“Never, you cheating bastard,” I shouted at him. Chris only laughed at me and put one of his hands on my jaw, holding it firm as he tried to lower his face to my lips. I was about to start crying, I felt so distressed as I tried to jerk away. I felt something move behind me and then Chris’s hands released me as he went flying backwards.
“I warned you, you motherfucker. Touch her again and you’re done,” Axel’s voice rose, his sexy accent coming out thick. I stared in amazement as Axel held Chris by the back of a shirt and tossed him to the bouncer. “Kick him out of here, John,” he told the bouncer, he clearly knew pretty well. Axel returned to me and put one hand on my shoulder and the other on my chin so I’d look up at his eyes, his touch was gentle and his stance was protective. The opposite of Chris.
“Leah, are you okay?” he asked, worry clear in his eyes. I felt myself completely relax and let myself fall onto his chest, where I knew I was safe.
“I am now,” I told him, closing my eyes. I felt him release a deep breath as he put his arms around me, holding me there securely. We stood like that for a few seconds, in an intimate embrace, until I took a step back. “Thank you so much, Axel,” I started, looking up into his gorgeous green eyes. “I was really scared and I didn’t know what to do,” I admitted, shaking slightly at just the thought of Chris’s hands holding me roughly and trapping me.
“It’s okay. I’m here and I won’t let anything happen to you,” he said, his voice soothing me as he rubbed my bare back. “He’s been kicked out,” He told me “And I’m banning him from Duke’s as well,” Axel informed.
“You don’t have to do all that for me,” I said slightly in awe. Why was he going through all this trouble for me, after everything and how I’d left things between us and I hadn’t spoken to him in almost a month. Why was he coming to my rescue like my knight in shining armor?
“I do,” he said, smiling down softly at me. I felt all the knots in my stomach uncoil and butterflies flutter in their place. Axel stared down at me with so much affection, I felt myself going on my toes to reach his lips, like I had done so many times before. I stopped myself; shocked at what I’d nearly done, I was with Hunter. I couldn’t do this. I looked over to where Hunter was sitting and he still wasn’t looking at me, he was still lost in the same conversation, completely oblivious to me.
“You look incredibly beautiful,” Axel told me, his voice deep and husky. “Especially your lips, with that lip gloss,” he said in my ear, his voice raspy now. “They’re irresistible.” My face heated down to my neck in a blush and Axel chuckled. “I love doing that to you.” He chuckled some more. I rolled my eyes unable to keep the smile off of my face. “Do you want to maybe find a quiet place to talk?” he asked, his eyes hopeful. “I don’t like how we ended things between us and I need to explain a few things to you,” he told me, serious now.
I was about to nod and tell him yes, when a whiny voice called out.
“Axel baby, there you are.” I looked to see Ashley coming, she was wearing the shortest dress I’d ever seen with a plunging neckline, holding Axel’s shoulder with her neon pink manicured fingers.
“Ashley,” I said in horror, at being caught alone with Axel and that she was still with him. Axel looked from me to Ashley in the same horror.
“Lee?” she said back. “What are you doing here, Kiddo?” she asked, making me feel young and like a child. She then looked from me to Axel with anger. “I thought you told me you two were over,” she said disapprovingly and released Axel’s shoulder to cross her arms over her chest, making her boobs look even bigger. I felt shame and humiliation.
“We are,” I said quickly under her scrutiny, feeling self-conscious.
“Actually, I don’t think this is any of your business, Ashley. I’ve told you over and over that you and I are done,” Axel said harshly, a side he never used towards me. “Nothing will ever happen between us again,” he stated firmly and I released a breath that I hadn’t even realized I’d been holding. Ashley looked like a deer caught in a pair of headlights, she was so stunned.
“This is my business,” she stated, looking close to tears. “Leah is just a kid and you have no business with her,” she continued, making me angry now. I hated how young she and Jackie made me feel when I was only a few years younger than them and I had my life more sorted out than the both of them combined.
“Leah is far from a kid and she shows more maturity than you ever have,” he defended, making me feel good about myself. “Now go before you make an even bigger fool of yourself,” he told her and with that, she turned on her heels and left us, fleeing for the door. I felt bad for Ash, even though she’d seriously pissed me off. Axel took my hand gently in his and led me off the dance floor, into a quieter area at the back where I could actually hear myself think. He was about to speak but I held my hand up stopping him, I needed to do this first.
“Thank you,” I told him earnestly, “For defending me and sticking up for me, not once but twice tonight.” I smiled gratefully, he smiled back now.
“Always.” He smiled back.
“So, you know Ashley?” he stated unenthusiastically, clearly unhappy with this news.
I nodded. “She’s been
