Seeing pain twist across Axel’s face was almost unbearable. I hated that he’d hurt me, but I knew he never thought it would come to this. The confusion and regret in his eyes pierced me every time.
He f****d up. Royally. He knew it. I wasn’t going to keep reminding him, but I couldn’t forget, either. I needed to try because I believed what we had was worth fighting for—giving up has never been who I am, not even now. My motivation was clear: I wanted to repair us, even if it hurt.
I leaned forward on my toes to kiss him, which he gladly accepted. He put his hands on my face and deepened the kiss, not wanting to stop. His desperation and growing need for me were palpable as he held me.
I wrapped my arms around his waist and pulled him closer. He stayed cautious near my stomach, worried h
