“I love you too, buddy.”
It doesn’t take long for him to fall asleep. I leave his room and head toward the laundry room. Time for some chores. I pop an earbud in and pull out my phone to turn on the audiobook I’ve been listening to, and I see Axel’s last text. I can’t believe I forgot he texted.
I want to see you again.
A smile spreads across my face. Some of those not-so-casual feelings bubble up to the surface, but I push them away. I’m going to do just what I told Pelar. I’m going to keep it casual. Casual doesn’t always mean one and done.
I want to see you too.
The three little dots that show he’s responding pop up before I even have a chance to put my phone down. Was he just sitting around waiting for my response? Surely not.
I thought I scared you off.
That makes me smile. Little does he know that not much could dissuade me from seeing him again, not even common sense. Now that I’ve decided he’s a perfect play partner, I want more. We will both have some fun, then part ways amicably when it’s over.
No, sorry, I just got busy.
Again, his response is immediate. Good.
When do you want to meet?
Would I sound too eager if I said tonight?
That has me smiling yet again. Would it be wrong of me to ask Marsha to babysit again so soon? Does it make me a bad mom for wanting to go out for the third night in a row? No, I decide. It doesn’t. I wouldn’t leave until long past Henry’s bedtime, and he’ll never even know I left.
I chew my bottom lip considering my options. Is it too much too soon to see him again? No, not if this is just a casual fling. And it very much is. Henry is my priority.
Why am I even trying to talk myself out of something I want?
I exit our text thread and pull up Marsha’s. I type out a quick message asking if she’s free. I turn on my audiobook and focus on housework while waiting for her to respond. I’m folding my second load of laundry when my phone chimes.
Marsha.
Not at all. What time do you need me?
Does ten work for you?
Sure thing. I’ll see you then!
Okay. That’s it, my night is officially free, and I’m planning on seeing Axel again. I find myself practically humming with excitement at the thought of another scene. I pull up my text thread with Axel and type out my reply. I read it twice before I hit send.
Would I sound too eager if I agreed?
CHAPTERSEVEN
Axel
Eleven o’clock can’t come fast enough.Addy will be at the club waiting for my shift to end at twelve. I can’t wait for that because there is a private room with my name on it. My cock stiffens in my jeans at the thought of what might happen between us tonight.
“You’re in a good mood tonight,” Tessa says from her seat at the bar.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You haven’t stopped smiling since you got here…”
“I always smile. I’m a happy sort of guy,” I counter.
Tessa snorts. “I’ll give you that. Can you explain why you’ve checked your phone no less than a dozen times tonight? And why every time you do, you get a goofy grin on your face?”