“When I was twelve, she snapped and said it was because he never wanted me.Her exact words were ‘He's not here because he doesn't want you.Why would he want an ungrateful little brat like you?’I stopped asking after that.”
“What the fuck?That's some fucked up shit to say to a kid,” Axel growled and Sophia was sure he was angry on her behalf.
“Yeah.It took me a long time to figure out that she's a narcissist.Anyway, the night I finally found out the truth, my mother came home completely wasted and started ranting about how she never should have poked holes in his condoms, and let it slip that he didn't even know about me.
“I knew she was from Cornwall, so I figured I'd start here and hoped someone would know or remember him.
“I was so scared though.When I told my mother that I was coming here, she threatened to cut me off.She's a lawyer and makes really good money.She even gave me my own credit card when I was twelve because she didn't want to have to be bothered with mundane things like grocery shopping.
“I mean, I'd been fixing my own food since I was eight, so shopping was a breeze.Whenever I was asked about where my mother was, I always had an excuse ready.I usually said she was in the car, but because she was disabled and all the spots were taken, she couldn't get out to help.
“Back to what I was saying.I'd anticipated her reacting badly, so I'd already gotten a cash advance on the card.Even knowing she would cut me off, I left.If he hadn't welcomed me the way he did, I would have been so screwed.”
“Damn, babygirl.That took guts.A lotof guts,” he said and she could hear the pride in his voice.
Sophia nodded.“I know.I won't diminish what I did by brushing it off.Anyway, now you know.”She finished her drink and debated on heading home.
“Let me buy you one more and we can talk some more,” Axel suggested.
“Sure.Why not?I'd like to get to know you more,” she confessed.
“Good.I'll be right back.”
She watched him go to the bar and enjoyed the view.Even if this was all they had—two people talking over a drink—at least she didn't feel invisible to him anymore.
Chapter Eight
Axel
When he'd arrived at the club, intent on groveling if he had to, he had to admit that Sophia not making it easy for him was a bit of a turn on.He liked her fire.
Her asking him to share something no one else knew about him had startled him.Could he really share that with her when he'd never toldanyoneabout Amanda?
Once he'd started talking, the story just flowed out of him, and, if he was completely honest, he felt better for sharing it with someone who didn't judge him.
Sitting there listening to how Sophia's mother had treated her, he was pissed.What kind of mother treated their child that way?He didn't hit women, but if he ever saw the woman, he'd be hard pressed not to break that rule.
Returning to the table with their drinks—virgin Daiquiri for her and plain soda for him since he had to drive home—he set the drinks down, scooted his chair closer to her, and sat.
“Since were in the sharing mood tonight, is there anything else you'd like to know about me?”he questioned.
“Oh, that could be a loaded question,” she teased and he chuckled.
“True, it could.But humor me.”
“Okay then.What made you decide to be a tattoo artist?”
“That one's easy.I've always loved ink.I got my first tattoo at eighteen and after talking with the guy who did it, he agreed to teach me, as long as I could prove I could draw and had a steady hand.”
“Draw?I thought you just used pre-drawn designs.”
“Where do you think those drawings came from, babygirl?Someone drew them.Sometimes we get people wanting something custom, and that's where drawing skills come into play.”
“Oh.I didn't think about that, but that makes sense.”
“What about you, Sophia?Have you thought about getting any ink?”He was genuinely curious about her opinion.
“I have, but…”
