Chapter Forty Eight

Axel was the first to break the silence. His smile lit up his face, opening him up and revealing the man she knew that hid beneath his facade. Seeing him so happy and relaxed made Rosa heart skip a beat. Was it possible to have him like this always? Was he developing some of the same feelings that she seemed to have? she shivered at the Thoughts.

"Are you cold? Perhaps we should return inside?"

Rosa nodded and kissed him quickly on the lips. It was a fast, fleeting gesture, she hadn't even thought about it until she was actually doing it. Axel's expression changed to one of surprise and she couldn't help but giggle.

"Has no one ever kissed you before?" she asked, half teasing.

"No."

His answer shocked her a little. It certainly wasn't what she was expecting him to say. To her it sounded impossible. Axel was one of the most desirable men she had ever met. To hear that no woman had ever kissed him, that he had always been the one forced to initiate, did more than surprise her.

"But why