Page 102 of Ensnared

“He saved my life today,” I say, “in more ways than one. We do have things to discuss.” I hate breaking Gideon’s heart, but I’m not sure what else to do.

I watch as he walks down the stairs, one agonizing step at a time. He stops at the landing and looks back, and I almost jog down to him. But I have too many people to protect and too many secrets.

Once Gideon’s gone, I round on Axel. “What do you want?”

“I require your assistance,” he says.

“Fine.” I drop my hands on my hips. “With what?”

“I want you to teach me how to kiss.”

22

Once, when I was eighteen, I had this co-worker I’d known for a few months. His dad owned the restaurant we were working in, so he was almost immediately promoted to assistant manager, even though he wasn’t very good at, well, at anything.

He wasn’t a jerk; he just wasn’t very competent.

At the end of a long shift, I was carrying an entire order out to a table of six when he walked out right in front of me. I stopped quick, but the food tray didn’t react as fast. I dumped the entire order onto the ground, food splattering, dishes shattering, and silverware clattering.

It was a disaster.

Several people stepped in to help, including the guy who caused it, Jack. By the time we finally got the mess taken care of, I was done for the night. I was leaning against the counter in the back of the kitchen when he came over to chat.

Out of the blue, with no lead in, he said, “Hey, you know, you’re really good to have around when things go wrong.”

I didn’t remind him that he was the thing that went wrong.

He continued. “I’d love to have you around all the time. Would you marry me?”

I thought he was kidding, or maybe I was just really uncomfortable, but either way, I started laughing.

He got angry. . .and fired me.

I could probably have made it into a big thing, but it wasn’t the best job in the world anyway. Losing it wasn’t a big travesty or whatever. I just walked away.

When Axel says, “I want you to teach me how to kiss,” my first inclination is the same as it was that night.

To laugh.

I’ve learned a little since then, at least.

“Are you making a joke?” I keep my face utterly serious.

He shakes his head. “Nothing you humans do surprises me when it comes to tactical maneuvers. You’re pretty amateurish in your military strategy, to be honest.”

Maybe I misunderstood him. He’s talking about battle strategy now. Maybe he’s confused about what a kiss is. I frown.

“But in your personal relationships, I’m constantly confused. You shelter and care for your siblings. Your companion Gideon risked his life by coming into enemy territory to look for you. Then, when you asked, he left you here to protect your family.” He frowns. “He doesn’t want to leave your side, but he does it anyway when you ask.” He shakes his head. “I can’t understand it.”

“I told you. I haven’t kissed him.”

Axel steps closer. “I don’t experience emotions the way you do, but I’d like to try to understand your actions in spite of that.” He’s only a foot and a half away from me now, standing in the center of the game room at the top of the stairs.

My back isn’t against my bedroom door, but it’s not far from it. I’ve backed away quickly from Axel before, and I know what happens when I do. Predator drive kicks in, so backing away from him is out. Instead, I step closer, my eyes meeting his. I stare into his eyes for a moment. “Humans experience a lot of emotions, but we don’t always know what we’re feeling or why. It’s a little like our bond in that way. I know it’s there. I know it connects me to you.” My voice is low, but I drop it lower still. “But I don’t know all the things I can do with it, or exactly what it’s telling me a lot of the time.”

“Okay.” Axel picks up his hand and runs his fingers down the side of my face.

My heart reacts instantly, picking up the pace. I lick my lips.