Page 41 of Not Another Rockstar
Axel shivered at the cool breeze coming off the sea below. He closed the sliding door behind him and walked through the open-plan guest house and down a short corridor to the pool room. The smell of chlorine greeted him, the water reflecting off the mirrored roof. It was one of his favourite places because while you were swimming, you could look out on the sea for miles. He was also too chicken to get into the cold sea during the winter.
“I’m not in the mood to play hide and seek,” Axel said, walking past the two loungers.
He heard Phoebe’s laugh, and then she pushed him into the pool. Water shot up his nose. At the surface he coughed and smacked the water while she stood on the ledge, laughing.
“That’s what you get for following me.” Phoebe smirked as he pulled himself up onto the ledge. He ran his hands over his face, but he was soaked through.
“Get in the house.” He had run out of patience, and her smile quickly faded as he approached her.
She scowled. “You don’t give up, do you?”
“Not in my nature.” He grabbed her hips and pulled her over his shoulder. She groaned and struggled, but he held tight.
“Don’t you dare toss me in the pool,” she snapped, and the fear in her voice amused him. There was no way he would, not with her wrist still healing.
“I can walk.” Her words came out raspy as she wore herself out struggling.
He didn’t respond, afraid he would say something he would regret. When they made it back inside, August was still by the sink. His pierced eyebrow creased as he stared at them. Axel’s jeans were plastered to his legs, and his T-shirt pulled out of place as she grabbed at him in protest.
“Have a nice swim?” August asked, and Axel glared at him. His feet squelched against the carpet until he made it to the bedrooms on the second floor.
“Put me down, Shrek!” Phoebe barked, and her voice echoed off the high ceilings.
“If you keep struggling, we’ll both go down the stairs.” He smacked her butt, and she pounded those adorable fists on his back.
“Touch my butt again, and you’ll be glad those hands are insured.” Holding her legs with one arm, he opened the spare bedroom door and dropped her on the bed.
“You didn’t seem to mind my hands on you the last time we saw each other.” He smirked, and she muttered something he couldn’t make out.
She looked at the room hesitantly. They had made it up so she wouldn’t have to be near Cillian’s room; it was a blank canvas just for her.
“Nick had our housekeeper make up the bed with purple sheets, and your favourite snacks are by the nightstand in case. There’s even a mini fridge with water and icepacks for your hand.” Axel stepped back. “Nick should be home soon, and you can tell him about your adventure. Then we’ll decide, together, what our next steps will be.”
He was glad for the distance between them. Anytime she got too close, his willpower waned, and he forgot that she was his best friend’s sister and his dead friend’s ex.
“As nice as all this is, I can go back to my place and we can talk about next steps tomorrow.” She tried to get past him, but he wrapped his arms around her and pinned her to his chest.
Staring into those eyes, he loosened his grip. She didn’t move. Her eyes drifted to his lips, and the tension turned to something else. The curves of her body melted into his, and the damp patches on their clothing only increased the heat between their bodies. She diverted her gaze from his, and he lifted her chin, afraid she was plotting something.
“One night. The room is already organised for you. Whatever you need is in the bathroom, even clothes in the wardrobe,” he said, watching the fight leave her. After the morning she’d had, the adrenaline couldn’t last forever.
Her hand grazed his. “I’ll stay if you do.”
Her words stunned him. She swallowed as his touch trailed from her chin to her neck. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Axel clenched his jaw as her lips parted. He had never wanted to kiss someone more in his life. Just one taste, and he would leave.
“You brought me here, you can’t leave me alone.” She tilted her head towards his, and it took all his will to step away from her. The tiny crease between her brows made him want to regret his decision, but it was for the best.
He moved to the door, leaving her standing in the middle of the room. “I can’t.”
“Why? Afraid you can’t control yourself? Maybe I should go back to my apartment.” Her words were barely a whisper. He didn’t want to leave her, but she was using his desire against him.
“Sorry to disappoint you, but keeping you safe matters most to me. I’ll have to learn to control myself. Get changed out of your damp clothes—and after this morning’s event, you should probably ice that wrist.”
He closed the door and locked it, taking the key. If she really wanted to leave, there was another door through the bathroom that led to the hall.
“Damn you!” She kicked the door as her seduction failed.
He rested his hand on the doorknob, wanting to go back inside, but he wasn’t going to let her use his feelings for her as her reason to leave.
