8. Scarlett
EIGHT
SCARLETT
My mind is all over the place, I can't think straight. Axel's words have been a revelation. I had no idea he felt just as I did. I never had any inclination he felt that way, or that he had planned on moving with me to a new city for college. But I heard the sincerity in his voice. This is what he truly wanted, and I broke his heart when I left. He didn't say those exact words, but I know that I did. I really hurt him by running away, even more so, by keeping Brandon a secret from him.
I watch as he gives me a sheepish grin. "Anyone who applies for my company has a background check on them. When you said you needed extra cash, I got concerned, wondering if you were in debt or needed help. You have to understand, Scar, you have my son under your roof, I needed to know you were both safe. Imagine my surprise when my investigator told me it was due to a shelter needing money."
I stare at him in wonder. How the hell did his investigator get that information so quickly? "Yes, it's for the shelter. The last sponsor died recently, and his children don't want to donate any longer. But Evelyn needs the sponsorship money to continue having the shelter open. If we don't, the animals will end up euthanized."
"Tell me why this shelter means so much to you?" he asks me, there's pure curiosity in his voice.
"Evelyn, the owner, she's become like a second mom to me. She helped me so much through my pregnancy and with Brandon. It's because of her that I was able to finish college and get my degree. She's an amazing woman, and I love her dearly. I want to repay her kindness. She helps the animals that have been abandoned and hurt, she gives them a second chance at having a family."
He nods. "I'd love to meet her."
I smile. I would adore that. I know Evelyn would love Axel and vice versa. A low meowing sound hits the room, and I glance at the door and see Tilly entering the room.
"You got her from the shelter?" Axel asks, and I nod. "Is she friendly?" Before I can answer, Tilly walks over to him, sniffs at his arm and then pounces onto his lap where she curls up and releases a satisfied huff. "That's a yes, then."
I release a soft laugh. "Yeah, she's really friendly."
He sobers, and my heart stutters. "You asked what happens next, and I have a proposition of such."
I raise a brow, wondering where the hell he's going.
"I'll make a contract stating AllBeck Management will be the sponsor of the shelter, we'll donate every year."
"But?" I ask, knowing there's a catch.
"You work solely for me, the daycare is a huge bonus to us for Brandon, and we'll know he’s taken care of when we're working. I won't allow you to work nights along with days, Scarlett, that's not happening."
I narrow my eyes. That's a little too easy. "What else?" I demand, knowing that I'll take the job at AllBeck Management, which means giving my current job notice. There's a lot of benefits that come with working for Axel, and the daycare being a huge bonus.
"I need to get married," he tells me. "I want to marry you."
I blink. "What?" Where the hell did that come from?
"You heard me, I need to get married, and you're the only woman I want. So, I'll become the sponsor for your shelter, and you'll marry me."
I narrow my eyes. "That's convenient," I tell him, my words hissed at him.
He merely shrugs. "Yes, but then I'm conveniently yours, aren't I, Scar? What do you say?"
I cross my arms over my chest and glare at him. "Why?" I ask. "Why do you need to get married?"
He sighs and tells me about what his father and mother did when I left. How he had no real choice in working for the company. He had wanted to escape the rule of his parents by coming with me when I left, but he never got the chance, instead, he had to do whatever his father wanted. Now his father is pushing him even further by forcing him to marry to gain the company and by having an heir.
"So, we get married, then what happens?" I ask. "You seem to have everything worked out. What happens if we hate each other? Then what?" I can't have Brandon hurt by this. He's the most important person in my life, and I'm not going to do anything to jeopardize his happiness.
Axel brushes a stray hair from my face, his fingers caressing my skin. "Trust me," he murmurs. "I could never hate you, Scar. You're all I have ever wanted."
My heart sings at his words. He's all I have ever wanted too. He's the only man I have ever dreamed of. I press closer to him, my heart pounding as his lips descends on mine. It's as though time stands still, and the world stops.
His hand slides into my hair, and I run mine along his shirt. There's a heat between my legs that makes it hard to think. God, it's been so long since we've been together. Five years and it's as though it was yesterday.
His tongue sweeps into my mouth, and I cling to him, my nipples pebble beneath my top, my pussy aches, and I’m panting. The need to have him hits me like a freight train, taking my breath from me in one fell swoop. "Please," I pant as I pull my lips from his. "Axel, please."
He pulls back, his eyes flaring with hot need, I've never seen him look so determined. "Strip for me, baby," he says through clenched teeth. "I want to see your sexy body."
With trembling hands, I do as he says. My heart is beating against my chest as I scramble to get my clothes off. But I manage to do so, thankfully, somewhat gracefully. "You too," I tell him, needing to see him also.
He strips in a flash, his cock springs to life as he pulls his pants off. It's thick, heavy, and a lot bigger than I remember.
He grins as he pushes me onto my back so I’m lying on the sofa. "Going to play now, baby," he tells me as he pushes a finger of my sleek wet heat, and I release a long groan.
“God, Axel,” I whimper as I grind down against him.
He watches me with hooded eyes and gritted teeth. I'm utterly turned on and I'm so needy. I throw my head back with a groan as he adds yet another finger inside of me. “Fuck, baby," he growls, his breath hot against my neck. “I’ve never been harder than I am right now, I’m about ready to burst. I’m going to fuck you. I'm not losing you again, baby, I've waited five years for this. You're mine.”
I whine, still grinding against his finger. “Yes,” I hiss, his fingers stretching me. I want to be his, I was hurt when he left that day, but I understand his reasoning. Had I let him speak that day when he was standing at my car, things could have been different. But he's here now and I want him. God, I want him so badly I ache for him.
He fingers fucks me hard, bringing me to the edge, just as I start to build, he withdraws from me. I whimper as I glare at him.
"You come, baby, you do so on my cock," he snarls as he positions himself at my entrance.
"Are you mine?" he asks, his eyes heated.
I nod, unable to speak. Yes, I'm his, I always have been.
“Good,” he growls, tilting my hips and plunging inside of me again. “Because I'm not going anywhere.”
I cry out as my orgasm tumbles over me. My breath catches in my lungs as he pulls out and thrusts back in, his movements brutal but oh so perfect. "More," I breathe.
“Fuck,” he grunts, the last thread of control is gone, and he fucks me without a care.
“More,” I whine, the ache in my stomach finally lessening. He's all I have ever wanted, and now I'm finally getting him.
He slides back into me, reaching up, I wind my arms around his neck and fuck him back, needing to come. I’m on the cusp, ready to explode at any moment. His driving deep inside of me, his cock stretching me with every thrust, the burn only adds to the pleasure.
His lips press against mine, and I tilt my head giving him better access. His tongue slides between my lips, and he takes everything from me, my pleasure growing as he continues to fuck me, each stroke is brutal and unrelenting, but I've never felt something so good in my life.
My orgasm washes over me like a freight train, I can't hold back. I cry out his name, my arms tightening around his neck as I come. Axel's cock swells inside of me, he drives into me once—twice—thrice before he stills, his come filling me as he does.
We collapse into a heap on the sofa, my chest heaving as I try to pull in some much-needed oxygen.
"You're going to marry me, baby?" he asks with a wicked smile.
I can't say no. I'll never be able to deny him. I love him. I always have and I always will.
"Yes," I breathe.
His eyes light up, and I smile at him. I'm not sure how we ended up here, but I'm damn glad we did. I have hope, finally have hope that happiness is finally here.
I love Brandon, my life is complete with him in it. I've never known love the way I do for my son, and I'm happy that I have him, but I felt as though something was missing, and I realize that something was Axel.
"Stay," I whisper, wanting him to spend the night.
He flashes me that gorgeous smile of his. "I was hoping you'd ask; I have an overnight bag in my trunk."
"Then stay, Brandon will be overjoyed to wake up to you here."
I just pray this isn't something that'll blow up around me. That it's the real deal.
I feel it is, but I'm wary.
"Go check on our boy, baby, I'll grab my bag, and then we'll eat."
Yes, it definitely feels like the real deal.