Chapter Eight
Axel
When he'd arrived at the club, intent on groveling if he had to, he had to admit that Sophia not making it easy for him was a bit of a turn on. He liked her fire.
Her asking him to share something no one else knew about him had startled him. Could he really share that with her when he'd never told anyone about Amanda?
Once he'd started talking, the story just flowed out of him, and, if he was completely honest, he felt better for sharing it with someone who didn't judge him.
Sitting there listening to how Sophia's mother had treated her, he was pissed. What kind of mother treated their child that way? He didn't hit women, but if he ever saw the woman, he'd be hard pressed not to break that rule.
Returning to the table with their drinks—virgin Daiquiri for her and plain soda for him since he had to drive home—he set the drinks down, scooted his chair closer to her, and sat.
“Since were in the sharing mood tonight, is there anything else you'd like to know about me?” he questioned.
“Oh, that could be a loaded question,” she teased and he chuckled.
“True, it could. But humor me.”
“Okay then. What made you decide to be a tattoo artist?”
“That one's easy. I've always loved ink. I got my first tattoo at eighteen and after talking with the guy who did it, he agreed to teach me, as long as I could prove I could draw and had a steady hand.”
“Draw? I thought you just used pre-drawn designs.”
“Where do you think those drawings came from, babygirl? Someone drew them. Sometimes we get people wanting something custom, and that's where drawing skills come into play.”
“Oh. I didn't think about that, but that makes sense.”
“What about you, Sophia? Have you thought about getting any ink?” He was genuinely curious about her opinion.
“I have, but…”
“But what, babygirl?”
“I'm not sure what I would go with, to be honest.”
“Not even an inkling?” he pressed.
“I don't know, just something unique. Maybe with an infinity symbol.”
“Give me a few days, I'll see what I can come up with,” he told her.
“Okay. I'm curious to see what you decide,” she confessed. “My turn. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? “
“That's easy. Italy. I've always wanted to see Tuscany and Venice. What about you?” he inquired.
“Scotland. The Highlands of Scotland to be exact. According to my mother, my great grandfather was from Wick and I would love to go there some day.”
“That really would be neat,” he agreed. They talked a bit more, asking each other random questions, until Sophia yawned.
“You look tired, babygirl. You should head home and get some rest.”
He half expected her to give him shit for basically telling her what she should do, but she didn't. She really must have been tired.
“Yeah, I am a bit. Thanks for the drinks and the conversation,” she told him.
“I should be thanking you. Can I walk you out?”
“Um, sure.”
He stood and waited for her to join him before they walked side-by-side outside and down the block to her car.
“Drive safe, Sophia,” he said once she'd opened her car door.
“You, too.”
He waited until she got into the car before he closed the door for her and stepped back so she could leave.
He stood there watching her car until her taillights receded, and then he turned, made his way to his bike, and headed home.