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“The guys think I’m the next president, but there are men who have been here far longer who would be just as good at leading the club. It’s a big responsibility,” Axel says cautiously, scratching the stubble on his chin.

“Well, I think you’d be great at it. I think Zeus did, too, that’s why he trusted you with the secret of wanting a surrogate to carry Levi’s child,” I reason.

“Perhaps, but there are those who don’t like me. There are some guys who think we should be more like the Hellhounds, that Zeus made us too soft.”

“Well then, all the more reason for you to be the next president, to uphold the club’s values,” I insist.

“Maybe,” he replies with a small smile before changing the subject. “So, tell me, what’s home like?”

“Another planet compared to here. It’s quiet, peaceful, and very green with rolling hills, prairies, and cornfields—and lots of cattle,” I add with a smile, recalling long walks around our farm as a girl with my grandfather.

“Do you miss it?”

“Sometimes. I miss how green it is. Perhaps that’s why I feel so comfortable around you, your eyes remind me of home,” I muse aloud before realizing with utter mortification what I just said.

My cheeks flush, and I expect him to politely but firmly shut me down. But instead, he smiles at me.

“I’m glad. When we were away serving in the military, the guys were my connection to home, they made it a lot more bearable.”

“You served together?”

Axel nods. “Two tours, Levi, Knox, Jace, Rider, and me. I was our squad leader.”

“Ah, I knew it, I told you you’re a natural leader,” I say with a grin. “That’s why the guys do as you say, they still think you’re the boss. Is that why you get so frustrated with me? Because I don’t automatically agree with you?” I gently tease.

“You do seem determined to do the exact opposite of what I ask you to do,” he says ruefully, his tone light. “Although I do recall you didn’t take much convincing to do what I wanted when we first met,” he adds seductively.

All of a sudden, the energy in the room shifts, becoming charged, and I’m painfully aware of the fact that we’re alone together. During our conversation, we’ve automatically shifted closer together. Now it would only take the smallest of steps to close the gap between us.

I take the leap.

“What makes you think you were the one calling the shots?” I retort, shifting closer so our thighs touch. “Maybe you don’t want to be the one taking the lead for a change.”

“So lead,” he challenges, his voice thick as he wrestles to maintain control while also wanting to relinquish it.

Before I can allow myself to overthink it, to tell myself why it’s a bad idea, I follow my instincts and give in to the hunger I’ve felt since we first met. I’m pregnant, so the rule I had to follow doesn’t apply—and even if it did, there’s no one to police it now.

I press myself close to his chest, looking into his eyes before kissing him. He passionately kisses me back, his strong hands snaking around my waist, and I straddle him. I can taste the whiskey on his tongue. The kiss is every bit as ferocious as the first time, but with no one to interrupt us now, we’re notstopping. I tear my shirt off, feeling grateful that I’m wearing a nice bra and forgoing my comfortable panties today.

I’ve gained weight since splitting with my ex, and the bra is on the tight side, my breasts threatening to spill out of the black lace. I’m blessed with an ample chest, something I enjoyed until recently when my ex made me feel as if it’s an embarrassment, something to be ashamed of, and hide.

The way Axel beholds them makes me feel like the sexiest woman alive. He buries his face between them, kissing and caressing every inch, his tongue teasing my nipples through the lace, making them hard like pebbles. With an expert hand, he unclasps my bra and releases my breasts. I arch my back and moan as he caresses them, his mouth trailing up to kiss my neck and back down again.

I grind on his lap, through our jeans, and I can feel that he’s getting hard. I stand and quickly remove my pants as he shrugs out of his. In just his boxers now, I can see the bulge of his arousal straining against the fabric. He’s surveying me, just as I am him, and I want to move quickly so as not to give him time to notice the lumps and bumps of my body, the imperfections. But the look of desire in his eyes, without a hint of disgust, stops me, and I allow him time to drink me in.

“You’re fucking gorgeous, Leah,” he tells me with complete sincerity.

I’m surprised to find in that moment that I believe him.

I drop to my knees in front of him, stroking his erection through his briefs.

“You don’t have to do that, Leah,” he tells me, sensing my intent.

“I’m in charge, remember,” I remind him before pulling his cock free.

It’s even bigger than I thought, and growing bigger still in my hand. I taste the salty speck of precum on his tip, eliciting a groan of pleasure that spurs me on. Emboldened by the effect I have on him, I take him in my mouth. He’s so big I have to use my hand to help as I run my tongue around the end, licking up and down the length of his shaft. The lace of my panties is soaked. I can’t believe how turned on I am, and he’s barely touched me yet.

Blow jobs always felt a bit of a chore. Something that was expected of me, but I had to focus entirely on the pleasure of the man, and it often involved my head being pushed. With Axel, I’m able to experiment, taking my time to discover what he likes without pressure. Being able to turn him on this much makes me feel sexy and powerful. Gradually, I take him deeper and deeper into my mouth.