I give her a weak smile. “So you’ve known Axel a while, then?”
She leans back against the chair, and her eyes soften again. “I have known him a solid five years. I have a soft spot for him. He’s like my own son.”
I feel my smile turn from weak to warm. She cares a lot about Axel, and I’m glad to know he has someone in his life who adores him the way she clearly does.
“So, you’re not hungry then?” she says, snapping out of her moment.
“No, thank you, though.”
“I imagine you just want to shower and rest?”
I nod, eagerly. “It’s been a long few weeks.”
“Of course. Come on up, I’ll show you to the guestroom.”
I follow her up a long, curved stairwell to a wide hall. We walk down, and stop at the second room on the right. She opens it, and I step in. It’s got pale green walls, and a bed in the middle that’s old and rustic, with dark green covers. There’s a cream rug on the wooden floor, and a small, light pine desk in the corner on the left.
“It’s very nice,” I say gratefully.
“Make yourself at home. Anything you need, just help yourself. There’s food downstairs, and I’m usually always around. The shower is down the hall to the left. I’ve put fresh towels in the cupboard for you. There’s plenty of shampoo and soaps, so please use them.”
I smile gratefully. “Thank you, Lady. I mean it.”
She walks over, pulling me in for a hug. It’s in that moment, that I’m reminded that she...is actually a he. But, that doesn’t matter, the comfort she’s giving me warms my heart. She is all woman, there’s nothing masculine about her, and that gives me a sense of comfort. She pulls back, and smiles warmly down at me. “Get some rest. Goodnight, sugar.”
“Goodnight, Lady.”
AXEL
“Another,” I growl to the bartender, and he slides me another shot.
I throw it back, slamming the shot glass down.
“Another.”
“You sure, boss?” he asks, hesitantly pouring.
“You own this joint?” I hiss.
“No, boss.”
“Then shut the fuck up.”
He slides the drink over, and I shoot it back. The burn eases the aching in my chest. I hate that it aches—I fuckin’ hate that she’s gotten to me. The way she looked at me when I left, I felt like a dog. A fuckin’ no good piece-of-shit.
“How’s it going, Axel?”
I hear Miranda’s voice, and I lift my head and turn to see her slide onto the stool beside me.
“How does it look like it’s goin’?”
“Bad day, then?” she mumbles.
“Somethin’ like that.”
She’s silent a moment, and then she says, “Why don’t you go back for her, if you’re so hung up over it?”
I turn, and shoot daggers at her. “What did you say?”
She narrows her eyes, and her expression hardens. “Don’t pretend with me, Axel. I’ve been around you long enough to know what sort of shit goes down in your head. You want her, you’re just too fucking stupid to admit it. Quit being so pigheaded, and go back for her. I know she’s waiting for you.”
“You don’t know shit,” I growl, skidding the stool back. “And don’t speak to me like that in my club again, or I’ll toss you out on your ass.”
I spin, and walk out of the room. I can’t deal with these children tonight. I can’t think of anything but her.
I start walking outside, and the minute the cool night air hits my face I breathe it in, and then ruin that by lighting a cigarette. My head is spinning, and I can feel my keys jingling in my pockets. I begin walking toward my bike, knowing what I’m going to do even before it fully registers.
I get to my bike, and throw my leg over it.
Then I start it, and pull out of the parking lot of the compound. I shouldn’t be riding, I already know that, but I can’t stop myself. I need to see her. I need to feel her surrounding me. I need all of her, and I can’t deny that shit any longer.
I pick up the speed. She needs to know...she just needs to know that she’s not nothing. If that’s all I can give her, then I’ll give it with all I am.
I ride until I reach Lady Matilda’s driveway. I park the bike in the trees and get off, walking down. If she hears me pull up, I’ll never be able to get in like I need to. My boots crunch on the gravel as I move.
When I reach the old home, I peer up at the only window with the light on. I know it’s the guest room, and I know Meadow will be in there. I walk to the side of the house, and I take hold of the drain-pipe.
And I begin to climb.
CHAPTER 16
MEADOW
Sticks and stones may break my bones, but your love completes me.
I can’t sleep. It doesn’t matter what I do. I’ve tried a shower, I’ve tried to have a glass of warm milk, but nothing is working. All I can think about is Axel. Tonight he’s haunting my mind, my thoughts, and nothing I can do is going to push him out. So I’ve decided to read as much as I can, trying to take my mind off it. I’m midway through a sappy romance that has me snorting more than it has me intrigued when I hear my window rattle.
I stiffen, and fear washes up my spine.
Is someone breaking in?
My lamp is only dull now, but my eyes are locked on the window trying to see what’s outside. I should call out to Lady, but I can’t make myself move. Fear is funny like that. You know you should run, but your body refuses to acknowledge that need, and freezes.
I’m sure for the longest moment I don’t breathe, and when the window slides up, I let out a scream. I scurry off the bed, and crash into the nearby bedside table.
“Whoa, Cricket, it’s just me.”
Axel?
My heart is beating so loudly I can hardly hear anything else. I slowly lift myself off the floor to see Axel standing in front of the window. His eyes are slightly bloodshot, and I realize he’s been drinking. What the hell did he ride out here drunk this late at night for? I open my mouth, but he shakes his head. Something in his eyes tells me he doesn’t want me to speak and ruin whatever he’s come out here for. So I don’t.
He walks around the bed, and over to the door. He locks it before turning to me. I feel my body become aware of him. He looks gorgeous—not that there’s ever a time he doesn’t. His hair is messy from being in his helmet, and he’s got a good few days worth of stubble on his jaw. He’s the beautiful side of darkness. I feel my lip slip into my mouth, and I clamp down on it, feeling my body becoming anxious.
When he reaches me, he stretches his hand out, tucking a strand of dark hair behind my ear. Then he steps forward, wrapping a hand around my hip, and pulling me close.
His mouth closes over mine before I get the chance to think or protest. His lips move softly, claiming mine, bringing me to new heights. He slowly pushes us back toward the bed, and, gently, he lays me down.
I don’t understand what he’s doing, and I don’t really want to. I just want him.
I’m sick of feeling like that’s such a bad thing.
His body moves over mine, and I can smell the leather of his jacket. It’s a smell I’ve always loved, even back when my father used to wear his colors. I reach up, curl my fingers around the tough material, and I tug him closer. With a groan, he complies, and his hand runs down my thigh, lifting it up and over his hip. A whimper escapes my mouth, and he takes the chance to bite my lower lip softly.
“Axel,” I breathe. “Please.”
He slips his fingers underneath my nighty, and finds my panties. He circles around them for a minute, before slipping his hand inside and finding my damp sex. He makes an appreciative sound in his throat, before taking hold of my panties and moving off me, taking them as he goes. I lift myself up onto my elbows and watch as he rocks backward and tosses them onto the floor.