Axel smirked. He leaned forward and brought his face to hers, looking into her gold and chocolate eyes.
“Yes,” he whispered. “We do.”
Alice bit her lower lip and smiled. A fluttering relief in her belly as she thought he would accept, and she could fill his thoughts with something other than doubts and questions.
“Then join me,” she replied softly.
Axel tilted his head and looked at her with a gentleness that made her breath hitch. He reached his hand up and pushed her hair back behind her ear.
“Not until your heart has calmed and your mind has settled.”
Alice tilted her head against his hand in a pout.
“How is my heart supposed to be calm when you’re so close and yet so far.”
Axel smiled and leaned forward, pressing his head to hers in a gentle nuzzle.