of my climax must have pushed him over the edge, too, because he followed with a groan. He gripped my hips firmly and buried himself deeper as his body shuddered against mine. His breaths came ragged and uneven. His forehead dropped to my shoulder as he held me tightly, as though letting go wasn’t an option.

We stayed like that for a moment, tangled together and catching our breaths. Neither of us wanted to break the spell. Slowly, he pulled back just enough to meet my gaze, his hands cradling my face.

“I’m pretty sure I have a cookie stuck to my butt,” I blurted.

For a second, Axel just stared at me, and then he broke out into a deep, hearty laugh. I panicked and pressed my hand against his mouth. “Shhh, you’re going to wake up everyone!”

He tried to stifle his laughter, but his eyes sparkled with amusement. “You’re a nut, Star,” he said, his voice low and affectionate.

I pouted, though I couldn’t help but smile. “Well, maybe next time you won’t pin me to a counter covered in cookie crumbs.”

He held me tightly for a moment, then released me with a smirk and stepped back to button his jeans. “Worth it,” he murmured, as his gaze didn’t leave me.

I hopped off the counter and immediately brushed at my butt to dislodge any lingering evidence of our little escapade. Sure enough, a few crumbs scattered to the floor, and I felt my cheeks heat.

“Always knew you had a sweet ass, honey,” Axel chuckled.

I rolled my eyes and gestured to the crumbs. “This is why we don’t do these things in the kitchen.”

Axel didn’t respond right away. His eyes were fixed on me, and there was something undeniably mischievous in his expression. “I’m dead serious about you in skirts, Star.”

I groaned, rolled my eyes, and turned from him to grab a fresh cookie from the tin. “I am not going to wear a skirt to work, Axel.”

“Why not?” he asked.

I turned to face him and held the cookie between us. “Because then we’ll get no work done. You’ll be too busy finding excuses to get me on the desk, in the break room, or wherever, and I actually have a job I need to do.”

His grin widened, and before I could react, he plucked the cookie from my hand and popped it into his mouth.

“Hey!” I protested, smacking his arm lightly.

He chewed slowly, savoring it before swallowing. “Pretty sure your boss won’t have a problem with you wearing skirts.”

I smacked his arm again, this time harder, but I couldn’t stop myself from laughing. “You are impossible and insatiable.”

“And you like it,” he said with a wink and leaned down to steal a quick kiss.

I sighed but smiled despite myself. “You’re lucky you’re sexy, Axel.”

“I’m lucky for a lot of things,” he said softly, his tone shifting just enough to make my heart flutter, “but mostly for being able to snag you.”