Page 10 of Stalked By Axel

The memory of his touch is burned into my skin. I have to face the truth, that life as I know it as surely changed. The only question that remains is, how will Axel behave toward me now?Will he pretend our night together never happened, or will he accept that there is something real between us?

I slowly tug the covers from my face, blinking against the sharp morning light as I look around my bedroom. My very empty bedroom. I thought I would see his jeans and ripped shirt still on the floor, or at least something that showed he’d been here, but the only evidence of what we shared is the dull ache between my legs.

There’s nothing.

No trace of the man anywhere in the room. The apartment is quiet, and any sign I was hoping for is absent. Maybe I really dreamed it all, or worse, he woke up with regret and left in a hurry. That would kill me. The thought of Axel regretting the beautiful moments we shared has my stomach tightening in knots.

A disappointed sigh slips from my lips as I shove the covers off and climb out of bed. I check the alarm clock, letting out another sigh when I realize that it’s only seven, but it’s a Sunday which means I have nothing planned for the day. I could call up Scarlett and vent my feelings to my best friend, but she’s never available on Sundays. Something about having a family thing to attend, but she’s never quite explained what it is. Scarlett gets a little vague and withdrawn when I bring up her family even by accident, so it probably wouldn’t be a good idea to contact her today when she’s around them. Maybe someday she’ll trust me enough to open up about that part of her life, but until then, I’ll just have to spend my Sundays alone. Of course, I could go to the Steel Rebels clubhouse for the weekly cookout this evening, but I’m not sure that’s a good idea since Axel would doubtless be there. I don’t know if I want to face him after being left like this.

“I guess it’s just me today,” I say, tempted to climb back into bed, but the insistent call of nature is louder, urging me toward the bathroom. The cold tiles against my bare feet are a jolt, and I welcome the shock to my senses. I start the shower and wait for the water to heat up as I brush my teeth. By the time I’m done with my shower, any traces of sleep are gone, but I’m no more clearheaded about what happened last night and why Axel wasn’t here this morning.

As I step out of the bathroom, towel wrapped around me, I hear it. A scraping sound, like a key turning in the lock. My heart nearly stops for a moment. I freeze as my mind races with possibilities. Who has a key to my apartment? Brooke, but she’s with her family today, and she wouldn’t come over without calling first.

I gasp in horror at the thought of someone picking the lock and breaking into my apartment. But before the thought has a chance to really take root and spur me into action, the door opens and my shoulders sag in relief.

Shit, I’m nearly naked. I bolt into my bedroom before Axel sees me. My hands tremble as I drop the towel and pull a robe around me. The fabric is old and worn, providing little more cover than the towel did, but the belt around my waist makes me feel secure, like a barrier to protect me from Axel inevitably telling me last night was a mistake.

“Brooke?”

I freeze at the familiar voice, then I pull the bedroom door open and step out. I see Axel standing in the entryway, and my breath catches in my throat. He is a vision, a perfect blend of rugged charm and effortless style. His blond hair is tousled, dark, and slightly mussed, probably from taking off hishelmet. The beautiful messy strands frame his strong face and accentuate his jawline.

I love him.

That has never been a question for me. From the time I was old enough to understand what romantic love is, I’ve been in love with Axel. Not once since that first realization have I second-guessed myself on this. I love everything about him. His sun-kissed skin—a warm golden hue that speaks of the time he spends outside—contrasts beautifully with his deep-set earthy brown eyes flecked with hints of golds. The man is gorgeous of course, but more than that, he’s kind. He was my father’s closet friend for a reason, despite their age gap, and I like to think that my angel of a father was a great judge of character. It only makes sense that I would fall for his best friend.

“You came back,” I say, my eyes dropping to the grocery bag he’s holding, its contents bulging. He’s wearing a simple black shirt and slightly worn jeans, a different set of clothes from what he had on last night.

“Thought I would be back before you woke up,” he says, toeing off his boots and stepping fully into the apartment. My heartrate picks up speed as he crosses the room and comes to me. “I didn’t want to wake you, but I needed to run back to the clubhouse for a change of clothes, and you didn’t have anything in your kitchen for breakfast..”

“I didn’t… I mean, I thought maybe..,” I break off, unwilling to put my fears into words, and he smiles kindly, understanding and reassurance in his eyes, and I feel the tension in my body melt away.

Last night did happen, and he isn’t telling me he regrets it.

“So, breakfast?” he asks, gesturing with the bag in his hands, but I don’t look away from his face.He’s here, is all Ican think. He left, but he came back to me. That must mean he doesn’t regret what we shared last night.

He doesn’t regretme.

I’m afraid to ask what this makes us. Lovers? Is he my boyfriend now? Axel is anything but a boy. A man in every sense of the word, so the name doesn’t even sound right. A part of me wants to put a label on it so it feels more real—solid, permanent—but I’m afraid to bring it up in case he’s reminded of the forbidden nature of our relationship.

So I swallow the need to ask, choosing to bask in the moment and not ruin it with my neediness. I want forever. Now that I know how his touch feels, how hips lips taste… It’s obvious that the man has ruined me for all others; I want forever with him.

“Do you have plans for the day?” I ask, playing it off like it doesn’t matter, when in actuality, I want this man to lead me back to bed so we can recreate last night all over again.

“Yes.” My heart drops. “And so do you.”

“Huh?”

Axel raises a thick brow. “You didn’t forget, did you?”

“Forget what?” Did we make plans last night that slipped my mind?

“The club cookout,” Axel says with a chuckle. “Saint will come by and drag you to the clubhouse if we both miss it again.”

“We?”

“I didn’t attend the last one either,” he says, his eyes on mine. “I was busy watching a girl walk the lakeshore alone.”

“You followed me?” I ask, more surprised by the fact that he missed out on the club’s cookout than I am that he followedme across town to simply watch me go for a walk. I always thought the Steel Rebels was his entire world—his family—and that nothing and no one could drag him away. Not that I’d want to. The MC is the only family I’ve ever known aside from my father. I know most of the members think of me as their honorary sister. I grew up in the club.

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