Ignite (The Disciples #4) - Cassandra Robbins Page 0,109
in his neck. Only my hand is met with nothing but a cold pillow.
“I’ll be back later.” I blink my eyes open. It’s definitely morning because he’s opened the curtains and the morning light is spilling in.
“You’re tired. Go back to sleep.” He kisses my lips and I wrap my arms around his neck.
“You’re always leaving. I don’t think you get enough sleep.” I nuzzle my nose into his neck. It’s true. We were up all night making love.
“Trust me, nothing would make me happier than to climb back in with you, but I have to take care of a lot of things today.”
He stands and my heart thuds. He’s dressed in dark jeans and a white shirt rolled up at the sleeve. His face is clean-shaven. One look at his sapphire eyes with those eyelashes, and I’m suddenly lightheaded.
“What’s happened?” No doubt I sound crazy… even to myself. I lean up on my elbows, still admiring his beauty.
“You’re gorgeous.” My cheeks instantly feel like someone has thrown hot coffee in my face.
He grins and rubs my lips. “I have to talk to the FBI. It always throws them off when I show up like this.” His full lips that make me moan smirk and he reaches for his cigarettes and phone.
“Now, Antoinette, the diner is closed due to kitchen repairs. You are not allowed to leave without me and only me.” He looks down at me and I collapse back onto the pillow.
As I look around his spotless, perfectly organized room, I take a deep breath and exhale. “I thought you got the bad guy.” It’s only dawning on me now that there might always be a bad guy.
Nodding, he says, “I did,” and turns toward the door.
“Axel?” I sit up, wrapping my hands around my knees. “About last night.”
He walks back to me and his warm hand reaches for my chin. “Thank you for that. I needed to lose myself and you were there for me.”
I’m not quite sure how to take that. I know it’s stupid to think he’ll burst out in song, calling me his and saying he loves me. But I also didn’t think he would thank me. Like I’m… what, a whore? A good friend? I fucking told him everything last night. Stuff about my dad and the days before he ruined our lives. My mom, my life, ballet, all of it. I was open and then he kissed me, loved me, and I knew that this was it.
Again and again, I told him I loved him. He never said it, but his lips and body did.
“Go back to sleep.” He caresses my cheek, and suddenly I’m self-conscious.
Axel is truly beautiful. He’s rugged and the scruff, clothes, and tattoos help hide his classically handsome face. But looking at him right now as he puts on sunglasses… I want to grab him and beg him to let me go with him. Someone will to try to steal him from me. He can have anyone. Why would he want me? I’m twenty. Pretty much broke. My eyes and lips are too big, and my breasts are too small. Although lately they do look a little fuller. Maybe I need to gain some weight, get more curves.
“Be careful… and I love you,” I croak out.
He looks at me—at least I think he does. The sunglasses are so dark I can’t see his eyes. “Go back to sleep.” Then he walks out, closing the door quietly behind him. I blink at the sunny room. I should get up and shut the curtains, but who cares.
He doesn’t love me. He likes me. I didn’t have to see his eyes when I said “I love you” to feel the distance he put up. I turn to my side and stare at his guitars hanging on the wall. There are so many of all kinds and colors. For a guy who favors black, his guitars are colorful: red, silver, blue, and maybe even a purple one in the other room.
He left his band to be in this club. He’s that loyal. My eyes blur as I stare at the guitars. I’m not angry or hating him. He needed me, and I was there. Maybe it’s time I listen to him, rather than hearing what I want to hear. He’s been telling me from day one not to get attached, but I thought differently.
I thought if I loved him, then he must love me back, and that’s not the way it works.