THIRTEEN
AXEL
We pulled up to a small but charming home. It looked a lot like Jack and Ruthie’s house, which they had called Craftsman style. I wasn’t sure exactly what qualified for that, but this had a very similar design and appeared to be well kept.
We parked the car in her parents’ driveway, and I got out and walked around to Stella’s side. My plan was to follow her into the house, but she suddenly stopped and turned to face me.
She said nothing at first, and then she leaned in and wrapped her arms around me and hugged me. “I’m sorry for whatever happened with your family. You don’t have to tell me. I just…wanted to give you a hug.”
I wasn’t trying to hide what had happened. In fact, I had been searching for the right words to explain to her while we were driving here, but then Stella started giving directions, so I focused on that. However, I realized I likely gave her the impression that I didn’t want to talk about it.
I hugged her back and felt a wave of calm move through me that I hadn’t felt in a long time.
Enjoying the feel of her against me, I ran my right hand up and down her back.
“It’s not a fast story, so I didn’t want to start telling you when I knew we would be at your parents’ house in a few minutes,” I tried to explain. “Plus, I didn’t want to ruin the mood of your happy party day.”
“You’re not going to ruin my day by telling me something about you, Axel. I want to know everything about you, both good and bad.”
Damn, this woman was sweet and kind and gorgeous—a deadly combination for me.
“The short version is my parents wanted my sister and me to stay to take over my father’s company, and we didn’t want to. They used manipulation and guilt to try to persuade us, but it only caused us to both move to other countries. The relationship has been strained ever since, as they have made it very clear they will not reconcile until we change our minds. If you still want to know more later, I will tell you.”
“Okay,” she mumbled into my chest. “I’m sorry, Axel.”
“Nothing for you to be sorry for, Stella.”
We stayed like that for a few moments before she finally leaned back. I thought she was going to release me, but her arms stayed wrapped around me while she tilted her head back to look at me.
“Umm…so, I’m not sure how my parents will react, but I’m just going to say I’m sorry if they are weird or awkward.” She seemed nervous all of a sudden and I wasn’t entirely sure why.
“Do they not know I am coming with you?” I asked.
“No, I told my mom, but…I’ve never really…brought a guy home before. At least not one who didn’t work at the bakery. Milo and Travis came over when I first opened the bakery because my mom had a small little party, but…”
“But I’m different,” I finished for her, and it pleased me on some archaic level that she’d never brought a guy home before.
Even though technically I was only here because I didn’t trust Doucet and what had happened at the bakery. It was a small point in my favor, and I would take it.
“Yes, you’re different. Even if I didn’t tell them we had already gone on a date, my parents know how to read me, so I’m sure they would be able to see that you mean something to me.” She smiled up at me, and I loved that she gave me that. Not just the smile, but how she felt.
People often kept their feelings close so they didn’t get hurt if those feelings weren’t reciprocated. The older I got, the more I realized that was dumb. If you liked someone, you needed to tell them. If they didn’t feel the same, that was fine, but at least you knew and didn’t waste your time guessing.
“You mean something to me too, Stella.” I leaned down and took her mouth, unable to resist.
I slid my hand up to the back of her head, sifting my fingers through her soft hair, and then slanted her head to get a better angle to deepen the kiss. God, she tasted so damn sweet. As much as I wanted to keep kissing her, the last thing I needed was a rock-hard dick when I went to meet her parents. Very reluctantly, I pulled back and looked into her eyes, which were now glazed over, and her cheeks were flushed.
Damn, I really wish I could just stay here and kiss her to keep that look on her face.Later,I told myself.Later.
“You ready?” I asked her, and she gave me a gentle nod.
I took her hand in mine and walked up toward the house. Before we even made it to the steps leading up to the front porch, the door swung open. A woman who appeared to be in her late sixties or early seventies stood there, a smile stretched across her face as she looked at us.
“Hi Stella and Stella’s friend who is holding her hand,” the woman greeted.
Stella chuckled next to me as we walked up to the door. “Hi, Mom. This is Axel. Axel, this is my mom, Moira.”
I let go of Stella’s hand to reach mine out to her mother. “It’s nice to meet you.”
