“That’s not love, Axel.”
“I know what I’m feeling, Talia.”
“Isn’t love about letting go? About wanting the other person’s happiness more than your own?”
“Not everyone loves the same way, Talia.”
“Don’t you want what’s best for me, Axel?”
“I do, but I can’t help how I feel.”
“So, you’re saying I can’t be with London?”
“That’s right.”
“And how does London feel about this?”
“London and I are going to have a little chat.”
Talia knew what he meant. Despite London’s prowess as a fighter, there was no way he could stand up to Axel. “What are you going to do to him?”
“That’s between him and me.”
“You’re not going to hurt him, are you?”
“Does it matter that much to you?”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“I plan to.”
“Axel, please don’t. We won’t do anything.”
“This is about more than just you and London now.”
“What do you mean?”
“London has been making moves on my wife. I let it slide the first time, but now it’s something I need to confront. He needs to learn his place.”
“He didn’t do anything wrong. You were with Sophie. He was the one who kept me company, who wasn’t cruel to me.”
“That was a long time ago.”
“I know.”
“Then why does he still pursue you, knowing you’re all I want?”
“I’ve explained to you about Sophie and everything.”
“During those times, London conveniently forgot to mention how you drove me crazy. How I couldn’t stop thinking about you. How I had to have you.”
“So, you knew I was in the bathroom that night?”
“No, I didn’t know you were there that night. But when you showed up, I knew I could never let you go.”
“What?!”
“When you came to me, I took it as a sign.”
She scoffed. “Your delusions know no bounds.”
“You were meant to be mine, Talia.”
“No, I wasn’t.”
“You were made for me, Talia.”
“I must have done something terrible in a past life to deserve this.”
He chuckled, and damn him, she found it cute. Now they stood there, staring at each other. The sexual tension was palpable, and she knew Axel felt it too. His eyes were filled with heat and desire.
She took a step back. Everything was happening too quickly. She had just agreed to be with London, but that wasn’t going as planned.
“London said he would fight for us.” The words slipped out, a desperate attempt to break the intense gaze Axel had on her.
“And I won’t?”
“The difference is, I don’t want you to fight for me.”
He chuckled. “You really think I’ll just let you go?”
“Why not?”
“Do you think I could handle overhearing London talking to you? Or knowing he’s leaving to go see you?”
“No.”
“Did you always want London?”
“Only at first.”
She saw the relief in his eyes. “That’s good enough for me.”
“I’m tired, Axel. You should leave.”
“I’m not leaving until we sort this out.”
“I need time to think.”
Ignoring her, Axel walked past her toward her room.
She hurried after him. “Axel, you can’t just invade my personal space!”
He switched on the light and sat on her couch. “I can, and I just did.”
“You need to leave! now!”
“And if I don’t?”
Talia was taken aback. He was challenging her, and it made her heart flutter. She couldn’t let him see that he had any power over her.
He began to loosen his tie and unbutton his shirt.
“Stop!”
He grinned at her. “What’s the matter?”
He looked so attractive, but she hid her reaction well. “As I said, this is not your place.”
He slouched back and pulled out his phone. “I know, but I can’t take the risk.”
“Risk of what?”
“London coming to see you.”
“You can’t watch me all the time.”
“Oh, but I can.”
“I never thought you’d stoop to stalking.”
“If that’s how you want to see it, so be it.”
Talia retreated to the bathroom and locked the door. She could hear Axel’s laughter, and it grated on her nerves. He had the audacity to barge into her home, to turn her life upside down again.
She searched desperately for the anger and hatred she’d once felt for him, before she’d exacted her revenge. Now, her heart was fluttering, and she was growing angrier at herself.
After her shower, she emerged to find Axel still there.
“Fine, I won’t go out with London. You can leave now.”
Axel stood and walked toward her.
She took a step back, and she saw the hurt in his eyes at her rejection.
“Fine, let me out.”
Talia nodded. “Okay.”
Talia sat at a garden brunch, growing increasingly annoyed with the pretentiousness of the event. Everyone was there to prove they cared more about ethics than profit, which was admirable, but it was all too much.
Across from her sat Axel, with Melissa standing uncomfortably close to him. Why wasn’t he doing anything about it? Of course, he was enjoying it, just like all men.
She rolled her eyes and sipped her mimosa. A random man took the seat next to her. She wanted to tell him to leave, but she couldn’t risk appearing rude or stuck up.
“Mind if I join you?”
Talia wanted to say no. “Not at all.”
“You don’t seem very interested.”
She was taken aback.
“I’m just teasing.”
She relaxed a bit. “You got me there.”
“Unless you really aren’t interested.”
“Don’t put words in my mouth.”
He held up his hands. “I was just joking.”
“It’s fine. I’m just not in the best mood.”
“Want to talk about it?”
“With a stranger? I don’t think so.”
“You never know. Sometimes it’s freeing to spill your guts to someone you don’t know.”
“I’ll take your word for it.”
“Justin.” He held out his hand.
She placed her hand in his. “Talia.”
Instead of shaking her hand, he kissed it lightly. “I’m lucky to have met you, Talia.”
“Could you stop being so corny for just a second?”
He pouted. “I didn’t know I was being corny. I was just trying to have a conversation.”
She nodded. “I’m being uptight.”
“I’m sure you have your reasons.”
Talia nodded. “Reasons I don’t want to share with a stranger.”
“Are you enjoying anything?”
Talia nodded. “The fresh air is nice. The weather is lovely.”
“I have to agree with you there.”
“As if you have a choice.”
He laughed. “I knew there was more to you than that unreadable face.”
She shot him a glare. “And it will stay that way.”
“Not if I can change your mind.”
“You can try your best, but it won’t happen.”
“Talia.”
She turned to see Axel standing there, looking furious. But he had no right to be. She hadn’t done anything wrong.
