Closer To You (Suits in Pursuit) by Lauren H. Kelley Page A

and cupped her behind with the other hand, massaging and kneading her cheeks as he pulled her into him. 
    “Axel, stop that! You can’t have me tonight. I was nearly unconscious after our rendezvous in your office and I’m still sore. Stop that!” She giggled, and flushed.
    He knew what he had done to her.
    He stopped groping her and instead moved both hands to her waist. “All right baby. Come stay the night with me and I promise to let you rest. I swear.”
    The elevator stopped, and he released her. They stepped out and stood in the parking deck, finishing their conversation.
    “Uh, I don’t know ,” she said hesitantly.
    “Come on. I miss being with you and I can’t sleep unless you’re lying in my arms. I’m begging,” he pleaded.
    “Who would have thought that I’d have Axel Christensen begging me for anything? ” She patted his chest. “Okay. I’ll take pity on you this time.”
    He pumped his fist in the air. “Yes!”
    She shook her head, laughed and rolled her eyes. They walked to his Range Rover, and he opened the passenger door, and then helped her climb inside before walking to his side of the vehicle.
    He closed his door and started the engine. “I’d beg for you any day. You’re going to pay for that.” He said with a devious grin. Then he opened the sunroof.
    “Axel, you swore! Seriously, I can’t tonight ,” she squealed.
    “Miss Mulls, you have a dirty mind. I can punish you without sex being involved. You’ll find out soon enough.”
    “ I don’t have a dirty mind! And why am I being punished?” 
    “Because of the position you’ve put me in. I’ve never begged for anything from anyone, ever.”
    “I guess you’re in unfamiliar territory.” She lightly touched his arm.
    “Very,” he replied before grabbing her hand.
    He stared deeply into her eyes. “Kerrigan, I mean everything I’ve said. I’ve never felt about anyone the way I feel about you. This is new territory for me, and I’m not afraid. I don’t want this feeling to end.”
    She gulped hard, not sure what to say next and uncertain where he was going with his comment. The same old nagging thoughts of self-doubt returned. Don’t read too much into his words. Someone like him doesn’t get serious about someone like you for the long haul. This is only temporary.
    She decided on the safest thing she could muster. “I’m in unfamiliar territory, too.”
    He leaned in and kissed her slowly, sucking her bottom lip. Her tongue tangled with his. They were lost in each other, falling deeper until he stopped and pulled back.
    “I guess that means we have to figure this out together.” He smiled and moved his hand to her thigh. “ Are you sure there’s no way I can persuade you tonight?”
    “No!” She swatted his hand gently.
    “You can’t blame a guy for trying. Let’s go home.” he referred to them going home, made her wonder, if she were foolish to hope for a future with him. A future that held promised permanence.

    That night, t hey ate the supper that Emma had prepared and left for them. After their meal, they settled down in the family room, cozying up on the charcoal microfiber sofa.
    “Let’s watch some television. I have no idea what’s going on in the world these past few weeks.” He flipped through the channels.
    “Can we watch a mix of real news and a little entertainment?” she asked, batting her eyes at him.
    “My thoughts exactly. A little Hollywood, a bit of Washington and a snippet of the local flavor.”
    “Perfect.” She snuggled against him, resting her head on his chest.
    “Of course, no evening is complete without a little reality television. Sad, but that’s my vice.” He confessed.
    “I love reality television as long as the show has something to do with food, singing or humor. No blind dating or crazy personal drama.”
    He kissed the top of her head. “How about CNN, the Voice and Top Chef?”
    “You’ve got a date. Since you’re accustomed to staying up late,