Chapter 7 Teagan
Teagan
His eyes pierce mine, searching deep into my soul.
There’s a curiosity in his gaze that makes my heart race, suddenly memories flood my mind of all the moments he’s quietly been there for me—even when I felt like just a bonus sister thrust into his life.
I remember how he made sure Finley and I made it to the movies safely, how he kept an eye on us as we wandered through the square, a silent guardian against the mischief we might find.
And now, here he is, holding me securely in his strong arms. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat thrumming against my chest anchors me in a comforting and exhilarating way.
“I was excited to take the Au Pair job,” I begin, my voice trembling slightly as I try to control my emotions.
“To escape the traumatic memories.” My throat tightens at the weight of my words.
“But every single day I was there, I couldn’t wait to get back here.
To be reunited with y’all—even if you had found a wife.
” The thought of that—of being left behind—stings more than I expect.
“Y’all are everything to me,” I continue, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Family isn’t always about DNA. It’s about the people who show up when it matters.
” My eyes well up as I think about how much they’ve supported me, how they’ve filled the void left by those I’ve lost. “You, Finley, your parents, are all I have left.”
I take a shaky breath, my heart swelling with gratitude and longing. In his embrace, I feel the heaviness of my past lift just a little, replaced by the warmth of connection and belonging. With him holding me close, this moment reminds me that I'm not truly alone even in my darkest times.
“God, I hate this for you. I don’t know why it didn’t hit me that you have no living relatives. I’m so…so very sorry. Now, more than ever, I’m so blessed to be with you, and that you get to spend the holidays with us.” Leaning over, he seals his lips over mine in a tender kiss.
The warmth of his touch ignites a flutter in my chest, soft and reassuring.
It’s a kiss that speaks volumes, full of unspoken promises and shared comfort.
I feel the weight of my grief and current chaos momentarily lift, replaced by the sweetness of his presence.
His lips are gentle against mine as if he’s trying to convey all the care he holds for me in this single moment.
I lean into him, letting the blizzard whirling around us dim to a faint hush.
The soft glow of the holiday lights adorning the balcony casts a warm halo around us, creating a comforting winter wonderland backdrop.
I lose myself in the tenderness of his kiss, feeling safe and cherished, engrossed in the moment.
His touch stirs something deep within me, a quiet ache I didn’t realize needed to be soothed.
The kiss is unhurried, delicate, as though he’s tracing every unspoken word onto my lips.
The new worry swirling in my mind after this break-in, and cryptic notes don’t vanish, but in this moment, it fades, like a tide retreating just far enough to let me breathe.
His lips linger against mine, not demanding, but offering—offering comfort, connection, and something I’m almost too afraid to name, but we both know it’s there.
As he pulls back slightly, our foreheads resting together, I catch a glimpse of vulnerability in his eyes. “You’re not alone, you know. I’m here,” he whispers, his breath warm against my skin. Those simple words wrap around my heart, and I nod, grateful for the connection we share.
In this quiet stillness, the chaotic weather outside feels distant, and all that matters is us.
I lean in for another kiss, this one deeper, filled with the promise of a more profound relationship with him.
It lingers, etching itself into my memory, one I’ll carry with me long after the holidays are over.
When I finally pull away from his luscious lips, a soft breath escapes me.
He twines our fingers together, his touch sparking a quiet thrill that courses through me.
Back inside, I notice my clothes neatly draped over the velvet chaise lounge, and a swell of emotion fills my chest. Gosh, what have I done to deserve him?
“Are you hungry? I can whip up something.” He glances over his shoulder, his gaze searching mine for any sign of what I might need.
“I’m fine. You don’t need to cook for me.” But as soon as the words leave my lips, my stomach growls loudly, the sound echoing through the quiet room like a mating beluga whale.
“You’re not fine.” He raises a lone brow, his eyes flicking between my stomach and my face, mischief dancing in their depths. “What do you want?”
“Okay, okay. I’ll take some waffles with strawberries.”
His smile lights up the room. “I love that you like breakfast for supper.”
In the kitchen, I chop strawberries, their sweet scent mingling with the comforting aroma of the waffle batter he’s preparing. We move around each other comfortably, conversation and laughter flowing between us easily, making me fall harder and harder for him.
Once we finish eating, I’m restless and I can’t fight it. Continually fidgeting with a loose thread on my sleeve, I’m unable to shake the feeling of being wound up tight. If I’m honest with myself, I can’t stand the idea of going to bed by myself.
“You’re not sleeping alone.” His voice is steady, as if he can sense the fear lurking just beneath the surface.
“What?” I glance up stunned.
“I promise to control myself.” He winks, and my stomach does somersaults at the playful glint in his eyes.
“No. That’s not it. I swear you were just reading my thoughts.”
“Well, I did take mind reading classes in school you know.”
I still stand here stunned.
“Tea…” His old nickname for me feels like a warm embrace. “You’re shaking like a leaf on a tree. It doesn’t take a mind reader to know you’re terrified.”
“Yeah, okay. I’m terrified of being by myself.” My words come out in a rush and I run to him, wrapping my arms around his middle, feeling the solid warmth of him grounding me. “Your bed or mine?”
He lets out a hearty chuckle that vibrates through me. “Mine is bigger.”
“Yours it is.” Hand in hand, I stick to him, drawn to his safe haven, the anticipation thrumming in the air between us.
Once we’re under the softest sheets and covers I’ve ever felt, I flip over on my side tugging his arm over my middle so he’s spooning me.
Instantly, his shaft grows by the second causing my center to pool.
Like a gentleman, he shifts so I don’t feel either how large he is or how firm, I’m not sure.
Either way, if he hadn’t already promised to behave, I’d jump his bones here and now.
But because he’s so honorable, I simply let his arms fold around me making me feel secure.
It doesn’t take minutes, only seconds before darkness consumes me.
Waking to a wall of muscles flush with my back is amazing.
The blaring alarm is another story. After silencing the deafening noise, I lay here dreading getting up.
His room is quiet, the soft glow of the moonlight filtering through the curtains, casting gentle shadows on the walls.
I lay beside him, cocooned in the warmth of his sheets, feeling a strange mix of comfort and anxiety.
The events of yesterday—the break-in at my café, the notes—still lingers in my mind, but being here with him makes it all feel a little less overwhelming.
Grumbling, Axel pulls me closer and I flip in his arms facing him. His sleepy sky-blue eyes barely peek through his lids. Warmth radiates from him. His gaze meets mine, searching and sincere, causing my heart to skip a beat.
Propping himself up on one elbow, he holds me close, his gaze soft and reassuring. “Are you okay?” he asks, his voice low and soothing, hitting me square in the ovaries.
I nod, even though I can feel my heart racing. It’s surreal to be here, in his bed, with the weight of everything else fading away. I can’t help but smile, feeling safe.
“Holding you in my arms all night felt nice. Thanks for sleeping with me,” he says innocently. His sincerity encompasses me like a cozy blanket.
I shift closer, relishing in the comfort of his presence. “I didn’t want to be alone,” I admit, my voice barely above a whisper.
He smiles, a genuine, heartwarming smile that makes my stomach flutter. “Neither did I.”
As I look into his eyes, I see a kindness that makes my heart swell. It’s an innocent kind of intimacy, one that feels right but the thoughts swirling in my mind are anything but innocent. The air around us thickens. The moment shifts hanging between us, charged with desire.
He reaches out, brushing a stray strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering against my skin. I shiver at his touch, fire spreads through me. There’s a spark in the air, an unspoken connection pulling us together.
“Can I?” he asks, his voice barely above a whisper, his eyes searching mine.
I don’t need to think twice. “Yes,” I breathe, a rush of anticipation coursing through me.
Time slows as he pulls me closer, the space between us disappears.
Soft glowing moonlight reflects in his eyes, and for a moment, nothing else matters.
His lips brush softly against mine, hesitant at first, as if savoring the moment.
The world around us dissolves. It’s a gentle kiss, sweet and warm, like the first rays of sunshine after a long night.
I melt into him, leaning closer as his hands cradle my face, strong and reassuring.
The kiss deepens slightly but remains tender, our tongues exploring each other.
He bites my lip a little too roughly forcing me to smile against him.
His growl gets a giggle out of me making him rougher.
Hungrily, his rhythm picks up as does mine.
The more we consume each other, the more my want for him intensifies.