I wrap my arms around myself, feeling a little more self-conscious over what I’m wearing. “They want me to find a pack outside of the club.”
“And you don’t want that?” he questions, and I swear I could cry all over again. No one seems to be asking me what I want, only telling me what I should be doing.
“No, I want to stay here.”
He nods and looks at me with compassion. “I want you to stay here too.” His smile is tilted towards the left side of his face, and it gets me every fucking time. I can’t help but smile back.
“Because I’m a part of this family?” I ask, goading him into telling me what I want to hear.
“You know damn well what I think of you, Lily,” he playfully chastises.
“I don’t. I need you to tell me,” I taunt, leaning down further so our faces are close together.
“You should be my girl. I want you on the back of my bike, in my bed. I know you have needs, and I can’t keep you all to myself, but you should be mine. You and I both know it,” he states.
“I know,” I whisper. His hand kneads the flesh of my thigh, making me perfume immediately. The summer night air is overtaken with coconut and jasmine. His touch grows firmer, and I clench my thighs, squeezing his fingers between my legs.
“Tell me you want this too and I’ll work on making it happen,” he says, his thumb rubbing the top of my thigh.
“You won’t be able to change Kurt’s mind,” I sigh.
“Baby, I didn’t say shit about the Prez. Tell me you want me too, and I’ll work on makin’ it happen.”
I blink at him and his confidence. Axel has to be one of the most attractive Betas I’ve ever met. He doesn’t need a scent to turn me on or draw me toward him. Just his personality and looks is all I need becausehedoes it for me. I know he would take care of me, cherish me, and indulge my every whim.
“I want you too,” I confess softly. His smile widens, and he kisses my bare leg with a groan.
“Let’s get you inside,” he says plainly.
“What?”
“It’s late. I don’t know some of these new guys. I don’t like you out here by yourself.”
That makes me smile even wider, and I agree to get down. He holds out an arm and I glide down his front to stand on the same branch he’s on. He’s taller than me, but not to the point of towering over me.
He’s gentle with his touch as he pushes my hair from my face and cradles my neck. I’m hopeful that he’s going to kiss me, but he doesn’t. He leans down to whisper in my ear. “You have no fuckin’ idea about all the messy, nasty things I want to do to you, darlin’. But I know as soon as I have you like that, I’ll be obsessed. Unless you want me to kidnap you right now and we run off together, you need to go to bed.” He squeezes my neck for good measure, making me whimper. “I’m gonna be hearin’ thatnoise in my fuckin’ sleep,” he rasps before wrapping his arms around me in a hug.
We stand there for a while, his arms wrapped around me tightly and mine wrapped around his trim waist. He doesn’t have an overbearing scent, but he smells like hints of oil and soap from working at the shop.
The thing that breaks our hug is my name being shouted loudly in the square. “Lily! Get your ass back in here, goddamnit.”
Axel’s arms leave my body, and I already miss his touch. His bruised knuckles glide across my cheekbones.
I want to live in this treeI decide. This small bubble where Axel and I never have to worry about the outside world ever again.
“Lily!” Kurt shouts.
“You better go,” Axel says softly, his eyes looking between my eyes and lips. I’m bold as I touch my fingers to my lips and then to his.
“Night,” I breathe before jogging to the back door. I don’t look back at Axel, but I know his watchful eyes are making sure I get home safe.
Kurt looks pissed, standing on the back porch with his arms over his chest.
“And where the fuck have you been?” he demands as I walk past him inside the house.
“Just needed some night air.”
“You can’t be roaming around outside like that. And sure as fuck not when these assholes have been drinkin’ all night.”
