Following Her (Unexpected Heroes #2.5)(15)

“Do you really believe taking time to think will make this hunger go away? What the two of us are sharing isn’t usual, Ella. We’re fools to throw it away.”

“I don’t have sex with men I don’t know,” she said, her eyes now clear, fire beginning to ignite in them.

“We shared the other night at the restaurant. Ask whatever else you want. I’ll tell you anything you want to know,” he said, covering up his frustration with a confident grin as he finally moved off her completely and sat on the cold, hard ground. Not able to resist, he reached out and ran her silken strands through his fingers before he stopped and pulled back.

Shivers started racking her body now that he wasn’t cradling her in the warmth of his own. He knew he needed to get her inside before she became overly chilled, but he couldn’t seem to move.

“I’m still not going to have sex with you tonight, Axel, not even if we spend the next eight hours talking. I don’t have sex with men I’ve just met,” she said as she sat up.

“Well then, let’s go on a real date,” he offered.

“A date?” She looked confused.

“You know, a thing where a man and a woman go have a nice meal, some wine, maybe a movie and dancing?” he said with what he hoped passed as a laugh.

“Oh, I see, now you’re going to be a smart-ass,” she said, almost sounding sad.

“I’m sorry. I want you; I won’t lie about that. I can respect that you want to wait before we have sex—but Ella, I want you. There’s no doubt about that,” he said, taking her chin in his hand and forcing her to look at him. He wanted no misunderstanding between them.

“And if the date doesn’t go well . . .” she said, letting the words trail off.

“Ah, baby, you obviously haven’t been on a real date with me.”

“Your confidence will be your undoing someday,” she warned.

“I can agree to that. I’ll pick you up tomorrow night at six. Wear a dress—preferably the exact same one you wore before.”

“Fine, I’ll go. But the dress is long gone. And don’t think this means you’re getting sex,” she stated firmly.

Axel couldn’t resist the challenge. Before she knew what was happening, he tugged her onto his lap, enjoying the gasp escaping her kiss-swollen lips. “Noted,” he said before leaning in and kissing her one more time with just enough hunger to make her regret sending him home.

When he knew he had to stop or push the lines of right and wrong, he released her, throwing his arms beneath her and standing in one fluid motion before he set her on her feet and kissed her once more, this time a chaste good-night kiss.

“I’m going to make you scream,” he said before placing a hand behind her back and leading her to the back door of her house, where he waited for her to enter her code to get in. Next time he saw her, he’d lecture her about the whole point of security being to stay safely inside, not come out to meet the people trying to break in.

Right now he was just eternally grateful she had in fact come out of the house. He would anticipate the moment he got to take her to the highest reaches of glory. For now, that was all that would sustain him.

After fumbling a few times, she managed to get the system deactivated and the door open. She stepped inside before turning back around.

“This round certainly goes to you, Axel Carlson. Tomorrow don’t expect such an easy victory.” With a wicked smile, she shut the door in his face.

Now it was Axel’s turn to walk in a bit of a haze. “Hot damn,” he uttered when he finally remembered how to work his feet. This woman was going to be dynamite in the bedroom.





Looking in the mirror, Ella nearly changed her mind for the hundredth time. She couldn’t wear this dress. She had other dresses that were more appropriate, but she kept finding herself back in the same Terani Couture nude cocktail dress that made her feel like a million dollars with its sheer neckline, intricate beaded detail, and nipped waist. The color complemented her olive complexion and dark hair.


But this was a first date—well, the first date she was aware of—and most likely the last. So what if there was more steam between the two of them than a locomotive engine? She was sure it was just the fact that Axel had been thrust into her life and was refusing to go away that was causing the turbulent thoughts in her mind.

She didn’t need to wear this dress, but here she stood in front of the mirror, and she wasn’t taking it off this time. It was just a dress, after all. It wasn’t a life-and-death decision. He’d be arriving in just a few minutes. She needed to decide now.

“Argh! This is ridiculous,” she said to her reflection. She’d wear the dang dress. He most likely wouldn’t even notice. He was a guy, and guys didn’t really care what you wore, right? But she couldn’t help remembering vividly his reaction to her friend’s little black dress. She wanted that same reaction whether she’d admit it or not.

Sitting on her bed, she slipped on a pair of delicate Gucci silver stilettos with a slight sheen of sparkle on the heels. Shoes were her one weakness. She worked in a man’s world and she was young. She wanted to be taken seriously, but she couldn’t force herself to let the pretty shoes go. No one really noticed shoes except other women who shared her passion for obscenely overpriced heels, and they wouldn’t judge her.