Page 8 of Axel

“Oh, god, Luca.” I recognize Scarlett’s raspy voice. “Oh fuck, don’t stop.”

“Yes, my whore. Take it.”

I roll my eyes, recognizing my brother-in-law’s distinct Greek accent, too.

“Oh. My. God!” I call out to the row of pristine showers. Lucky for these horn dogs, we’re the only ones in here. “Y’all can literally get a room. You own them all.”

I hear a giggle, then a man’s voice, not Luca’s, reply, “Yes, but darlin’, where’s the fun in that?”

Zar is the first to emerge from their shower for three as he wraps a white towel around his waist, winking. “Mornin’, hotness.”

“Morning, you fluid flirt.”

I adore Zar. He adores my sister and subs for my brother-in-law. He’s also in love with Nick Barinov, the hottest NFLplayer I’ve ever seen, and Zar hosts the best parties at his “beach shack.” I’m one of the few women he invites to join them, but not inthatway. I support my sister’s poly love and life, but we don’t cross that line.

But I do love blurring lines with the other closeted, bisexual football players at Zar’s place. I feel honored, protecting their secret. They’re safe with me.

“Hey.” Scarlett emerges, naked as a jaybird, before Luca steps out, too. She immediately reads my simmering rage. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“Don’t lie.” Luca is naked, hung, andstillhard. “You Jones sisters are horrible at it.”

I cover my eyes. “Can you put that thing away?”

Luca laughs. “Nudity is natural.”

“So is toe fungus, but I don’t want to see that shit either.”

“Dayum, something’s got her worked up.” I hear Zar’s drawl, thinking Matthew McConaughey is in the room whenever he talks. “And it ain’t our dicks or her mornin’ run.”

“I’m fine, y’all,” I huff, shielding my sight. “I just need to shower and get to work.”

“On aSaturday?” Scarlett asks, disbelieving.

“Yes,” I snap. “We’re busy.”

“So it’s work?” Concern laces her voice. “Is that what’s wrong because Zar’s right, you look one minute from murder?”

I drop my hand and thankfully find all wrapped in towels while I let my sister read my eyes. She’s right. I’m furious about Axel, but I don’t want to talk about it. She can read that, too.

I’m close to my sisters, all three of them. We’ve been through hell and back with our father, then our step-father, and for the longest time, it was us and our mom against the world. We put our walls up and protected each other,particularly Scarlett. She’s the fighter. Literally, she has MMA titles.

But love changed my sister, and I’m happy for her. Scarlett deserves Luca. He worships her because she fought for him, and he tore down the walls guarding her heart, too.

But not me. I still don’t trust love. I don’t trust that there’s a man like Luca out there for me, too, so I stay safe. I fuck, then leave; it’s what I do. And Icertainlynever love.

No one can make me stay. No one can make me trust.

The perfect Exhibit A, your honor? Men like my boss, Axel.

He’s so typical; men just want the chase. Because once they catch you and have their fun, they leave, so I leave even faster.

“I’m fine, y’all,” I echo myself. “Just going to be late for work, and my yeast infection for a boss will make me itch all day about it.”

“Oh,” Zar chuckles, “so it’slove. That’s the burr under your saddle.”

I arch a brow. “Careful, cowboy, or you’ll choke on the shit you’re talking. I don’t dolove.”

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