Page 118 of Sweet Hate
Can you motorboat a dude? The temptation to try is strong right now. Damn he smells so good.
He chuckles again as he lets me go. It feels good to hear him laugh. He used to do it so much, and I’ve not really heard a whole lot of it since I got back.
“Come on babe, we’ll take these back to my place before I take you for a ride on my beast.” He swipes the cupcakes from my hands, not waiting for a response. Let’s be honest any argument I make right now would be weak at best.
Hooking his arm around my neck he calls out a goodbye to Jett as he steers us out of the bar. It’s hard not to notice all the dirty looks I’m getting from random women. They really don’t seem to like his arm around me. It’s a stark reminder that as much as I want to pretend I have my Axel back, he isn’t the same boy. Monogamy clearly isn’t in his nature, judging by the size of his fan club, although it’s not like I should be worrying about that long-term.
He’s a grown ass man who can screw whoever he wants. But I’m glad I was smart enough to put a time limit on this. The last thing I need is to catch feelings for my ex-best friend and local unattainable playboy. We might be a walking cliche, but this isn’t one of my damn romance novels.
Axel is very easy to love. I know that from being his friend, but if I hadn’t left town when I did, I probably would have fallen headlong into romantic love. Knowing I was leaving permanently was the main thing that kept all those feelings at bay. And thank god it did considering what happened.
I stiffen in his arms, but he just tugs me closer, his thumb stroking my jaw without uttering a word. This is a dangerous game I’m playing. It’s probably entirely stupid to even be taking this risk now knowing I’m planning to stay here.
I won’t be able to deal with the heartbreak if I have to see him every day. I barely got over the loss of his friendship when he wasoceans away as it is.
The rules. I need to stick to the rules. That’s the only thing that will keep me safe.
40
AXEL
Walking out of Jett’s with my girl under my arm felt right. From the second I walked into the bar, I felt on edge. The longer I couldn’t see her, the worse it felt. The storm that had been raging only calmed the second I laid eyes on her.
Hurricane really is a fitting nickname. She’s my hurricane. She wrecked any peace I had, and now the only place I find calm is in the eye of her storm.
I pull her in tighter, relief coursing through me at having her so close. Goddamn, I just wish I could kiss her. Every fiber of my being was screaming at me to take her in my arms and claim her in front of every asshole in that bar. I want there to be no doubt in anyone’s mind that I’m hers and she’s mine.
I’ve always been hers. I just need her to recognize it.
Soon.Ihave to believe that.
Excitement bubbles inside me at my plans for tonight. I’m going to get her on the back of my bike—the firstand onlygirl who will ever ride on it with me and I can’t fucking wait.
I drop my arm from around her neck so I can look her in the face properly. “Haveyou eaten?”
“Do cupcakes count?” she flashes me a cute grin.
“No, babe, you need to eat. Come on, I know a great pizza place.”
I grab her hand, trying to ignore the electricity that surges through my arm at the contact. I’m on a mission to get my girl fed. We walk to the bakery in half the time it usually takes and go up to my apartment together. Seeing her in my space does things to me, proving she belongs here. If I wasn’t so excited to have her on the back of my bike, I’d find a way to keep her here tonight.
But there’s time for that.
Leaving the cakes on my kitchen counter, I walk back into the hallway and cup her face in my hands, stroking her soft cheeks. Lowering my face to hers, I watch her eyes flutter closed as I kiss her like I’ve wanted to all day. This isn’t the fiery kind we’ve been defaulting to though, it’s slow, languid, exploratory. I want to take my time with her, I need her to know this isn’t just sex for me.
It’severything.
I might not be able to tell her that yet, but I’m sure as shit going to try and show her.
Pulling away slowly, I take her in while I try to calm my wild heart. Dark unfocused eyes, flushed face, and breathless—good. I’m glad it isn’t one sided. This is a good first step.
“I’ve been wanting to do that all day. I missed you.”
Well, shit.That just slipped out.Why isn’t there an undo button on the mouth?
Her eyes widen in surprise before she recovers with a smirk. “You just saw me this morning, silly.”
I mean, it’sfine. I didn’t expect her to say it back. I didn’t expect to say it out loud, for fuck’s sake.
