Page 16 of The Placeholder
“I should give this back,” she says, starting to shrug it off.
I place my hand gently over hers, stopping the motion. “Keep it,” I say, my voice low. “It gives me an excuse to see you again.”
Her lips part slightly, and the air between us charges with electricity. I lean down, slowly enough that she could pull away if she wanted to, and brush my lips against her cheek. Her skin is warm velvet under my mouth, and I catch that hint of vanilla again, stronger now.
“Goodnight, Della,” I whisper near her ear, feeling her pulse jump beneath my fingers where they rest at her wrist.
She looks up at me, vulnerability and desire warring in her expression. “Goodnight, Axel.”
I wait until her car disappears around the corner before turning to my own vehicle, my body humming with unspent energy. As I slide behind the wheel of my Range Rover, my phone vibrates in my pocket.
A text message from an unknown number:
Your jacket smells like cedar and something I can’t quite place. Thank you for a lovely evening. - D
I smile in the darkness, typing back:
Sandalwood. And the pleasure was mine. Sleep well.
CHAPTER 8
DELLA
TWO WEEKS LATER
Itwirl in front of my bedroom mirror, the white sundress billowing around my knees like a cloud. The fabric is light and airy against my skin, perfect for the June heat that’s settled over Manhattan like a warm blanket. I’ve spent an hour getting ready—curling my hair into loose waves, applying just enough makeup to enhance my features without looking overdone, and carefully selecting my favorite perfume.
“Fifth date,” I whisper to my reflection, dabbing the fragrance behind my ears and at my wrists. The scent of jasmine and berries fills the air around me. “Fifth date and not even a kiss.”
I bite my lower lip, remembering how I’d told Axel I wanted to take things slow after our first dinner at Lumière. It had seemed sensible at the time—I was still healing from my breakup with Jared, and Axel was... well, Axel was intense in the best possible way. The kind of man who looked at me like I was the only person in a crowdedroom, who listened to every word I said as if it were vital intelligence.
But four perfect dates later, his restraint is driving me crazy. Our goodbyes have been torturous—his large hand at the small of my back, his face inches from mine, his blue eyes darkening with something that made my stomach flip—only for him to kiss my cheek and step away.
The doorbell chimes, and my heart leaps into my throat. I slip on my white sandals and give myself one last glance in the mirror before heading to the door.
When I open it, Axel stands there like a warrior in repose—tall and broad-shouldered in a light blue button-down that makes his eyes even more striking. His auburn hair is slightly tousled by the summer breeze, and his gaze sweeps over me with such intensity that I feel it like a physical touch.
“Della,” he says, his voice dropping an octave. “You’re breathtaking.”
Heat floods my cheeks. “Thank you. Come in for a minute while I grab my purse.”
He steps inside, filling my entryway with his presence. “That dress...” he continues, his eyes never leaving me as I retrieve my small white purse from the side table. “It makes you look like something out of a dream.”
I laugh softly, pleased by his reaction. “A good dream, I hope.”
"The best kind,” he replies, offering me his arm. “Ready for our walk?”
The day is glorious—sunshine pouring through the gaps between buildings, the air perfumed with blooming trees and the distant scent of street vendor pretzels. As we stroll toward Central Park, Axel’s hand finds mine, hisfingers intertwining with mine as naturally as if they’d always belonged there.
“I’ve been looking forward to this all week,” he admits as we cross Columbus Avenue. “Though I need to tell you something.”
My stomach tightens. “Oh?”
“I have to leave town for a few days. Security assignment in Chicago. High-profile client.” His thumb traces circles on my hand. “I fly out tomorrow morning.”
I try to hide my disappointment. “How long will you be gone?”
“Four days, maybe five. Not long.” He squeezes my hand. “But I’d like to make plans for when I return. Maybe you could stay at my place for the weekend? I have a cabin upstate. It’s peaceful there.”
