2. Axel
CHAPTER 2
AXEL
How much longer do I have to be in this shithole for?
I glance at the clock on the wall. T-minus 30 minutes. That’s longer than I wanted.
The gym currently sings with its usual energy of weights clashing, music thumping and the occasional grunt from someone trying to show off in the corner.
Opening the office door, I make my way around the space, checking in on staff and answering questions from the members, doing the usual stuff to make sure everything’s running smoothly.
Just as I turn to head back to the office, something black catches my eye from outside.
Strange.
I scan the area, searching for my younger brother Carter. But of course, I find him exactly where I’d expect him to be, eyes glued to some girl’s ass. I don’t waste time making my way over to him as I stride across the gym floor. He looks briefly, like he can sense me coming before going back to his disgusting ways.
“Carter.” I say, my voice sharp enough to cut through the music and background noise. “That car’s back.”
Carter straightens, finally tearing his gaze away from the woman to follow my pointing finger towards the black SUV parked outside.
“Oh, yeah it is.” He mutters, “Do we know who it is yet?”
“Not yet. But we will soon” I don’t wait for him to say anything else as I make my way back to the office to grab my bag. I still have 25 minutes left on the clock, but fuck it. No one is going to stop me from leaving my own gym early.
I sling my bag over my arm but just before I walk out of the main doors, Carter catches me by the arm. “Where are you going? Rachel wants to train with you.”
I look around, seeing Rachel standing in the corner staring at me.
Nodding towards the SUV, I give Carter a smile, “Going to figure out who’s in that car and what they want. Rachel’s all yours brother.”
A grin spreads across his face as he practically bounces up and down at the idea of spending time with her. I scoff at his reaction. Man whore.
I don’t waste any more time hanging around, when Carter shouts across the floor, “Good luck, and may the odds be ever in your favour!”
I shake my head, Carters has been obsessed with the ‘The Hunger Games’ ever since it came out. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen him tear up during Rue’s scene.
When I step outside, the sun’s heat hits me with full force compared to the cool air in the gym. The sound of children laughing and families chatting in the park across the street blend with the faint music still seeping out from the gym behind me.
I change my focus to the car as I take a moment to examine it. It’s been parked here every day for the last four days, from morning to night and not a single person has stepped out.
I get about half way before spotting the outline of someone inside, bending down. They stay down there for a second but after a brief second, they come back up and I freeze.
Fuck me, she’s…
The air leaves my lungs as I spot her wide emerald green eyes staring straight at me. She fumbles with something in the seat beside her which peaks my curiosity more.
What on earth are you up to, Buttercup?
I walk towards her, taking my time so she sees me coming, obviously needing time to hide something. She doesn’t look in my direction again as her gaze locks on the steering wheel.
I knock gently on the window, watching as her shoulders slump like she knows she’s caught. Slowly, she rolls it down, and I get my first real look at her up close.
Jesus.
Her emerald green eyes meet mine for a second before darting away. Somehow, she forces a smile, but I can tell it’s just a front.
“Hi. How can I help you?” she asks, her voice low and smooth, carrying an accent I can’t quite place.
A chuckle escapes me before I can stop it, rough and edged with amusement. “Maybe I should be asking you that, seeing as you’ve been parked outside my gym all week.”
Her cheeks flush immediately, and I can’t help but notice the way her lips part slightly, like she’s trying to come up with an answer.
She’s gorgeous. No. Fucking perfection.
Her green eyes keep flickering to mine, trying not to be obvious, but I know she’s taking me in just as much as I’m looking at her.
“Uh…” she stammers, gripping the wheel tighter.
I smirk, tilting my head slightly. Her silence is telling.
I lean against the car door, just enough to stay in her space without overwhelming her.
“So?” I press, my voice dropping slightly. “What’s it gonna be?”
Her mouth opens, but no words come out. She looks at me, then back at the wheel, and I swear I can see the wheels turning in her head as she tries to think of something.
Then it comes, “Architecture.”
I blink, caught slightly off guard for a second before amusement floods in. “Architecture?”
“Yeah,” she says quickly, her voice gaining a little strength. “I was admiring the architecture.” She points outside the window towards the building I just walked out of.
A slow grin spreads across my face. “Architecture, huh?” My brow lifts, and I let the sarcasm drip from my voice. “Sure. And I’m the mayor of Boston.”
Her lips press together as her blush deepens, and I feel something unexpected stir in my chest.
She avoids my gaze completely and I can’t help but lean in just a little bit. There’s something about her, something that pulls me closer.
“Well,” I say, my voice softer, “Since you’re so interested in ‘architecture,’ maybe you could tell me your name?”
I see her hesitate, her eyes darting around the car as if she’s considering driving off. Finally, after what felt like hours, she glances back at me.
“I’m… Kate.” She says, a little too quickly.
Kate, huh?
I smirk, moving my eyes towards the air freshener that currently dangles from her rear-view mirror. The name ‘Eva’ is printed neatly in the center.
“Kate,” I repeat, making sure to drop a hint of sarcasm. “Nice to meet you, Eva. I’m Axel.” I wait a second, watching for her reaction as I say her real name.
She smiles, but I notice her shoulders tense slightly from the name.
“So, Kate .” I continue, “are you going to tell me why you’ve really been sitting outside my gym for the last four days, or are you just going to keep checking me out?”
Her eyes widen at my accusation.
“I… I wasn’t-” She starts, but the faint stammer in her voice betrays her as she tries to look anywhere else apart from the direction I am in.
I can’t help the grin that pulls at my lips, “Relax, I’m just messing with you. But seriously, what’s going on?”
She clears her throat, her hands still gripping the steering wheel. “I’m just, I’m new to the area and was trying to figure out which gym to join.”
“Uh huh,” I say, still unconvinced. “And you thought the best way to do that was to sit in your car for four days straight instead of coming inside?”
She dips her head, pulling her teeth with her bottom lip as she tries to avoid my gaze.
Fuck, this girl is going to be the death of me. My cock starts to harden as she moves her teeth over her lips. Making me picture them around my cock as I moan her name.
I watch her lips move, imagining taking her into the back office and re-enacting that exact scene in my head. It’s taking every ounce of control not to take her right then and there.
It takes me a moment to realise she was speaking to me, and I haven’t heard a word she’s said.
Down boy, not now.
“Sorry, what?” I say, snapping back to reality.
She gives me a confused look, clearly noticing my lapse in attention
“I don’t think this gym is for me.” She says suddenly, her voice firmer now like she’s trying to take control of the situation. She fumbles with her keys, trying to get them back into the ignition.
Oh no, not so fast sweetie.
Before she has the chance to roll the window up, I step closer, resting my hand lightly on the top edge of the door. “Wait,” I say, dropping my tone softer. “How do you know its not for you if you’ve never been inside?”
She hesitates, going over my question.
“I’ll give you a tour,” I offer, trying to give her an excuse to stay. “On me. Five minutes. What do you say Eva?”
I stand there as she goes over my offer, praying she says yes.
She meets my gaze and for a moment, I see something flicker in her eyes, as if she’s fighting an internal battle with herself.
“Five minutes,” She repeats, her voice barely above a whisper.
Fuck yes.
I hold back a smile, “Five minutes,” I confirm, holding my hands up as I take a step back giving her space.
To my surprise, she pulls the keys away from the ignition and opens the car door. It’s only then that I get a full view of her.
Holy shit.
Her blonde hair falls in soft curls above her shoulders while her black tank top clings to her curves in all the right places. Her leather leggings hug her legs like a second skin, showing her thighs
God, those thighs.
For a second, I forget how to breathe as I take in the sight before me.
Eva, or Kate as she calls herself, clears her throat, snapping me out of my thoughts.
Clearing my throat, I hold my hand out in the direction of the gym. “After you.”
She looks at me for a few seconds, debating if she really should go or not. I take the opportunity to take the lead and go first.
“Or after me” I say before walking back towards the gym, silently praying that she’s following.
God, what am I getting myself into?