I’ve had such a nice, relaxing time with him, but a walk on the beach has romantic overtones, and I know it would be a mistake to say yes. We got reacquainted, and it’s time to end the evening.
“I would, but I have to be up early for work in the morning. I operate on Wednesdays.” Though true, I recognize the excuse for what it is and have no doubt he does, too.
He studies my face, and whatever he sees there has him nodding. “Next time, then.”
I want to object to the notion of another date, but Axel has already turned and handed his ticket to the valet. When the car arrives, the valet helps me into the front seat, and we drive home in silence, my hair whipping in the wind.
Axel reaches over and takes my hand in his, threading our fingers together. He’s nothing if not determined, something I ought to know from how he’s made it to the top of his chosen profession. Not an easy feat.
Instead of fighting him, I close my eyes and allow myself to enjoy his touch, the glide of his finger over my hand, and the sound of his voice as he sings along with the classic rock song on the radio.
He walks me to my front door and pauses. Nerves flutter in my belly as I wait for him to kiss me. After all, it isn’t a typical first date, not when we already know each other so well. Intimately, in fact. Which means maybe he expects more than akiss. If he wants to come inside and end up in my bed, I’m not ready.
And if I let him in, I’m afraid I won’t be able to turn him down. Which means I’ll have to do it here on the porch. Nerves churning, uncertainty about my choice settles inside me, but sending him away will be for the best.
I put the key in the door and turn the lock, but leave it closed so Dakota won’t come running out.
Turning slightly, I face him. “Thanks for tonight. It was great seeing you again.”
A slight smile lifts his lips, and he steps closer.
His cologne, a musky aftershave that is new to me but suits him, wafts around me. I like the scent and want to breathe it in deeper. Breathe him in. Despite all the mental warnings I’ve given myself on the drive home, desire for him pounds inside me.
“You make that sound like goodbye, Tara.” He leans in, his face close to mine. “It’s not. In fact, you’ll be seeing me again soon.” He presses a kiss to the tip of my nose and steps back. “Now let me watch you get inside safely before I take off.”
I blink in surprise. He didn’t ask to come in or request anything more than I was willing to give. I stare at him a beat too long before turning the knob and letting myself inside, using my knees to keep Dakota from bolting out to greet him.
I shut the door, lean back against it, and blow out a deep breath, my heart pounding hard in my chest. All that anticipation and worry for nothing. And though I hate to admit it, even to myself, I’m beyond disappointed he didn’t even try for a good-night kiss.
***
Axel
With a hard-onand no outlet other than my hand available, I walk into my house and flick on the lights. Fucking place is too big and too lonely. After living at Dash’s with the guys last summer, I never adjusted to being by myself. Even in LA, I shared an oversized apartment with one of my Caged Chaos bandmates. And since I don’t know where my home base will be, I haven’t ordered furniture, which means I’m living in a place that is empty and echoes.
I toss my keys onto the kitchen counter and grab a beer from the fridge. Yeah, I had a good time with Tara tonight. The only thing that could have made it better would have been ending up in her bed, but I knew going in that I have a long road ahead. One I’ll have to take slowly. Winning her trust isn’t going to be easy.
There’s something about me or my life that bugs her, and I’m not sure what. Yet. I drink half the beer and pour the rest down the drain before heading into my room. After stripping and climbing into bed, I replay the few minutes by her door at the end of the night.
I leaned in close, inhaling her warm, vanilla scent, and my dick grew hard. Fighting the need to kiss her lips and take possession of her luscious mouth wasn’t easy, but this is a marathon, not a sprint.
And I’m adult enough not to listen to my cock and to think with my brain, because she’ll be worth it in the end. When I stepped back and glanced at her face, a flash of disappointment flickered in her gaze. At least I hope that’s what I saw.
On that note, I grab my dick in my hand, picture Tara’s mouth wrapped around me, and take care of the hard problem that would have kept me awake.
***
Axel
The next morning,the band plans to work on a new song, and I drive over to Dash’s house to meet up with the guys. My sister long since gave up her job as our assistant, and her replacement, a preppy guy named Brent, is perfect for the position. He keeps us well fed, hydrated and manages each of our appointments and the band’s schedule as a whole.
Since firing our manager, Dean Jerome, last summer, all four band members have spent hours discussing what we want for the future. Instead of having someone to negotiate all our business, we hired a music lawyer to handle contracts, and the rest of our operations are done in-house by separate people. No one person will take a percentage and fuck with us ever again.
Though I was new to the band when Dean started pushing too hard and acting outside of the band’s best interests, the man had an issue with Cassidy as Dash’s girlfriend. If Dash hadn’t stepped up first, I might have pummeled Dean into the ground for the way he treated Cass. But Dean is long gone, and Brent does a good job juggling the various people who need access to the band.
The four band members spend the day jamming the song, rewriting the chorus, and arguing over key. All normal in a day’s work. Afterwards, Jagger and Mac go to grab dinner, and I join them. Otherwise, I’d be doubly tempted to call or text Tara. I don’t want to play games, and the urge to ask her out again is strong.
I figure she needs a day or two to process our date, seeing me again, and of course, time to build up her walls. I expect it. Just as I plan to knock them down.
