Page 25 of The Placeholder
A boat horn sounds in the distance, startling us both. Axel lifts his head, eyes dark with desire but lips curved in a rueful smile.
“Probably shouldn’t give the neighbors a show,” he murmurs, pressing one last kiss to my lips before sitting up.
I laugh, smoothing my dress down over my thighs. “Probably not, though I’m tempted to say to hell with propriety.”
He grins, refilling our glasses. "Don’t tempt me, sweetheart. I have very little self-control where you’re concerned.”
The admission sends a thrill through me. I’m about to tell him how much I want him when my phone buzzes in my purse. I ignore it, focusing instead on the way the sunlight catches in Axel’s auburn hair.
“You going to check that?” he asks, nodding toward my purse.
“It’s nothing important.”
We return to our feast, Axel slicing cheese while I tear off chunks of bread. My phone buzzes again, the sound muffled but insistent.
“Sorry,” I mutter, reaching for my purse. I glance at the screen, my stomach clenching when I see the name. “Just a nuisance call. Nothing to worry about.”
Axel’s eyes narrow slightly, but he doesn’t press. Instead, he tells me about the time Alek nearly drowned trying to retrieve a football from this very lake. I laugh at all the right places, but part of me is waiting for the next interruption.
It comes five minutes later—another buzz that seems to echo between us. This time, Axel’s expression turns serious.
“Della, what’s going on?”
I sigh, turning the phone so he can see the screen. “It’s Jared. He’s been calling and texting since yesterday.”
"Your ex?" Axel’s voice is carefully neutral, but I see the way his jaw tightens.
“Yes.” I hesitate, then decide he deserves the whole truth. “He showed up at the coffee shop last week when I was with Betsy. Made quite a scene.”
Axel sets down his glass, his full attention on me. “What kind of scene?"
“The ‘I’ve made a terrible mistake’ kind. Followed bythe ‘we belong together’ speech.” I shake my head, remembering Jared’s dramatic entrance, the way conversations had hushed around us. “Betsy nearly threw her latte at him.”
“I’m starting to like your friend,” Axel says, a hint of a smile returning. “What did you tell him?”
"That it was over. That I’d moved on.” I meet his gaze steadily. “That I was seeing someone else.”
Something fierce and possessive flashes in Axel’s eyes. He reaches for my hand, his thumb rubbing circles on my palm. “And how did he take that?”
"Not well. Hence the barrage of calls.” I pick up my phone and hold the power button until the screen goes dark. “There. Problem solved.”
Axel watches me, his expression thoughtful. “You shouldn’t have to turn off your phone, Della. He’s the one who should back off.”
“It’s fine. I’d rather be present here with you anyway.” I try for a light tone, but Axel isn’t fooled.
“It’s not fine. He’s harassing you.” He takes the phone from my hand and turns it back on. “You don’t need to hide from him. If he calls again while we’re together, I’ll answer it myself.”
The protectiveness in his voice makes my heart flutter. It’s so different from Jared’s possessiveness—Axel wants to shield me, not control me.
“That might be a bit much for a first weekend together,” I say, though part of me loves the idea of Axel putting Jared in his place.
He smiles, some of the tension leaving his shoulders. “Fair enough. But the offer stands.”
He reaches for the champagne bottle, refilling my glass. “Now, where were we before we were so rudely interrupted?”
I lean forward, brushing my lips against his. “I think you were about to tell me what other surprises you have planned for today.”
His eyes darken, pupils dilating as his gaze drops to my mouth. “Oh, I have plenty of ideas. None of which involves your phone... or many clothes.”
