~LAYLA~
"Layla," Axel choked out in a raw voice. "I can't… I can't do this."
I stared at him, feeling a rush of mixed emotions: shock, anger, numbness; my body was still buzzing with the pleasure from seconds ago.
Confusion hit me hard, like a splash of cold water. "W-Why did you stop?" I asked, sitting up and grabbing the sheet to cover myself. "Did I do something wrong?"
He ran a hand through his hair, looking conflicted as he shifted away from me. "No, Layla. You didn't, okay? It's me. We can't do this."
"What do you mean?" I snapped, the rejection stinging more than I'd let on. "We were both into this, Axel. You started it."
He sighed heavily, grabbing his shirt from the floor and slipping it on. "The contract, Layla. Remember? This marriage is for revenge, not this. If we cross that line, it complicates everything. Feelings get involved, and we can't afford that right now."
