I couldn't believe Axel was really here. For a moment I thought I was dreaming again but the way his arms tightened around me proved this was real.

So I let myself savor the moment, holding on for just a second longer, breathing in his familiar scent.

He felt safe, but then Connor's face flashed in front of my eyes, his words clung to my memory, rough and cruel, my body immediately tensed up.

I pulled back quickly and plastered a fake smile on my face before Axel could notice.

My fingers trembled at my sides but I curled them into fists to stop them from shaking.

I couldn't afford to be weak, not when Dad drilled me for years to be able to protect myself and I did, I won, so why were my hands still shaking?

Why did I keep hearing that voice in my head, whispering threats in the dark?

I couldn't afford to let that voice control me, especially not when Axel was watching.

Not when I wanted him to see me as more than just a fragile girl that needs saving.

Maybe if I acted strong the fear would go away, fake it till you make it right?

I finally looked up and found his eyes searching mine, his eyebrows creased as he opened and shut his mouth a few times before taking a deep breath.

"Are you okay Ellie?" he asked.

I panicked for a second, wondering if my Dad had told him what happened.

"Your dad told me to come pick you up because the dorms weren't safe for you, did anything happen?"

He asked, voice soft and eyes worried.

I breathed a small sigh of relief, dad hadn't told him exactly what happened.

So I puffed out my shoulders and put on a bright smile as I answered, "yeah, I'm fine"

My voice came out a little shaky and his eyebrows immediately inched together.

I cleared my throat and looked away.

Axel stared at me so intently that I was afraid he was gonna burn a hole through my face.

It was like he could see right through my facade.

I squirmed uncomfortably underneath his gaze.

He reached out slowly and grazed his thumb over my arm.

"Ellie, what happened?"he asked in a low steady voice.

My heart hammered in my chest and my throat tightened.

"Nothing, I'm fine." I lied, looking everywhere but at him.

He didn't look convinced one bit, then he looked away but I could see his jaw tick, he probably had an idea about what happened.

He turned to me and rubbed his forehead, as if debating internally whether to probe me more for details, he didn't.

His hand dropped to the small of my back as he guided me inside.

"You definitely don't look fine." he muttered under his breath, but I heard him.

I pretended like I didn't hear him and went inside to pack my things.

I pack a few things quickly and leave a note for Chloe telling her I'm moving out.

As I walked out of the dorm with my bags, Axel collected them from me and told me not to worry.

The first few minutes of the ride to Axel's place was awkward, scratch that, awkward was an understatement.

The tension was so thick you could cut through it with a knife.

I slid into the passenger seat, pressing my hands flat against my knees to stop them from shaking.

The leather smelled faintly like him, clean and sharp, and it made my chest ache in a way I couldn't name.

 For the first few minutes, neither of us spoke. The only sound was the steady hum of the engine.

Every so often, I caught Axel glancing at me, his jaw tight, like he was holding back words.

"Cold?" he asked suddenly, reaching out to adjust the heater before I could answer.

 I wasn't cold, but I didn't correct him.

I was shivering for an entirely different reason.

I turned and stared out the window instead, admiring the view.

Anything to avoid the weight of his gaze.

The rest of the ride was quiet again, but not empty. It was charged, every second pulling me tighter into the storm that was Axel.

By the time we pulled into the long driveway, my palms were damp against my jeans.

Axel's house loomed ahead, sleek and modern, all sharp lines and glass windows that caught the city lights.

It wasn't just a house,it was a statement, towering and unyielding, like him.

I had never been here before so my nerves were all over the place, and the fact that it would be just me and him had my heart doing gymnastics in my ribcage.

When Axel stopped the engine of the car, neither of us moved.

After a moment of silence, I steeled myself and got out of the car, Axel followed immediately.

He brought out my bags and walked towards the building.

I followed slowly behind him, my legs stiff as I climbed the stone steps.

The door swung open and I just stood there taking in the house until he nodded and said, "come on in."

I went in but I felt out of place in the huge mansion.

Everything there screamed Axel, his scent, everything was cold, just like him.

Axel picked up my bags again and nodded for me to follow. "Come on. I'll show you your room."

I trailed behind him, my pulse quickening with every step deeper into his world. He stopped at a door and pushed it open, setting my bags by the bed.

 "This will be yours."

I stepped inside. The room was warm, softer than I expected, with a view of the city lights spilling through the window.

I turned back to thank him and found him leaning against the doorway, arms crossed, eyes on me like he was studying every breath I took.

 For a moment, the silence between us stretched thin, heavy.

"Thank you," I whispered, suddenly aware of how close he was, how the air shifted with his presence.

His gaze dipped just for a second to my lips, then back up. My heart stopped.

But then he cleared his throat, straightened, and pulled back.

 "Get some rest, Ellie. We'll talk in the morning."

And just like that, he was gone, leaving me with my racing heart

A few hours later I stood in the middle of my new room in Axel’s house.

With slow steady steps I walked towards the mirror.

The large bags under my eyes were a subtle reminder of how the events of the previous night had kept me awake.

As I stared at myself in the mirror I couldn't help but wonder what would have happened if I was drunk and unable to defend myself.

Or if my dad did not teach me how to defend myself.

The very thought sent shivers down my spine, and not in a good way.

A sharp knock on the door pulled me back from my thoughts.

“Hey Ellie, can I come in?” came Axel’s muffled voice through the door.

I rushed to the door and opened it, the sight I met had my mouth hanging wide open.

I didn't think he could look any sexier but boy was I wrong.

He was shirtless with just pajama bottoms that hung low on his hips, his hair was tousled in a way that it was obvious he just woke up but it was still sexy.

And his voice, oh my God, his sleepy voice did things to my body I’m not sure words could explain.

“Hello, Earth to Ellie” he said snapping me away from my thoughts.

‘Are you okay?” he asked carefully.

I suddenly noticed he was way too close for comfort and the proximity had me unable to think so I just nodded.

He looked at me in a way that said he didn't believe me but he didn't wanna push it.

He then shrugged and started walking out of the room.

Once he was at the door he turned back and said, “breakfast will be ready in 30 minutes, I hope you like slightly burnt pancakes” then walked out and closed the door.

Immediately he closed the door. I released a breath I didn't know I was holding.

I can't keep getting tongue tied in his presence like this, how will I even be able to make him fall for me.

I sighed and went into the bathroom to take a shower

By the time I got downstairs, the smell of something sweet and burnt filled the kitchen.

Axel stood by the stove, spatula in hand, hair still tousled from sleep, a few dark strands falling over his forehead. His body moved with that calm, effortless control that made it impossible to look away.

“Morning,” he said, glancing at me with a lazy smirk. “You’re just in time to witness the art of ruining pancakes.”

I laughed softly. “At least it smells edible.”

He flipped one onto a plate and set it in front of me. “You’re being generous.”

I took a bite anyway. “You’re right. It’s terrible.”

His laugh,low and genuine filled the kitchen, and something warm bloomed in my chest.

For a few moments, it was just the two of us, comfortable silence wrapping around the clinking of plates and the hum of the city outside.

Then the doorbell rang.

Axel’s expression shifted  relaxed warmth replaced by something sharp and alert. “Stay here,” he said, already moving toward the door.

Before I could ask who it was, a familiar voice echoed from the hallway.

“Hey! I come bearing caffeine and friendship.”

“Maya?” I shot up from my chair and hurried out.

She stood in the doorway, holding two coffee cups and grinning like she hadn’t almost given me a heart attack.

“Missed your best friend, didn’t you?” she teased before pulling me into a hug.

I smiled, hugging her tight. “Maybe just a little.”

When we pulled apart, Axel was standing at the edge of the hallway, arms crossed, his jaw tight.

“Best friend, huh?” he said quietly, his tone cutting through the air like a blade. “Interesting. You’d think a best friend would actually be around when she’s needed.”

Maya’s smile faltered. “Excuse me?”

He tilted his head, voice calm but dripping with accusation. “You weren’t exactly there when she needed you most.”

Maya’s jaw tensed, but she kept her tone even. “You don’t know everything, Axel.”

He gave a cold, humorless smile. “Oh, I know enough.”

“Okay, stop,” I said sharply, stepping between them. “Axel, what’s your problem? She’s my best friend, not my bodyguard.”

That made him pause , just for a split second  before his gaze flicked to Maya’s, something unreadable flashing between them.

Maya broke the stare first, turning back to me. “I just wanted to see if you were okay. I’ll call you later, alright?”

Before I could stop her, she gave me a tight smile and walked out.

As the door closed, I turned on Axel. “What was that about?”

He didn’t answer. His hands were on the counter, knuckles white.

“Axel.”

“Nothing,” he muttered.

“Nothing? You practically bit her head off!”

He straightened slowly, meeting my eyes. “If she was really your best friend, she wouldn’t have left you alone last night.”

I opened my mouth, then closed it. His voice wasn’t angry anymore; it was low, rough, almost trembling with restraint.

“She couldn’t have known…”

“She should’ve.”

He stepped closer. My breath caught.

His hand lifted  hesitating, then brushing a loose strand of hair from my face. His touch was light, but it burned.

“You shouldn’t have gone through that,” he said softly.

The air between us shifted, thick and humming.

“Axel…” I breathed, his name catching in my throat.

He didn’t move away. His thumb traced the edge of my jaw, slow, deliberate. My pulse thundered so loud I was sure he could hear it.

His gaze flicked to my lips  for a heartbeat, maybe two  then he exhaled sharply and stepped back.

“Eat your breakfast,” he said, voice rough, avoiding my eyes. “Before it gets cold.”

And just like that, the spell broke.I stared at his retreating back, my heart still racing, the ghost of his touch lingering like fire against my skin  and I wasn’t sure if I wanted it to fade.