Chapter 22 Axel
Axel
“I won’t be able to visit next weekend. Coach is worried about Lennox,” Mason said. As the starting center for the San Diego Storm, the regular season was about to start, so the opportunity to see each other would be minimal.
“What’s going on? I thought the surgery worked.”
“It did,” he replied, “but Coach is worried. Lennox is the most stubborn quarterback in the league and won’t admit it’s still bothering him.
His backup got a starting position with Houston, so Coach wants me to spend some extra time working with his new backup in case he…
I don’t even want to put it out there. But if we’re prepared, it won’t happen, right? ”
“That’s the way it works.” I was disappointed, but that’s how the world of professional sports went. “It’s okay. We’ll be in the same city a couple of times this season. And you’ll play here in December. I already marked them on our shared calendar.”
Mason brightened. “I purchased the suite. It’s going to be great. Cold as heck, but good.”
“Cold doesn’t bother me.”
“I’m sure. Now that I’m not coming, maybe you can plan a little weekend getaway for the two of you. Labor Day means a three-day weekend here.”
That was an idea I could get behind. “Any suggestions?”
Mason hummed. “Yes, but use a travel agent. It’s easier. There’s one over in the Flatiron District that Dad…um, I’ll text you the contact information.”
“It’s okay. You can say his name. But yes, that will work.”
Barking erupted in the background. “Hey, I’ve got to run. Tommy and I are going to Coronado to run. We’re taking the puppy today. Wish us luck.”
My brother never failed to make me smile. “Good luck. I’m heading in too. I need some ice time.”
“We’ll talk soon, okay?”
“Absolutely. Say hello to Thomas for me.”
“I will. Love you, big brother.”
“Love you too, little brother.” That was our thing. It was silly for grown men to use those monikers, but it was important to us. Anyone who thought differently could fuck off.
After ending the call, I sat in my car and scrolled, searching for the best weekend getaways. There were plenty to choose from, but one popped out and held my interest. Now I just had to clear it with my boyfriend.
Dialing his number, my face split into a grin when he answered. “Hel-lo.”
“Hello to you. Are you busy?”
“Just doing some paperwork. I’ve got time to talk for a minute. I thought you were going to skate this morning.”
“I am. But we have a change of plans.” I explained about Mason’s predicament. “Can you take an extra day off from work?”
“Maybe. Why?”
“It’s a surprise. Don’t ruin this for me, Vaughn.”
He snickered in my ear. “Okay, I think I can, but I have a meeting on Wednesday. When are you thinking?”
“This Friday. We’d leave on Thursday afternoon. Return late Monday night.”
He hesitated. “I should be able to make that happen.”
“Great. One last thing. Do you have a passport?”
“Axel…” he groaned. “What are you planning?”
“Surprise, remember? Answer the question, love.” I had learned the power of that word. I could get him to do anything when I called him that.
“Yes, I have a passport. But I’ve never used it.”
Oh, we were going to change that. “Wonderful. I’ve got to go. I’ll call you later.”
“Okay. You remember I must get a second job, right?”
I rolled my eyes. “Yes, yes. But it doesn’t have to be now. You have some time.”
He exhaled happily. “You’re really not going to tell me where we’re going? How am I supposed to pack?”
“Don’t you worry about that. I’ll take care of everything. Bye now.” I ended the call before he had time to ask any more questions.
Grabbing my bag from the backseat, I headed into the practice facility. Decker and Karlsson were already there, ready to get going.
After our workout, I showered and headed to the travel agent Mason had suggested. When I walked out an hour later, I held all the paperwork for what I hoped to be a perfect weekend with Luca. I sent him a text.
Me: We’re going shopping this evening for our trip.
Luca: And if I say no.
Me: Naked is fine—your choice.
Me: Humor me.
Luca: You really are difficult to say no to.
Me: Then I’m getting this right.
Luca: LOL. Where should I meet you?
Me: Now you’re catching on. My house. I’ll be waiting.
Luca: See you then.
Sucking in my bottom lip, I tried not to grin like a fool. But it was impossible. Now that I had him in such a good mood, I had a few other things to take care of before I went home to get ready. Starting with a quick call to Harlan. But he beat me to it.
“I was just about to call you. Are we ready to close?”
“Yes,” he said. “Today, if you have time. I’ll email the docs for you to sign, then wire the check.”
“Perfect. Send them on. I’ll be home in fifteen.”
“Okay.”
I ended the call and moved on to the next thing on my to-do list.
By the time Luca arrived, I had everything ready. I swung open the door and scowled at him. “Why aren’t you using the key I gave you?”
“What if I walked in and you were…” I cut off his silly what-if with a kiss. Luca groaned and clung to me. If I didn’t stop, we wouldn’t be going anywhere.
“Use the key. And don’t argue with me about it. What if I’m out of town and my plants need to be watered?”
“You don’t have any plants,” he quipped.
“They’re being delivered.” I kissed him hard again. “Now, go shower. Your clothes are on the bed waiting for you.”
Luca looked confused. “I don’t have any clothes here.”
“You do now. I went shopping this afternoon.”
He frowned. “Then why are we going back out?”
I raised a brow. “We need special clothing.” I kissed him again, hoping to leave his mind so scrambled he wouldn’t want to ask any more questions. “Go.” I kissed his forehead, then led him to my bedroom. When he entered, I stepped out and closed the door.
“Where are we going?” he asked as we walked out to meet George on the curb.
“Manhattan.” I greeted the driver as we slid into the backseat. “George is going to get us where we need to go. You secured the time off, correct?”
“Yes. In fact, I put in for a half-day on Thursday.”
My stupid grin returned. Leaning in, I bit his earlobe. “Good boy. Even better. We can leave earlier.”
Luca shifted in his seat. “You really shouldn’t do that.” He gestured to his lap.
“It makes me happy that I affect you like that.”
“I’m sure. Are you going to tell me where we’re going for the weekend?”
“Someplace tropical.”
His eyes widened with excitement. “Really?”
I took his hand and kissed it. “We’ll have privacy, and it should be fun. You can sunbathe without worrying about tan lines.”
Luca breathed a nervous chuckle. “That could be dangerous. I might get a sunburn.”
Leaning in, I kissed the spot under his neck. “I’ll make sure you’re protected. Every little place you could possibly burn.”
A shiver ripped down his spine. “Are you sure we must shop? Can’t we skip it and go back to the house?”
“Sex fiend,” I teased. “No, we have to shop. And if you behave, there might be time for fun when we get home.”
After a whirlwind shopping spree for clothing, luggage, and travel accessories, including a host of personal pleasure items, just in case, we had what we needed.
When we got back to the house, Luca tested my resolve while on his knees.
He massaged my balls while torturing me with his mouth.
“Tell me where we’re going, and I’ll let you come. ”
Clenching my jaw, I shook my head. “Nope. Not gonna,” I grunted as he treated me like his human lollipop. As difficult as it was, I held out, even sacrificed myself for the sake of the surprise. I’d planned to tell him later, but I’m shit with surprises. “You don’t need to find another job.”
He stopped and looked up, confused. “Why? What have you done?”
I ran my hands through his hair as I took in his wet lips. “You don’t have to worry about the rent anymore.”
His eyes speared me as he got up off the floor. Wiping away the saliva and my pre-cum, he stood waiting for me to explain. Okay. My timing might not have been the best.
I raised a brow. “Don’t look at me like that.”
“What did you do?”
Still exposed, I pressed his back to the wall. Leaning in, I dared him to argue with me. “I bought the building. I’m your landlord now.”
His face contorted through a variety of emotions. He blinked as what I said processed. “I’m sorry. You did what?”
“You heard me.”
Luca’s eyes blinked repeatedly. “Why would you do that?”
I tucked myself away since I’d literally blown this evening. “Because I wanted to.”
A horror-struck expression took over his face. “Why? It’s a piece of …” He stopped, better thinking his reply. “… Brooklyn history. It’s old and needs a ton of repairs.”
“Yes, I’m aware. I’ve been there.”
Exhaustion took over as he slumped against the wall. Scrubbing his hands over his face, he gave up the fight, instead searching my face as if another motive existed. “Why my building?” He held up his hands. “Never mind. I know the answer.”
“I think you know the answer to that. IF you had just let me pay the rent, or just fucking moved in with me, I wouldn’t have had to go this far.”
Pressing my body to his, my hands went to their favorite place. Cupping his face, I ran my thumbs under his eyes. He was tired. “I’m looking to invest in the community. It needs more upgrades than the previous owner was willing to do. I’m willing to do them. And more.”
“An investment in the community is donating to a food bank or an after-school program, or resurfacing the basketball courts at the park for the kids. Maybe donating money to the senior center. Not buying a freaking building in a city you might not stay in.”
I scrunched my brow. “What makes you think I might not stay?”
Fear crept into his eyes as he spoke quietly. “You could be traded at the end of the season.”
“I could. But I could also choose to retire. I don’t have to go anywhere.”
“I know you. And I also know you bought my building to benefit me.”
“Why is that a bad thing to you?”
His eyes became glassy. “When this thing between us ends, you may never want to see me again. That gives you the power to take my home away. Don’t you understand why I might be worried?”
It bothered me that he had those thoughts. How had we gone from a sexy ending to the evening to this? “What makes you think this is going to end? Have I given you some idea that I’m looking for a way out?”
Luca shook his head. “No. But people leave, Axel. That’s all I’ve ever known. I have to protect myself and be ready when it happens.”’
“I don’t know how to prove to you that I’m not leaving, other than keep showing you how much you mean to me. If this were a temporary thing, and I didn’t see a future, I wouldn’t do any of this. Do we need to tattoo the property of Axel Hughes across your body for you to believe me?”
“I’m scared. Every time you do something magnanimous like this, it draws me in, and I wait for the other shoe to drop. For you to say it’s not worth the effort. That I’m not worth it.” Luca’s hands trembled, and I knew I’d handled this all wrong.
Leaning in, I put my forehead on his. Holding his trembling hands, I pulled them between our bodies. “Let me give you some truths. Every time you’re near, or walk through my door, I realize what it’s like to be truly happy outside of hockey. And I forget why I built my walls.”
“Sounds like we’re a mess together.”
“I disagree,” I murmured. “It sounds like we’re perfect for each other. We need time to learn how to navigate away from our past to get to our future. So please stop trying to end us before we begin.”
Luca released a breath that he’d been holding. “I’ll try. I’ve never felt safe with anyone…until you.”
My heart swelled to bursting as I kissed his forehead. “I don’t deserve you, but I can’t let go. So please don’t ask me to.”
“Okay,” he sniffled. “I can try.”
Leaning back, I used my thumbs to wipe away the tears. “Hear me out. Allow me to tell you what I have planned for your building. I think you’re going to like it.”
“Okay,” he replied warily.
“All tenants will be receiving a rent adjustment. From the paperwork I received, everyone is paying too much to live in a place that’s been neglected. That’s the previous owner’s greed getting in the way. I don’t do business that way.
“That will help so many of my neighbors.”
“That’s the point. You should be able to cover your half without a second job, which will allow you to focus on finishing school.
I have contracted an architectural firm to handle the upgrades.
When the season starts, I need to focus on my team and will turn most of it over to my management team.
When construction begins, we will have secured temporary housing. But you will be living with me.”
“You’re such a good person.”
I snorted. “That’s debatable.”
“Not even a little bit.”
I wanted to be the man he saw. “Since I ruined our evening, I’ll tell you I’ve reserved a private villa on a secluded beach in Bermuda. Don’t ask me for any more details. That’s all you’re getting. So, I need you to relax and not ruin my vacation.”
Luca rolled his eyes, but his smile had returned. I had four days of luxury planned to ruin him for anyone else other than me.