Pull Me Closer (Suits in Pursuit) (22 page)

Their lips ripped apart as he
lifted her shirt and captured a caramel nipple in his mouth. He sucked gently, circling it with his swirling tongue. He continued his sweet torture edging her to the point of no return. She cried out, the rogue sound escaped her lips without harness. He moaned against her tender flesh, the vibration forcing another whimper from her soul. Perched above her on his arms, he pried his lips from her swollen breasts, burying his face into her neck. Slowly, his lips edged along her jaw line until they seized hers, his tongue thrusting deeply into her mouth. He reared up, their eyes met, tender to teary and wanting to wanted.

He stilled. “Kerrigan, I … I,” whispered words stammered into her ear, incoherent, but without the need for explanation.

Breathless, she whispered back, “Yes, Axel. Yes.”

Her
eyes were shut, and hands gripped Axel’s shoulders hard, braced for whatever he was about to do next. So ready to be claimed, her bones rattled in her flesh.

Holding Kerrigan’s gaze as she lay beneath him
, he desired nothing more than to take her and strip her of her virginity right there underneath the open sky, but he was more determined to respect her and win her heart. He wanted to devour her, but instead.

“We need to stop before we go too far,” Axel muttered.

Her eyes were still closed as she nodded a wispy “Oh.” The only thing she could say.

“Besides, I don’t want to end up in headlines. Naked man bucked by deer at a local park.” 

She blushed. The joke worked, slowly lifting their heavy sedation.

This feeling was new to Axel
. His desire to cherish her and connect with her on a deeper level was stronger than his lust, a first. He knew, and maybe she did too, but they were both well on the way to falling head over heels in love. Kerrigan fixed her bra and adjusted her shirt. He captured her eyes before speaking, trying to find the right words.
I love you. Marry me.
His inward thoughts and feelings crowding his consciousness jarred him. He didn’t have the courage to say those words. It was too soon. He stood up and reached for her hand, trying to break the intensity.

“Baby, we’d better head back.”

“Yes. It’ll be very dark soon,” she muttered softly.

They rode back to return the bikes, neither one saying much and each
deep in thought about what was happening between them, a comfortable, reflective silence. Later, he would explore the emotions that told him she was the woman who would wear his ring.

Axel
rounded the corner and pulled into the parking deck. Reluctant to let her go, this was the only choice. Things were moving too quickly, but the chemistry and connection between them was remarkable. He knew she felt it too. His Land Rover pulled up next to her small Volkswagen EOS convertible.

R
eaching for her hand, he caressed her fingers. His blue eyes darkened with passion. “I really enjoyed the time we spent together. I wish I didn’t have to let you go.” He paused. “Spend the night...in the guest bedroom, of course.” He knew the danger of his offer.

Kerrigan squirmed in her seat.
“I had a nice time too, but I don’t think spending the night is wise.” Breaking his grip, her hand fell to her lap.

He placed his palm under her chin.
“You’re right. I have no restraint where you’re concerned.” The pad of his thumb stroked her bottom lip.

Paralyzed by his touch, she stared up at him helplessly, leaning into his hand. “
Besides, we both have other things to do. I have a ton of errands to run tomorrow.” Her words uttered mechanically, without thought or inflection.

Hypnotic eyes tormented Axel. “
One more thing—I’m not sneaking around at work anymore. I have feelings for you Kerrigan, and I won’t hide what’s happening between us. I don’t care who knows.” Moving closer, he succumbed, utterly entranced. His tender kiss pressed her lips, the sensation lingered and held them together for minutes.

Slowly, she pulled away from his anchor, winded.
“Axel, what’s happening between us?” Her voice soft, and eyes dazed, and tender, searched his.

He moved his hand to her cheek, gently caressing her.
“Well obviously, there’s a strong attraction between us. I care for you a great deal. I’d like to think that we’re exclusive.” Her flawless skin glowed under the dimly cast light. “I know where I see us heading.” His gut wrenched as soon as those last words left his mouth. He wasn’t ready for this conversation, yet.

Shifting in her seat, she wrapped her arms around herself.
“I care for you too.” Her forehead wrinkling, she forced a nervous smile. Light from cars passing on the nearby road banded her face. “Where do you see us heading?” Her voice trembled.

“We’ll talk about that later. Let’s work on keeping the pace slow and steady for now.”

Eyebrows pressed in, and forehead wrinkled, she pondered. Were they more than friends? If they were exclusive, did that make her his girlfriend? Where did he think they were heading? Could she handle a man like him?

She nodded her head.
“Yes, slow and steady.”

“Good, then we’re agreed.
” He smirked, his eyes roving her curves. “I can handle slow, but not too slow.”

Although s
he had no idea to what exactly she had agreed, the intentions behind his words and his lusty gaze registered clearly with her. One thing she knew for sure was that he wanted her body, and she wanted to give it to him. This man tempted her good sense.

Backing away from his caress, she changed the subject.
“We never talked about McBride. We really do need a plan.”

He raised one eyebrow.
“Don’t worry about McBride, we’ll work out a plan in a couple of weeks. He’s not going anywhere, and neither am I. I won’t let you run away from us.”

She flushed.
“Well, I guess I’d better get going.” Her hand flew to the door handle. “Thank you for a lovely weekend Axel. Will I see you at some point next week?”

Before she could open
the door, he moved closer, preventing her escape. He grabbed her forearm and pulled her to him, securing her lips with his once more. Her head swam and every part of her burned. After a few moments, he pulled back.

“No, we won’t see each other next week. I’m the keynote speaker at a marketing conference in New York. I’m glad you had a good time. Check your email while I’m gone.”

Sunday, September 23

As much as she enjoyed being in Axel’s
company, Kerrigan was glad to be back at home. Two days felt like an eternity. She settled in, grabbed a quick bite to eat and listened to her voice mail. Mom had called twice, and her brother Jordan had called once. She would call them later. Right now, she needed to talk to Ashley to help her make sense of everything.

She
told Ashley everything, except the intimate conversations she and Axel had about his ordeal with Sara.

“
He’s so into you. You hit the jackpot!” Ashley’s excitement seeped through the handset.

Kerrigan
leaned against the barren kitchen counter with the phone pressed to her ear. “Ashley, it’s not like that. I don’t want anything from him. You know me better than that.”

“That’s not what I meant. I know you’re not a gold digger. I meant you landed a fine-ass
man who happens to be a gentleman, and it doesn’t hurt that the dude is loaded. Jackpot!”

“Yeah, but I’m confused about what it all means. He keeps alluding to us being together in the future. He says we’re
exclusive. It’s all happening so fast. I don’t know how to process everything. Is he infatuated and just saying what he’s feeling in the moment, telling me what he thinks I want to hear?” She released a sigh, put on the speakerphone and then set the handset down.

“Are you freaking kidding me? Stop
analyzing everything and just feel. Axel is talking about having a future with you, talking about kids with you, and you’re confused?”

Kerrigan opened bare kitchen cabinets one at a time, taking mental note of needed items.
“He can’t be serious about me. After two days?” Grimacing, her nose turned upward. She really needed to buy groceries.

“
Kerri, you’ve known the man for more than two days. This thing between you two has been building for months. You’ve only been intimate with him for two days.”

“Do you think he’s only trying to get me into bed?” Her voice pitched.

“Have you lost your mind?” From the sound of her voice, Ashley would come through the phone and strangled her if that were possible. “A man like him doesn’t need to play games just to get a woman into bed.”

Rubbing the back of her neck, she opened her refrigerator. Cold white walls and a bag of wilted lettuce stared back.
“He says he doesn’t want to hide what’s happening between us.”

“
You know everyone at work already knows he has a thing for you. It’s been the topic of office gossip for months. Speaking of the office, what are you going to do?” Ashley quipped back. Kerrigan almost could see Ashley rolling her neck.

“I hadn’t thought that far ahead.” Kerrigan jotted down a few items on the pad of paper on the kitchen counter. She’d go shopping later, maybe tomorrow or the next day.

Ashley shrilled loudly through the speaker. “Kerri, ready or not, he’s serious about you. I can’t believe you didn’t sleep with him.”

She
paced the floor. The thought hit her in the gut like a punch to a punching bag. “That’s complicated—has more to do with me than him. I’m just not ready yet.” She didn’t like the direction of this conversation.