Page 80 of Fake Dating Daxton Hawk
“Hey, you all right?” I ask Daxton, resting my back against his chest as I peer up at him. “They only mentioned it when I told them you cooked me breakfast.”
“Yeah, just tired. I’m ready to call it a night,” he says.
Shirley continues speaking, dismissing Daxton’s exit cue. “The gesture of making me breakfast in bed was sweet, really.”
I barely know the woman, and yet can tell from the animation in her voice and hand gestures what a charismatic person she is. The fond nature in which she shares her memories makes it clear how much she adores Daxton, which only adds to my confusion about the family drama. Every single family member I’ve met tonight has been lovely.
“It was the thought that counts,” Shirley says. “The two of them had never cooked a thing in their lives, yet for some reason, they thought it a good idea to use the stove. Well, you can imagine the fright I got when the fire alarm when off. Luckily, I was able to contain the fire quickly. That was the day I set out to teach them to cook. We cooked everything from soufflés to beef stroganoff. I hope my son has been spoiling you with his delicious cooking and not hiring personal chefs.”
I gaze up at Daxton and giggle, finding the story so precious.
“Don’t start, kitten.” He smirks down at me, then offers a smile less smug to his mother and Amabella. “If you ladies are done embarrassing me, I’d like to steal Jordan away.”
“Of course,” Shirley says. “You two enjoy the rest of your night.”
Daxton weaves our fingers and leads me through a crowd of guests, out of the restaurant and into the dark night.
“Are you sure we should leave?” I ask. “I don’t want anyone to think we’re being rude.”
“No one will notice. Plus, I have more important things to do with you.” He squeezes my ass.
I yelp, startled by the playful nature of his actions. “What’s got you in such a good mood all of a sudden?”
“Besides how incredible you look in this dress?” he whispers in my ear, coaxing another laugh from me. “I was watching you from across the restaurant while I spoke to my brother. You were laughing and it made me realize that nothing truly matters except for you.Youmake me happy. I’m letting go of all the shit that went down with my family.”
My feet come to a stop and I stare at Daxton in amazement. “That’s… fantastic.”
I desperately want to ask what the family issues were about, but not at the risk of ruining this newfound attitude toward his family, especially when time with his mother is limited. I came here to support Daxton, not make this weekend about myself.
Regardless of my good intentions, sadness tinges my mood, like our last morning in New York City together when Daxton didn’t confide in me about his family.
“You okay?”
“I’m happy for you.” I push away the questions about his family and continue walking.
As we arrive at a crossroads, I veer right for the path to our cottage, surprised when Daxton steers us in the opposite direction.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
“Showing you something. A place where I used to hang out when I was a kid.”
The moon is full and bright, illuminating the way as Daxton guides me downhill along a rocky path. Each step of the way, he holds my hand securely, assuring I don’t stumble over the uneven ground. We walk for a few minutes, passing rows of grapevines, until arriving at a pergola.
“I used to come here as a kid when I needed to get away from everything.” Daxton flicks a switch and the pergola suddenly twinkles with fairy lights. Vines wrap around each post, trailing up to the slatted roof. Crickets chirp and far in the distance I can hear the jazz band playing. Daxton lifts me up, sitting me on a picnic table beneath the vines. “I would lay here for hours, staring at the stars.”
I tilt my head to the sky. “It’s beautiful here.”
“I’m glad you like it.” He takes my hand in his, kissing my knuckles. When I look back at him, the same playful expression from earlier sits on his face. “I always thought one day I would bring my girlfriend here and make out with her under the stars.”
“Oh, did you, now?” I hook a finger into Daxton’s belt and draw him closer. “That was your mastermind plan for bringing me here. Wasn’t it?”
“Maybe. Or maybe I want to do something else.” His hands slide up my thighs, causing me to shiver in anticipation.
“Teenage Daxton thought about making out with his girlfriend here. Did you ever imagine you’d fuck her here?”
“Sure. But that’s not what this is. I want to make love to you,” he murmurs, his breath hot against my skin as he trails kisses along my neck.
My breath hitches. Tingles spread through me, pooling deep in my belly. My body wants this, yet the next moment, tears prick my eyes and an overwhelming sense of sadness consumes me. I try to ignore the feeling and get lost in the sensation of Daxton’s lips on my skin, but I can’t shake the lump in my throat. My muscles stiffen and Daxton must notice because he leans back, his gaze turning troubled as soon as he sees tears swimming in my eyes.
