Page 124 of Hard Rain

Just enough.

“There.”

Axel looked down at the hand resting over his heart before Whip let it fall.

Something in his chest tightened, and it had nothing to do with the damn collar.

He glanced back at the mirror.

“I don’t see a difference.”

“I do.”

Apparently, that settled it.

With Whip’s stamp of approval, Axel’s own tension eased. He drew in a deep breath, catching the faint scent of Whip’s cologne again.

Funny.

Even that settled him.

The hand on his wrist. The one against his chest. Whip standing close enough that Axel could feel the warmth coming off him.

Somewhere over the past year, the man had quietly become the center of his world.

Even through everything with May, Axel had always known who mattered more.

He just hadn’t been brave enough to look too closely at why.

Poor May.

She deserved better.

Thankfully, she’d figured that out before he had.

That probably made her the smarter one.

He ought to send her a thank-you card.

“You ready?” Whip asked.

Axel looked at the man in the mirror beside him.

Hell.

Whip cleaned up way too well. The Prada tux fit like it was tailored just for him, his blond hair brushed back from his face.

Axel reached up and caught the edge of Whip’s lapel.

Whip’s eyes met his in the mirror.

Axel smoothed the fabric once, returning the favor even though there wasn’t a damn thing out of place.

Then he leaned down and stole a quick kiss.

“No,” Axel admitted. “But let’s go catch a bad guy.”

They pulled up in front of the hotel, reminding him why they were here.