As soon as I’m in the car, I pull out my phone and text a quick message to Marsha asking if she can babysit tomorrow night. I cross my fingers that she says yes because now that I’ve agreed, I feel both excitement and nerves at the possibilities.
* * *
I lookat myself in the mirror and decide I hate my outfit. I go back to my closet and dig through my clothes for something else to wear. Marsha should be here any minute, and Axel will be here in thirty minutes to pick me up for our date. I pull out a black dress and hold it up to me, considering.
Ugh. I don’t like it either.
I don’t like anything. I should’ve gone shopping instead of trying to find something in my closet. Not that I had time to go shopping. I’m being ridiculous. Axel saw me yesterday in ratty jeans and a t-shirt with not a lick of makeup on my face, and he still looked at me like I was the sexiest thing he’s ever seen.
I close my closet and take one last look in the mirror. I look fine. My hair hangs down around my shoulders in a smooth sheet, my makeup is on point, and my red dress hugs my curves. I look good. It’s just nerves.
My phone dings, and I rush to grab it in case it’s Axel. It’s not him; it’s Marsha.
Hey. I hate doing this at the last minute, but I have to cancel tonight. I think I’m coming down with something and don’t want to expose Henry to it.
Disappointment hits me like a mack truck. I didn’t realize until this moment how much I was looking forward to this date. I plop down on the edge of my bed, sulking just a little. With a deep sigh, I pick up my phone and dial Axel’s number.
“Hey, doll. I’m just pulling in.”
My eyes widen, and I check the time. He’s early. Crap.
“I was just calling to tell you that the babysitter had to cancel so we have to reschedule our date…”
“Like hell,” he growls. “I’m not giving you another day to talk yourself out of seeing me.”
“I won’t talk myself out of it. I was looking forward to tonight,” I admit with a blush. Thank God he can’t see me blushing like a schoolgirl.
“Me too, doll. Our night doesn’t have to be ruined. We can just stay in. Order pizza and watch a movie.”
I chew my lip thinking about Henry. It’s not a good idea to have them spend so much time together before I even know if Axel will stay around. It’s a risk. I don’t have the chance to tell him no before he knocks on my door.
Shit.
I could still send him away. It’s not too late to back down from this insanity.
“Open the door, doll.” His voice rumbles sexily down the phone line, tempting me.
I find myself walking to the door like a puppet on a string. I’ll just open the door and tell him that he needs to go…
The second the door opens my resolve melts away. Axel is standing in the doorway, phone to his ear and flowers in his hand. He’s wearing black slacks and a black button-down shirt that’s stretched tight over his muscular chest. He looks good enough to eat.
“You going to let me in or stare at me some more?” he asks with a sexy smirk.
I open the door wider for him. To hell with telling him to go away. It might be a bad idea, but apparently, I’m full of bad decisions these days. He hangs up his phone and slides it into his pocket as he steps inside my space for the first time. A little wave of anxiety hits me over what he will think of my place. It’s small but perfect for just me and Henry.
Axel reaches up and grabs my phone from my hand. I didn’t even realize I was still holding it up to my ear. I was so gobsmacked by his appearance that I forgot all about it. He tosses my phone on the entryway table, then pulls me into his arms. I’m not at all surprised when he crushes his lips to mine in a passionate kiss. He licks at my bottom lip, and I open for him, letting his tongue delve inside to dance with mine.
I lose myself in his arms. All of my doubts fly out the window as he kisses me like he needs me to breathe. I return the kiss with just as much fervor. When he pulls away, I’m reluctant to let him go. I like how I forget all my worries while in his arms. He has a way of erasing all of my troubles. It scares me a little that he has that kind of effect on me, but at the same time, I want more.
I’m just about to pull him down for another kiss when Henry walks into the room carrying his favorite trains. He gives Axel a curious look.
“Hey, buddy. You remember Axel. He’s going to hang out with us for a little while tonight.”
“Hey, little man.”
“Did you bring ice cream?” Henry asks.
I shake my head and realize that a little ice cream is all it would take to win him over. Maybe tonight won’t be so bad after all.