Monday (Timeless Teaser)(36)

“Maybe to you,” he said. “But that little terror used to get insects from the backyard and put them all over my face while I was sleeping.”

I tried not to laugh too hard. “I’ve never heard of that one before.”

“A caterpillar got in my mouth one time. I almost broke her arm.”

My abs hurt from trying not to laugh. “Damn, she got you good.”

“You think she’s all sweet and innocent, but she’s the devil—I swear.”

I’d have to give her props next time I saw her. “Hopefully, she doesn’t do the same thing to me.”

“She won’t. She likes you.” He took a drink while he scanned the bar.

I remembered what she told me about her parents. It made me look at Axel in a new way. For someone who had lost so much, he had a zest for life. Both Francesca and Axel were very strong people. I suspected they got that from Yaya.

“Two brunettes at the end of the bar—and they are f*cking hot.”

I took a drink.

“I say we take them back to a hotel room and share them. We haven’t done that in a long time.”

My eyes moved to the window, and I watched the cars drive by.

Axel checked his t-shirt for wrinkles then looked at me. “Want to head over at the same time? Or should we go one at a time so it doesn’t seem like we’re bombarding them?”

I didn’t want anything to do with this. “I’m not feeling it tonight. You go.”

Axel was about to take a drink but stopped himself. “What did you say?”

“Go on without me. You’ll have a good time.”

“Dude, they’re really hot. You haven’t even looked.”

“You know you don’t need me. You’ve been with two women before.” I took a drink to cover the irritation on my face.

“Are you being serious right now?” He stared at me like I was a Martian. “When did you start turning down an easy lay?”

“I’m just not in the mood tonight. You don’t need me anyway.”

Axel’s eyes narrowed on my face in suspicion. “Okay…what’s going on?”

“Nothing,” I snapped. “Does there have to be something wrong with me just because I don’t want to f*ck two girls tonight?”

“For you, yeah,” he said bluntly.

I used to f*ck anything that moved. It was the solution to all my pain. I buried myself in someone else because it was a strong enough distraction. It pleased me and brought me some happiness…even if it was only temporary. But I hadn’t done that in a while. In fact…I couldn’t remember the last time I had. “You don’t need me to get laid, Axel.”

“I’m aware of that. But it’s fun when we swap.”

“The answer is still no.” How much firmer could I be?

Axel leaned back in the booth with a defeated look on his face. “Are you seeing someone?”

Francesca’s face appeared in my mind. She was the only girl I ever thought about, and not in a sexual way. I used to want to f*ck her senseless but now…I thought about her in a whole new light. “No.”

“You have to be. Why else would you act this way?”

I was cornered with nowhere to go. “I’m talking to someone. It’s nothing serious.”

“But serious enough to keep your dick in your pants?”

I drank my beer.

“Who is she?”

“You don’t know her.”

“Do we work with her?”

“I just said you didn’t know her,” I snapped.

“Why won’t you tell me?”

“Because it’s not serious. It’s just…I’m not sure.”

Axel shook his head slightly. “I just…can’t picture you as the monogamous type. You’re such a dick all the time.”

I couldn’t picture it either. “We’ll see where it goes. For now, I’m not interested in crashing a hotel room.”

He chuckled to himself. “Damn, this girl must be hot.”

Beautiful was a better description.

“You got a picture?”

“No.” Axel would come after me with a hatchet if he knew about my feelings toward his sister. And I wouldn’t blame him.

“Well, film her and let me see.”

I shot him a glare.

He laughed again. “Possessive…another new side of you.”

“I don’t want to talk about this anymore.” I looked out the window and severed eye contact.

“Well…” Axel turned his gaze on the two girls. “I’m untamed, and I’m going to enjoy it.” He slid out of the booth and left his beer behind.

I stayed in my spot and looked out the window. The streets were wet, and the night sky was blanketed with clouds. Not a single star could be seen. I was in a room full of people but I felt alone. All I wanted to do was find Francesca.

And never let go.

***

“Your brother invited me to spend Christmas with you.” We were sitting in a diner a few blocks from the beach.

“He did?” She put down her sandwich and gave me a heart-warming smile. “Good. I thought he would.”

“Should I bring anything?”