CHAPTER SIXTEEN: in which he meets her part 3- AXEL

Twelve years ago

AXEL

“Hey, I’m not asking you to,” I said, hastening to reassure her. “You’re right. The abcession of the leaves in Vermont is pretty cool.”

Again with the smile that stole my breath. “Abscission.”

“Yeah, um, that.” I quickly changed the subject to hide my lack of knowledge. “So... uh, what are you reading?”

“The Alchemy of Air by Thomas Hager.”

“I had to read that for an AP class last year. It’s an influential book.”

She barely hid her scoff. “What did you like about it?”

“Why? You think I haven’t read it?”

Her lips quirked up. “Sum it up in a few words, then.”

“If I do, will you let me take you out?” Mom would throw a fit about me going out at night, but Dad would talk her around.

“When?”

“Tonight.” I said, hoping I didn’t sound too eager.

“As long as it’s after eight, that’s fine.”

“Deal,” I said, turning so her warm, sweet breath fanned my face. “Do you want to kiss on it?”

She pursed her juicy lips, making me stir down below. “Shaking hands will do.” We shook. Longer than necessary, but not long enough for me.

“Well...” She cocked a brow, reminding me of my challenge. “Give it to me. Twenty words or fewer.”

Easy. I don’t have a 4.3 GPA for nothing.

I cleared my throat, then launched into the task. “Haber and Bosch, came up with an alternative way to make fertilizer, saving future generations from starvation.”

With her nod of deference, I felt like I’d won a billion-dollar lottery. Elation coursed through me. I was already planning on having a night to remember, hopefully with plenty of kisses and cuddles, but I didn’t plan on rushing things. With Shondra, I wanted to take things slow... to savor every moment and take those memories back to Vermont. Shondra was different. She wasn’t trying to impress me. She just did.

And for once, I wanted to do the same.

“What film production would you like to attend? Personally, I wouldn’t mind a documentary or indie film.” I mentally patted myself on the back, thinking I was all that.

“Oh, really?” Her look told me she was not fooled by my frou-frou answer. “There is a marathon of art films based on the female and male reproductive system. How does that sound?”

Fuck no. I knew everything there was to know. I had started at thirteen and would probably would finish at a hundred, dying in the middle of sex with an enormous smile frozen on my face. My love of the act didn’t mean I wasn’t overly careful. Given my background, I had to be. The thrill of riding bareback wouldn’t have me paying eighteen years plus for a one-night mistake.

Not this boy.

“Um, not so interested in that. Let’s stick to a mainstream genre. What about a comedy or action?”

She wrinkled her nose. “Hmmm, I don’t mind a romcom, but please no action.”

Anything you want.

I pulled out my phone, and under her direction, we searched the movie listings for the closest theater. Good thing she lived close by, just on the other side of the park. Mom wouldn’t like it if I had to travel farther than a few miles in a strange city. I wouldn’t either, to be honest, but for Shrondra I would.

“Oh, that one looks good,” she said, pointing a manicured nail at my screen, leaning into me.

Thigh to thigh, shoulder to shoulder, and I took the opportunity to stalker-ly breathe in her scent. A mixture of jasmine, vanilla, and some other aroma I couldn’t name.

She popped up, catching me. “Are you sniffing me, Axel?”

Damn.

Her expression wasn’t angry (thank heaven) just curious.

“Um, no.”

Her eyes narrowed.

“Yes. Okay? Yes. It’s just that you smell so good. What kind of perfume is that?”

Her gaze was steady, and there was a hard line to her mouth. “It’s my own. I made it and never lie to me, Axel.”

Shame burned my cheeks. She didn’t hit me, but the sting from her words felt like a bitch slap.

“Sorry, Shondra.”

She bumped her shoulder into mine, forgiving me without words, and her accompanying made everything right with the world.

Damn, do I want to taste those lips...

Shondra was of the same mind. Her chin tilted up in slow motion and she lowered her lashes.

This is it!

The anticipation of laying my lips on hers sent a tremor down my spine.

I moved in.

So soft.

And she tasted like cotton candy. I tugged and teased on her juicy goodness, coaxing her for more. A moan escaped me when she opened her mouth wider. I plunged inside.

Our tongues twisted and turned like a canoe going down a whitewater rapid. We rocked and groaned, clutching on to each other in our need to survive. Eventually, we came down into calmer waters; the thrill lingering even as we broke apart.

“Axel,” she said, catching her breath, her long lashes fluttering. “That was—”

“Shondra!”

Three guys headed towards us, kicking up dirt and leaves with their shoes. Evil intent splashed all over their faces.

“What is it?” I asked, tensing my thighs to spring.

In the fifteen seconds it took for the trio to reach our bench, Shondra gave me low down while removing her hoops from her ears. “The blond has been after me for months. Damn bastard won’t take no for an answer. I’m going to end it today.”

She placed her earrings and Kindle in her bag, setting it on the bench. A car radio blasted Eminem’s Till I Collapse. I smiled, cracking my knuckles. The song was the perfect mood music for stomping some ass.

“So... you too good for the guys around the way, huh Shondra?” said the leader, a bleached-blond with a donut of flesh around his middle. Dude also had the biggest nipples I’d ever seen on a man, a woman, or a cow. Shit resembled like close pins.

The clowns who flanked him (the ass-hat who’d given me lip earlier and a somewhat buff Latino guy) carried off the expressions of crazed-hungry hyenas. Their leader, looking between Shondra and me, was the lion getting ready to enjoy his meal.

Not today.

I had been fighting since the first grade and I hadn’t lost yet. These three pussies would be no exception.

Better make it quick ‘cause Mom will hate it if I come back bruised.

Shondra and I stood as one. I moved in front of her, rolling my neck.

“What do you want, Duke?” Shondra said, moving to my side. Again, I angled my body in front, not realizing what she was doing.

“Name is Daquan,” Lard Belly said, spitting on the ground and wiping his mouth with a dirt smudged hand. “You know that, bitch.”

It’s on now. No one messes with my angel.

“Daquak,” I said, stepping all up in his space. “Why don’t you and your buddies get dafuq outta here.