Page 16 of Unexpected Boyfriends

I’m sure my artwork is pretty average, and the last thing I want to do is call attention to it, but luck is not on my side tonight.

“I’d be interested to see it,” Axel cocks his head at me, “if you don’t mind, that is.”

“Maybe.” I don’t want to sound rude, so I add, “it’s really not that good.”

“Doesn’t have to be. Anyway, who’s to judge what’s good in art… it’s all about self-expression, right? Self-expression is averypersonal thing,” and he gives me a subtle wink which is just for me. I’m pretty sure he’s not talking about art anymore.

I don't actually have that much experience with this, but I think he just flirted with me and my face and neck probably resemble beetroot right now. I cough a bit and pretend I’m choking on something to cover my embarrassment.

"Are you okay?" Grandma rises out of her chair in alarm.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine," I stumble over my words, aiming to stop her before she gets going with the Heimlich maneuver. My grandmother is nothing but determined when she gets going.Axel smirks. He knows I wasn't choking.

My grandmother eyes me anxiously, but sits back down again.

A half-smile continues to twist at the corners of Axel's lips. I casually take a sip of water while I think. Putting the glass down, I raise my eyebrows and offer my most innocent expression as I ask, "What about you, Axel? What do you do for self-expression?"

"I like to go dancing." His eyes twinkle. His lips are twisting again and I narrow my eyes at him suspiciously. There's a subtext here, that I don't quite understand.

"Oh, I love dancing," my grandmother exclaims, eyes lighting up. I'm pretty sure the kind of dancing Axel's talking about is very different to what she's thinking of. "We used to do a lot of dancing, didn't we, dear?"

My grandfather grunts.

Clearly he wasn't as impressed with it as she was. "That was what we did for entertainment in those days," he says, gruffly. My grandmother starts reminiscing about the things they used to do in their youth, and before long it's 8.30pm andGranddad's eyes are starting to droop.

He stands up heavily and addresses Axel.

"You young folk probably want to stay up and watch TV or something, but I'm going to bed. Nice to see you again, Axel."

Axel rises too and extends a hand. "Thank you for inviting me." He turns to my grandmother and adds, "I think that was the best dessert I've ever had!"

She smiles. "Thank you, dear."

Granddad says, "Leave the dishes 'til the morning, Margaret, let these two have some peace and quiet."

It might be getting towards bedtime for my grandparents, but for Axel and I the night is just starting. Once the oldies have gone to bed and out of earshot, Axel suggests we go for a ride on his motorbike.

“I brought a spare helmet in case you wanted to ride with me. I don’t go crazy on the bike” he assures me, “so you’re pretty safe. Well, as safe as you can be on a bike, still have to share the road with the crazies driving cars. But it’s up to you.”

Would I like to ride on his bike? Hell, yeah.

Am I worried about the crazy car drivers? Maybe I should be, but I’m confident Axel knows what he’s doing on a bike, and what’s life without a little danger? The idea of sitting on the bike behind Axel is pretty exciting. It's worth a little risk.

“Have you ridden before?” Axel wants to know, as he hands me the helmet once we're outside.

“No,” I reply, my squeaky voice betraying a touch of nerves.

He helps me adjust the helmet, and I'm conscious of how close he's standing. My heart speeds up. He doesn't give any indication that he notices he's affecting me as he gives me a few quick instructions. Apparently, I'm to sit behind him, hold on to him, relax, keep my eyes on the back of his helmet and lean with him through the bends. It seems like a lot but I got lost after I realized I'd have to put my arms around him.

Axel gets on his bike, and I get on behind him and put my arms around his waist. I’m nervous about how close I should get, so I leave a big gap between us. Axel shakes his head and pulls me closer, so my front is against his back. The firmness of his body teases me through the layers of fabric. I try to ignore it but I kind of want to pull him closer.

“Hold on,” he shouts as he starts the bike and kicks the stand clear.

Axel coaxes the bike up the driveway and when we pull onto the road, powers up the throttle andwow!This is exhilarating! The rush of the air, the lean of the bike as we take the bends, the dark shadows rushing past us, the throbbing of the engine between my thighs and Axel’s muscular body in my arms. Fuck me! I don’t think I’ve ever felt this sort of rush before.

The road is deserted because it’s late, and as we weave our way around the bends and down the hill to the beach, we haven’t seen a single car. The solitude is amazing. It’s like we have a taste of the most complete and exhilarating freedom. Two souls alone in a universe that's solely ours.

Axel pulls into the carpark of the same isolated beach where he showed me the blowhole. He drops one foot to the gravel and we sit still for a minute. It’s then that I realize I have a complication. Was it the thrill of the ride? The throb of the powerful engine between my legs? Or the proximity of Axel’s strong body? I’m not sure, but my jeans are nowuncomfortablytight. This is beyond awkward. My cheeks heat up. I don’t know what to do. Shifting on the seat, I try to adjust myself, and hope Axel doesn’t notice my embarrassing predicament.

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