Page 23 of Wolf Fated
"Fishing?" I gawked, looking from him to the other two guys. Nathan was resting his forearm on his knee from his perch on the end of the couch while Drake leaned back and crossed his ankle over his knee. "Like bait on a hook, fishing?"
He nodded. "Are you surprised?"
"Yeah." I laughed nervously. Of all the things I was starting to imagine, that surely wasn't one of them.
"Good." Axel stood and held out his hand. "Shall we? I've got a chopper ready to take us out."
"Just where are we going fishing?" I tentatively took his hand and rose, my heart thumping hard in my chest.
He led me out of the living room and outside on a patio. The morning sun glinting off the white patio furniture which looked brand-new. I mean how else could it look so pristine out here? There was a shimmering pool and hot tub I secretly promised to check out whenever I had some free time. Axel kept his hand in mine and though I knew I should pull away, I found that I couldn't. His touch was doing crazy things to my head and the path out here was rocky.
I had to get whatever was going to happen over and done so that I didn't chicken out. He escorted me out to the black limo, and I skidded to a stop.
“Where are we going?” The last time I was in this car, they’d brought me here, locked me up, and I felt like they’d thrown away the key.
“I thought you said you were ready for anything?” He arched an eyebrow at me.
“Fine.” I opened the door and climbed in myself.
The plush interior was soft leather and was freaking huge.I'm talking about the size of my bedroom and bathroom combined.Guess I hadn’t noticed with both Axel and Nathan in the backseat with me before.
Soft classical music sounded from speakers I couldn't even see, but I wouldn't be surprised if the musicians were up front with the driver. And the limo had a new, expensive car smell that made me practically giddy. Though, I shouldn't let material things play me like this. Stephen and I could afford limo rides once I survived these thirty days.
With the black screen between the driver and us, I couldn’t see who was driving.
“Is that Drake?” I asked.
Axel didn’t answer me, but sat next to me, his presence filled the once huge space. His scent of cinnamon, sandalwood, and a hint of oranges filled the limo.
We drove through downtown with Vegas lights illuminating the skyline.
"So, what did you do before you took over the casino?" I asked, leaning back in the seat, which felt like it molded to my body. Not wanting to let on that I was nervous as hell being practically alone with him.
“Stocks and bonds.” Axel rubbed a hand over his mouth. “Gambling in a different way.”
I nodded, but I felt like the only thing holding me together was my fear of what was to come. "Wh-What will be expected of me?" God, I sounded like a moron. I knew sex, at least, was off the table but did they want me to be a maid and cook and clean for them or like an escort service kinda thing?
“If I tell you,” he lowered his voice, “you’ll probably want to jump out of the car and I didn’t bring my running shoes.”
I didn't know if it was his nonchalant attitude or the fact I was sitting next to the richest person I'd probably ever rubbed elbows with, but regardless his words didn't lessen my nervousness at all. If anything, it only hiked it up another notch. I smoothed my shorts to give my hands something to do rather than fidget with the interior of the limo. Didn't need Axel to think I was a backward hick who didn't know how to behave.
My hand shook as I moved to the door to try the handle.
"Wait until the car is stopped." Axel reached over and placed his hand over mine, gently pulling my grip off the door handle.
We continued on the limestone path down to a clearing and a landing pad. Axel let go of my hand and I found I missed his warmth and assurance.
“I can’t believe we’re taking a real chopper.” I remembered his phone call about a pilot on standby. “Will you fly us or someone else?”
He arched an eyebrow. "I have a personal helicopter and though I know how to fly, I asked my pilot to take us." He lowered his voice, taking a step closer to me and my breath caught in my chest. "I feel I would be too distracted if I flew right now with you. And I will not jeopardize your life by blindly crashing into trees or a building because I was enamored with you and your beauty."
My face heated and I took a step backward. "Um... thanks. But there are prettier women than me and I'm taken, remember?"
Something flashed in his eyes, and I gasped as he curled his fingers into my chin, forcing me to look at him. "Beauty is everywhere in you. Inside and out. Your mind, your compassion, your willingness to put everyone before yourself. It's okay to be a little selfish. It's okay to want to do something for yourself and screw everyone else. Make yourself happy, Brook. No one else and if you do that, your life will turn around to expand even your greatest dreams."
Mesmerized, I could only stare at him. Then his gaze shifted to my mouth, and I involuntarily licked my lips.
The beat of helicopter blades had Axel letting go of my chin and drawing me back a foot. I blinked against the air stirring and my lack of common sense. What was I crazy to think about kissing Axel? He was a stranger, and I was practically a married woman. I wanted to get this day over with so I could be one day closer out of this deal.
