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I faltered, tracing the bathroom floor tiles with a fingertip. Axel stood for everything my mother hated. He was a rebel, his own man. When he had faced Lionel’s anger, he didn’t even flinch. And when he’d kissed me, it certainly felt like he knew what he was doing.
“I called because…”
My words caught in my throat and I closed my eyes.
I called because you’re the only person who never demanded more from me.
I called because you’re the only person I wanted to give everything to.
“I didn’t know what else to do,” I whispered.
Axel was quiet. After a moment, I heard him swear softly with a sigh.
“All right, I have an idea.”
I sat up a little straighter. “Really?”
“You need to get this asshole ex-boyfriend off your back for good.”
“Right. And I need to make sure my mom won’t set me up with anyone else.”
“Exactly. Which is why I propose you get a bad boy to sully that squeaky-clean reputation of yours.”
My eyebrows shot up and I blinked in surprise.
“I…what?”
“Think about it,” Axel replied. “If you’re seen with some guy your mother doesn’t approve of, dudes like your ex won’t come anywhere near you.”
Understanding dawned on me.
“Because they want someone who can make them look good. But I would be…tainted.”
“Are you getting the picture now?” Axel asked.
I nodded. “Yeah. I think so.”
A pause echoed over the phone, heavy with expectation.
“Wait,” I said. “Are you asking me out?”
Axel hummed a laugh.
“Sweetheart, if you’re looking to hire a bad boy, I’ll gladly offer my services. But this whole thing would only be temporary. Just to get you a little breathing room.”
My heart sank and a pit of disappointment opened in my stomach. Dating Axel wasn’t a terrible idea. I would eagerly kiss him again…among other activities.
“We just seemed to hit it off last night,” I replied.
“Beth,” Axel said. “You have a prick of an ex-boyfriend you’re trying to get rid of. You have an overbearing, domineering, control freak mother who wants to marry you off to a guy who treats you like garbage. Your life is complicated enough already without throwing a new relationship into the mix.”
“That doesn’t sound like a no to me,” I countered.
Axel chuckled and the sound was so low, smooth, and pleasant that it sent a surge of warmth melting down my spine. I could listen to that sound for hours and hours without getting tired of it.
“One problem at a time, pretty girl.”
Feeling significantly lighter and hopeful, I stretched my legs out, biting my lip to contain a pleased smile.
