9. Kelsey
9
KELSEY
Axel pulled out all the stops for the date he blackmailed me into. I was firm that I did not want a date in Daisy Hills because people would talk. I wanted to enjoy this secret research opportunity as long as I could, and I didn’t want Axel getting any grief for it or earning a reputation he didn’t deserve.
He showed up on a motorcycle, holding out a pink helmet for me, and we rode to the next town over. I don’t know what I expected of him exactly, but dinner at a restaurant that had once been an old library was not it.
It was fucking perfect.
He reserved a corner booth for us on the second floor. The main level had been converted into a charming coffee shop. I’d definitely be making the trip back there to write. The walls around our booth were filled with bookshelves built around the windows. There were still books in all of them, that old book smell lighting up my soul. “I didn’t even know a place like this existed,” I said, still gawking at the restaurant as the server took our order.
“You’ve really never heard of this place?” he asks, eyebrows drawn.
“I haven’t left Daisy Hills since I moved there,” I admit. The charming town I’d called home for more than two years had everything I wanted. There was even a new bookshop in town where you could read and drink wine. But as cute as The Book Cellar was, it had nothing on this fascinating restaurant. Even the tablecloth was on theme. Some classic novel was printed on every inch of the long fabric that draped clear to the floor.
“Maybe you should stick around a little bit longer,” Axel suggested. “See what you’ve missed out on. There’s so much to explore in the area. It’d be a shame to leave if you still had another book or two in you here.”
Oh god how his words tempted me to prolong my trip to Hawaii, even just another month or two. It was exactly the reason I couldn’t give in. If I stayed a little longer, I might never leave. It wouldn’t just be my heroine falling in love with the grumpy tattoo artist slash volunteer firefighter hero. It would be me.
I might never write another book.
“How did you find this place?” I ask, scooting closer to him. I love that we have the round corner booth. It has the best view, of both the restaurant and of anyone bringing us our order. I slide my hand onto his thigh, smiling when I hear him suck in a in breath.
“A client told me about it.” Axel reaches for his glass of ice water, and I’m hyper aware of his fingers wrapped around it. I squeeze my thighs together, but it’s no use. My pussy remembers the feel of those very capable fingers and the greedy bitch wants more.
“How long have you been tattooing?” I ask, hoping that casual conversation might break some of the growing sexual tension swirling between us. Then again, it might help if I wasn’t gently rubbing his jean-clad thigh.
“Since I was eighteen.”
“Really?”
“That hard to believe, Princess?”
I turn my chin to look at him. “Why do you call me that?”
“Do you not like it?”
“I like it,” I admit. I like it way too much. “I just don’t know where it came from.”
“Really?” He drops his hand on my shoulder, and I damn near melt on the spot. The sensation of his calloused palm just does something to me. It might also be the possessive way his fingers curl into my skin. As though he wants everyone in this restaurant to know I belong to him.
The thought should tempt me to slip away to the little girl’s room and crawl out the window. To run away. Instead, I slide my fingers closer to the bulge in his jeans. I bet his cock is massive. I bet it’d feel so fucking good inside me.
“I call you Princess because you showed up at my door all pissed off about staining your favorite shirt. It came off a little high maintenance,” he says, a smile tugging at his lips. As though he wants me to see it, but barely.
“I’m not that high maintenance,” I say, allowing my pinky finger to graze his erection.
A low groan escapes Axel’s throat.
“You don’t like to be pampered?” he challenges.
“I didn’t say that .”
Axel lowers his mouth to my ear, his voice a gravely whisper as he says, “That’s good. Because there are dozens of ways I could pamper you.”
“Like?” The only confirmation I have that the question actually escaped my lips is Axel’s response to it.
“For starters, I could spend hours savoring your pussy with my tongue.”
A shiver of delight attacks my whole body. “Maybe you could show me.”
“Tonight?”
“Now.”
“But we haven’t even ordered dessert.”
I look right at him. “You know damn well the kind of dessert I want, Axel.” I cup my hand around his erection and squeeze hard. “So take your princess home and pamper her.”