Just One Wish (The Kingston Family #4.5)(19)

As she took her cosmetic case into the bathroom and touched up her makeup, her thoughts drifted to Axel and the way he’d felt deep inside her. She recalled him pushing into her, his erection pulsing, her body responding, and desire rippled through her and her panties grew damp. She shifted her legs but couldn’t alleviate the need those memories inspired.

And when she allowed them to wash over her, the emotions flowed, as well. Axel had pulled up the feelings she’d locked down after he’d left for Los Angeles and her father died. From the way he held her and looked into her eyes, everything he did told her she was special to him. How could she not feel again?

She placed the mascara wand down on the counter and looked in the mirror, seeing the girl who’d fallen in love with Axel and not the woman who’d sworn never to let in anyone who could hurt her again. And that was dangerous to her heart.

Especially since she’d seen the evidence of his transitory nature. Who lived for so long without a sofa? A television? Pictures on the walls? Though she hadn’t mentioned it, she’d taken a look around his room, and there was just one photo on his dresser. Him with his grandmother and sister. No other personal items with sentimental value to be found.

Back when they were in high school, his grandmother had kept his music awards and any accolades hanging in his room. After she’d died, he hadn’t taken them down. His way of keeping her memory alive. But it seemed like, over the years, personal items no longer meant anything to him. Furniture didn’t mean anything to him, almost as if he had one foot out the door already.

It didn’t make sense. Nothing about the house he rented or the life he lived jibed with the man who was trying to convince her to give them another chance.

Maybe that was why she was going out with him again. Not to mention, she couldn’t deny the pull he had over her, how much she enjoyed his company, and the sexual chemistry she’d never felt for anyone else. But she couldn’t let him hurt her again.

Pushing the confusing thoughts out of her head, she picked up the wand and put two coats of mascara on her lashes, swiped some blush on her cheeks, and added her favorite shimmery gloss to her lips.

She’d caught a ride with her mom this morning so Axel could pick her up for their date from work. A last glance in the mirror and she was ready.

She walked into the outer office to find her mom putting on a light sweater as she prepared to leave. “Finished for the day?” Tara asked.

Her mom turned to face her. “Glenn and I have dinner plans,” she said. “You look pretty. I take it you have plans of your own?”

“Thank you and yes, I do.”

“With Axel?” her mother asked, the hope in her voice evident.

Tara nodded. “But don’t go getting your hopes up, okay?” The last thing she needed was her mother being disappointed when things didn’t work out after Axel went back on tour.

“Amy told me he drove you home after the party.” Her mother’s way of digging for information.

She couldn’t help but smile. “He did, and I appreciated him rescuing me from myself.”

Her mother eyed her, doing her obvious best to figure out what Tara was thinking. “I’m just glad you’re going out,” she said at last.

Tara let out a long breath, glad they weren’t going to be having a deep talk about feelings and Tara’s dating life. Or worse, discussing her sex life.

“Thanks, Mom.” She glanced out the window and saw Axel pull into the parking lot.

Wanting to avoid her mother’s interrogation, she walked over and kissed her mom on the cheek. “Say hi to Glenn for me. I see Axel’s car. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Before her mother could reply, Tara waved and rushed for the door.

She stepped outside at the same time Axel climbed out of his convertible. “No need to get out. I’m here and ready.”

“I can still open your door for you.” He grinned, looking sexy as ever in his jeans, a navy tee, and sunglasses tucked into the round collar of his shirt.

He stopped her before she could pass him and head to the passenger side, placing his hands on her waist. “Hello, Tara.” He dipped his head and kissed her lips.

A little happy sigh escaped. Dammit. “Hi, yourself,” she said as he lifted his mouth from hers.

With his hand on her back, he walked her around the back end of the car, opened the door, and helped her in, shutting the door.

He climbed into the driver seat and turned on the engine.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

He placed an arm on her seat, turning her way. “Depends on you. Are you hungry?”

Her grumbling stomach answered for her. “Starving. I barely had time for lunch.”

“How’s pizza?”

“That sounds perfect.”

He nodded, and a few minutes later, they pulled into the parking lot of her favorite pizza place. They ordered quickly, and since the place wasn’t packed, the food came out fast.

She glanced at him, taking a sip of her soda. “I’m going to apologize ahead of time,” she said, picking up a slice, taking a bite, and moaning at the cheesy flavor. She chewed, swallowed, and repeated, until she’d nearly finished the one slice in record time.

She wasn’t even embarrassed.

It wasn’t until she finished, drank some more, and looked up that she noticed him watching her, a huge smile on his handsome face.