Rena finished trimming his hair then fetched the barber kit she used quite a bit with clients. After sculpting his beard and trimming his mustache, she put a conditioner on his facial hair. “Just let it dry and it’s done.”
“Smells good,” he said, sounding sleepy. She met his gaze in the mirror.This is how he looks when he first wakes up. Something I need to take my time finding out.
“Yes.” She pulled the cape away, and he stood, looming over her. “How tall are you, anyway?”
“Six-six.” He checked himself out in her mirror. “Wow. You did a great job.”
“Don’t sound so surprised.”
He chuckled.
“Now let me take a picture.”
He waited while she snapped one with her phone. Then he pulled out his phone. “For me.” Before she could take it, he dragged her next to him. “Stella,” he called.
“You know Stella?”
“She’s Lou’s little sister.” Stella stood at the doorway and stared. “Their grandmother loves to feed me.” He motioned for the girl to take their picture—his and Rena’s.
“Oh, you guys look great together.” Stella winked at her then waggled her eyebrows.
Rena wanted to sink through the floor. “Just take it.”
“Smile like you love each other.”
Axel hugged Rena to him, and his body heat warmed her all over. Stella seemed to be taking a long time to snap a few photos. Then she had the nerve to grab Rena’s phone and take a few more shots.
Axel leaned down to whisper, “This does not count as a date, you know.”
She turned to stare up at him. “It doesn’t?”
“No.”
Stella chose that moment to hand her back her phone. “Great shots, Rena.”
Axel didn’t look at anyone but Rena. “I would like to take you to dinner Wednesday night. Anywhere you would like to go.”
“Dinner, huh?” Dinner was safe. In a public place, where she, one, wouldn’t have to cook, and two, might get another chance to get to know Axel. And just maybe she’d get another kiss if she were lucky. “Okay. But you pick.”
“Is there anything you don’t like?”
“Hmm. I’m not big on seafood. Not sure why, but I’ve never liked fish.”
“No seafood. Everything else works?”
She nodded.
He smiled. “I’ll pick you up at six, okay?”
“Wait. Let me check my calendar.” She scrolled through her phone. “Oh, that works. I’m actually done at five if you wanted to come earlier.”
“Ja.Five-thirty. I’ll get you from here. Okay?”
She nodded and held out a hand. “Our second and final date.”
He gripped her hand, but instead of shaking it, he watched her as he brought her hand to his lips. Then he opened her fingers and kissed the center of her palm.
For some wacky reason, that gave her the shivers.
