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</span>​</div><span style="font-family: 'Didact Gothic', 'sans-serif'">The mix of pain in her gaze, no matter how much he knew it already, cut him deep. It made him angry, and it made him incredibly sad. It was a tidal wave of emotions, swarming him the very moment he saw it in her eyes. There was a joy in him when he noticed the nod she gave him; he knew it couldn't be easy to hear his words, considering. As she spoke his name, he gave a soft sound to hint he was listening. He noticed the way she tried to hug herself; her body language was so incredibly clear. And he certainly noticed her reaction when he told her what the man had offered; he'd had the same reaction. He'd been so close to hurting that man to a point where he would've had to turn over his badge; he still wanted to. From her blatant reaction, he almost regretted telling her. She was a big girl, she could handle it. And more importantly, she needed to know what was going on at the club. She needed to be informed, just in case. Axel couldn't keep her in bubble wrap, and he'd never dream of it. She was smart; Tempest could handle it.<br/>
<br/>
What he hadn't expected was the warmth and tenderness of the touch of her hand up against his firm, muscled chest. It was incredibly welcomed, more so than it was shocking. The way her nose wrinkled at his touch made it all too alluring, he wanted to do it again just to see her face crunch in such a cute manner. Before he could correct her, the male paused as she held up her hand. He listened, much like an obedient dog. It was safe to say he appreciated her words from the smile that graced his lips, a softness appearing over his features. What she said next blew him away. Not only did she want to protect herself, which was a reward enough, but she wanted to protect <i>him</i>. The moment she spoke of that day, though, he stiffened. He'd never forget the day he'd found her, how badly abused she'd been, how desperate she looked to take her revenge. Again, she surprised him. The way she rose up and placed a soft kiss against his cheek made him take in a slow, deep breath. She felt... so incredibly good on his skin. She was... Something. Even the pats against his chest; he found himself losing his control in the very vibrant image she was creating for him. Soft lips, the openness she'd given him... It was almost too much.<br/>
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He'd given her time to talk, and he'd refused to stop or interrupt her. Shortly after she left his side, she seemed to go to her bedroom. The male was still feeling a rush of warmth, not only in his heart but in his groin. The thought of her in one of those large shirts, her bare legs, glimpses of other... soft, supple parts was almost too much to bare. Axel returned to the couch as she changed. He snagged his beer from the coffee table and drank the whole thing in almost a minute. Placing the beer back down, he stared at the bottle for a good few moments, the taste of the liquid still on his lips. No, he couldn't make a move like that. As much as he wanted to show her how much he cared for her, he couldn't offer her something like that, or hint to it. After what she'd been through, he couldn't allow himself to try and get closer, it needed to come from her. She had to be comfortable. The moment she emerged from the bedroom, he offered her a warm smile. "C'mere, pineapple." The male patted the spot on the couch beside him. He sat leaning forward, his elbows resting on his knees with his legs rather spread.<br/>
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"That day that I found you..." He started softly, easing her in as he fixed his gaze to hers. "I wanted to take the burden, because... I needed him gone. For what he'd done? Death was easy, but there's only so much I can do before I would've been caught. Look.." He sighed ever so softly, his voice husky. "I want you to be able to defend yourself, not because I plan on going anywhere. I'm never going to leave your side. But I want this for you. You can throw a mean hook, which is something we should focus on too actually. But I saw your eyes. I knew it was what you needed. And that's why I am glad I gave you my gun. I'd do it again. You're a strong woman, and I can see that now, I saw it then." He offered a warm smile, there was awe in his gaze, but also a firmness. "I'm still going to be protecting that fine ass, you can bet my life on it. We'll just end up being Bonnie and Clyde." A snicker escaped him before he slipped an arm around the back of the couch, easing his form slightly toward her. He wanted to give her the option to seek comfort in him, should she need to. "You don't have to thank me for anything. I'm also selfish, I rather like spending time with you." He shot her a rather genuine grin before closing his arm down around her shoulders, drawing her figure into the hard, muscled chest of his. "I'm proud of you, you know? I'll teach you to be a deadshot in no time."<br/>
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Reluctantly, the man glanced at his watch with a soft sigh. He didn't want to leave her after talking about what they had; he was concerned she would be thinking about it more, and it may cause some trauma to rise up. "I know you're going to tell me you're fine, but I'd like to crash on the couch if you'll let me. If you want me to leave, I'm good with that. No offence here. But after this, I just want to be around if you need it, okay? Don't look at me like that, I aint no mother hen." The male gave her a playful grin, "Then at least we can finish a few more beers, and I can tuck you in... read you a bedtime story." He couldn't keep a straight face, he knew she'd almost want to swat him for that; she didn't seem the type to put up with that. </span>