Mystery gaped at him. She wasn’t even sure how to process his words. “It sounds like you were pretty devoted for not being her boyfriend.”

“It’s hard to explain the concept of Dominant and protector to people who apply the terms through their vanilla filter. I dated other people. She encouraged me to because we weren’t romantically involved. Emotionally, yeah. But not hearts and flowers. More like . . . friends with benefits, but the friendship far outweighed the sex.” He leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “To be honest, Misty would only break down once or twice a year and ask for sex. Only then would she give herself voluntarily.”

Frowning, Mystery digested Axel’s words. Pity smothered her anger. “She was raped.”

He held up his hands. “Her secrets are her own. I care about you, Mystery, and I want to save whatever us we might have, but I can’t betray her confidence. It wouldn’t be fair.”

In a way, she respected him more for it. Yeah, it infuriated her and made her feel a bit like she was on the outside looking in. On the other hand, he stayed true to his friends and his principles. Mystery didn’t exactly understand this relationship he’d shared with Misty. But she also didn’t imagine Axel would be trying so hard to explain their odd, romantically platonic relationship if she wasn’t important to him.

She bit her lip, still trying to wrap her head around everything he’d said. “So she’s your submissive?”

“Not anymore. What you saw tonight was Misty and me moving on. Despite the fact that she’s not ready to be alone, she realized I could no longer be her Dominant in every way. She broke it off so I would be free to go after the woman who could make me happy. You.”

His words stunned her. Sizzled through her. Flattened her. Her cautious side told her not to leap too quickly at his pretty words. The rest of her jumped at them. “Is that why you came up to my aunt’s house?”

“Of course.” He searched her face. “Why else would I pull all kinds of strings to borrow a jet to reach you before you could slip through my fingers again?”

“I’m not just . . . a responsibility?”

“Fuck no. Why would you think that?”

Mystery ducked her head, wringing her hands. “Well, you told Heath that you came because my father wanted you here and—”

“Princess, I’m telling your bodyguard what I think he’ll actually hear because I don’t owe him the truth. You deserve to know what I’m thinking and how I feel, so here I am. I hope like hell you’re understanding me.”

She was, and hope welled inside her. Mystery didn’t want to be that naïve girl who believed everything the man she was crazy over told her, but she also didn’t want to be the cynic who let a good thing slip away because she was too jaded to believe. “I was excited you’d come here. Relieved.”

“Because you didn’t want to be alone with Heath? Did he hurt you?”

“No. He never would.” She bit her lip, oddly nervous, but if Axel was being so honest, she had to try, too. “I was glad you’d traveled up here because I figured if you did, I must mean something to you.”

He gave her a slow smile. “You could say that. When I realized you were gone, I fucking panicked. I’m just glad I found you and that you’re all right.”

His phone buzzed. He stared at the screen, then shook his head.

“Something wrong?”

“Misty. She can’t sleep and wants to know if I ‘got my girl yet.’ See?” He flashed her the phone.

Mystery read their last few messages, then wished like hell she hadn’t accused him of cheating. Now she felt somewhere between chastened and regretful. “She’s worried about you.”

He answered the woman quickly, and Mystery wished she knew what he’d said, but he tucked his phone away. “I might have been her protector, but she’s pretty protective, too.”

“Are you sad she won’t be there for you anymore?”

The kettle whistled on the stove, and before she could get to her feet, Axel made his way to it, poured the water, rummaged around for the honey and a spoon, then brought it to her. “Be careful. It’s hot.”

When he set the mug in front of her, their eyes met. She nodded solemnly, drowning in his deep blue stare. “Thanks.”

As she sat, he paused to collect his words. “We’ll always be friends. She can confide in me any time, and until she finds her One, I expect her to. Like any friend, if I see her floundering without someone to talk to, I’ll step in because I’m worried about her. But we didn’t ‘break up.’ We never had that sort of relationship to start with. But Misty wants more than I can give her.”

Of course she did. Mystery understood very well wanting more of Axel. “So she does want a boyfriend?”

He shook his head. “She wants a sadist. That’s not who I am.”

Mystery reared back, blinking at him. On the one hand, his admission relieved her. She didn’t have any interest in a man who yearned to give her pain. But . . . “Why would she want that?”

“I don’t think you’re a masochist, so you may not completely get it. But she enjoys the pain. It becomes its own pleasure. And in some cases, a masochist is able to release their internal pain with someone who torments them physically. It’s as if they can only process one agony at a time, so they have to let go of the one inside them. For some, like Misty, it’s really cathartic.”

“And you did that for her? You spanked or flogged or—”

“Sometimes. If she got really bottled up, I’d call in a sadist friend of mine from Houston and let him spend a few hours with her. She always seemed profoundly happy afterward.”

Mystery had a million questions. Had Axel minded watching another man give her pain? Had Misty slept with this other man, and had it bothered Axel? In fact, his whole arrangement with the woman boggled her mind. But the truth was, he didn’t seem upset about separating from Misty. Nor did he seem jealous that she might find someone else, only concerned that she’d find the right sort of someone. And Axel had been incredibly direct. The truth was, he could have told her that his thing with Misty was none of her business.

She sipped her tea and gathered her words. “You’re right. I don’t really get it. It might be selfish to say, but I’m glad you’re not with her anymore.”

“It’s for the best because we both want something else.” He dragged her chair closer. “After last night, I already knew I had to change my relationship with Sweet Pea. I couldn’t pull the emotional rug out from under her, but I also realized I couldn’t have sex with her anymore, not even for her sake. Not when I want you so much.”

Against her will, happiness flooded Mystery. She sat back in her chair, trying to sort everything out logically. Her mother might have called her foolishly trusting. Maybe Axel would hurt her in the end. On the other hand, she’d never know what could be if she didn’t give them a chance. She didn’t want to look back with regrets and wonder what if she’d really tried to believe in them? Right now, he must have a million doubts about her since she kept running out on him. The first time, he’d somewhat taken in stride. This last time, when she and Heath had fled Dominion? Mystery got the feeling she hadn’t begun to pay for that yet.

“Thank you for explaining. I overreacted when I saw you two. And I know you and I probably aren’t going anywhere, right? You live in Dallas and I live in London and—”

“Let’s cut the shit. I don’t know exactly what’s happening between us, but don’t sell us short. I want you. I don’t want it to end. I suspect I’m falling hard and fast—”

“I’m in love with you,” she blurted. As long as Axel was putting his cards on the table, she should, too. “I think I always have been. Seeing you with Misty . . . I freaked. I’m sorry. I guess I hit a sore spot with your mom and all by running off, but that wasn’t my intention.”

“I’ll be honest. That isn’t my only hang-up, but that’s my biggest.”