CHAPTER
The coolness of the damp towel travels over my heated face and down to my neck. Biting my bottom lip, my eyes travel Axel’s hands as it lowers to my chest, cooling my flushed skin. Instead of skimming over my bra and down to my flat stomach, he reached for the clasp at the front of my bra and release the material, pulling the flaps to one side so he could gaze without hindrance at my breasts.
“You’re so beautiful,” he says and I beam, thankful he didn’t find my small cups to be inadequate. He dips his head to one breast and captures a nipple gently between his teeth, causing goosepimples to break out all over my skin.
“Axel,” I moan.
“Joyce.”
“Joyce.”
My eyes flutter open and I smile up at Axel sitting beside me on the bed, his hip perched at eye level. His fingers are in my hair and he is sweeping the baby fine curls at the front from my face.
“Joyce, are you awake?”
It’s not a dream. Axel is actually here inside my bedroom. I sit up quickly in the bed and stare at him like he’s just stepped out of a Sci-Fi movie. I can’t comprehend what he’s doing here in my bedroom.
“What are you doing here?” I ask him, trying to chase away the sleepiness. The last thing I remember was feeling tired and deciding to go take a nap.
“I told you I’d be by at four to pick you up, didn’t I?” he returns.
I’m shaking my head before he finishes. “No, Axel. I’m not going anywhere with you.”
“I’m not asking you,” he replies. “I’m telling you to get up, get dressed and do your job.”
“My job?”
“Yes, the one you still have as my Personal Assistant. The one you tried to run out on?”
“But it’s the weekend!” I protest.
“Don’t worry. I’ll pay you for the overtime.”
The bastard side of Axel is back, I see. This is exactly why I knew I shouldn’t mess with him. He’s too unpredictable. I’d thought he meant to ask me out personally when he told me to get dressed for four. Especially after the way he’d kissed before he asked that question.
“How did you even get inside the apartment?”
“Your roommate let me in. She’s a very charming girl.”
I experience jealousy that my friend had met with Axel and the way he just described her as charming. Maybe that explains why he’s so cross with me now. He’s run into Jessica, a more beautiful and well-endowed woman who he is more attracted to.
“I’ll be dressed in fifteen minutes,” I tell him flatly. “Please leave.”
“Make it ten. I’ll see if your roommate has anymore funny stories to tell about her teaching job. Her students are hilarious.”
I scowl at his back as he walks off but I hurriedly get out of bed, trying to push the thought of him and Jess being alone from my mind. It couldn’t be very far from my mind though as I hurry to the bathroom to get a quick wash off in record time since the longer I take to dress, the longer Axel would be alone with Jess and discovering all her amazing qualities.
Back in my bedroom, I search through my drawer, not analysing why I grab my brand new black and red Victoria secret underwear set. The deep color of the thong and bra provide a great contrast to my pale skin. The bra also works as a wonder bra, pushing my breasts together so they look even fuller.
Aware I’m already pass the ten minutes he’d given me to get dressed, I grab the first thing off the rack that I see. A gray sweater dress which ends mid-thigh with quarter length sleeves and a cowl neck. On an afterthought, I search for a pair of thick black leggings to pull on underneath the dress and put on my black and gray booties. I don’t have time to pin up my hair so I run the brush through the thick strands several times and leave it loose. I don’t bother with makeup but use a soft pink lip gloss and that’s it. I’m ready to break up the laughing I’m hearing from the living room.
Both Axel and Jessica look up when I walk into the living room. They are sitting close to each other on the loveseat while Jessica is showing him something from her lesson plan booklet.
“Wow, you look great,” Jessica compliments me. “Doesn’t she Axel?”
“Yes, are you ready to go?” Axel responds, getting to his feet.
“Not really,” I answer snootily. “But do I have a chance?”
“You’re right,” he answers but he’s still looking at me from head to toe and I feel pleased that he seems to be enjoying the view.
“Just a minute,” Jessica pipes up and takes hold of my hand. “There’s something I forgot to give you, Joyce. Just five minutes Axel and I’ll bring her back.”
Axel is as confused as I am as Jessica leads me to her bedroom and closes the door.
“What’s that all about?” I ask her.
“He’s awesome!” she squeals quietly. “I’m so happy for you.”
“Seems like you two were hitting it off before I showed up,” I said sulkily.
She punches me in the arm. “Don’t be foolish. For one, that hot stud out there is only interested in you and two, you know I’ve got your back. I wouldn’t give a guy the time of the day if you’re interested in him.”
“I’m not interested in him,” I protest.
“Don’t lie to me girl,” she states and without warning pulls up my dress.
“Jess!” I cry in outrage, smoothing back down my dress over my hips.
“Just checking you’re wearing sexy panties,” she explains. “Sorry for invading your personal space. And nice thong. Men love sexy underwear on a woman.”
“Is that what you drag me in here to tell me?” I ask her.
“I’m helping you to catch a billionaire,” she replies in exasperation. “You’ve hooked him, now you need to reel him in. But you’re going to need this.”
She searches through her night drawer and opens her hand, releasing a strip of condoms which unfolds revealing about a dozen Trojans,
“I’ve got them in large bareskin lubricated, baby,” she giggles at my shocked look. “Now stuff these in your bag.”
“I’m doing no such thing.”
“I mean it Joyce. I’m not saying you’re going to do anything but better be safe than sorry. Every woman needs to walk with these.”
“Is everything okay in there?” came Axel’s voice outside the door.
Knowing his lack of respect for boundaries and that he’s the kind to walk in unannounced, I grab he condoms from Jessica and drops them into my bag.
“Not because I’m going to do anything,” I whisper furiously at Jessica before going over to open the door. Axel is lounging by the door, frowning. “Everything is fine,” I assure him and lace my arm through his, impatient to leave lest Jessica takes this pushing me to be with a millionaire thing way too far and blurts something out that she shouldn’t say.
“I’ll see you later when I get home, Jess,” I tell her.
“I won’t wait up,” she answers with a wicked grin. “It was great meeting you Axel after hearing so much about you.”
Axel returns her grin. “Nice meeting a friend of Joyce.”
I almost drag Axel out the apartment and don’t relax until we’re in his car and he’s backing out of the parking spot.
“So you and your roommate’s been talking about me,” he comments and I close my eyes on a silent groan. Too much to hope he would forget that.
“Jessica exaggerates much,” I respond before changing the subject. We’re not heading in the direction of the office. “Where are we going? The office is in the next direction.”
“Can’t you just relax and trust me a little?”
“Uh no. I’ve a right to know if you’re leading me to my doom.”
He gives a bark of laughter and glance over at me. His laughter is infectious and I can’t stop my lips from upturning in a smile.
“Nothing so drastic, I promise you,” he replies. “You’re going to be helping me to pick out a home.”
“A home? Don’t you have a condo?”
“Yes but that’s in the city. I’d like a home just outside the city where it’s quieter. I’ve a few prospects and hope you can help me to choose.”
“I- I doubt I can be of assistance to you buying yourself a house. I don’t know anything about your tastes.”
“I’m sure you’ll do fine,” he insists. “I remember the day you helped me with ideas to redecorate the office and I can tell you know your stuff. You were very animated and convinced me in everything you were saying? How’d you know so much about this stuff anyway?”
Pride fills me with joy at his compliment so I confess to him, “I studied Art back in college. It’s really my passion. My MBA was just a backup plan and glad I did a double major because my attempt to find a career with my Art degree just never took. It kind of sucks too because I enjoy doing it. Too bad it doesn’t pay my bills.”
“So you’d rather do this interior decorating stuff than working as a PA?”
“Hands down,” I answer in a heartbeat. “Sorry boss but if a job ever comes up along those lines, you’re out of an assistant.”
“Hmm.” That’s all he said and I wonder if I ruined the mood with talk of quitting but relax when he reaches over for my hand and places it onto his hard thigh.
Those condoms are beginning to not seem like such a bad idea after all. Maybe I should listen to Jessica more.