Chapter 27
The familiar purrof a car engine catches my attention, and my lips curl into a smile when I see Axel pulling up out front of the restaurant Luka and I just ate at. A warmth percolates in my tummy as he hops out, flashing fang as he grins at us.
“My two favorite people,” he murmurs silkily, leaning down and planting a chaste kiss square on my lips before he turns to Luka and pulls him in for one of those ridiculous man-hug things. The one where they pat each other on the back, ruffle each other’s hair. The sight of the two of them acting like this makes me giggle, drawing their attention.
“What’s so funny, goddess?” I shake my head, rolling my lips between my teeth as I try not to giggle again. Nope. I’m not touching their bromance with a ten-foot pole. “Fine. Keep your secrets, but I’ll work them out of you eventually.” Why does the sound of that threat make my belly swoop and panties wet? “Alright, goddess. I gotta jet. You two have fun.” He wraps me in his arms, where I’ve been most of the day, and leans down, pressing his lips to mine.
It’s not a sweet, chaste kiss like I just received from Axel. No. This kiss is all-consuming, like he’s trying to suck my soul from my body. And I’m more than a willing participant. My hands fist his shirt, holding him as close as possible. He’s the air I need to breathe. The one that got me out of my funk.
I really don’t want him to go. The night is still so young, but during dinner, he received a phone call that seemed rather important and has to dip out to take care of it. I was more than okay to go back to the academy, but my mate—holy shit, I still can’t believe that little tidbit—didn’t want to send me back when things have been going so well. Which they have. My mood really brightened after putting that bitch at the lingerie store in her place, and since then, I haven’t worried about those around me. Because I know my mate can keep me safe. He’s amazing like that.
Luka pulls away too soon, way too damn soon, and I chase after his lips, not wanting it to end. But he just stares down at me with remorseful eyes, knowing he needs to go.
“I’ll miss you, goddess,” he murmurs, brushing his lips on my forehead. I close my eyes, just living in the moment with him.
“I’ll miss you, too, Lu.” He groans like he’s in pain as he sets me on my feet, and then, with one last look, he disappears from sight.
My mood plummets now that he’s not here, and going back to the academy is starting to sound like a good idea again.
“Hey, now. None of that, cor meum.” Cool fingers grip my chin, tilting my head back. I stare into Axel’s blood red orbs, and it only hits me now that he watched Luka and I make out like teenagers. Heat creeps up my face, wondering what he must think of me. Especially since I did that right after he kissed me. “You’ll see him soon. I don’t think anything could keep him away.”
His words knock the breath from my lungs.
“How are you okay with this?” I sputter, taking a step back and wringing my hands. “You… you kissed me, and then he and I…” I shake my head. “I don’t understand.”
“Cor meum, you may not see it, but you have a huge heart. And I know there’s enough room in there for both of us. If you’ll have us.”
Us? The both of them?
“And,” Axel smirks, pulling me into his cool embrace and trapping my hands between us, “it was hot as fuck to watch.” He rubs what feels like a piece of steel against my clenched hands caught in the middle of our bodies.
Oh. My. Gods.
My panties flood with warmth, a massive juxtaposition to the feel of his icy flesh.
These men are going to leave me panting in a huge puddle of goo, and there’s no denying I’ll need to take care of myself when I get back to the academy. I won’t be able to sleep with all these feelings simmering in my veins.
Part of me still can’t seem to understand how he is okay with this or how Luka—my freaking soulmate—was okay with another man kissing me. But I won’t question it. If they say they’re okay with this, then I’ll have to go with the flow. And just hope and pray they don’t change their mind later on when things get real.
Because there’s no way something like this will last in the long run. It’s not plausible to maintain a relationship with two men. And part of me feels like my soulmate will come out on top each and every damn time. In no way is something like that fair to Axel. He deserves to find someone for him. Someone who doesn’t have crushes or something more with someone else.
But just the thought of him with someone else immediately douses my arousal like I’ve been dipped and held down in a bucket of ice water.
Dammit. I can’t dwell it on, or I’ll ruin the rest of the night.
For now, though, I’ll put it in the back of my mind to dissect another time. It’s not like anything is official between any of us. Yeah, Luka is my soulmate, but he could always find me lacking and reject me.
“Hey.” My head snaps up to find Axel staring down at me with concern. “Where’d you go just now? You look upset.” He reaches out and brushes his thumb between my eyebrows, soothing away the frown I didn’t even know I had.
“Nowhere. I’m here.” He raises a brow, calling me on the lie, but wisely doesn’t comment on it.
“So, cor meum, what shall we do now?” He gazes up and down the sidewalk, lit by the illuminated orbs floating in the sky.
“I don’t know. Maybe we can just…walk?” I shoot him a hopeful look.
In answer, he takes my hand and tucks it in the crook of his elbow and then sweeps the other hand out in front of us. “Lead the way, cor meum. I’ll follow you anywhere.”
Swoon.
The door to my dorm room looms in the distance, and each step toward it has me dragging my feet, not wanting this seemingly perfect night to end. Axel has been nothing but a perfect gentleman since he took over for Luka. And much to my surprise, he hasn’t asked me questions or commented on my ghastly state.
While we went on our walk, he pointed out some small landmarks, things I wouldn’t have thought twice about or even considered asking about. It’s really been fascinating to hear how he recounts things and seeing the world through his eyes.
When we arrived back at the academy, I half-expected the stupid rock bird to be waiting like he was the last time I was off the grounds, but it was blissfully quiet all around. There was a moment where I was sad he wasn’t there, but I quickly got over it when Axel opened my car door and held out his hand for me to take.
We stop right outside the door, and Axel steps back, tucking his hands in his pockets as I fumble for the key to my room. To say I’m flustered is an understatement. It’s like the entire world is holding its breath to see what will happen next. Will I invite him in? Will he ask if he can?
My hands shake, and I almost drop the key three times before Axel molds himself to my back, reaching around to steady my movements. I suck in a sharp breath at the feel of his body against mine. It’s everything I never knew I wanted. Fuck. These men are killing me. I feel like I’m about to combust.
With some finesse, the key finally inserts into the lock, a click echoes the hallway, and I have to remind myself to breathe as he steps back, putting distance between us. Distance I don’t want. It felt way too damn good to have him flush against me.
“So I guess this is goodnight,” he murmurs quietly behind me.
I spin around, leaning back against the door as I contemplate what I want. I could easily invite him in and see where the night goes. But am I ready for that? Would it be better to talk to Luka about it first? Fuck. This is why I don’t know if whatever this is will work. I shouldn’t have to ask someone if it’s okay to do things with another. Everything should come naturally, but all I’m capable of doing right now is overthinking it.
As much as I want to invite him inside and do deplorable things to him, having to debate it in my head is telling enough that I’m not ready. One day, I might be. But just not tonight. Axel isn’t my soulmate, and I don’t want to do anything that may cause strife between me and the other half of my soul.
Because as I see it, I only have one. Not two, even though a certain professor seems to think so.
“Cor meum.” Axel’s voice drags me painfully out of my head. He steps forward, cool hands clasping my face. “I would never do anything to pressure you. It’s okay. And I’m not going anywhere. No matter how long it takes.”
I have to blink back the tears gathering in my eyes. Dammit. I’m such a freaking crybaby for sweet words. Maybe it’s because no one has ever said them to me except for my parents. And now not one but two amazing men have been filling my head with sweetness.
“I’m just…” His thumb covers my lips, stopping my words.
“You don’t have to explain it. I had an amazing night, and I’m glad I was able to join you. I’ve missed you so damn much while I’ve been working. But I’m hoping that maybe you’ll let me take you out on a date soon. A real date. Let me wine you and dine you.”
A watery giggle is all I can muster before he leans down, brushing those cool lips against my warm ones. It’s not enough. Nowhere near enough. My hands find their way into his long blond locks, tangling my fingers in the strands as I pull him closer.
I may not be ready for anything that big, but there’s no way I could end the night without a kiss from my vampire.
A hiss escapes his lips when I tug a little too hard, but I swallow down the sound, keeping it for my own. Axel’s kiss turns downright dangerous as he nips my lip with his fang, making me whimper, and then he soothes over the sting with his tongue. Our sounds mingle together in the hallway, creating a beautiful symphony of how we make each other feel.
Axel jumps back, leaving me gasping, when a door slams down the hallway. Once again the hall is silent save for our harsh breaths.
“I should…” he trails off, throwing his thumb over shoulder as he unabashedly adjusts himself in his pants.
“Yeah.”
“Goodnight, cor meum.”
“Goodnight, vampy.”