Paulo opens the door and Axel steps aside.
“Get in before I show you why I'm the God of Thunder.” Paulo laughs with us. I'm sure he's sick of our shit. “Paulo, after dinner, drop off my convertible at the benefit. I'll drive home from the banquet. I don't want you waiting all night.”
“Sure thing, Axel.” His words are muted since I'm climbing into the car.
Axel joins me shortly. His fingers hug the nape of my neck when he grabs me and kisses me like it's the one thing he's been dying to do for years. When he breaks the kiss, I'm still clinging to his lapels; my thumb slides over the silky material as I inhale his manly scent.
“I'll behave if you will,” he whispers against my lips. “But all bets are off once we get back home.”
Home.
It could be a slip, but the inclusion makes my belly flutter, and my heart beat faster. I steal another peck before withdrawing.
“Deal.”
I'm not surprised when we arrive at a fancy restaurant.
Where else would a deal this big be discussed?
Axel guides me out while ensuring the paparazzi can't get a peek under my skirt. My skin tingles with excitement from the knowledge of my lack of underwear. I can't wait for Axel to notice. His fingers remain firmly locked with mine, and his eyes stay focused on me as he ignores the flashing lights. Axel’s fingertips warm the skin at the small of my back once he begins guiding me through the restaurant.
A graying Polynesian man with wise brown eyes stands to greet us.
Hello, silver fox.
I can tell his graying is premature, and he still puts in a lot of work on his physique.
Does he have an adult daughter?
His dimpled grin is nothing short of flirtatious once he greets me.
“You must be Heaven. I’ve heard so much about you.” He kisses my hand. “I must say, the name is fitting.”
I blush despite living with the biggest flirt I’ve ever met.
“I’m flattered. It’s truly an honor to meet you. Mr. Pafuti.”
“Sione, please.”
Axel holds my seat until I sit, then greets Mr. Pafuti.
“Okay. I’ll get to the point,” Sione begins. “I wanted to meet you. I was unsure of Axel’s reputation and how it’d affect this acquisition.”
“Ah. Don’t mince words. I like it. I can assure you I’m his one and only woman. His ex is a perpetual liar. Axel has never been a philanderer.”
The server places a bread basket and butter on the table. My stomach growls when I inhale the delicious scent. I stick with water because I’m not in the mood for alcohol yet.
“She won’t be a problem?” he asks while spreading butter on a slice of bread.
“In our relationship? No. People are unpredictable, so I cannot make promises for her behavior in the future, but once news breaks that Axel has sold the company, and is no longer the CEO, I have a feeling she’ll stop trying to make herself relevant. Plus, when it’s your company, Axel’s reputation will no longer be a concern, right?”
He nods thoughtfully as he chews his bread. “Right. Just mine.”
I put down my bread and look Sione in the eyes. “Look, Sione. Wassergot is Axel’s baby; he built it from nothing. It's a product of his hard work, strong ethics, and unwavering dedication, but he’s never wanted to be a corporate giant. Axel, however, doesn’t just trust anyone to carry on his legacy. There’s something special about you, and the way you do business, that makes him trust you. Axel isn’t happy in a corporate role, but he kept it going for his staff and the products. Now, he wants someone who understands that it’s special but also knows how to keep it successful. Be his baby’s Godfather. “
Sione smirks at me while he chews his bread. I know he didn’t expect a pitch, and I didn’t plan to give him one, but this is what Axel wants, and I’m willing to help him get it. Axel squeezes my exposed thigh. The jolt of feeling his hand on my naked skin makes me hiccup a little. I take another sip of water to cool my reaction.
Sione looks between us as a smile stretches across his face. “Let’s order. Shall we?”
