Chapter Sixteen
Sophia
Sophia was nervous as she got ready for her date with Axel.She had no idea where they were going or if they'd be taking his bike from the club, so she opted to dress warmly.She had leggings beneath black slacks and paired them with a cherry red v-neck sweater because red was her favorite color.Thankfully, her dad already knew about the tattoo, so she wouldn't have to spend time explaining it.
She glanced at the outfit she'd gotten at Westfarms Mall and couldn't wait for the chance to wear it.
Shaking her head, she turned back to getting ready for her date.She kept her hair down but pinned back from her face, chose a smoky eye shadow and lined her eyes in black eyeliner for a more dramatic effect.She did a light dusting of blush, added a red lip stain, and she was done.
“Where are you headed to, all dressed up?”her father asked her when she entered the living room.
“A couple of the girls from work invited me out,” she replied, having already prepared for the question.
“Ah.Have fun but drive safely.They're calling for snow later.If the roads get bad before you leave Hartford—”
“I'll stay at a hotel for the night.I promise I won't risk driving.”
“Good.Just let me know so I don't worry.”
“I will, dad.Bye,” she told him and headed out to her car.A part of her hoped the snow started early enough that she and Axelbothhad to stay in a hotel.
Was she ready for sex with him?Maybe not, but that didn't mean they couldn't do other things, right?
Snow began falling fifteen minutes before she reached Hartford.If it kept up, she just might get her wish.
Axel was waiting for her when she got to Elysium and whistled as she approached.
“Damn, babygirl.You look amazing.”
He leaned down to kiss her and she hummed happily.“So do you.”
Although he was wearing jeans, they were a crisp black, and he'd paired them with a dark gray button down shirt.He had the first two buttons undone, giving her a glimpse of some of his ink.
“Thanks, beautiful.Let’s get to the restaurant.This snow is a little concerning.”
“I already told dad that if the roads got bad, I would stay at a hotel.There's nothing that says we can't share a room,” she replied.
Axel groaned.“You want to kill me, don't you, babygirl?”
“No, just curl up in your arms and talk.I'm not saying I'm ready to jump your bones, as you old timers used to say,” she teased, “but I'm not ruling outeverything.”
“Old timers?Watch it, babygirl, or you're going to find yourself over my knee,” he growled.“Fuck.You win.We'll share a room if we can't drive back.”
“If you're trying to deter me, threatening me with a spanking is not the way to go,” she quipped.The thought actually had her a little turned on.
Axel chuckled.“Noted.Come on.I'll reserve us a room while we eat.We can leave your car here and you can pick it up in the morning,” he told her and led her over to his motorcycle.
Sophia was glad she had her gloves with her or her hands would be frozen by the time they got to the restaurant.She tugged them on before she put on the helmet he offered her and then slid onto the bike behind him.She got as close as she could and wrapped her arms around his waist.
She clung to him as he drove and was saddened when they got to the restaurant because she had to let go.
Once inside Salute, they were shown to a table and given menus.
“Italian.Good choice.”She studied the menu as if it held the secret to life.She wasn't exactly surewhyshe suddenly felt nervous.It wasn't like she hadn't been on dates before.Maybe it was because they'd been boys while Axel most definitely wasn't.She wasn't sure what his exact age was, but she knew he was at least several years older than her.
“What's going through that pretty little mind of yours?”Axel questioned.
“Sorry.I was just wondering what our age difference is, but I didn't want to be rude by asking,” she admitted sheepishly.
