Axel’s kiss caught me by surprise, so I stood frozen, not kissing him back. But that didn't stop Axel. His lips still moved against mine, his hands shaking intensely. 

My lips twitched, aching to kiss him back, but I pushed that ache aside. 

He couldn't just come into my life after one year of nothing and do this. It was unacceptable. 

I gathered all the strength I could, planted my hands on his chest, and pushed. Caught off guard, he staggered back, that wild look in his ...