Chapter 2 Axel
Axel
She’s here, in the flesh, and sinfully sexy in her red dress.
My eyes can’t help but follow her everywhere she goes.
Holy shit she’s hot as hell. Teagan has always been beautiful, but tonight at our Thanksgiving gathering in her honor, she’s turning the heads of any man with a pulse, even some females.
Her gorgeous ensemble hugs her womanly curves in all the right places making me want to throw a blanket over her so no one can gawk at her.
Teagan starts toward my sister, her movements purposeful, but then she freezes mid-step.
Her head tilts slightly, and I swear she senses my gaze, as if drawn by an invisible thread.
Slowly, she pivots, her eyes locking on mine.
The crowd seems to melt away, their chatter dimming until it’s just her and me.
She moves with a sultry grace, her hips swaying in a way that sends a jolt straight through me. As she makes her way to me, my pulse hammers against my ribs, and I’m powerless to look away.
Her blonde hair tumbles over her shoulders in soft waves, catching the faint light from above. Shadows and glimmers play across her face, emphasizing the delicate line of her jaw and the quiet confidence in her eyes.
The closer she gets the more my mind races with ungodly thoughts of things I’d like to do to her, and I have to remind myself to stay grounded.
“Teagan Sinclair…” Her name rolling off my tongue has a nice ring to it. “Having fun?” Ironically, my voice is steady despite my internal whirlwind.
She lights up, her bright blue eyes beaming with curiosity. “Of course.” Rubbing her hand softly down my arm, she leaves cold chills in her wake. “You wanted me to see you before I left? Since it’s getting close to midnight, I’m heading out soon.”
I motion for her to follow me to a quieter corner of the yard, away from the clamor of the party.
The air is cooler here, and the dim light casts a soft halo around her.
It’s a stark contrast to the warmth of the celebration, but the proximity to her sends heat through me, setting a fire surging through my veins.
“So,” I begin, trying to keep my tone casual, “I wanted to ask if you had any inspirational touches you had in mind that you saw when you were abroad. Any Persian styles you want to add to your café?”
Teagan’s eyes light up with genuine enthusiasm. “Oh, I’d love to but renovations aren’t my expertise.”
I nod, trying to ignore how the sight of her in this dress is making it hard to concentrate. “Renovations, huh? I might be able to lend a hand.”
Her smile widens, but there’s a flicker of appreciation in her eyes. “That would be amazing, actually. I’m a bit overwhelmed by the whole process. I could definitely use some guidance.”
The way she looks at me, with a touch of vulnerability mixed with excitement, gives me a sense of nervousness I haven’t felt in a while. Yet eagerness blooms in my chest at the thought of being this close to her working side by side.
“I’d be more than happy to help,” I say, my voice low, almost too soft. “Just let me know what you need.”
Teagan takes a step closer, and the subtle scent of her perfume—a blend of something floral and vanilla—only entices me more. “Thank you. I really appreciate it. I know it’s a lot to ask, but...”
Before she can finish, I find myself leaning in slightly, my gaze locking on hers.
The air between us is charged, crackling with an unspoken tension that’s impossible to ignore.
“It’s no trouble at all,” I murmur, my eyes drifting to her lips for a brief, dangerous moment.
“In fact, I’m looking forward to it.” More than she’d probably care to know.
She tilts her head, her expression a mix of intrigue and something else I can’t quite place. “Well, I’m glad you offered to help me. I was worried I’d have to go through this alone.”
My hand brushes against hers as I gesture toward the party, and the brief contact sends a jolt of electricity through me. “You won’t be alone,” I insist, my voice barely above a whisper. “Not if I have anything to do with it.”
Teagan’s cheeks flush slightly, and she looks away, seemingly caught off guard by the intensity of the moment. “Well, I should get home. But... I’ll definitely reach out about Bayfront Beans.”
“Looking forward to it,” I reply, trying to keep my tone light but feeling the weight of our conversation lingering. As she walks away, I can’t help but watch her, the heat of our interaction still burning deep inside.
It’s been a week since I’ve spoken to Teagan. I’ve been by the café a few times watching as she busies herself dragging out all the old inside décor. I want to help her but I also trust she’ll reach out to me when she’s ready.
“Deep in thought, are we?” Stella's voice rakes down a chalkboard, pulling me out of my stupor.
“I’ve got work to do.” Snatching my uneaten sandwich off the plate, I toss it in a bag as she sits down in front of me attempting to join me at the best sandwich shop in town.
“What? Don’t want company?” She has the audacity to ask.
“I’ve made it very clear that there’s nothing between us and never will be.” Standing, I go to leave when her cold fingers wrap around my wrist.
“I just want to be friends.”
I know better. “Even when I tried to be just friends with you, you tried to kiss me. Then spread rumors that we were a couple and lead people to believe we did things we never did. I will never be with a liar.” She’s cute, sure, but she’s got the personality of a rock and thinks she can always get what she wants.
Well, this is one guy she’s not going to get.
Ever. I will never be with someone untrustworthy.
Twirling my hand out of her grasp, I advise, “Pursue someone who wants you too. I’m not interested. ”
She flinches, but I’m unfazed. Turning on my heel, I leave her sitting there with her mouth gaping. Glancing back as I exit to make sure Stella isn’t following me, I crash into a petite form. As we collide scorching coffee drenches both of us.
“Sizzzzzz, hot!” A tiny blonde hisses, dropping everything in her hands. I hold her at arm’s length as the dark beverage drips from our bodies. While she’s holding her shirt away from her body blowing it profusely, I search for anything to help get the burning liquid off her.
“I’m so sorry.” I can't apologize enough. As I reach for some napkins from one of the tables, I leave my lunch behind and grab a wad of paper towels. I start patting her down instinctively, my hands moving across her front without a second thought.
“Woah there, happy hands.” Grabbing my wrists, she stills my movements that are plainly patting her voluptuous female features.
“Shit.” Holding my hands up in surrender, I drop the napkins. “I’m so sorry.” When she glances up, familiar glacial blues pin me in place.
“You’ve already said that.” She swoops up the damp napkins and begins drying her shirt which is so saturated it’s like a second skin leaving very little to the imagination.
“I should apologize for that.” Teagan waves her hand at my body where coffee still drips off me.
Her alluring eyes and near proximity cause my freaking heart rate to accelerate.
“Oh, it’s washable.” Tugging the fabric suctioned to my body, I finally free myself from the soaked garment.
Once my head pops out of my t-shirt, I watch as Teagan’s irises expand while she takes in my form, notably my abs.
But she doesn’t stop there, they continue to move down to the sharp V right above my pants. “Like what you see?”
Her eyes immediately snap to mine. Drawing her bottom lip between her teeth, pink paints her cheeks. She’s adorable when she’s embarrassed. Finally finding her words, she responds with, “How are you still single?”
Internally laughing, I state, “I could ask you the same question.”
Redness creeps up her neck as she bashfully looks down.
“I’ve been abroad these past couple of years tending to a couple’s children.
There’s not a lot of time to date, but also, my goal was to learn how they brew and manage their cafés over there during my free weekends, as well as being an Au Pair throughout the week.
” Peeking up, she makes eye contact while holding her wet t-shirt away from her chest. “But enough about me, I’ve got to get back to the coffee shop and remake those drinks I was supposed to deliver five minutes ago.
” After tossing the empty cups in the trash, she turns on her heel sprinting back to her shop.
“Let me help.” I chase after her.
Once we make it to her café, she unlocks the door but stops right in front of me picking up a piece of paper she finds shoved under the door.
Glancing over her shoulder at the torn piece of paper it reads: You should have stayed gone. That’s it. Nothing else. All the blood drains from Teagan's face.
Taking the paper from her, I ask, “Have you gotten anything like this since you’ve been back?”
“Nnn…no,” she stammers, clearly shaken up. “Who would’ve done this?” She asks what I’m trying to figure out.
“I’m not sure, but we should alert the police. Do you have cameras? Maybe it’ll show who did this?” Teagan taps 9-1-1 on her phone.
“I do, but I don’t know how to work them,” she admits.
A female operator answers on the second ring. “9-1-1 what’s your emergency?” Her voice carries on speaker phone.
“I’m not sure it’s an emergency but someone placed a disturbing note under the door at Bayfront Beans.”
“Ok, we’ll send an officer right over.”
“Thank you.” Teagan’s shaky tone, continues, “We’ll see them when they get here.” She ends the call.
“I need to change my shirt really quick. And I might have one large enough to fit you.” Teagan’s eyes rove over my bare torso once more.
“Sounds good. Point me in the direction of where I can scan the footage while you change.” Taking my hand in her trembling one, she leads me to the back of the café.
We approach the stairs and she stalls. “This is where I’m living. My loft is up there. Do you think whoever did this knows?”
“I’m not sure, but if you’re afraid to stay here, you can certainly stay with me. I have extra rooms.” I do and her staying with me would be amazing but might be difficult for me to rein in all my wayward thoughts about her.
Picking at her cuticles, she looks sheepishly down at her hand. “I couldn’t ask you to do that.”
“You’re not. I’m offering.”
“Let’s see what the tapes say before I decide.” Her entire body is quivering now. Pulling her into a tight hug, I gasp, her soaked shirt freezing against my skin. She’s trembling; probably because her shirt is saturated but also a little out of fear.
“You need to get out of these drenched clothes. I don’t want you to catch a cold.” Reluctantly releasing her from my arms, she takes a step back.
“All the surveillance stuff is in there.” She points to her tiny office, then takes the stairs two by two.
When I upload footage of the past twenty-four hours, it’s all crystal clear until about eight am. At that time everything turns black.
“Why is it all black?” Her quiet tone startles me.
“Likely because the wires were cut.” Pushing back from the desk, I twist to find her holding out an AC/DC sweatshirt hoodie that looks awfully familiar. Taking it from her, I hold up the shirt to find a mustard stain confirming my suspicions. “Is this mine?”
“Um, yes. Let me explain.” She twists her hair between her fingers without making eye contact.
“I spent the night with Finley before flying out to France when clumsy me spilt hot chocolate on my pajamas. She ran into your room and grabbed the first thing she could find that would work as a gown for me because her clothes were currently being washed. But when morning came we slept through our alarms. Thank heavens your mom woke us just in time. I threw on jeans, left your shirt on and she drove me frantically to the airport. I’m so, so sorry I took it. ”
Thoughts of how she’d look in my shirt dance in my mind.
I hate that I missed seeing her in it. “It’s fine.
Don’t worry. I…I’m glad I could help.” My smile grows as she turns bright pink.
Shoving my hands through my hoodie pocket, I ask, “While we wait for the police, tell me what your plans are for this place.”
At this, she all but glows. “I’ve just got to paint it pink, hang the flowers from the ceiling, and place a bike on that wall…
” She points to the back wall. “Then the outside needs major help. I want it to be pink and for flowers to be flowing down as if they are waving at the customers when they enter and leave.”
Following her to the coffee makers, I mention, “I told you I can help you with that. Why haven’t you called?”
“I—I was but when I saw Stella following you into a restaurant last week… I didn’t want to intrude on whatever you two have going on.”
“Okay,” My stomach churns at the thought of what she must be thinking. “I need to fill you in on a few things while we make this fresh coffee.” I hate how she’s avoiding looking at me.
“You don’t owe me any explanations. What you do with your personal life is no business of mine.” She busies herself filling each cup.
“Well, I’m going to tell you anyway.” As she’s perfectly creating a heart out of foam on each drink, I explain all that went down last summer, how nothing ever happened between Stella and me, but that girl can’t take a freaking hint.
“Dang. She led people to believe you two were intimate and an item, yet you two never even dated?” Her mouth falls on its hinges. “That’s awfully ballsy of her.”
“It was stupid of her. If she ever wants a real relationship with anyone, she can’t start it with lies. I never even gave her an inclination that I was interested in her.” It’s the God’s honest truth!
Holding the door open for her, I help her carry the beverages outside.
“So, are you interested in anyone?” Craning her neck over her shoulder, she makes sure I’m following her.
“Actually, can we have dinner tonight?”
“Umm, I guess.” She can’t hide the pink tinge sneaking up her neck.
After we deliver the liquid energy to the lawyer’s office, she twists her foot awkwardly, one of her mannerisms I’ve watched her do for years whenever I was around her. Her nervousness is cute.
When I walk her back to her shop, the police are waiting for us. We both fill them in on the note she found and they dust for fingerprints, go over the footage, and find nothing there. Once they wrap things up and I make sure Teagan is alright, I stress, “I’ll see you at my place tonight at seven.”
“Mm-kay.” A smile stretches across her face so big it shows dimples on both sides of her cheeks. “See you tonight.”
If the nerves swarming in my chest are any indication of how things are going to go tonight, then we’re certainly going in the right direction.