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

maybe later tonight we can tune into the local news and catch a little comedy,” she said. “Do you like Tosh.0 or Chelsea Handler’s show?”
    “I knew there was a reason I love you so much.” He squeezed her arm and laughed.
    At nine o’clock, he turned off the television. “I’m going to work out, and you’re going to join me—your punishment.”
    “That’s my punishment? Bring it on ,” she retorted, confidence in her voice.
    He flexed his pecks up and down. “Sweetheart, look at this body.” 
    “I’m quite familiar with your body, thank you very much. Obviously, you have forgotten what my legs look like. I’m pretty sure I can keep up with you.” Her toned muscular leg stretched across his lap.
    He grabbed her leg firmly, and then pushed her back onto the sofa, arching over her and tickling her mercilessly.
    She panted heavily between laughs. “Ah! Axel. Stop. Stop it.” She laughed more.
    Moving his hand away from her side, he sat up. “Woman, you are such a tease. Let’s go, before I break my promise.”

    When they walked into his home gym, she remembered her first night at his house when she had accidentally spied on him from the guest bedroom’s balcony. She never imagined that her relationship with Axel would blossom in this way. Glancing out of the window, she fixed her eyes on the balcony.
    “You’ve upgraded your view. Would you like an up-close-and-personal show?” He asked.
    Not waiting for her response, h e peeled his shirt off and lied flat down on the bench press. His muscles rippled and strained as he pumped the heavy weights with all his strength. She gawked at him, her mouth agape.
    He lowered the bar onto the rack, and the weights clang loudly. “Sweetheart, are you going to stand there staring at me all night?” A broad grin spread across his lips. “If you can keep up with me in here, you can keep up with me in the bedroom.”
    “ You’re a cruel man. I’m going over to the elliptical where it’s safe,” she said, and then stuck out her plump bottom lip.
    “It’s never safe when I’m near you. Stop pouting or I’ll bite your fat bottom lip.”
    Butterflies danced in belly. She almost wished he would make good on his threat. Almost. She tucked in her lip.
    “Fine. You want a workout?” She bent over, her firm round lobes perfectly positioned in front of him. “I’ll need to do some stretching.”
    He sprung up and pursed his lips. “Careful where you put that beautiful ass of yours, Kerrigan. I’ll wear you out worse than any workout in this gym if you keep tempting me.”
    “I thought you were a man of your word.” She teased.
    “I am, but the truth is I’m easily torn from my convictions in your presence. Tempting me is not a good idea.”
    Sweaty musk filled the air, their hot bodies pumping and straining to complete physical exertion.
    An hour and a half later, they retreated to the house, heading for his bedroom.

    Outside of his room, he paused . “You shower in my bathroom. I’ll use the guest bath down the hall.”
    Back from the guest bath, Axel leaned against the doorframe , observing her quietly. Kerrigan was already in bed hammering out work on her laptop. The sight of her sitting in his bed, his heart swelled. He clambered into bed next to her. Even though they had slept in the same bed together many times before, tonight felt like a milestone. It was a work night, and there would be no sex. They were a normal couple. He liked the idea.
    At eleven o’clock, she put her laptop away.
    T he lights turned off, he pulled Kerrigan close to him, enjoying her scent. “Hmm. Baby, I love holding you close, how your body presses into mine.” Her small hand on his chest made his flesh sizzle. “This feels good, natural. Do you like this?” He never wanted the feeling to end.
    “Yes.” She agreed and nuzzled her face against him.
    The word rolled off her tongue like a waterfall cascades over a cliff. When the time was right, he hoped she would