Chapter 11

He swallowed and pressed his forehead against mine again, “You know what your problem is?”

“What?” I asked in confusion.

“You think too damn much.” He growled before capturing my lips in his again.

A knock sounded at our hotel door and immediately I kicked Axel off from me. Sitting up, I looked at him wide-eyed as if we both were caught doing something really bad. Axel ran his fingers through his black hair roughly, pulling slightly at the ends.

I moved to go answer but he grabbed my elbow and pulled me back down onto the bed.

“Axel, someone is at the door,” I whispered, trying to get up again.

“Forget the door. Forget ever thinking. Fuck, this is not going the way I want it to go. Out of all the woman I have met in my life, you are the most thick-headed.”

“Ok, I am actually offended.” I glared at him. Struggling to get away from him.

He growled in frustration and grabbed both of my arms, shaking me slightly.

“Listen to me.” He said, lowering his head so his eyes were leveled with mine.

After a minute, ”I am listening.”

He rolled his eyes. Again, I watched him become speechless. His mouth opened only to snap shut.

I arched an eyebrow for him clearly concerned now. This was not Axel. Axel is confident and savvy.

I placed a hand on his forehead to feel if he had a fever.

“Are you okay? Do you need a cup of water?” I offered mindlessly.

He laughed unbelievably before clicking his tongue and running another hand through his hair. He glanced back at me and whatever he saw–determination flashed across his dark chocolate eyes.

“Let’s go on a date.” He said, exhaling slowly.

Date? Like date date or just date?

“So, you want to hang out?” Thinking he wants to reassure we were still friends.

“No.” He growled, his jaw ticking. He glanced up at the ceiling as if he was praying for patience.

“Then what on earth do you mean?” I asked in exasperation.

“Christ, Ryleigh. I want to date you. Before you say anything, it is a request completely unrelated to us being friends-”

I lifted a hand to stop him. Surprisingly, he did.

“As in date date?” I clarified.

He nods, “date date.”

I touched his forehead and then cheek, “Did you have too much to drink?”

“Hermosa. No me estás escuchando.” He gritted with a flash of annoyance.

I dropped my hands into my lap. I can hear his frustration with me. I really looked at him and saw how serious he looked. There was no teasing in his eyes.

“You are serious about this?” I asked.

He nods, ”Hermosa, I like you a lot.”

It was my turn to become speechless.

How can someone like Axel ask someone like me out? I didn’t know what to say or even how to respond. My best friend someone who has seen me wail, heard me fart, and belch wants to ask me out on an actual date.

“Say something.” He said, and a hint of uncertainty filtered in from his tone.

“I-I…” I stared at him.

He stared back.

“Why?” I manage to ask to stutter past my lips.

“Why not?” He retorted.

“But we are friends,” I told him like he didn’t know this already. “What if us dating doesn’t work out? What happens to our friendship?”

“Then we go back to being friends.” He replied as if it was something easy to do.

“I don’t know.” I tore my eyes away from his and looked down at my hands, feeling uncertain and strangely excitement pulse through my body. Axel was asking me out on a date.

“Can’t you see past the fact that I am your best friend?” He asked, his eyebrows furrowing.

That’s the thing…I can, and it scares me.

He grabbed onto my hands and clutched them to his chest, “You know me, Ryleigh. I won’t ever hurt you, not on purpose anyway.”

I rolled my eyes and the corner of his lip twitched into a half grin.

“But you’re my best friend…” I argued still.

“I can change your mind.” Determination and desire filled his dark chocolate irises and my stomach clenched in response. I bit my bottom lip as I looked at him.

“You really want to do this? Or are you joking with me?” I asked.

He cupped one side of my cheek, “I really want to do this. Let’s make this relationship real.”

I sucked in a breath, oh lord, I can’t breathe when he was this close around me. Suddenly, my throat felt dry. I licked my bottom lips nervously and his eyes dropped to the small little movement. I watched his Adam’s apple bobbed up and down as he swallowed.

“Ok,” I said.

He smiled, “Ok?”

I nod, “Ok.”

He was grinning when he pulled me in for another quick kiss. I could probably get used to this. His kissing was starting to become a habit and truthfully, he was an excellent kisser. A second later, he pulled me up from sitting on the edge of the bed. He dragged me to the bathroom sink and turned on the water.

“What are you doing?” I questioned in confusion.

My hand that had Juan’s number written on there, he placed it under the running water and started rubbing at my palm-getting rid of the ink.

“Hey!” I tried pulling my hand back.

“You don’t need his number.” He replied. “You have me.”

“Yeah, well he lives in Spain, you don’t. He could’ve shown me around.” I muttered as I watched in horror the number disappears.

“He’s a stranger, Hermosa, for all we know he could kidnap and sell you off to the highest bidder.”

I scoffed in disbelief, “You’re incorrigible.”

He chuckled humorously, and I knew internally he took pleasure in rubbing off Juan’s number. Evil. There was no regret in his eyes.

When he was done, I yanked my hand back and grabbed a towel to dry it. All the while, glaring at him. He looked pretty damn proud of himself.

After I was done drying my hand, I placed the towel on the bathroom counter, “I don’t know if I like this idea now.”

He smirked and leaned forward. I backed up, completely pinned in as he placed two hands on the bathroom counter.

“You like it.” He said huskily. His eyes dropping to my lips again.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, clearing my throat I answered him.

“No,” I told him.

He leaned closer, his lips mere inches from mine.

“You like the idea that I am yours.” His eyes flitted up to mine after gazing at my lips. My core responded immediately, crying out for him to do something and my heart was beating so fast I swear he probably hears it.

I let out a squeak when I felt his thumb slowly drew circles on my hip. I can feel every stroke like it was fire licking my skin. He bit his bottom lip and suddenly I wished I was the one biting his lips.

“Axel…” I squeaked.

“Hm…” He murmured, his eyes moving back down to my lips.

I summoned whatever strength I have left and pressed two hands against his chest, shoving him away. He blinked in surprise.

I huffed and straighten out my clothes before stepping out of the bathroom leaving behind a shocked Axel. I hurried to the other side of the room. He came out of the bathroom and hopped onto the bed, turning to lay on his side and propping up his head with one hand.

“We are going to do this slow.” I reasoned with him and started walking back and forth.

He watched me pace with a bored expression on his face.

“Axel!” I snapped and glared at him.

He chuckled, “Why? Are you afraid I will ravish you alive?”

“As a matter of fact, yes. You look like a hungry wolf about to pounce on his prey.” I retorted, turning to face him and propping my hands on my hips.

He grinned, “Wolf, huh?”

I rolled my eyes and pressed a palm to my temple. I think I am coming down with something. I heard him laugh again.

“Hermosa, don’t worry. We will take it slow.” He agreed.

I removed my palm to look at him suspiciously. He was still wearing that sexy smirk that told me he wasn’t telling me everything.

“Axel…I mean it. This means no touching. No kissing. No hugging. You will sleep on your side of the bed and I will sleep on my side of the bed. George will be in the middle.”

“Wow, that slow huh?” He laughed and with the speed that I didn’t even think he had, he got up, grabbed my wrist and pulled me down onto the bed with him. All in under a minute. The only thing I manage to do was let out an unladylike squeak before I was effectively underneath him and him perfectly on top of me.

I blinked in surprise and he smirked upon seeing my shocked look.

“Why can’t I touch you, Ryleigh?” He asked, his voice dropping down a notch. “Why can’t I kiss you? I know you like my kisses.”

I do. So much. God, I am horrible, but I wasn’t going to be another one of Axel’s one-night stand. I won’t give it to him just like that.

“Axel, get off me,” I ordered but I didn’t sound very convincing. He feels perfect on top of me and there was a part of me that was screaming for him to kiss me. That part of me was a shameless hussy.

“I promise you I won’t touch you until you ask me to, but I can’t promise you that I won’t kiss you.” His eyes dropped to my lips and with one hand cradling my cheek, he rubbed his thumb sensually across my lower lip. My lips tingled with the tender brush of his thumb.

“I like the taste of you, Hermosa. Estoy adicto a tu sabor como in drogadicto esperando su proxima alta. (I am addicted to the taste of you like a drug addict who is pining for his next high.) I will go crazy if every day I see you but am not able to kiss you.” My heart hammered in my chest. The way he was looking down at me–no one had looked at me that way before.

Under his intense gaze, for the first time, I felt wanted and beautiful. A feeling of empowerment washed over me. It was exhilarating that I couldn’t find it in myself to deny him.

“This is crazy,” I whispered with finality.

An hour later and Axel and I were getting ready for bed. I placed George in the middle but he was carelessly thrown at the foot of the bed.

“Hey-”

“You don’t need him. You have me.” Axel got under the covers.

I made a sound of disbelief before fluffing my pillow and moving to the edge of the bed. A second later, he wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me to the middle.

“If you need someone to hold you at night, you have me now.” He replied, spooning me from behind.

I could argue with him but it was extremely comfortable wrapped up in a heated cocoon and after today events I was completely exhausted. So, I let him win. I closed my eyes and allowed sleep to take over.

Chapter 12

“Paella is Spain’s well-known rice dish. It is a dish that is constantly evolving. The bright, fluffy rice dish can be found all over Spanish restaurants. Present day, you can find in the rice dish that it is complemented with different kinds of meat such as shrimp, lobsters, and chorizo.” The chef in the cooking class eyes was beaming with excitement as he spoke about the dish that Axel was currently cooking. “It is the epiphany of smoky, dark, and richness. It is like a burst of flavors.”

Axel was cooking the meat in the pan with garlic. Immediately the room was filled with the toasting of garlic. In this cooking session, everyone must take a part in cooking their dishes. Axel was cooking the meat and so I decided to help by cutting the tomato.

The chef walked passed by us but not before he gave my tomatoes a disapproving frown. I muttered curses under my breath and heard Axel chuckling beside me.

“Ugh! This is so hard.” I pouted, setting the knife down.

“My god, woman, you really don’t know how to cook. Look at all the shape and sizes of your diced tomatoes.” He pointed at my failed attempt at dicing tomatoes.

“You know what, Axel, I don’t care because it is not the looks that matter. It is the taste.” I lifted my chin proudly.

“Until you taste more tomato than rice or meat.” He countered.

Damn it. He’s right.

“Ugh! Why can’t you just do all the work?” I growled and picked up the knife. I began dicing it into more even cube slices.

Axel and I continued working on our dishes. When he was finished doing his part, he slid over and finished the rest. I leaned back on the counter with my arms crossed.

“All this cooking and explaining is giving me a headache. I need food.” I grumbled a little disgruntled.

He was chopping up the bell peppers and I took the time to look him over discreetly. I have noticed I have been doing that lately. This morning when we woke up, he still had his arms wrapped around me. It was strange how easily I am used to this. I chalked it up to the fact that we lived next to each other for several years and have learned to become comfortable with each other. Axel was the only other person besides my brother that I can act like myself and not feel like I need to impress.

My mind was still reeling with the fact that Axel wants to date me. In fact, this is our first date. I kind of found it amusing that even though it was our first date, he was still himself. There was no weird awkward tension between us.

He must have felt my eyes on him because his attention moved from the bell peppers to me.

“Checking me out, Hermosa?” He teased with a smirk.

I scoffed, “Of course not. I was just looking at someone behind you.”

He turned to see who was behind him and it was a very heavy, large man with a very shiny forehead. Axel turned back to look at me with another smirk.

“I didn’t realize you like bald men.” Axel teased.

Realizing my mistake, I fought back a blush and slapped him playfully over the head, “Just focus on cooking.”

He chuckled before tossing the bell peppers into the skillet. He continued to cook and when he tossed in all the ingredients in, he turned the stove on low to simmer.

Now we wait. I hate waiting for food, especially when it smells this amazing.

“There is a rule about dating, Hermosa.” He propped his hands on either side of me, locking me into the stool that I was sitting on by the counter. I looked up at him. He was very close, the tip of his nose brushing mine.

“What’s that?” I asked.

“The third-date rule.” He was looking at my lips and heat pool between my legs.

“T-third?” I am scrambling at this point to speak coherently. I remember watching a movie about this once. The first date is plainly getting to know one and another. The second date is to indicate that you are serious, and the third date was initiated intimacy.

His cocky, yet sexy smirk grew. He knew I knew because he watched those movies with me a thousand times.

“It doesn’t apply to us.” I pushed against his chest with one palm but god, he was like a boulder.

He brushed the tip of his nose back and forth with mine. His thick long eyelashes spanning his cheek. Funny how something that should make him look delicate, make him look sexier than ever.

“It doesn’t?” He whispered huskily.

“It doesn’t,” I confirmed.

“That’s right because you and I have gone on many dates together. At home, we watched movies together, gone out to eat together-”

“W-w-what?” I stuttered even more. Sneaky Axel. He was using our friendship dates as our date dates.

He chuckled before kissing the tip of my nose.

“I am kidding, Hermosa. You look thoroughly flush right now. If I am taking a guess, you are completely attracted to me.” He pulled back and went back to the skillet to check on the food.

I scoffed to feign indifference, but the truth was—I was. I was completely attracted to him.

By now the classroom was filled with a strong aromatic smell of Spanish flavors. The strong smell of cooked garlic, onions, tomatoes, and seafood swam around us. My stomach grumbled its eagerness to taste whatever it was that was cooking.

Once everybody was done the cooking, we were all given time to eat our dishes. The delight in everyone’s faces in tasting the food could be seen on their faces as they dug in. Axel scooped us both each a dish.

After our cooking class, we got to pack home our leftovers. Axel and I got out of the stone building and walked to the rental car we parked on the street. He sat our leftovers in the back seat before getting into the driver seat.

“Where do you want to go next?” He asked.

I shrugged, “Let’s go do some shopping. I need to wear something else besides your clothes and what I bought to please my mom.”

I glanced down at the outfit I had on. It was Axel’s plain black t-shirt and one of his athlete shorts. This morning, Axel and I had snuck out early to go take this cooking class. My mother had texted me last night and said she had tried coming back to my hotel room to inform me that they were going to go look at flowers at some flower shops in Barcelona. Afterward, they were going to head to the wedding boutique and try on some gowns.

Axel and I decided to skip out on the flowers and meet them at the boutique. However, it wasn’t quite time yet. So, I am going to use this time to do what I want to.

We went to one of the malls in Barcelona. The shopping center was huge and beautifully built with curved tinted mirror windows. Although I am not a big shopper, I was easily excited and couldn’t wait to explore.

Axel and I stopped in several shops and bought a few things. I bought myself several pairs of new flat shoes. I don’t know why but heels scare the crap out of me. Those high inch heels look about ready to snap under my weight.

After, we stopped for some melty goodness ice cream. We sat at a table and ate. I got plain old chocolate because that’s how boring I was but Axel was just as boring as he got himself some vanilla ice cream.

Some ice cream dripped down the cone and I let out a small yelp before bringing the ice cream closer and licking it. Then I proceeded to make sure not to lose a drop of ice cream by licking around it.

When I looked up and saw Axel looking at me with heated dark eyes, I clenched my thighs together while my stomach burned with a full-blown desperate need for something.

I cleared my throat and turned away and then heard Axel chuckling.

“Eating like that will get you into a lot of trouble, Ryleigh.”

I gave him an innocent side look with a shrug, “No clue what you’re saying.”

In a flash, he was leaned over the table, grabbed a hold of my chin. I blinked up at him surprised before I knew his lips were on one corner of my lips. The inside of me intensified.

When he pulled back, he shrugged, “You had ice cream at the corner of your mouth.”

“Could have told me…I could have just wiped it.” I murmured before unconsciously moving to touch where he just kissed me.

One corner of his lip lifted into a sneaky grin, “Kissing you seems to be the better option.”

After we finished our ice cream, we decided to head to the boutique before my mom starts to frantically text me. On our way out though, Axel stopped by a nearby gift shop. He told me to wait outside the shop.

When he came out, he was carrying something behind his back.

“What do you have behind your back?” I asked, tilting my head slightly in hopes I might catch a glimpse.

He pulled it out and in front of me was a white fluffy teddy bear in a pink ballerina dress.

I arched an eyebrow, “I already have George.”

“No, you already have me. George now has cute, stylish Raina.”

“Raina?”

“That’s what I am naming her. George is going to love her.” He was grinning.

I couldn’t help but laugh, “You bought George a companion. Aww, you’re so cute.”

His smile slipped and he deadpanned, “I didn’t buy it to be cute. I am not cute. I bought it, so George can stay off the bed.”

I laughed some more, “You’re horrible, Axel. I can’t believe I am encouraging this, but she will be cute next to him.”

“Good, let’s pray that George stays off the bed.” Axel looked heavenward.

I scoffed, “I can’t believe you.”

However, on the inside, I’m melting. It was sweet of him to buy another teddy bear for me.

I moved to pull the teddy bear from him. She was soft and fluffy and had on a pink ballet dress—so new. In comparison to little George at home who has been with me for a while. I must admit, she will be adorable next to old and tattered George.

We made it out of the mall shortly after and started our drive to the boutique.

Chapter 13

When we arrived at the boutique, everyone was there and what I meant by everyone is that the shop closed today specifically for Emery’s gown fitting. The men in the family sat around all over the boutique. A few were touching their phones, the rest were having conversation back and forth.

When my mother saw me, she immediately waved me over. Axel following behind.

“I am not going to discuss your attire today. I’m going to pretend you are wearing something decent.” She sniffed distastefully.

I tried not to roll my eyes and pushed past her opinions. Years of living with my mother, I take what can I can. Fighting will get me nowhere other than her sobbing and causing a scene. She lifted a dress for me.

“I have found the perfect dress for you.” My mother lifted a tight-fitting knee-length crème color dress.

“Mom, you know I don’t like wearing tight-fitting clothes,” I told her.

She huffed, “Can’t you at least try it on?”

I took the dress from her and the first thing I do is glance at the size. My eyes widening when I saw the size.

“This will not fit me. I’m at least a size sixteen in dress. This is a size ten.” I handed it back to her.

She sniffed, “Well, it would have fit you if you did the program I told you about.”

“Mrs. Friedman, I am sorry to interrupt but is that really necessary? Your daughter is perfect the way she is.” Axel looked dangerously angry. He took a protective step in front of me almost shielding me from my own mother.

My mother was about to open her mouth to hurtle back another remark, but Axel raised his hand halting my mother’s words.

“If you don’t mind, I’ll like to have a few words with Ryleigh.” He pulled me away. His grip on my arm tightening with each passing second.

He pulled me to a private corner, “Why do you let her talk to you like that?”

I rolled my eyes, “I’m used to it. That’s just how she is.”

“That doesn’t give her the right to throw insults at you? She’s putting you down and she’s your mother.” Axel’s eyes darkening with fury.

I placed a hand on his cheek, “Hey, you. Look at me.”

He blinked, and his eyes calmed down a notch.

“I’m fine. Seriously. I’ve learned to brush it off.”

“I have known you for a long time, Ryleigh. She’s the main reason why you can’t see how fucking beautiful you are.” Axel growled.

Dear lord, this man is about to go hulk in this boutique. I needed to redirect his anger. Find something for him to do.

“Hey, how about you help me find a dress,” I told him.

It worked because his eyes returned to normal. He exhaled harshly and ran his fingers through his hair again. He glanced around the boutique and then back at me.

“Let’s just get this over with. If we stay here any longer, I might just strangle your mother.” He snapped before taking a hold of my wrist. We went through the aisles of dresses.

I was looking at one side while he looked at the other. He was the only man who was searching for dresses which earned him a few whispers from women nearby. Axel didn’t pay them any regard.

When we found a couple of dresses, we went into a private dressing room where he handed me some dresses to try on. I put his choices along with mine.

I tried on all the dresses that he and I both picked out but all of them made me feel uncomfortable and extremely ugly and fat. It either made me look like I an all-around cupcake or I cut a hole in a bedsheet and put it on over my head.

Sitting in the dressing room, I suddenly felt like crying. I tell Axel that I brush it off but those comments that my mother makes are hurtful. I can try not letting it get to me, but I have ears. I hear things and I can’t unhear them even if I wanted to. I know she loves me, but my mother was a very shallow person.

Tears started running down my cheek and I started sniffling. I cried sitting on the bench in the dressing room in nothing but a matching set of violet lace bra and panties. It was one that I bought before coming here.

I stood up and looked in the mirror and saw how my muffin top and belly fat stuck out. I even tried putting my hair down to see if it will help make me look better in a dress, but nothing worked. This was why I don’t like shopping.

I was so busy sniffling and crying that when the curtains to the dressing room suddenly were yanked open, I let out a scream only for me to stifle it back when I saw who it was.

Axel looked me up and down before his eyes landed on my face. My eyes were red from crying. My cheeks were streaked with tears.

“Why are you crying?” He walked inside, uncaring that I was completely naked. My butt cheeks half shown. He closed the curtains behind him and took a step forward.

His body heat spread all over my backside. I wanted to so much lean into his body for comfort.

“It’s nothing,” I mumbled, wiping my tears.

He rolled his eyes, “I’m not stupid.”

“Then why did you ask me if you aren’t?” I retorted with a cheesy sad smile.

He smirked before placing two hands on the bare skin at my waist. Immediately, heat and shock waves sizzled through my body from that small little touch. I swallowed and met his eyes in the mirror.

“Do you not see how beautiful you are?” He asked.

“Beautiful? Where? I see nothing but fat.” I grumbled, even as confident as I can be. I still hold insecurities.

“We are all flawed in our own ways, Hermosa. You, however, are not flawed because of this body. You are flawed because you let those words get to you. You are beautiful.” His hands dipped lower, his voice turning huskier.

“These curves are delicious. Sexy.” He murmured.

I watched him in the mirror. The way he caressed my side, all the while with his eyes looking into mine. I know Axel and I have looked into his eyes so many times. He can read me as much as I can read him. His eyes were smoldering with lust.

He bit his lower lip as his hands skimmed to my front, wrapping around me.

“Why can’t you see what I see?” He whispered in a such a deep tone that I couldn’t help but shiver.

“What do you see?” I breathed.

“I see perfection. I see the curves of a strong woman.” He replied. “Want to know a secret?”

“We have been friends from a long time, Ryleigh, but you don’t know what I have been thinking every damn time when you and I are sleeping right next door to each other.” God, his voice getting huskier with desire. The ache between my legs increasing to an unimaginable magnitude.

“And?” I breathed, feeling the air thin almost completely in this dressing room.

“When I am laying in bed, I imagine you on top of me. My hands on your curvy waist while you ride me.” He admitted.

He pressed his front to my back and that’s when I felt his very hard bulge. He groaned and his fingers dug into my sides slightly. I gulped back a moan.

“You’re lying.” I can’t believe it. How can someone like Axel want someone like me?

“The evidence pressing onto you back should be truth enough. I’m hard as fuck for you.”

To my horror, a moan slipped and his dark chocolate eyes burned with a new lustful determination.

“Let me touch you. Show you just exactly how beautiful you are. Exactly how much I want you.” He said.

God, call me weak if you will but at this very moment, I needed this. I needed his words, his encouragement, and his desire.

I nodded and that was all the encouragement he needed.

Axel spun me around and pressed me against the wall. His large and hard body pressed up against me. His lips crushing mine–exploring, invading a familiar territory and marking it as if he owned my lips and tongue. Declaring that no one will kiss me again.

I felt his hands slipped behind and palmed my ass, squeezing it, and grounding his bulge against the spot that I ached the most.

When he pulled back, he was breathing hard, fighting for control.

“Last chance to back out, Hermosa, before I lose control.” His voice husky with need.

I looked at him. His lips were swollen from kissing me. His eyes filled with appreciation and desire.

“What if someone comes in and catches us?” I was breathing just as hard.

“Do you really care what they think?” He asked. One hand moved to my breast and twisted my nipple.

I bit back another moan. He dropped his head and latched onto my nipple over the lace bra. I cried out softly and my hand went to his hair. I have never been touched intimately like this before. It was a whole new sensation.

“Fuck what they think…” I gasped, just wanting more of this mind-numbing pleasure he was giving me.

Chapter 14

What am I thinking? This was Axel—my best friend—well, I mean boyfriend?

His mouth was on my body. He was making me feel all kinds of things that I shouldn’t feel. I heard voices coming closer to the dressing rooms.

My body went cold with chill and consciousness. Axel felt it too because he pulled back. His eyes still dark with desire but I couldn’t. I averted my eyes and pushed him away from me, shielding my body with a dress.

Emery and her friend’s voices came closer. They were giggling and talking about their gowns. I turned around to look at Axel with wide eyes. He ran a frustrated hand through his hair again. He’s been doing that a lot lately. His eyes swept me up and down before he groaned and literally rubbed his face with one hand.

“Axel, someone is coming,” I whispered to him, pushing him towards a wall. My lack of clothing seemed to be less of a concern to me right now.

“So?” He arched an eyebrow, his hands resting at my hips while thumbs were drawing circles. He tried pulling me closer and I can see the evidently growing bulge in between his legs. Gulping, I covered his mouth with my hand and placed a finger to my lips to shush him.

His eyes lit up and his hands trailed down to my butt. He gave it a good squeeze before pulling me fully onto him. My eyes widened, and I struggled but he passed it off without a care. He bent down and began nibbling and sucking on my shoulder and neck.

Emery and her friends were right outside my dressing room now and my whole body stilled. I was fighting the urge to flee and the crawling urge to satisfy the ache between my legs. I bit my lip to stop a moan from escaping.

Axel’s hands slipped up to cup one of my breasts, his thumb smoothed over the hardened pebble underneath the lace material. The moan was coming up and I suffocated it by grabbing a hold of Axel’s cheek and slamming my lips onto his. He immediately complied without any hesitation. His tongue slipping in to slide across mine.

He smothered my moans with his kisses, but his hands never stopped touching my body. He took his time caressing me, exploring my body.

“Ryleigh? Are you in here?” Emery’s voice pierced through the fog of desire. I pushed away from Axel, breathing hard.

Swallowing I tried to calm down myself before answering.

“Yeah?” I said.

“Hey, listen, I have a dress for you to try on. I saw it on a rack and thought it will look good on you.” Emery said before tossing it over the curtains at me.

I stared at the gold sequin material in my hand that was tossed over by Emery. I’m surprised she even thought about me.

“Thank you. I’ll try it on.” I told her.

I heard her retreating footsteps with her friends again before I turned on a smirking Axel. He ran a thumb across his bottom lips, his eyes dipping down to my body again. I slapped him in the chest.

“Eyes up here, mister,” I growled quietly.

His smirk widened, and I huffed before turning around to face the mirror. I slipped into the soft sequin dress. When the dress was finally on me. The gold metallic material hugged my body comfortably and fell to mid-thigh.

When I looked in the mirror, I couldn’t help the small smile that appeared. The dress was beautiful on me. Axel pushed off the wall, biting his lips.

He clicked his tongue on the roof of his mouth, “God damn, Hermosa.“

The dress’s sequin pattern took the attention away from my stomach fat and my muffin top. Instead, it focused it the curves of my body. Finding a dress that compliments a plus size woman was hard.

“I can’t believe I am saying this but thank your cousin for me. You look beautiful in that dress.” He whispered huskily and affectionately. I looked up at him with a smile on my face before lighting pushing him in the direction of the curtains.

“Get out of here, Axel.”

He sighed, “You’re a tease, Ryleigh, even when you don’t know it.”

Luckily, he obeyed and stepped out of the curtains. After staring in the mirror for a while, I took off the dress before putting my clothes back on and returning to the party.

Once we paid for our dresses, everyone headed back to the hotel. It has been a long day and the sun was setting. A few relatives have gone out to eat at nearby restaurants. While a few headed back for drinks at the bar.

Axel, once again, got pulled away to go drinking with my brother and father. I told him I’ll be upstairs. I needed to clean up a little and put things away.

Unlocking my bedroom, I placed our cooked dish in the refrigerator in the room before tossing my clothes onto the bed. I yawned in exhaustion and flopped down to the mattress.

“God, this has been a long day,” I mumbled. I struggled around the bed to get comfortable. I ended up pulling Raina out from underneath me.

Looking at the stuff teddy bear, I thought back to Axel. Although he doesn’t admit it, he has always been sweet to me. He and I rarely fight and if we did, he usually gives in and talks to me. Well, part of it has to do with him being wrong all the time.

Laughing a little to myself, I got up and placed Raina next to George on the desk in the room. A smile slipping on my lips when I saw how cute they were together. I sighed and continue to clean up my clothes. After I was done, I grabbed a pair of pajama shorts and a tank top before heading to the bathroom.

I stripped out of my old clothes and hopped into the shower. I washed my hair and my body with my favorite body soap and shampoo before hopping out and drying my body with a new towel that the maids have replaced when we were gone.

After I was done, I walked out of the bathroom and hopped onto the king size bed again. Crawling underneath the sheets, I picked up the remote and flipped through the channels. It didn’t help much that everything was in Spanish and I didn’t have my live translator next to me, translating everything.

I settled on a romance drama. Placing the remote back onto the nightstand, I slid down the bed to get more comfortable. My eyes on the screen I watched the man kiss the woman passionately after they argued back and forth.

I had only watched a short part of the drama before I found myself completely asleep. I woke up when I heard pounding on the door. I groaned unhappily and walked to open it. It was an hour since I came back.

I found Axel smiling down at me. I rolled my eyes and turned around to go back to bed. I heard him close the door behind me before following.

“You woke me up,” I grumbled.

“Yes, well, I couldn’t find my card.” He shrugged before stripping out of his t-shirt in front of me. I crawled back into bed and settled into the mattress.

“You better not be drunk, Axel.” I murmured with a sigh.

“I know. I’m a little buzzed though.” He replied before I heard him walk into the bathroom to take a shower.

I sighed and snuggled further, closing my eyes and fell back asleep.

However, I was again, jerked away when I felt the bed dipped. I turned around and came face to face with Axel who was looking right at me.

We were so close that his nose touched mine. I pulled back a little, but he slipped an arm around my waist and pulled flushed against his body.

“Axel…” I protested.

“Hm?” He murmured, leaning forward and grazing his lips on mine.

“I want to sleep.” I lied. My body was fully awake now and was practically humming his name.

“Then sleep.” He replied and moved his lips from my lips to my cheek. He made it seem like a simple task, but he was making it exceptionally difficult by being so near me. I rolled onto my back, but he followed and was now on top of me.

“Axel…” I whispered, feeling him between my legs.

“Your brother and dad are nice guys.” He said.

I frowned, finding it odd to talk about my family right now when he was settled on top of me.

“Um…ok,” I replied.

He chuckled and nipped at my lower lip before pulling back up, “I had a good time with them.”

“That’s nice but…um…Axel…you are on top of me. Are you sure you aren’t drunk?”

“Far from it.” He whispered in a husky tone.

“Axel, what are you doing?” I persisted, my breath hitching when I felt him suck on my neck.

“Tasting you.” He simply replied.

Then he pulled back to look at me. The only source of light glinting into the room was the city lights and moon. It was dark but even so, I can still make out his facial features.

“I know you want me, Ryleigh.” He said. “Why deny something you and I know we will both take pleasure in?”

“I don’t want to but…” I pushed him off me. Luckily, this time he complied. I scooted up into a sitting position.

“Axel, I don’t want to be another one of your girls…”

“You will never be them. I know you, Ryleigh. I’ve told you things I have never told anyone. Will it be that bad to give in to temptation with me?” His eyebrows furrowed.

“I want it to be special,” I told him. I don’t want to give into temptation and throw away my v-card for nothing.

“You really think that shallow of me?” He looked slightly hurt.

I know Axel is a complete playboy. I have spent years sleeping next door to him. I’ve heard him with women. He doesn’t stick to one girl. He doesn’t do dates. It is always one-night stand.

On another hand, Axel has never hurt me before. In fact, he is always one phone call away. I remember my car breaking down on the highway a couple months back. I called him, and he came to pick me up in a fire truck.

He wouldn’t have done this to any other girls. I’m the only exception but that was because I was his friend, right?

“No, I don’t. You have always been there for me.” I admitted, recalling how he stood up for me in front of my mother.

“Hermosa, I know you and I have just started dating but if you really think about it—you are the only woman I have ever courted and chased.” He chuckled before sighing and flopping back to his side of the mattress.

“If you would like to wait. I can wait.” He sighed.

“Maybe in a couple of months-”

His head shot up, “I said I’ll wait but not that long. Woman, I’ll have blue balls by the time you say ‘yes’.”

I couldn’t stop smiling, “You can do it.”

“I’ll make you a promise—I will only go as far as you will allow me.” He negotiated.

I rolled my eyes and pushed him back onto the bed. He chuckled and got underneath the bed covers. I let out a yelp when he grabbed me around the waist and yanked me back down onto the bed into the crook of his body. His body spooning mine.

“Will that work with you, Hermosa?” He whispered huskily in my ear.

He felt me nod and gave me a grunt of approval before kissing my cheek and settling back onto the pillow.

Chapter 15

Heat.

Hot heated desire stirred between my legs when I felt his hands that were wrapped around my waist dip lower. My hands touching my skin didn’t compare to his rough heavy calloused hands. With his body, Axel flipped me to lay on my stomach. His body pressed me down but his one arm forced me to arch my lower body so that his hand can work his way underneath my panties.

His subtle, silent demands were doing a number on my panties. I’m soaking wet and he let out a throaty groan when he felt it. My body quivered when he ran his large finger through my wet slit and lower to my entrance.

“So wet already for me, Hermosa.” He said huskily.

God, His fingers were magic. They were touching me in all the right places. His firm cupping of my sex was almost like an act of possession.

“Axel…” My breath hitched when I felt him slip inside me. A soft moan escaping.

“God, baby, say yes. Let me show you just how good it is to give in.” He coaxed.

When I didn’t answer him, he pumped his fingers furiously inside of me and I cried out at the intense pleasure.

“Ryleigh…”

Ugh…this feels so good it must be a dream. I moaned and struggled to rock my hips for more friction.

“Ryleigh…”

My eyes snapped open.

My god, why am I dreaming about him?

Axel was out of bed and buttoning up a white dress shirt. His deep-set dark chocolate eyes were trained on me. Drool was dripping from the corner of my mouth. Realizing, I was moaning in my sleep, I died of mortification. I turned to my right to roll over to my side but I didn’t realize how close I was to the edge of the bed until I screamed. Thus, I fell to the pits of more humiliation.

Thump!

I groaned and rolled over to my back. Axel was laughing at this point. He walked over and crouched down in front of me.

“You either had a fucking good wet dream or a nightmare. Either way, I have never seen you roll out of bed that fast.” He teased. The corner of his lip lifted and a soft chuckle rumbled from his chest.

“Ugh! Shut up!” I grumbled, pushing myself to stand up and untangling myself from the sheets.

He walked over to my side of the bed, “What were you moaning about?”

“I was not moaning.” I retorted.

“Tell those lies to someone who believes in it, Hermosa.” He said indifferently.

I huffed and straightened my tank top back down to cover my barely concealable muffin top. Going to sleep results in two things. Boobs popping out of bra or tank top or tank top riding up to my waist because of my wide hips.

“I am not.” I denied.

“When you lie, your voice rises until you are practically screeching.” He smirked, his arms crossed over his chest.

I scoffed and shoved him to the side, “This conversation is over, Axel. I need a shower.”

“Oh, so it was that kind of dream.” He baited further. His deep-set eyes swept over my face as he leaned forward.

“Aw, you are blushing.” He pinched my cheek.

“Oww!” I pried his fingers away from my cheek before slapping him in the chest. “Stop pinching me.”

He made another move to pinch my other cheek but I sidestepped his assault and ran to the bathroom. In there, I let out a heaving breath of relief. I can’t believe I was moaning in my sleep. How embarrassing! How long was he standing there, watching me drool and moan like some kind of sex-crazed maniac?

I groaned and covered my face. I will never get over this. This is too much.

I took off my clothes and jumped into the shower, turning it slightly colder than I normally set it because god knows my body was heating up in more than one way.

A week passed by quickly since the incident in the dressing room at the wedding boutique. There weren’t much wedding activities other than the bride fussing over things she needed to prepare for her wedding that will be happening in two weeks. Today, we will be heading checking out of the hotel and heading to the venue. Everyone is supposed to meet downstairs by noon.

During the past week, Axel has driven me to the point of insanity. The kisses he gives me at night and morning makes me weak in the knees. The way he can’t keep his hands off me, and the last couple of dates we have gone on. There was no doubt that I am sexually attracted to this man. There was also no doubt that I was starting to harbor more than friendship towards him. I liked him a lot, so much that my heart tightens at the sight of him and burns when I see him talking to another woman.

Especially that Christina chick who was the wedding planner and friend of Emery. Her short pixie blonde hair and dainty small face along with her slim body make me feel inferior. She has been talking to Axel a lot more than I would like.

There are times I would catch her talking to him during dinner in one of the conference room. I would see her subtly touching his biceps while laughing at what he said. The sight makes me nauseous with bile crawling up my throat. I told myself Axel is not interested in her that he was just making friendly conversations. It usually helps me.

God, I am not the jealous type or at least I don’t know that I was, because I have never dated but now I do. I was jealous and possessive. A small voice in my head was telling me I am treading on very thin ice, that I should be careful. However, I can’t stop the feelings.

Again, this is insane-madness to the point where I am having major wet dreams about this man.

I didn’t realize how long I showered until the tips of my fingers were starting to wrinkle. I turned off the water and stepped out and dried myself with the hotel towel. When I finished, I realized that after my little argument with Axel, I have forgotten to bring clothes to change into.

I’m going to have to walk out there in only a towel. I glanced down my body and saw that the towel wasn’t even long enough to wrap around my thick body. I can try holding the ends together but that will still leave my entire body exposed.

I opened the door a crack and tried to peek out, “Axel?”

There was no answer.

I sighed in relief and opened the door wide open thinking he had left to go downstairs. Hurrying to my suitcase, I opened it up and put on some hot pink cheeky panties and a comfortable hot pink push up bra.

After, I stood in my undergarments and eyed two pile of clothes in my suitcase. One side was what my mother would like me to wear and the other side was the clothes that Axel and I went to the mall to shop for.

I decided to pull on a white Spain tourist t-shirt and a light jean capris. I brushed the tangles from my long brown locks before I slipped on some socks and white converse. I went with comfortable.

I packed the rest of my stuff back into my suitcase and noticed that Axel also did the same with his. Wondering where he was, I stepped out of the hotel room to see him talking again to Christina at the end of the hall. They were laughing again.

I don’t know why but the sight of him with another woman was like a punch in the chest. I can’t help but admit how great they looked together. Christina was tall and slim, and Axel was tall and muscular. I, on the other hand, was short and chubby.

Jealousy was an evil thing and it made me extremely uncomfortable because I didn’t like the feeling. I can feel the bitterness inside of me growing by just standing here and watching them.

So instead, I headed back inside grabbed my suitcase and headed downstairs without waiting for him. The second I made it down to the lobby, I was inwardly cursing myself. Why was I reacting this way?

I used to not care about what Axel thought about…

That was until you started dating him.

I groaned and glared my way towards where my cousins and relatives were all standings. If he is my boyfriend then he is mine and I should be possessive of him, but I really do not like this feeling at all.

A few minutes later, I noticed a familiar face. He was walking inside the hotel when he turned towards the rowdy group of people I was immersed in.

His steps faltered, and his eyes swept the crowd until it landed on me. He turned and headed my way, weaving around the bodies before me until he stood before me.

“You’re a hard woman to please, Ryleigh. I was expecting a phone call.” He smirked.

“What are you doing here, Juan?” I asked.

“I’m not on a gig if that is what you are thinking.” He chuckled. My eyes scanned his attire and he was dressed in a dark grey t-shirt and jean.

“Normal attire, I see.” I grinned back.

He shoved a hand in his pocket and ran his fingers through his dark locks. The sleeves of his t-shirt tightening on his biceps as he did it.

“So, I don’t normally return to a place that I worked at, but I couldn’t get you out of my mind.” Juan sounded nervous. He gave a nervous chuckle and shrugged, stuffing both hands into his pocket.

Juan is a hottie-god blessed model body. However, I didn’t feel anything for him. My body didn’t heat up at his words. My stomach wasn’t doing flips.

I was about to answer him, but another familiar heat spread all over my back. I turned around and was met with a very irritated looking Axel. Juan glanced between Axel and me for a second before it landed back on me.

“Ah, so I see you are spoken for.” He said.

“Well…” I started but was rudely interrupted by Axel.

“Yes, she is mine.” He was glaring at Juan.

I removed Axel’s hand from my shoulder, but it dropped to my waist and pulled me closer. I rolled my eyes.

“If you catch me on a day like today where I am pissed off at a certain someone, I might say I am single,” I told Juan.

Axel didn’t like that.

He pulled me behind him and blocked my view with his tall towering form. I heard Juan chuckle at my response. I tried to sidestep around him, but he wrapped two arms around me and kept me plastered to his back.

“Axel,” I protested.

“She was kidding.” Axel corrected me. “She loves me too much to let me go.”

I snorted from behind him and he pinched my behind.

“Don’t make me spank you, Hermosa.” He threatened, turning his head slightly to give me a warning side glance.

“I see, well, I guess I am a little too late,” Juan replied.

“This one is spoken for,” Axel confirmed again.

I rolled my eyes. Juan said goodbye to me before leaving. When he was out of the building, Axel turned around. He didn’t look very happy.

“Why didn’t you wait for me?” He accused.

I snorted again, “Because you were busy.”

“I was talking to Christina, but you could’ve just interrupted. I wouldn’t have cared.” He shrugged nonchalantly.

He’s right. I could have. If I was his best friend, I would have just interrupted but this time I didn’t feel comfortable doing it.

“It’s fine. We are here anyway.” I muttered.

Axel bent down and picked up my suitcase along with his. I walked alongside him as we made it out to our rental car.

He glanced my way, “Do I even want to know how you met Juan?”

“He’s the male stripper that danced on me.” I shrugged indifferently.

Axel’s jaw ticked.

“I hate him.” Axel snapped.

“I think he’s pretty nice.” I shrugged again.

“What you should be saying, Hermosa, is that I am pretty nice. You should be complimenting me.” He retorted with his own snort.

I laughed, “You get too many of those.”

He stopped walking and turned to face me, “But not from you and that’s the difference.”

He was pouting as much as I was earlier. A smile appeared on my face before I gave him a silent nod in agreement. He seemed satisfied with that answer. I slipped inside the passenger seat while he put our suitcases in the back of the trunk.

A few minutes later, we were driving to the venue where we will be staying for the rest of the wedding. Just two more weeks and I get to go back home again.

Then a thought came to mind…

Will Axel and I return to friends again once we head back home or will things be different? And if things will return to same–don’t I want to at least sample what I could from Axel, the boyfriend before I get Axel, the best friend back?

Chapter 16

When we arrived at the venue that the wedding will be held in, it took a while before everyone got settled in. People were looking for their rooms. Everyone was looking for their bags. Then we stopped for some quick lunches before returning to our rooms. By the time we were able to sit back and relax a little, it was close to early evening.

The rooms that we will be sleeping in for the next two weeks were roomier than the hotel room. It still had a one king size bed. There were all other amenities as it will have in a normal hotel room. The TV playing a Spanish drama faintly in the room, but my mind was elsewhere. In fact, I was staring at Axel while he was talking on the phone to his friend.

Silently, I admired his form. The way the back of his dress shirt fitted his back. My eyes dipped down and admired his nice round butt fitted in those black trousers. He looked too sexy. I sighed with my chin propped in the palm of one of my hands.

He heard me sigh and turned around to look at me. The knowing glint in his eyes told me knew exactly what I was sighing about. Caught.

I averted my eyes to the TV. He said some stuff in Spanish before hanging up and walking over. He crawled into be next to me. His head resting on the side of my arm.

“Who were you talking to?” I asked.

“It’s a surprise.” He told me. “You were checking me out, weren’t you?”

“And if I was?” I replied boldly.

He smirked, “Were you?”

I rolled my eyes and attempted to roll off the bed. He reached out and wrapped one arm around my waist, pulling me back into the curve of his body. He scooted closer to me. I felt his nose brush up against the side of my neck. A slow inhale as he breathed in my scent.

One of his hand slipped underneath the turquoise silk pajama camisole I had on and palmed my stomach. My anxiety kicked in because I know I wasn’t a skinny girl. I couldn’t help being conscious of my body. Axel, however, didn’t seem to care. I felt his lips skimmed my neck and I shuddered in pleasure. A moan slipping from my lips.

I can feel how turned on he was. The large tent between his legs was pressed firmly onto my backside. It didn’t help that the matching silk pajama shorts were thin. I can feel everything.

“Axel,” I breathed. “Remove your hands.”

“You’re so tense, Ryleigh. Those wheels in your head never stop churning.” He murmured, his breath fanning my cheeks and ear causing me to shudder again.

“I can’t help it,” I told him. “I’m not perfect.”

He scoffed before turning so that I was now laying on my front. He straddled me from behind. My eyes flew open at the new change of position.

I opened my mouth to say something but then I felt his rough calloused hands knead my back muscles and I moaned in relief.

“Oh god.” I moaned again.

He leaned down and nipped my shoulder, “Keep moaning like that and I will have you naked in seconds.”

His hands kneaded to the curve of my back before slipping up my shoulder muscles. I didn’t realize how tense I have been feeling until I felt his hands on me. It felt amazing—too good for me to tell him to stop.

“Keep going,” I whispered.

“Ryleigh, you know you have a sexy body.” He said.

My eyes flew open and I turned my head slightly to look at him. He continued to knead my shoulders and up the back of my nape with his thumbs. My body was completely relaxed at this point. I closed my eyes once again, allowing the feel of his hands to relax me.

“I don’t see it,” I told him.

“I love how curvy you are. Just the thought of caressing and exploring every inch of you—it turns me on like crazy.” He said. “It isn’t just your body that drives me insane.”

“What else?” I asked.

“I like how real you are. Your smiles are real. Your personality is real. When you are with me—you are real.” He said.

“Duh, I am real,” I muttered back.

He chuckled, and I felt a pinch on my behind, “Don’t get sassy with me, Hermosa.“

“Axel, men don’t go for ‘real’. Men go for looks.” I replied.

“You mean dumbasses go for looks.” He countered.

I clicked my tongue, “You got a point, but you have to be honest, looks are included in the package.”

“I love the way you talk to me. You’re not afraid to speak your mind. You don’t suck up.” He continued.

“That’s because I know you. You’re my best friend.” I replied.

“And a boyfriend.” He added.

I smirked, “And a boyfriend.”

It sounded weird coming from my lips but saying it aloud was like putting the last nail in the coffin. Axel Damien Rodriguez is my boyfriend and he is giving me amazing back rubs. My smile grew, and I whispered it again.

“You’re my boyfriend.” His hands slid down to my bra and I heard a click. My eyes flew open at the sudden brush of air swept across my skin where my bra was originally. My breasts although pressed onto the mattress—felt free.

“Axel- ”

He leaned down, and his lips were again by my ear, “Relax. I will only go as far as you would allow me.”

Again, he kneaded my back muscles. His fingers dancing dangerously close to the side of my breasts. I bit back another moan. I allowed my head to fall back on the pillow. I closed my eyes and focused on the attention of his hands.

“You don’t know how much it turns me on to hear you say that.” He said huskily.

“Boyfriend?” I whispered in question.

He chuckled, “It’s unbelievable that such a simple word can drive me about as insane as the body itself.”

My stomach fluttered with butterflies. By now, my silk camisole has ridden up my and the side of my breasts was now exposed. Not much was hidden from Axel’s view.

I felt him scoot lower. I felt a little disappointed that it has completed but instead, his hands palmed my ass and gave it a good squeeze before sliding down to my thighs. I felt his thumbs brushed my inner thigh and I let out a small squeal of surprise.

He gave a short laugh before moving farther away. I let out a breath of relief. He was a little too close and god did it make me pulse with need. My body is humming with inexorable desire and the ache in the pit of my stomach and between my legs were throbbing.

For the next thirty minutes, Axel massaged me. His touch was merely innocent, yet it was provocative. A soft brush here, a soft touch here, and a slight pressure here. By the time he was done, I think I was almost panting with a need to jump his body, but I held it back.

He clasped my bra up again before crawling into bed next to me. The muscles in my body were relaxed. It felt extremely good and I found myself falling asleep a lot faster than I have done for a long time.

I want to say that I wasn’t attracted to Axel, but I was. Over the past two weeks, things have changed between us. What I mean by ‘things’ were the atmosphere and even my feelings. I have always thought that Axel was a total hottie but now, I couldn’t stop thinking about him. The way he makes me feel. I feel alive, warm, and womanly. My heart was involved, and I won’t even deny it.

At the sight of him, it speeds like the speed of light. My stomach does flips, and I couldn’t keep my eyes off from him. Before, I could look at him and only remain faintly attracted. The attraction was always there but now it seemed to have intensified.

I am not going to lie too. I like the fact that he is my boyfriend. When he touches me, it starts a burning fire inside of me that seemed almost unquenchable. He is the only person who could.

All this and yet I am still questioning if I am doing the right thing. What if he doesn’t feel the same way? What if I am just another plaything?

It’s like a part of me believes him but a small part of me—the insecure part of me is afraid. Afraid of rejection. Afraid that he will find something better.

People don’t understand how I feel. I know I am not skinny. I know that I am a thick girl with fat and cellulite everywhere. There are days I would look in the mirror and say ‘damn I look good’ and there are days I would look in the mirror and feel like complete shit.

I think it is safe to say that although I try to be perfect, I am somehow imperfect as well.

Listening to myself sort through all this was like hearing two different people fight. I shoved both of those people into the back of my mind and focused on what was in front of me. What was in front of me was Axel. For now, this was good enough. I shouldn’t think too much and go with the flow. Go with what I believe is right at that moment.

Chapter 17

Emery and Ronald thought that a good spa treatment was needed before the wedding. Although I had my own personal masseuse the other night, I was more than happy to join in on this one. The venue provided excellent professional masseuse. If I thought, Axel was amazing, this was pure heaven. Every knot in my body was undone and my knees were wobbly almost like slime by the time they were done.

We all had our own private sessions. Axel and I were in one together. When the masseuse entered, Axel made sure that the woman masseuse was the one working on me. I could roll my eyes at his evident possessiveness, but I must admit, I was never showered with that emotion before. It made me feel wanted. My heart thumped in my chest at the glower he was giving the male masseuse.

Once we were done with the massage treatment, we had a chance to go soak in their private hot baths. There is a total of ten private hot baths rooms. Several people opted out on it and instead chose the steam room which left one free for Axel and me. The minerals supplemented in the hot bath was to help moisturize our skin. This is the part where I was most conscious of my body.

“Ryleigh, it is fine. Who cares what anyone thinks.”

“It’s easy for you to say, Axel. My body-”

“Is sexy as fuck.” He growled.

“I don’t have anything to wear,” I told him. “I didn’t bring any swimwear.”

“It’s a private hot bath. Everyone each has their own. The only person who would be seeing you is me.” He pointed out. That was not assuring at all.

We entered the hot bath room and the steam that rose from it was enticing and inviting. The lights were dimmed to give it a more serene atmosphere, little lights lit up the hot bath beneath the water. Biting my lips, I looked back at him.

“Axel, I don’t have anything to wear,” I told him.

“Strip.” He said.

I blinked, “I am not going to-”

“You’re killing me, Ryleigh. Don’t think. Don’t think at all, Hermosa. Just do it.” He was getting irritated with me.

I scoffed and gave him a disbelieving glower. He doesn’t realize how much harder this is. I have cellulite. Cellulite that is clear as day on my thighs and ass. I have a small belly pouch.

However, he does have a point. Why do I care what others think?

Sighing, I played with the white knee-length robe I had on. Underneath I had my turquoise cotton bra and silk cheeky panties. Technically, I wouldn’t be completely naked. I could have Axel close his eyes while I get in. It will lessen the shame and embarrassment. Then I recalled how he has seen almost every naked part of me except for my hooha and twins. It wouldn’t matter now.

Ugh! I shouldn’t care.

Axel raised a simple eyebrow, waiting.

I reached for the fluffy belt around my waist. I heard Axel inhale sharply as he watched. I couldn’t look up at him. Although I have mustered enough courage to strip in front of him, I couldn’t bring myself to look him in the eyes.

The belt came off and fell to my side. My robe opened at the tight release and fell to the ground around me. Axel’s fingers appeared in my line of vision before lifting my chin up to meet his and my stomach was twisting with excitement.

The look in his eyes.

Pure, dark, and lustful.

“Beautiful.” He whispered the one name he keeps calling me.

I bit the inside of my cheek to stop the smile that was fighting to appear.

“Don’t be afraid to show me what you were blessed with, Ryleigh.” He said, taking a step, wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me flush against his naked front.

“Feel what you do to me?” He rasped, nipping at my jawline.

His arousal pressing firmly onto my stomach. The butterflies in my stomach doubled and I felt a little unfocused.

“Axel,” I murmured.

His lips glided over mine gently before he pulled back, giving us space. I took in a staggering breath. The lust and need building up in me can’t be this crazy. I feel giddy and like a complete harlot. I wanted to throw myself at him, hump him. HUMP HIM. God, and then after humping, possibly feeling him fill me until I can’t think anymore.

I groaned and got into the hot bath. He followed in after me. We bathed in the hot tub for a while and during that time I tried to get my attention elsewhere other than Axel’s sun kissed, tattooed and hard chest but it was very hard when all he has been doing was touching me, pulling me onto his lap. Kissing my neck. Running his tongue along my jawline each time he catches me. It was exhausting.

After we done, I went into the women’s changing room to change. I was just about done putting on the rest of my clothes when I heard Christina talking to another woman that came along for Emery’s wedding. They didn’t realize they were not alone because I was on the other side of the lockers.

“He’s sexy. I can’t wait till I get him in bed. I bet he is as good as he looks.” Christina purred.

“Isn’t he dating Emery’s cousin?” The other woman asked.

“That fat chick?” She scoffed. “I think he is only with her because he pities her. She’s not even pretty. Have you seen her body? It looks like a fat hippo walked into a room.”

Pain. Hurt.

It was like living high school all over again. I got teased repeatedly about my weight. Boys in high school refused to go out with me because I wasn’t like the other girls. I didn’t have a perfect body. I couldn’t run the three-mile run on Wednesdays in gym class without looking like a zombie gasping for breath.

“That’s mean, Christina, even for you.” The woman defended. “She doesn’t look all that bad.”

Christina scoffed again, “Please if he had to choose between fancy dessert that will taste heavenly on his tongue over a fast food dessert that will give him a cardiac arrest, he will choose fancy. Any man with a good taste will.”

I curled my hands into fists. I heard enough. It got to me and I know it. I needed to run. I needed to leave before I burst into tears from the humiliation.

Blindly, I grabbed my heels and slipped them on. The second I was out the door, I ran. I ran passed my relatives and cousins. They all looked at me as I ran without another glance. A few tried to stop me, but I wasn’t having any of it. I needed to be alone.

I ran out of the venue without a sense of direction of where I was going. I just knew I needed to get away. About three minutes in, my heels snapped under my weight.

“Fuck!” I swore angrily. Kicking off my shoes, I picked them up and threw them across the yard before running towards the edge of the woods. It provided a haven. A place no one would find me.

This is why I don’t wear heels. They make me even more aware that I am fat. I want to stay strong. I want to put up a brave front but being around my family and relatives these past few weeks, it was tearing me down. Killing me slowly. It’s like the life was being sucked out of me and I couldn’t stop it.

When I was safe and there was no sight of the venue buildings, I collapsed onto a tree. My back against it, I curled up my legs and hugged them close to my chest. Burying my head, I cried. I cried when her words echoed in my head.

Hippo.

Fat.

Fast food.

The sob that ransacked from my body was not pretty. It was all the bottled-up emotions I have been holding in for the past few weeks. I pounded my legs with my fist and then pounded the earthy ground. Pain shot through my hand and I saw that I had accidentally hit a sharp branch on the ground. The side of my hand was bleeding from a slash.

I held it up and looked at it. Pain from this was bearable, more bearable than the pain in my chest.

I sat there, clutching my injured hand to my chest. I have stopped sobbing now. I looked into a vast of nothingness. I allowed my mind to stop running and the pain to consume me. Tears slid down my cheeks.

Several minutes later, I heard footsteps and then Axel’s voice calling out to me. I didn’t want to face him. Not yet.

I crawled onto my feet and started walking further into the woods but yelped when something sharp pierced my bare foot. Collapsing on the ground, more tears streamed down my cheeks.

“Ryleigh?” He sounded panicked. I heard quick footsteps and knew he was now running.

Minutes later, he appeared in front of me. He dropped to his hands and knees and cupped my cheeks. When he saw the tears, his eyes immediately started looking me over. Patting me from head to toe. He saw the cut on my hand and my injured foot.

“Shit.” He swore. Concern was evident in his voice.

“Leave me alone,” I whispered.

“What?” He looked at me confused. “What are you doing out here? Who made you upset?”

“Axel, please, stop.” I pushed him away, still feeling hurt.

“What the hell is going on? What are you doing out here? Why are you crying?” He demanded, pushing my hands back down to my side.

“Nothing is going on. I’m fine.” I grumbled, wiping at my tears with the back of my hands.

“Tell me. I can’t fix this if you don’t tell me.” He demanded.

“I don’t need you to fix anything, Axel. I just need to be left alone. I just need to breathe.”

He grabbed onto my head and slammed onto his chest. My eyes widened at his demanding and harsh act.

“God, you infuriate me, woman. I don’t know rather to strangle you or kiss you.” He growled, petting my hair. I listened to his heart. It was beating so fast.

He was scared. I scared him. My tears stopped and I allowed him to hold me.

After a long comfortable silence, I pulled back. He allowed me but cupped my cheeks.

“Tell me who hurt you.” He told me.

“No one. I just got angry.” I told him.

“Was it your mother?” He asked.

I smirked, “No, I’m fine, Axel. If you don’t mind-c-can you take me back to our room?”

He shook his head and I frowned. He bent down and slipped off his shoes before slipping them on me. I opened my mouth to protest but one dark look from him told me to shut up.

“Remember that call I made a couple of days ago in our room?” He asked while tying the shoes tighter on me.

I nodded.

“I figured you would want to go on a boat ride before we head back home. Do you want to see the sea?” He smirked and raised an eyebrow.

Excitement built up inside me instantly, replacing the pain and hurt I was feeling earlier. He grinned and helped me up, hooking an arm around my waist to steady me.

Together we walked out of the woods. Axel always seems to have a way to make me happy. He is always there for me.

“Hermosa…” He started.

“Yes?” I asked.

“Mind telling me why your shoes are all the way across the yard?” He asked.

I laughed softly, “I hate heels.”

Chapter 18

My mother was not happy that I am leaving again. She argued with me that we are here to spend time with everyone else. I should be more considerate and help Emery out a little bit more.

However, right at this moment, I don’t feel like being nice.

I’m sick and tired of people talking crap about me and that’s all I feel when I am with them. Underappreciated.

Now, a sense of relief and tranquility washed over me as I sat on the lower end of the rented weekender yachts. It was a newer kind of yacht and as the owner stated, rarely used. The sea breeze blew past me and the corner of my lips lifted in bliss.

Here, all my worries are gone. Nobody is here but me. I feel alive. I feel like myself. Away from the sonicating toxic bubble of hurtful words.

I pushed all thoughts of Christina away. I pushed away my mother. I pushed away Emery. In this little moment of serenity, I can focus on myself. There was only me.

The wind felt nice on my skin, seeping into my sheer blouse. The soft heat of the sun was comforting.

For just this moment, I don’t have to worry about anything and nobody knows what it is doing to me. It was freeing my soul. By the time that Axel and I got to the yacht, the sun was already setting.

Axel brought everything we needed. He had asked the chefs at the venue to prep a basket of yummy food and desserts. He brought a nice selection of wine.

I felt a knitted blanket wrap around my shoulders and I opened my eyes to see him looking at me. There is this intensity in his eyes. It never fails to make my stomach drop and light a hunger inside of me.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

He had slowed down the yacht in the middle of the sea. We were away from society. Away from the judgmental eyes. This was just what I needed.

He sat down behind me. One of his arms rested on the side of the yacht. I turned in my seat to see that he too closed his eyes with his head tilt back. With the sun setting glow, it made him look warm and inviting, the dark shadow on his face added to his bad boy allure.

Lifting my hand, I traced his nose before pinching it hard. He yelped and opened his eyes to glare at me. I smirked back but was surprised when he yanked me onto his lap.

“Axel,” I squirmed in his lap for him to release me.

He hugged me tighter, his lips were pressed against my neck. I halted my movement and my breath hitched.

Like a burning line of fevers, his lips feathered down my neck, to the crook of it, and down to my shoulder. The thin sheer blouse I had on, did little to protect me from shiver under his heated lips.

I gulped, and his eyes dropped to that little action before he moved and lifted my injured hand up. Before we left, he had tended to my wounds. Cleaning them thoroughly, placing antibiotics over them, and bandaging them like the good firefighter that he is.

“Does it still hurt?” He asked.

I shook my head, “The pain relief pills seem to help with lessening the pain.”

“How about your foot?” He asked.

“If I don’t walk on it, then I am fine,” I told him.

“Are you going to tell me now what happened?” He questioned.

I sighed, “Can we not think about it? It just makes me sad.”

He placed a hand underneath my chin, ” Sabes, me duele verte tan triste. Todo lo que quiero es hacerte feliz. Es un poco gracioso, pero cuando te veo, se que podría escalar montañas o nadar el océano completo para hacerte sonreír. Lo que fuera, por ti.”

“What did you say?” I frowned.

He smirked, “I said, I don’t like it when you are sad. I want to see you happy, Hermosa.“

“Because I am your friend?” It came out as a whisper.

He smirked again, “Because you are my girlfriend.“

“Such a sweet talker,” I grumbled, pushing escaped strands of brown hair behind my ear.

He chuckled, “Only for you, baby.”

More heat consumed my cheeks and I covered them with my palms. He was grinning now. I rolled my eyes and attempted to get off his lap, but he wrapped two arms around my waist and pulled me back on it.

” Lo loco de todo esto, es que no tienes ni la menor idea de lo que me haces.”

He whispered Spanish into my ears, his hot breath fanning my cheek like a seducing wave. Even though I don’t have a clue what he was saying. I enjoyed his native tongue. The words that rolled from his lips. It was sensual and hot.

I wiggled in my seat on his lap. His fingers dug into my hips.

“Move one more time, Hermosa. My control is slipping, and I’ll have you on your back in seconds.” He groaned.

Biting my lips, I turned away, but he stopped me by placing a hand underneath my chin. When I looked back at him, there was a tenderness there that shook me to the core. It makes my knees weak and increases my.heart rate. Surely, this is not healthy but I can’t stop it.

When I am around him, he makes me feel different.

“I want you, Ryleigh. I’ll wait until you are ready but know that I won’t hurt you. I never will.” He whispered, leaning in to brush a kiss on my lips.

The wind started slowing down as the last of the sun hovered over the horizon. Something inside of me stirred. It could be that we are out here. It could be that I feel free for the first time or it could be the simple fact that my heart was threatening to burst in my chest. I don’t know what it was.

I placed my hands on his cheeks and deepened the kiss. My tongue sliding into his freely parted lips. Tasting him, exploring his mouth like it is my own personal canvas. I sucked on his tongue and a guttural sound vibrated from his throat.

I turned in my seat and straddled him. His hands moved to my hips where he dug his fingers in as if he was fighting off a war inside of him. Not touching me and allowing me to control. It was addicting. I ate up all the control he gave me. My hips rocked, and I moaned instantly at the burst of lights behind my eyelids.

His fingers moved to my ass where he squeezed and lifted his hips, grounding into my core. I tore my lips away to gasp.

“Oh…” I gasped.

“Ryleigh, please, hermosa, stop now.” He pleaded in an unsteady hoarse voice.

I don’t know how to tell him that I am ready and so I caressed a hand down his hard chiseled chest to squeeze him underneath me. I was slightly taken aback at how thick he was. He hissed a bloody curse underneath his breath and his control snapped.

Exhilaration rushed through my veins when I felt him lift me up. I nibbled at his neck like how he usually does to mine and his Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard.

“Ryleigh.” He warned.

I sucked hard. My love bite will be huge and possessiveness flood through me.

After I made sure it was dark and anyone can see it from a mile away, I pulled back.

“You gave me a hickey. Didn’t you?” He accused but in a light amused tone.

I shrugged, “It is only fair that I return the favor.”

My eyes finally took in where he had taken me. We were now inside the yacht. I fell onto the bed with a bounce. The blanket he gave earlier now underneath me.

I watched him take off his V-neck navy t-shirt by grabbing it by the hem and lifting it up and over his head.

Bare chested, he asked again.

“Still have the courage, hermosa? Or shall we stop?”

I smirked, “We can continue but only if you talk to me in Spanish from now on.”

His eyes darkened with fiery lust. He got onto the bed, forcing me to lay down my back.

“That I can do.” He said huskily.

Chapter 19

His eyes darkened with fiery lust. He got onto the bed, forcing me to lay down on my back.

“That I can do.” He said huskily.

He steadied himself above me with his hands braced on either side of me, pushing into the mattress. His legs pinned me in between his. He cocked an eyebrow and his smoldering eyes fell to my blouse. It is just a glance that could be mistaken as innocent but I knew better. I knew what he wanted and I slipped it over my head. He leaned back enough to give me space.

I needed to do this before I lose my confidence. Pushing off the mattress, I cupped his cheeks and brought his lips back down on me. A hot, throaty groan left his lips and he opened his mouth. Allowing me to explore his mouth once again. My tongue tangled with his, playing and teasing. I sucked on his tongue lightly and he pushed me back completely.

His hard chiseled body pressed against me. It felt amazing to have his body on top of me. My core pulsed with thirsty sexual hunger but ached with a need for friction which he prevented with his legs pinning me down. He propped himself up with one elbow. The other roamed my body, caressing and drifting underneath me before I felt my breasts being released. I broke the kiss away long enough to see he had unclasped my bra.

Swallowing, I looked back up at him. He saw that I needed extra attention. Tilting his head, his mouth found the crook of my neck. His tongue laving and licking the sensitive spot on my neck, causing my toes to curl and my back to arch. Pretty sure, the sneaky bastard mirrored the hickey I gave him.

“Eres tan sexy. (You are so damn sexy)” He groaned.

I felt rough calloused hands touched my breasts. I cried out and arched my back when he pinched my nipples and twisted it almost painfully but pleasure flushed my body.

“Me vuelve absolutamente loco. (It drives me mad)” It came out strangled and throaty.

I didn’t understand a word but God did it do things to me. Each word was like a caress, a suck, a lick of its own. The roll of his tongue gave me dirty ideas. I drew in my bottom lip between my teeth, arching my back for more.

My hands tangled in his hair but he angled his head down and trailed hot wet kisses down my chest to my breasts, latching onto one of my nipples he sucked the tip into his mouth and swirled his tongue around it. The intimate heated touch was like it’s very own euphoria.

“Oh shit.” I squealed.

He swirled it a couple of times before sucking it almost harshly but it felt so damn good. I dug my fingers into his scalp. He countered with a nip on my nipple and I slipped another throaty moan.

One hand slipped underneath my pants and panties. I felt him brush against my clit before sliding down my lips.

“Abre tus piernas. (Spread your legs)” He slipped a finger in and my legs spread open like the golden brick road.

He groaned and he captured my lips, smothering my moans. I cried and arched my back as he finger fucked me. Soon, the coil inside me tightened and I needed more. I don’t know what it was but his one finger wasn’t enough. I squirmed underneath him.

I thought I was there only one who was impatient because the next second, he discarded my pants and panties. Finally, I was utterly naked in front of him. His eyes took me in for the first time and they were smoldering. I can see the lust flickering in those deep-set exotic eyes.

It gave me a lick of courage because what I did next surprised even me. My palm spread out on my belly before sliding down slowly my stomach. He watched–entranced, addicted. Cupping myself, I did what he did earlier. I stuck a finger inside of me and my eyes rolled back. My walls tightened around my finger.

“Carajo! No puedo tener suficiente de ti. (Fuck! I can’t get enough of you)” He growled before his hand wrapped around my wrist, halting me from touching myself. he brought my finger up to his mouth where he sucked me clean.

Jolts of lightning rushed down my belly to my core.

“Dulce como la miel.(sweet like honey. )” He said huskily as he looked at me with hooded eyes.

His palms pressed on my inner thighs, spreading me wider before he dipped his head and feasted on the juices that clung to my core.

His mouth.

Dear lord, it’s beautifully crafted for eating me. I swear. All thoughts scattered in my head and I clung to his head like a sex crazed maniac. Arching my hips that he had to restrain me by pressing down my hips with his fingers.

“Axel!” I sopped in frustration.

I heard him curse before he hissed in a frustrated tone, “Te necesito tanto, estoy revolcando como novicio. (I’m fumbling like an amateur right now.)”

He fumbled with his pants before successfully pulling it off. He dug his hand into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. He opened it and slipped out a condom, slipping it on he pressed his erection at my entrance. One thumb circling my clit and the other grasping the hilt of his thick erection.

I took an anatomy class and I just want to say that nothing will prepare me for Axel. Axel Damien Rodriguez was large in every way possible. That was going to go inside of me. I gulped.

He captures my lips as if silently encouraging me it will fit. The passion inside of me lit up again and he sensed it because he thrust and immense pain seared through me.

He stopped moving but he had me pinned to the bed. Every muscle in his body stiff. He dropped his forehead onto mine.

“Ay joder. Estas tan apretada. Bebé, no te muevas (Oh, fuck. You’re so tight. Baby, don’t move).” He muttered hoarsely.

Axel was a very patient man. He didn’t move at all. Instead, he feathered kisses alongside my jaw until he reached the crook of my neck. There he sucked and lavished the sensitive skin until I squirmed underneath him again.

Intense soul shaking pleasure thrummed underneath my skin. Axel started moving the second he heard me gasp in pleasure.

Sliding in and out slowly at first. It still stung but after a couple slow thrust , my body curled, my muscles tightened. My walls closed around his thick girth. He hissed through his teeth. My fingernails dug into his back and my toes curled. My eyes rolled back and I was raising my hips to meet his every thrust.

He braced himself on his elbows. His face right above mine, his lips only inches from mine. My lips part when he thrust and it hit my cervix.

“Oh shit.” I moaned and my back arched.

He dipped his head back to the crook of my neck, his hot ragged breath fanning my skin. My hands roamed over his corded back muscles to his shoulders. His thrust were slow but hard. Pure torture.

“Amo a este cuerpo.” He groaned. “Amo a este cuerpo.”

Suddenly he pulled back, flipped me to my back. I turned my head to the side. He pinned my hands above my head before entering me swiftly from behind. My eyes rolled back at this new position. It took him deeper and he filled me in a new way that had me gasping with each thrust.

“Axel…” I moaned.

I felt his lips on my shoulder, placing a wet kiss on there. His sweaty body pressed against mine. The way he was grunting and groaning as if he was at my mercy was such a turn on. I pulsed around him and realized how much he liked that because his breath will hitch and his pace will falter slightly.

He slipped his hands underneath me and cupped my breasts, giving them a good squeeze and groping. I was at his mercy. His hands and his cock commanded me and all I could do was writhed underneath a mess.

I felt the coil inside me tightening, my vision was starting to blur. A second later, he flipped me back onto my back. He grabbed my ankles and lifted my legs up before positioning again at my entrance. He thrust and I cried out as he pounded harder and faster into me.

It was frantic and hot. I could feel myself being pushed to the edge of insanity.

“Termina por mi, Ryleigh.” He hissed, sweat beading his forehead and chest.

I cried out when the coil inside of me snapped but that didn’t stop Axel from pummeling. His cock engorged and soon I felt his hot sperm coat the inside of his condom. He groaned and fell forward. He stopped himself by planting his hands on either side of my head. He slowed his pace when he was done emptying inside of me.

I looked up at the sky above me through the window in a satisfied daze. His weight left the bed and I heard him dispose the condom before coming to bed and wiping me down between my legs. I pushed him off feeling shy but he removed my hands and continued. Once he was done, he tossed the towel aside and fell into bed next to me. I was exhausted. My body felt like jello when he pulled me into the crook of his arms.

I fell asleep right away but not before I felt his lips brushed against my shoulder and ears and him whispering again in Spanish.

Chapter 20

I know there’s pain in your heart

And you’re covered in scars

Wish you could see what I do

’Cause baby, everything you are

Is everything I need

You’re everything to me

Baby, every single part

Is who you’re meant to be

’Cause you were meant for me

And you’re everything I need

***

I woke up feeling extremely sore between my legs. Axel’s side of the bed was cold and I knew he had been up for a while now. I rolled out of bed, took a long hot shower, and got dressed in a spaghetti strap white sundress that reached mid-thigh and a low neckline. I paired it with matching hot pink bra and panties set.

My hair was still damp when I stepped outside and saw Axel working the wheel of the yacht. He didn’t bother to put on a shirt. Slipped on a pair of low rise jeans and that was it.

Shyly, I walked up to him. He sensed me immediately and turned to face me. Putting the yacht on auto-pilot, he walked up to me.

He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me close. I planted my hands on his chest and shoulder. I looked at him from underneath my eyelashes. The back of his fingers grazed my cheek.

“Blushing already. So early in the morning.” He smirked.

“Well, what do you expect? You and I-” My voice trailed off.

“What did we do?” He cocked an eyebrow, his smirk growing.

“You know,” I told him.

He chuckled before leaning in and stealing a morning kiss from me. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the feel of his lips on mine. There was no tongue. Just a bit of lip sucking but it still took my breath away.

“How are you feeling?” He asked.

I realized he was talking about the soreness. I felt like my face was lighting up in flames. I removed my hands from his body and covered my cheek, hoping to cool them down.

“Okay,” I replied.

“Not sore?” He asked.

“A little,” I mumbled shyly.

He sighed before sweeping me up in bridal style. I let out a sound of surprise and wrapped my arms around his neck. He carried me like I weighed nothing.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“What does it look like I’m doing?”

I rolled my eyes, “I can walk, Axel.”

“I saw you limping.” He told me and I blushed again. He brushed his lips on my cheek. “Don’t be shy, Hermosa. I’ve seen everything already and I can assure you, I love everything.”

Biting my lips, I allowed him to carry me to sit on a chair at the back end of the yacht. He went back inside and came out with some food. He fixed me a plate of food that he brought from yesterday. He stored in the small fridge in the yacht. He poured me a cup of freshly squeezed orange juice before slipping into the chair next to me.

I am not used to be pampered and treated this way. It made my heart flutter and makes me feel things I have never felt before. I feel giddy, refreshed, and wanted.

“Aren’t you going to eat?” I asked.

He shook his head, “I ate while you were sleeping.”

I nodded before picking up my sandwich and eating it. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until I ate the entire plate of food he gave me. Feeling full, I leaned back with a satisfied smile.

“Are we going back?” I asked.

He nodded, “We should reach the dock in about ten minutes.”

I sighed in slight disappointment, “I wished we could have stayed longer.”

He smirked, “Do you want your mom to send out a search party?”

“I’m pretty sure she already did.” I muttered.

Axel smoothed back some of my hair that was flying all over my face to the back of my ear. That exposed my neck for him. He leaned in and pressed a heated kiss on the large hickey on my neck before I felt his heated breath on my hair.

“I want to take you again but I know you need to heal. The things you do to me, Hermosa.” He whispered huskily.

My stomach did flutters and goosebumps popped on my flesh. My eyes fell on the hickey on his neck and gingerly my finger traced the mark. His Adam’s apple bobbed and his breath hitched. When his eyes met mine, they were dark and smoldering hot.

I wouldn’t mind at all to experience what I experienced last night but the soreness between my legs was still there. I couldn’t even if it was a tempting idea.

All this felt like a dream but it wasn’t and if it was a dream, I didn’t want yet to face reality. Looking back at Axel, I spoke up.

“Do you think it’s possible if we do not return right away? I want to stay a while longer.” I told him.

He looked at me for a minute before he nodded, “Ok. I’ll take you to a private beach that the owner of this yacht told me about.”

He kissed me one last time before walking back to the wheel. I walked back inside the yacht and found my phone on the small kitchen counter. I picked it up and saw several text messages from Brandon.

Brandon: Where are you?

Brandon: Mom is freaking out

Brandon: Seriously. This isn’t funny.

Brandon: I’m going to assume you were abducted by your boyfriend.

That last one had me laughing. I texted back to let him know I was okay and that Axel and I were just exploring. We will be home later.

Setting my phone aside, I walked back out to find Axel at the wheel.

“I didn’t know you know how to drive a boat.” I crossed my arm underneath me as I stood next to him.

He chuckled, “My dad owned a boat in the past. He took us fishing. It isn’t that hard.” He let go of the wheel with one hand and wrapped them around my elbow, pulling me to be in front of him.

“What are you doing?” I asked warily.

“Teaching you how to drive a yacht.” He chuckled.

With my hands on the wheel, he placed his hands on top of mine. His front pressed against my back. The warm Mediterranean sea breeze brushed past us and I felt a sense of exhilaration and control buzz through me. A smile spread across my face.

He placed a kiss on my exposed shoulder before feathering kisses up my neck to my ear, “I like it when you smile like that.”

I turned my head to look at him, “What do you mean?”

“That smile is carefree. It is the Ryleigh that I know.” He told me. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen that smile.”

I know what he meant. Ever since arriving here, I felt out of place–not me. He clicked his tongue to catch my attention before nodding for me to look ahead.

I turned and focused my attention on the vast open sea in front of me. He released his hands after he realized I was starting to get the hang of it. Instead, his arms wrapped around my waist. His chin propped on my shoulder.

“Out here, I feel free,” I explained. “Not judged. I don’t have to worry about others but for me.”

“Is that part of the reason why you moved out?” He asked.

I nodded, “My mother is overbearing. She shallow but she is my mother. She didn’t neglect me. She gave me everything.”

“She talks down to you.” Axel stated, clearly irritated.

“I know but I can see why she does it. I’m a big girl.” I retorted. “Unattractive.”

He scoffed, ”Hermosa, you got a fucking sexy body.”

His hands slipped lower and brushed against my inner thigh. I lost focus slightly before it slipped underneath the skirt and touched my clit. He applied pressure and I moaned.

“Axel,” I breathed.

He chuckled, “I’m just reminding you, how much I love every curve on you.”

“By touching me down there?” I moaned when he circled my clit.

“I can’t keep my hands off you.” He whispered huskily.

“I can see that.” My hips rocked back and forth slightly. He leaned down and nipped my shoulder.

“Already getting so wet.” He pressed his hard erection onto the curve of my back.

“We can’t.” I moaned. “Axel, I’m so sore.”

He sighed and dropped his forehead to my shoulder. “Yes, I know. Plus, you’re driving. You losing focus will not be good.”

He gave it one last pinch before pulling back, placing his hands on my waist to keep from touching me anywhere else.

A few minutes later we arrived at the private beach. He pulled up and we put the yacht on standby. The water was low enough for me to walk in. Axel had to change into his swimming trunks to follow me.

I waited for him in the water. The feel of the sand beneath my feet was calming. I sighed and tilted my face up to the warm sun. It danced on my skin, providing a warming comfort.

A second later, water splashed on me and I yelped in surprise. Opening my eyes to see Axel in the water with a devilish smirk on his face.

“Hey!” I scowled.

He scooped up more water and it hit my body. My dress clung to my body and I glared at him.

“Stop,” I told him.

He did it again.

“That’s it! You’re dead.” I growled before I splashed water on him. He laughed and with his big hands scooped a handful of water and tossed it at me. My whole front was completely wet now.

“Ugh! So not fair. You have bigger hands.” I groaned, still not stopping.

He chuckled while still splashing at me. I dodged the first one but the second one hit my backside.

“I don’t recall you complaining when these hands were touching you last night.” He retorted.

“Axel!” I warned him, feeling embarrassment flush my skin. He laughed and continued to splash more water on me.

“That’s it!” I snapped. I lunged for him and we both went splashing into the water. He wrapped his arms around me to prevent me from falling anywhere else other than on top of him. I pushed him into the water completely before attempting to get up. He wouldn’t let me. Instead, he spun in the water and flipped us both over. I was now completely immersed in the water before I came up in surprise.

He released me and we continued to splash each other. After a while, I grew exhausted and we collapsed in a heap at the shoreline. He turned to his side to look at me. Sand stuck to his body and arm. His eyes leisurely roaming my wet body before looking back up at me. His eyes were dark and heated.

I grinned before crawling on my hands and knees and making a run. He called out my name and ran after me. Chasing me on the beach for a good two to three minutes before we collapsed again on the sand underneath a shade.

Together, we looked at the scene before us. Listening to our ragged breath turned into a steady rhythm. His hand found mine in the sand before he intertwined our fingers.

It was a comfortable silence. We didn’t speak to each other but it was nice to just lay down on the sand and not think.

After our clothes have dried, he went back to the boat and grabbed the rest of the food for us to finish off. Once we were done, we headed back to the yacht to go back to venue. It was time to face reality again.