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larger. Or more ferocious. Either way, Harper took another step back. “Keep your paws off my”—he glanced quickly in her direction—“ our guest,” he spoke through clenched teeth.
    “Settle down, big guy.” Kade held his hands up in front of him. It was obvious he was trying, but failing, in an effort not to smile. “I was just keeping Harper company and sharing some wine. Don’t get all—”
    “It looked like a lot more than that.”
    Was that jealousy in his voice? A thrill went through her. She’d never had anyone be jealous over her before. Even if it was unwarranted. Or was it? Hadn’t she just been considering Kade as an alternative to his brother for a fling? Although now that she saw Axel again, she couldn’t imagine what she’d been thinking. Her whole body reacted to his presence, from the tips of her fingers that itched to reach out and touch him, all the way to the damp spot between her legs. Oh yes, there was no doubt her body had a reaction to this man. A strong one.
    “It was nothing.” Harper stepped forward. Axel turned to her and their eyes locked. Her stomach flipped and she had to swallow hard. “I was just telling Kade I was a bit chilly and he suggested a fire in the great room. Maybe you’d like to light it for me?” She took another step until she stood right in front of him, so close they almost touched, and she could feel the heat radiate off him. Forget the fire. All she needed was Axel. Preferably naked and in her bed.
    One thing at a time.
    Harper forced what she hoped was an innocent smile. “If you wouldn’t mind?” She reached out and let her fingers trail lightly across his bare forearm.
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    I f I wouldn’t mind ? Axel’s brain raced; his heart beat even harder. If I wouldn’t mind indeed, he thought. I wouldn’t mind throwing you over my shoulder and marching your sweet ass right out of here is what I wouldn’t mind.
    He swallowed and caught her hand in his. “I wouldn’t mind at all.”
    And just like that, the jealous rage he’d felt when he’d burst into the kitchen and seen Kade touching his female was gone. Her touch had calmed him while at the same time energizing him. It was unlike anything he’d ever felt before. He didn’t move right away, and it wasn’t until Kade cleared his throat loudly and shoved a bottle of wine and two glasses at them that Axel released Harper’s hand and stepped back.
    “Enjoy,” his brother said with an obvious laugh in his voice. “Dinner will be ready soon.”
    He led the way out into the great room and poured them each a glass before he turned his attention to the fireplace. He spent a little longer than absolutely necessary building the fire up but he needed the time to gather his thoughts together. Never before had he felt such a pull toward a female. And he knew she felt something too. He could smell her arousal on the air. It was a heady, sweet scent that filled his senses and made it even harder to focus on the task at hand.
    He was an expert fire starter, but he fumbled through the process. Finally, when the fire was roaring, he backed away and turned to see her lounging with her legs curled up underneath her on the large leather sofa. She wore an oversized sweater that hid too much of her beautiful body from his eyes, but he let his eyes linger on the swell of her ass and the length of her legs that were covered in form-fitting denim. He swallowed a growl at the idea of running his hands along those curves and tearing the clothing from her body until he could see every inch of her.
    “That’s hot.”
    Axel started. Had she read his thoughts?
    “The fire,” she clarified with a laugh. “It’s hot. Thank you. I’m not chilly anymore.” She sat up and pulled her sweater over her head to reveal the very same skintight t-shirt that had formed an integral part of his daydream. His bear roared within him. He wanted—no, he needed—to claim this woman.
    Judging from the way she looked at him, and the