My thighs press together under the table.
The way he handled my body. The way he talked to me.
A shiver runs up my arms. I didn’t know dirty talk was my thing, but well, here we are.
Watching Axel put the last bite of his breakfast into his mouth, I cut my wrap in half.
Axel narrows his eyes at me while he licks off his fingers.
“What?” I laugh through the question.
“Where have you been all my life?” I snort but Axel shakes his head. “Nevermind, don’t answer that.”
With a smile I pick up half of my wrap and set it on Axel’s empty plate.
He looks back and forth between the two halves, “You haven’t even started?”
“I think you inhaled yours.”
His jaw works. “I should insist you eat it.”
“But you won’t,” I pick up my half and take a bite.
Axel shakes his head. “I won’t.” He shoves half of it into his mouth. “But I will take you out for lunch.”
Chapter28
Axel
Lookingat the beautiful woman across the table from me, eating half of her meal, I realize she’s given me a lot over the past twelve hours. And I need to give her something in return.
I swallow my bite, thinking about my own family. “My uncle, my mom’s brother, lived out here on Darling Lake.”
“Oh yeah?” Her eyes brighten. “Did you come out here often?”
“A couple times every summer. And almost always for the 4thof July.” She nods along, knowing that particular celebration is a whole thing out here on the lake. “It’s where I learned I hate fishing.”
A laugh bursts out of Maddie.
“What?” I ask, a smile pulling at the edge of my mouth.
She waves me off, “Nothing. It’s just… so many guys seem to love fishing.”
“True. Especially out here. It’s just not my thing.”
“I’m glad.” She takes another bite then covers her mouth as she asks, “Where’s your uncle’s house?”
“He sold it a while back. Lives down in South Carolina now – not far from my mom. But it was over on Appleton Bay. You know the Enno Estate?”
Maddie thinks for a second before nodding her head. “That gigantic brick house that sometimes has a sea plane tied up to the dock?”
“That’s the one.” I swallow my last bite of food. “My uncle’s place was just next to it.”
“Hmm, Fancy.” Maddie slowly chews and I realize that I’ve finished a meal and half and she’s still not done. “Can I ask…”
She trails off, and I feel a prickle of trepidation, but I still nod. Wanting to encourage her. Show her it’s okay to talk to me about anything.
She clears her throat, “Can I ask about Brian’s mom?”