CHAPTER 169: HANDLE THIS

I entered the bathroom and took a moment to admire the serene space before getting to work. I adjusted the faucet, carefully preparing the tub and ensuring the water was at just the right temperature.

Soft edge lighting illuminated the marble around me, creating a tranquil atmosphere as I soaked in the relaxing ambience.

I let out a slow breath, my skin still tingling from the fire I had just started.

Axel’s face, I thought with a smirk, was absolutely priceless.

I took off my clothes slowly. As the cool air touched my skin, I shivered slightly while the fabric fell to the ground around my feet.

I stepped out of it, completely naked, and ran a hand through my hair before sinking into the warm water.

My muscles relaxed instantly, but my mind? Oh, my mind was still replaying every detail of what had just transpired.

The way Axel’s dark amber eyes had darkened when I touched him. The way his breathing had hitched when I pulled at his waistband. The way he had looked at me, like he was barely restraining himself from devouring me whole.

And then when I walked away.

I knew I was teasing him, and things could have gone differently. My heart was racing, but I loved the thrill that came with it.

’I should do this more often,’ I said to myself in satisfaction.

But the satisfaction was short-lived.

Because just as I was sinking deeper into the water and closing my eyes, I heard the door creak open. I took a sharp breath and noticed a flicker of movement through my half-closed eyelid. My eyes flew open, and there, standing in the doorway, was Axel.

And he was completely naked. Not just naked... but rock-hard naked.

My breath caught in my throat.

I quickly turned away, pressing my back against the tub. "What are you doing, Axel?" I demanded in a voice slightly higher than my usual.

Axel casually leaned against the doorframe, looking completely relaxed and unbothered. His fit body was softly lit by the dim light, showcasing his strong, toned muscles.

The smirk he wore was infuriating.

"About to take a bath," he said simply.

My fingers tightened against the smooth edge of the tub as I kept my gaze firmly ahead, refusing to look at Axel.

"Well," I said, lifting my chin, "as you can see, the bathroom is occupied."

Axel, the insufferable man that he was, didn’t look fazed in the slightest. In fact, his smirk only deepened.

"From what I can see," he mused, tilting his head as he took slow steps forward, "there’s room for two."

My fingers curled against the rim of the tub.

"So, how about I join you?"

I huffed, still refusing to look at him. "Not going to happen."

Axel tsked under his breath, shaking his head as though he was really disappointed. "Oh, come on, Layla, it’s not like we have anything to hide from each other. We’ve both seen each other naked before."

My face burned at the reminder.

"Do not think about that night. Do not think about that night," I repeated in my head.

But my treacherous mind, of course, was no help as images of our first intimate time together flashed.

Axel chuckled, watching me squirm. "Besides, bathing together saves time. Efficient, really."

I glared at the wall, refusing to let him get under my skin. "You’re impossible."

"And yet, here we are."

I clenched my jaw. "Now, go. Let me have my bath in peace."

For a second, I hoped that he might actually listen. But instead of leaving, Axel did the exact opposite.

Instead of leaving, Axel took another step inside and shut the door behind him.

My head snapped toward him, my heart stuttering and eyes wide. "I didn’t agree to this."

Axel grinned, that damnable smirk deepening as he took another step forward. "Too late, sweetheart," he murmured. "You started this."

I gaped at him. "I..." I scowled. "I didn’t do anything."

Axel stepped forward, unfazed by my protest. "This is what you get for leaving me hanging."

I scoffed. "And so what? What do you plan to do?"

I paused for a moment, my eyes subconsciously drifting down to his hardness, but quickly looking away. "So you’re trying to seduce me?"

Axel smirked. "Is it working?"

I turned away, rolling my eyes. "Most definitely not."

Axel chuckled.

Then, to my absolute horror, he stepped into the bath.

Water sloshed around us as he sank into the tub opposite me, his long legs brushing against mine under the water.

I glared.

Axel stretched his arms out along the edge of the tub, his muscles shifting with the movement. He tilted his head slightly, watching me.

I forced myself to ignore the way my pulse quickened.

I raised a brow. "Comfortable?"

"Very," he said smoothly.

I huffed and turned away, focusing on the warm water instead.

Two could play this game.

I leaned back, stretching slightly so the water lapped higher against my collarbone, exposing just a little more of my skin to the soft lightening

Then, slowly, I lifted one leg, running a hand along it in an innocent, completely non-seductive way.

Axel’s eyes darkened immediately.

I smirked.

"Oh? Something wrong, Mr O’Brien?" I asked sweetly.

Axel’s fingers tapped against the marble edge of the tub.

Then... he moved.

In one fluid motion, he pushed himself forward, the water shifting as he closed the space between us.

Before I could react, his hands found my waist.

He pulled me toward him.

I gasped, my hands instinctively pressing against his chest. "Axel..."

He leaned in, his lips grazing the shell of my ear.

"You started this," he murmured, his voice like liquid heat. "Let’s see if you can handle it."

My breath hitched. Oh, gods. I was so in trouble.

I felt my breath hitch when Axel’s lips gently touched my jaw. He held my waist firmly, but there was a playful touch to it. My heart raced as his fingers made slow, careful circles on my bare skin.

Then he stopped.

Just as I exhaled shakily, thinking I’d regained control, Axel flipped us, pressing me against the cool marble. "Your turn to squirm, sweetheart."