Forcing himself to relax, he directed his attention back to Sweet Pea. “So you’re ready to meet Stone?”

“Why does he want to meet me?” she asked, her insecurities all over her small heart-shaped face.

Sometimes, he forgot that, despite her often multicolored hair, her rocker-chick clothing, and her bright tattoo that held a meaning only the two of them understood, she still gripped tightly to her insecurities. She’d come a long way after surviving so much. But like the winged bird she’d inked onto her shoulder, the time had come for her to fly away. Stone may or may not be the man for her, but she was ready to embrace someone else to help her along with the next part of her journey through life.

“He didn’t tell me. You’ll have to ask him. But I made it clear that he’s to respect you and your boundaries,” Axel promised.

She nodded, the hair she’d pulled back in a simple ponytail today colored a surprisingly sedate chestnut brown with a few hints of fuchsia streaks. Her long lashes brushed her cheeks as she paused for a moment to gather herself.

Finally, she opened her eyes and regarded him again. “Okay.”

More than one Dom over the years had asked about the club’s sweet little receptionist, but she hadn’t wanted to come out of her shell. Axel had been suspecting for a while that she was ready for more than he could give her. Her agreeing to meet anyone was a huge step forward.

He hugged her tight. “I’m proud of you. He’s waiting. I’ll introduce you.”

With the little receptionist in his arms, Axel stood, then set Sweet Pea on her seriously high heels. She still only reached the middle of his chest. “I’m scared.”

“I’m always here if you need an ear. You know Thorpe is, too.”

“I appreciate the offer.” She nodded pensively. “But you’re with Mystery now. You don’t need me.”

He frowned. “Misty, you don’t have to leave my protection because I’ve found someone. We’ll have to change a few things about our relationship, but I don’t want you jumping into any arrangement with another man just because you think I won’t be here for you anymore.”

She smiled softly. “Axel, you’ve been so wonderful. I’ve often wished that I could have been healed enough to love you like you deserve. And that I could be the sort of woman you’d love forever. But we weren’t meant to be. You’ve done more for me than I’m sure you were prepared to when Thorpe asked you to help me along, and you’ve definitely given me more than you’ll ever understand.” She teared up. “I’ll miss you.”

“Sweet Pea . . .” He held her close. “I’m not shoving you out the door and into the cold.”

“I’m showing myself out.” Tears splashed down her cheeks. “I’ve worn out my welcome. It’s time for you to give your whole self to one woman. That’s never going to be me. And it’s all right. If she loves you like you deserve—and it sounded earlier like she does—then I’m so happy for you.”

Axel looked away with a wry grin. He’d intended for Heath to overhear them, but he hadn’t thought Sweet Pea might come to the club early looking for him. When Stone had shown up and asked for her, Zeb had turned protective older brother and fetched Axel from the kitchen. But maybe this was for the best. Maybe the time had come for both he and Misty to move on.

Axel’s heart swelled. He’d always have a soft spot for her inside his big, rambling chest. He might have done her a favor by working with her on her ability to trust and communicate her feelings, but she’d taught him more than a little about honesty and letting go of fears, too. All of his brothers were still single, as was his father, and Axel didn’t kid himself. All that had so much to do with his mother’s abandonment. Trust didn’t come easily for him, but Sweet Pea had helped kick-start his healing. He wasn’t there yet, but he had high hopes.

He cupped her face, her small bones swallowed by his big palms, and laid a soft, chaste kiss on her lips. For a long breath, he gave her his kindness and adoration. It flowed bittersweet between their lips and hearts as they said their final good-bye as lovers.

More than ready for his future, he broke away and led her toward the dungeon, hoping that he’d be introducing her to a special man who would take her in hand and make her whole.

*   *   *

MYSTERY raced around the bedroom she and Axel had shared an hour ago. She tried not to look at the bed as she packed up her toiletries, tossed on some clean clothes, zipped up her bags, then waited.

Maybe she was being hasty. She should at least ask Axel about what she’d seen. There must be some rational explanation, right?

For him cuddling another woman and whispering endearments? How often had her mother said she wished she’d listened to her gut about her father’s alibis, rather than his slick words? On the other hand, Axel wasn’t her father. Daddy liked attention—needed it. Axel stood quiet and watchful. He didn’t mind solitude. He wasn’t for show, didn’t care about flash . . .

But what man turned down sex when a pretty skank in a short skirt offered it? Axel and her father might not be cut from the same cloth, but they were both men with dicks. Maybe that was the only similarity that mattered.

Pacing and chewing on a ragged nail, she waited for Axel to return. She’d ask him about the woman she’d seen him with and his relationship with her. She’d listen and try to make an unemotional judgment. After all, despite the sex they’d had today, he’d never promised her an exclusive relationship.

But what kind of man jumped from the most amazing sex with her—twice—to put another woman on his lap minutes later?

Mystery crossed the bedroom again. Damn, she could talk herself in circles all night.

Bottom line: She had to ask Axel, listen, then do what was best for her, depending on whether he set off her bullshit meter. Heath would want an explanation, and she would give him one but—

Suddenly, the lights flickered, then died. Everything around her went still, black. She stood unmoving, afraid that she’d trip over something in the unfamiliar room. Then slowly, she began feeling her way back to her suitcase near the door.

When she turned the knob and eased into the hallway, a hand suddenly gripped her arm, pulling her against a hard body. Before she could even gasp, he covered her mouth with his palm. Adrenaline surged. Terror spiked. Had whoever left the picture in her hotel room somehow found her?

“We’re leaving via the back door now. Stay quiet.”

Heath. Mystery heaved a giant sigh of relief. “We should talk about this before we run off. Maybe I’m being hasty.”

“Would you really give him more chances to crush your heart? What would your mother say about that?”

To run like hell if she had any suspicion at all that Axel had cheated. “I know.”

Heath released her, then brushed past her. She heard a vague grunt as he lifted her admittedly heavy suitcase. “Wrap your hand around my arm and follow.”

“But what if I’m safer with him around, too?” she murmured.

“You’ve let the pleasure cloud your thinking. I’ve kept you safe all these years. I’m still more than capable. Follow me. We have to hurry. It won’t take Axel much longer to figure out that I’ve simply tripped the breaker.”

Mystery hesitated, so torn. She sensed Heath’s impatience.

“I told you at the onset that Axel was a player,” he pointed out. “It took him less than fifteen minutes to find another woman to seduce.”

“He didn’t make me any promises,” she pointed out.

“But don’t you deserve them?”

She sighed. Yes, she did. Her mother had often said that she felt as if she’d accepted feeling like second best because she’d lacked the confidence and temerity to leave. Mystery didn’t want to be a victim of her own weakness.

Heath sighed with impatience. “Axel knows where you’re heading. If he truly wants you and cares, he’ll come after you. If not, then you’ll know. But we must leave now.”