Baewatch - Xavier Neal Page 0,2

even less kind to me.”

“Ouch,” Ax cringes as we continue to casually stroll, no real rush to part coming from either of us.

“You should know something,” I innocently begin and lift my stare to meet his.

“What’s that?”

“It’s a sister.” The casual correction prompts us both to smile wide. “Not a brother.”

Ax slowly nods, damp blond locks bouncing around a bit. “You know I was gonna try that angle, but then I was worried it would raise too many additional questions about me and my role in your life. Like am I your sister’s boyfriend?”

An unusual uncomfortable feeling flashes through my system.

Huh.

What the hell is that?

Hunger pains?

Ax gives my hand another soft stroke, and the discomfort, along with the last of the faint humming, fades. “Am I the distant, extremely sexy step-cousin who happens to be in town?”

I helplessly snicker at his own complimenting in tandem with him.

“With the brother angle, it’s easier to assume, I’m the best friend. Perhaps from childhood or maybe just the early college days.” He suddenly stops us from moving along any further; however, he keeps the conversation going. “Or maybe I’m the superhot boyfriend of said brother who is not allowed in the ER at this time to visit him due to the homophobic nature of the hospital administration that’s outlined in their outdated policies and procedures concerning the visiting of loved ones.”

“Progressive.”

“Thank you.”

“But are you trying to tell me you’re-”

“Attractive?” He playfully pokes. “Was kind of hoping if I highlighted it myself, you’d come to that conclusion all on your own so that I didn’t sound like a desperate douche surfing the waves of narcissism.” More chuckles escape us both before he sweetly shrugs. “I’m kidding, though. I honestly don’t give a shit about shit like that. Appeal shouldn’t be all about how someone looks. Yeah, you should wanna see them naked, but personality should build that need much more than if their abs match yours.” His tongue takes a swipe of his somewhat thin lips. “At least in my manual.”

My mind guiltily wonders if he has abs under that tank top.

Or if his abs have abs.

Or if maybe his biceps and triceps are the part of his figure, he thinks is his best feature.

Can’t lie.

Totally agree with him on the whole personality thing. I mean the few minutes we’ve shared together already has me anxious to get to that part where we’re naked.

Is it wrong to want to be naked with someone you know absolutely nothing about?

Don’t people sleep with strangers all the time?

How hard should I be shaming myself for wanting him to drop to his knees, thrust his face between my thighs, and let me tug on his blond hair while I scream to the high skies for the orgasm I’m not having to fake?

“And no,” Ax casually adds. “I’m not gay, which is actually what you were worried I was going to say.”

My shoulders offer a small bounce. “I don’t know that I’d say…worried. More like hopeful that you weren’t. Hopeful that the hot surfer superhero found me more attractive than the date he saved me from.”

His grin gracefully grows wide and warm, exposing an impressive amount of straight, bright white teeth. “Oh, absolutely. Neo, especially outside of his leather, is far from my type.”

I can’t stop myself from laughing again.

God, when is the last time I was this tickled by practically everything someone else said?

“Speaking of being hopeful,” Ax slowly starts, blue eyes echoing the words, “I’m hoping if I ask you to grab a round of oysters with me right now that you’ll say yes and not think of a clever way to run off with the next good looking guy that crosses your path.”

He says that like this is an everyday occurrence.

If it were, why would I have had to waste my one day off this week on a date that was clearly a match made in hell by someone looking to enjoy a good laugh instead of doing a good job?

“Depends,” I flirtatiously reply.

Ax doesn’t bother hiding his excitement. “On?”

“Oysters from where?”

“Spike’s is just a couple minutes that way.” He points to his left with his free hand. “There’s probably still another forty minutes left on their happy hour menu, too.”

“Miguel’s is a couple minutes that way.” I motion the opposite direction using my head for assistance. “They offer their deep-fried oysters at a discount ‘til ten.”

“Oh, Oh Ya Know has an all you can eat, all day offer for Thursdays.”

“Tiff’s Hut has the same deal.”

Ax