Chapter Sixteen
Sophia
Sophia was nervous as she got ready for her date with Axel.
She had no idea where they were going or if they'd be taking his bike from the club, so she opted to dress warmly.
She had leggings beneath black slacks and paired them with a cherry red v-neck sweater because red was her favorite color.
Thankfully, her dad already knew about the tattoo, so she wouldn't have to spend time explaining it.
She glanced at the outfit she'd gotten at Westfarms Mall and couldn't wait for the chance to wear it.
Shaking her head, she turned back to getting ready for her date. She kept her hair down but pinned back from her face, chose a smoky eye shadow and lined her eyes in black eyeliner for a more dramatic effect. She did a light dusting of blush, added a red lip stain, and she was done.
“Where are you headed to, all dressed up?” her father asked her when she entered the living room.
“A couple of the girls from work invited me out,” she replied, having already prepared for the question.
“Ah. Have fun but drive safely. They're calling for snow later. If the roads get bad before you leave Hartford—”
“I'll stay at a hotel for the night. I promise I won't risk driving.”
“Good. Just let me know so I don't worry.”
“I will, dad. Bye,” she told him and headed out to her car. A part of her hoped the snow started early enough that she and Axel both had to stay in a hotel.
Was she ready for sex with him? Maybe not, but that didn't mean they couldn't do other things, right?
Snow began falling fifteen minutes before she reached Hartford. If it kept up, she just might get her wish.
Axel was waiting for her when she got to Elysium and whistled as she approached.
“Damn, babygirl. You look amazing.”
He leaned down to kiss her and she hummed happily. “So do you.”
Although he was wearing jeans, they were a crisp black, and he'd paired them with a dark gray button down shirt. He had the first two buttons undone, giving her a glimpse of some of his ink.
“Thanks, beautiful. Let’s get to the restaurant. This snow is a little concerning.”
“I already told dad that if the roads got bad, I would stay at a hotel. There's nothing that says we can't share a room,” she replied.
Axel groaned. “You want to kill me, don't you, babygirl?”
“No, just curl up in your arms and talk. I'm not saying I'm ready to jump your bones, as you old timers used to say,” she teased, “but I'm not ruling out everything.”
“Old timers? Watch it, babygirl, or you're going to find yourself over my knee,” he growled. “Fuck. You win. We'll share a room if we can't drive back.”
“If you're trying to deter me, threatening me with a spanking is not the way to go,” she quipped. The thought actually had her a little turned on.
Axel chuckled. “Noted. Come on. I'll reserve us a room while we eat. We can leave your car here and you can pick it up in the morning,” he told her and led her over to his motorcycle.
Sophia was glad she had her gloves with her or her hands would be frozen by the time they got to the restaurant. She tugged them on before she put on the helmet he offered her and then slid onto the bike behind him. She got as close as she could and wrapped her arms around his waist.
She clung to him as he drove and was saddened when they got to the restaurant because she had to let go.
Once inside Salute, they were shown to a table and given menus.
“Italian. Good choice.” She studied the menu as if it held the secret to life.
She wasn't exactly sure why she suddenly felt nervous.
It wasn't like she hadn't been on dates before.
Maybe it was because they'd been boys while Axel most definitely wasn't. She wasn't sure what his exact age was, but she knew he was at least several years older than her.
“What's going through that pretty little mind of yours?” Axel questioned.
“Sorry. I was just wondering what our age difference is, but I didn't want to be rude by asking,” she admitted sheepishly.
His chuckle had her blushing and she wanted to crawl into a hole.
“Well, to put your inquisitive little mind at rest, I turned thirty-two last month.”
“Wait? You just had a birthday? How did I not know that?”
“Eh, I don't make a big fuss over it,” he replied with a shrug.
“Ah. No, I get it. Mine has never been a big deal either. We didn't really do birthdays and holidays growing up. I mean, for the last couple of years, Hallie has insisted on making me a small cake, but there's not really a celebration.”
“Oh really? And when is it?” he inquired.
“Oh. Um. Next week,” she mumbled, hoping he wouldn't hear her.
“Next week? When next week, babygirl?”
Sophia groaned quietly. “Saturday,” she finally admitted.
“What? Your birthday is a week and a half away? Oh, babygirl, we are definitely doing something to celebrate. Make sure Indi gives you the night off.”
“That's not—”
“Nope. It's already decided. Next year you can plan something for me,” he said with a wink.
“So you expect us to still be together this time next year, huh?” she inquired.
When he reached for her hand, she arched a brow but placed her hand in his.
“Yes, I do. If I didn't think we had a real shot, I wouldn't be here right now. Do I think you're sexy as fuck? Hell yes. But there's more to you than looks. Those are just a bonus, Sophia.
“You're smart, funny, compassionate, you have a big heart, and you care about the happiness of the people around you. You have a strength so many lack, and one I admire. This isn't just a fling, babygirl. Not unless that's all you're looking for.”
Sophia sat there staring at him. Had he really just said all those things about her?
“I didn't really think you saw me,” she said softly. “I thought I was invisible to you.”
“You could never be invisible, Sophia. Not to me.”
His words warmed her heart and made her fall for him just a little more. She could easily lose her heart to this man if she wasn't careful.
When their server arrived, they put in their orders. Sophia got the jumbo lump crab cake, which came with Asian cabbage slaw and a citrus aioli to start. For her entree, she decided to get the lemon panko crusted cod. It was served with Salute’s house mashed potatoes and sauteed broccoli.
Axel went with the spicy fried calamari topped with cherry peppers, scallions, and asiago cheese and served with a sriracha aioli and marinara for his appetizer.
Sophia had sat there watching him with amusement as he'd gone back and forth between the shrimp fra diablo, which was sauteed shrimp, hot sausage, Sicilian olives, red pepper flakes and spinach in a fiery tomato sauce over linguine with a side of their sweet potato hash or the boneless short rib served with carrots, petite peas, and sour cream mashed potatoes before he settled on the pasta dish.
“You like things hot, I see,” she teased.
“That I do, babygirl. In more ways than one,” he teased right back.
Sophia laughed softly. “I have to admit, that pasta does sound good, if a bit spicy.”
They talked about random things until their food arrived, and then they focused on eating.
Sophia couldn't help the little hums of appreciation she made with the first bite of each item because it was just that good.
Once every bite was gone, they decided to get their dessert to go so they could share. Sophia got the New York style cheesecake with macerated berries and whipped cream while Axel got the chocolate chip cannolis, of which there were two.
After paying, they went back out to the bike and he whistled low. “Damn. The snow is really coming down. It's a good thing we decided to stay at a hotel. Come on.”
Again, she tugged on the helmet and clung to him as he drove. By the time they reached the hotel, she felt half frozen and was grateful for the heat once they were safely in their room.
Sophia had expected to feel awkward being alone with Axel, but she didn't. It felt natural.
“Let's get comfortable,” Axel told her as he sat and removed his boots.
Sophia followed suit before she crawled onto the bed, and sent a quick text to her dad to let him know she'd be staying at a hotel for the night and would be home in the morning.
When Axel joined her in bed, she curled up against him and rested her head on his chest. They found a holiday themed movie on the TV and settled in to watch it.