“It was a different time back then.Everyone knows that.Anyway, it didn’t matter, your dad loved her, and she loved your dad.It was why they went against their parents and got married at eighteen.”
“But they didn’t have me until Mom was in her thirties.”Axel said.
Uncle Rick shrugged.“Your dad was a possessive son of a bitch, and he had seen how taxing kids could be, and he would tell me the truth was, he didn’t want to share her with anyone—not even a kid, even if it was his kid.Anyway, your mom wanted a family, and whatever your mother wanted, your father made sure to get her, and that is exactly what he did.He got her pregnant.”
“With me,” Axel said.
“Yeah, it was a rare complication.Eclampsia.It happens to some mothers during their first pregnancy.”Uncle Rick sighed.“Your dad was distraught, but he also knew he was going to take care of you and love you.It was what your mother would want.”
“The rules?”Axel asked.
“It was a long time before he felt needs, and then when he did, he built rules that would protect his heart.He was not going to fall for anyone, and any woman that came near him knew the rules.It was why you never saw any of the women your dad was with.He didn’t want you to know.”
Axel laughed.“I did know.”
“Your father wanted to protect you with those rules, but trust me, they didn’t come around until after he had fallen in love, had a kid, and lost the love of his life.”
“What do you think of the rules?”Axel asked.
It was strange to him that he had never talked to Uncle Rick about any of this.
Uncle Rick asked, “It helped your dad, and it certainly helped with your reputation, but tell me, Axel, have you ever fallen in love?Have you ever allowed yourself to feel love?Because from what I saw of your dad and your mom, it is the greatest thing on earth.”
****
Adeline and Princesshad the most amazing time.
Joey had every intention of keeping their dog home, but her mother had insisted it was to be a completely selfish weekend.She was to just enjoy herself, and as she hugged her little girl, she couldn’t help but think of Axel Rules—the man who had put a butt plug in her ass and fucked her so hard over the weekend.She had thought she knew what sex was, but in the few days she had spent with Axel, she realized she hadn’t a clue.
Mondays were always busy, and this was no exception.Her mother dropped Adeline off at lunchtime.She had her sit at one of the tables, with Princess taken into the back in her office.Princess was a good girl, and was more than happy to just settle down onto her bed and go to sleep.
Adeline was happy to sit at a spare table and color.Joey kept a close eye on her and served customers, trying not to think of Axel.
By the end of her shift, she was tired, and she and Adeline walked Princess to the park before returning to her car, and she drove them home.
Arriving home, Adeline let out a squeal and took Princess into the sitting room.Joey went into the kitchen and started to cook them some dinner.She had enough food, and none of it had spoiled over the weekend.She never got meat out of the freezer until she needed it.This morning, she had pulled out a couple of pork chops, and she couldn’t help but look at the clock, seeing it was close to seven.
She had no idea when Axel would show up, if he even wanted to.
Her child was home.She had responsibilities.
Putting the pork chops on the grill plate, she grabbed some vegetables from the fridge and quickly chopped them up.The pork was nearly cooked, and she had the wok in place, and began to quickly put together a stir-fry.
She already had the pre-cooked packaged noodles that needed to be used, and she added them to the wok.Once all the vegetables had just a bite to them, she had a quick bean sauce from the cupboard again.Her daughter loved stir-fry, and anything with noodles was a winner.She also loved pasta.
With the stir-fry cooked, she carried it through to the table, and Adeline was already there.For the next hour as she ate her dinner, she listened to Adeline talk nonstop about her trip.Her daughter was so happy and excited, and she loved seeing that excitement in her eyes.
“Did you have fun, Mommy?”Adeline asked.
She had flashes of Axel wrapped around her.A quick memory of him taking her in front of the mirror, and she quickly squashed it, forced a smile to her lips, and nodded.“Yes, I had a good time.I missed you, though.”
“I missed you too, Mommy.”She let out a yawn.
“I think it is time for you to have a bath.”
Adeline nodded, grabbed her plate, and carried it to the dining room.Joey followed her, but while her daughter made her way upstairs, Joey stayed in the kitchen to clean up.
That was when her cell phone rang, and she saw it was her sister, Ashley, calling.
