Chapter 11
Eleven
Charlie
I leaned against the headboard as I finished the sandwich Axel insisted I needed after we closed down the bar.
I was tired and just wanted to rest, but when my stomach rumbled with the loudest growl I had ever heard, he wouldn’t take no for an answer.
Not only did he fix me my favorite sandwich, but he also loaded the plate with chips, a pickle spear, and three delicious chocolate chip cookies.
I took a sip of water and leaned forward to set my plate down when the baby kicked.
“Ouch,” I muttered, placing my hand on the side of my stomach where she kicked again. “Remind me to limit your sugar intake when you’re born. I see it makes you hyper.”
“Are you okay?” Axel asked, his eyebrows lifted as he stared at my stomach in concern.
“Yeah. I think she likes the cookies. She won’t stop kicking. Now that she’s gotten so big, there isn’t much room in there, so it tends to hurt when she moves too hard.”
My shirt was pulled tight across my stomach and his eyes widened when he saw her roll around, making my belly move with her.
I laughed and watched him as he continued to stare in amazement.
“Do you want to feel it?” I offered, smiling when his eyes lifted and met mine.
“Really?”
I nodded and reached my hand out for his. He scooted closer on the bed until he was so close his shoulder brushed against mine. I could feel the heat from his body and smelled the soft scent of his cologne as I pulled his hand across my stomach and placed it where she had been moving.
It was as if she knew we were waiting for her and decided to stop moving. I rolled my eyes and shook my head as I used his hand to poke her.
“I don’t want to hurt her,” he rushed out, immediately trying to pull his hand away.
“You won’t. Trust me.”
Thankfully, where she was moving was along the top and side of my stomach and away from where the cut was.
I had been applying the antibiotic ointment as often as I could and was impressed with how much it had already improved.
I was still hopeful I wouldn’t need the oral antibiotic because I couldn’t risk my information being out there, showing where I was.
I offered him a reassuring smile as I tugged his hand back to where it had been and gently pushed it down on my stomach. I felt her move inside before he felt it on the outside, but once he did, he startled beside me, and his head whipped up to look at me.
“Did you feel that?!” he asked, pure excitement and awe in his voice.
I nodded.
“She’s just getting started. There will be more,” I assured him.
As if waiting for her cue, the baby started rolling and moving so hard that I thought Axel’s eyes were going to pop out of his head.
I tried to ignore the way my body felt having his hand on it, mainly because I didn’t have the luxury of embracing that comfort.
If I was going to survive whatever was coming my way, I had to stay alert, which meant I had no time for distractions—no matter how good-looking they were.
He shifted beside me as he got comfortable, his hand never leaving my stomach, even when I removed mine. I leaned back and watched him with fascination, clearly seeing how much he was enjoying this. It was like he was bonding with my daughter more than Jason ever had.
“Have you picked out a name for her yet?” he asked softly, not taking his eyes or hand off my stomach, even as her movements started to slow down.
“Not yet,” I admitted. I hated that I hadn’t been able to think of the perfect name for her. Jason and I had discussed it a few times early on, but we hadn’t found anything we loved.
“It will come to you when it’s time,” he assured me, pulling his hand away when he didn’t feel her move anymore.
He was still sitting super close to me, but I didn’t mind. I knew I shouldn’t, but I enjoyed the close proximity and how safe I felt having him beside me.
“I feel like a bad mom for not knowing what her name will be,” I admitted, letting my shoulders fall.
“You’re not a bad mom by any means. Names are hard, and you’ve had a lot on your plate lately. There have been bigger things to worry about.”
I nodded and turned to look at him at the same time he looked at me. Our faces were so close that our lips brushed, and a spark shot through me. I felt him start to pull away, but before he could, I slid my hand around the back of his neck and pulled him close as I pressed my lips to his.
Fire flushed my skin as his hand cupped the side of my face tenderly while his tongue caressed my lips, begging for entrance. I parted them and allowed him inside as a soft moan escaped.
I hadn’t been touched—let alone kissed like this in so long I couldn’t remember. But my body was on fire, and I felt alive for the first time in a long time. I turned slightly, allowing him to get closer as I deepened the kiss, only to have him start to pull away.
I lowered my head and felt him rest his forehead against mine as we tried to catch our breath. While the kiss had been quick, the chemistry and tension between us was enough to set the small room on fire.
“I’m sorry,” I apologized, immediately regretting crossing that line with him. While I didn’t regret the kiss, I didn’t want to make him uncomfortable, especially since I was stuck with him for the foreseeable future.
“You don’t need to apologize,” he replied softly, still not looking up at me nor pulling away. “I shouldn’t have done that. You’re married.”
“Yeah, to a man who has people out trying to kill me,” I replied bitterly. That I instantly regretted.
He pulled away and looked at me as he studied my face.
“He won’t hurt you,” Axel assured me. “I promise you, Charlie. I won’t let anyone hurt you or your sweet baby. I will protect both of you no matter what happens. You’re safe with me.”
I looked away and tried to hide the tears that were threatening to spill over.
“It’s getting late. We should get some rest,” I said, trying to shut down the feelings that were threatening to overwhelm me. I didn’t want to hear him say that I was safe with him because that was a comfort I didn’t have the luxury of having.
I didn’t wait for him to say anything as I climbed under the covers and rolled onto my side, facing away from him.
Axel seemed like a great person with a heart of gold, which was exactly why I couldn’t allow him to get hurt. No matter how safe or comfortable he made me feel, I knew that he would be better off without me hanging around and bringing danger to his doorstep.