“We’re much older than you, but it looks like our memory works better,” Alfred jokes.
“Huh?” Axel responds seemingly distracted. There’s a slight furrow in his tawny brows that hasn’t disappeared.
“Our drinks, son. Don’t worry about it. I’ll get them,” Alfred dismisses with a wave of his hand. He repeats our drink options, then he’s off.
“Dance with me,” I offer once a slow song flits through the air.
He looks around, blue eyes scanning for something specific. “Sure.”
Axel leads me to the floor, then pulls me close where I feel all the tension that has his body taut.
“Spill,” I demand with a fake smile as I lock my hands behind his neck.
We look at each other, both refusing to break until the other complies. Then, Axel smirks at me and kisses my nose.
“How did you know something was off?”
“A few things. Your smile is fake. You’re trying to hide your ‘thinking’ face. And you’re checking the scene like you’re suddenly part of the secret service. You’re bothered by something.”
Axel’s first genuine smile since he returned to me makes an appearance.
“I love that about you. You’re astute.”Love. Those damn butterflies are back. His face transforms to a serious mask with a hint of anger simmering beneath the surface. “She was waiting for me in the bathroom.”
“Allie?” I whisper-scream.
“Yes. She’d locked the door and begged me to give us a chance, then tried to kiss me when I refused.”
Damn. I’m stuck between feeling sorry for her because she’s clearly off mentally and wanting to beat her up. Fuck it. I’ll fight her now, then worry about her mental health.
“What’s her address?”
“What?” He pushes the question out before a laugh.
“Let me beat her up. We’ll both feel better.”
His laugh intensifies, but I’m dead serious. “No really. She keeps crossing the line and words don't help.” I get on my tippy toes, so we’re almost nose to nose. “I will fight her for you.”
Axel’s smoky chuckle warms my body. He plants his feet and closes the gap to slightly lift me.
“Your desire to protect me is strangely arousing,” he confesses before stealing an event-appropriate kiss. “Let’s get out of here. I have a promise to keep.”
I know exactly what he’s doing. Axel is trying to distract me with sex—he skims his hand down my exposed back and stops just above my ass—it’s working. I’ll revisit this Allie business after.
“Let’s go, but you’re not off the hook, Mister.”
We shuffle through a speed round of farewells and get his car from the valet in record time.
“Do you mind if I leave the top down? It’s a beautiful night.”
“Not at all. This hairstyle is coming down the moment we get home anyway.”
Axel chuckles as his hand tugs at the band in his hair. “You have more restraint than me.”
His hair tumbles down his shoulders and back, pulling my full attention to him again. I lean against his car as I continue to drool. Not for the first time tonight, I’m stuck staring at him to marvel in his damn good looks. His blue eyes shine in the low light, and the shadows play off his trimmed beard. I watch his fingers flex as he unbuttons his jacket. He steps into my space as he slides it off his body. I tip my head back as he leans in, anticipating the kiss I’m aching for him to deliver. The clicks signal the car is unlocked, but my lips have a different mission. We’re a whisper apart, my fingers trace the buttons on his shirt.
“Get in the car,” he nearly growls, then steps back and opens the door.
I comply without an argument because I’m determined more than ever to go home.
