Page 46 of Bound By Temptation

“Yeah, you, Ax. What have you been doing over the years?”

Most of what I’d done she couldn’t know. At least for now. Therefore, I went the easier route. “Club business mostly. Then, of course, work.”

“Work? Do you work at the garage?”

Many of the Ravage men worked at Banner Automotive, but since we’d expanded our income streams, we all had to branch out and take more on.

“Nah, I work at X. Live there too.”

Indie’s back went rigid, which was a good sign. If she didn’t like me working at X, it meant there wouldn’t be as much resistance as I initially thought. But knowing Indie, anything was possible.

She wiped her mouth with her napkin. “You work and live at a strip club?”

“Yep. Work as a bouncer or, at least, I oversee the ones there. Mine and Raid’s place is on the top level of the building.”

Turning to her, she was twirling up some of the pasta, but she had a distant look on her face.

“I’d give anything to know what’s running around in your head right now.”

This was a moment I thought about many times. Indie and me, sharing space, a meal after a good fuck. Only, I never imagined she would shut me out, build the walls.

Younger Ax wouldn’t have the patience or tenacity to endure. I did this shit, though, so I would see it through. No wall, no defiance, nothing would hold me back from continuing to fight to have her as mine again.

16

INDIE

Ax Monroe was cookingat my stove, creating something that had my mouth watering. He could cook?

I had no damn clue. From the smell alone, it had to taste good. From the stuff I had in the fridge and cabinets, I didn’t think it could make this space so aromatic.

Not to mention, with his back turned to me, his ass was on full display in his jeans. Somewhere along the line he’d taken off his cut. Why did he have to be so attractive?

Answer.What was the question again?

This man did not need to know what I was thinking at all because deep inside me anger bubbled like in a cauldron threatening to spill over.

He worked around strippers all day. Fucking lived there and had easy access to fuck whoever he wanted, whenever he wanted. Like that was something new with all the “Mommas” around the club, but it still cut.

And that shit cut deeper than I would like to admit.

It shouldn’t matter. I shouldn’t have these feelings. So why were they so damn strong, pulling me this way and that? Part of me wanted to cry, while the other part wanted to cut his dick off. And both of them were wrong.

Ax wasn’t mine. He gave that up years ago. He gave me up.

I had zero right to feel anything about this situation whatsoever. I didn’t want to feel. I didn’t want to think.

But damn, I did, and I wanted it to stop.

Seeing my plate was empty, I started to escape and got up saying, “I’ll clean…”

My arm was grabbed, and I was back in my seat. Somehow he turned it to fully face him, and my plate clattered on the counter. I really hoped it didn’t break. My other teal one did and this was my last of the color, and it happened to be my favorite.

Great time to think about plates, Indie.If I could roll my eyes at myself I would. What was that tombstone going to say again…

“Ax, I…”

“Stop.” His tone was so intense yet calm that it had me pausing to take him in. His eyes were lit, and it intrigued me more than it should. “One step at a time, Indie. Breathe.”

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