12. Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Ivy

I snuggled further inside my blankets, as my body grew warm thinking about Axel's firm arms as they fit around me perfectly. My stomach ached as I remembered his breaths warming my skin and how his black as night curly hair had bounced when he laughed at my frantic reactions to the horror movie we had been watching. Everything about that night had been perfect.

Just as I began to imagine what it would be like for Axel to kiss me again, to wrap his arms around me and pull me into him, cradle me, and begin kissing down my neck and to my…

My phone chimed, notifying me of a text. Frustrated, I shook my head, trying to remove the images I had been creating and re-creating over and over again in my mind. Images and thoughts I should not be having about Axel.

Axel: Hey, do you have plans today?

Me: Nope. I don't ever do anything on Sunday

Axel: Well you do now. Get dressed, I will be there in an hour.

Me: Where are we going?

Axel: It's a surprise.

Me: I hate surprises

Axel: I know. See you in an hour

I really did hate surprises. Stretching, I stood and began preparing myself for whatever Axel had planned. I showered then dressed in a cute pair of jeans and a flowing emerald green shirt that always made my eyes shine in contrast with my hair. I took a few extra minutes to curl my hair, using my fingers to brush the ringlets out so that I created a beachy, wavy look. I remember Axel saying he liked it when I wore my hair that way. No big deal I guess, I just want to look good.

As I finished tidying around the apartment, I heard Axel's loud knock as he announced his arrival. When I opened the door, Axel slowly scanned my body, all the way from my head to my toes. His smile grew wider the farther down he went, which made me blush under his stare. Taking a moment, I admired Axel's loose-fitting jeans and a tight-fitting charcoal gray tee shirt. Everything he wore seemed to hug his form in all the right places.

"Wow, you look great," Axel stated, as he continued to smile .

"Thanks," I said, tucking a strand of my wavy locks behind my ear.

"You ready?" Axel asked, holding out his hand for me to take.

"Sure. But where are we going?" I asked, placing my hand in his. That familiar spark ignited when our fingers touched and I couldn't help but smile.

"I told you, it's a surprise," he said slyly.

Sighing, I rolled my eyes as I smiled. He was so infuriating sometimes, but I loved, I mean like that about him. We walked to the parking lot where I saw a beautiful, all chrome vintage motorcycle sitting in one of the guest parking spots. Axel reached into his pocket and pulled out a key.

"What is that?" I asked, pausing in mid-step.

Axel smiled, a smile so wide it spread from ear-to-ear. "That is my bike. Well at least for today it is," he said, squeezing my hand as he began walking to the bike. Offering his hand, Axel helped me throw my leg over the bike so that I could sit down.

I sat down on the black leather seat and admired the beautiful masterpiece. Axel flipped his leg over the side and straddled the bike carefully so as to not shake it and knock me off. Reaching over, Axel handed me a black helmet.

"I got you something," he winked.

Taking the helmet in my hands, I noticed writing on the back side. Turning it over in my hands, I spotted my name in white letters with green ivy crawling through each letter of my name.

"This is beautiful," I admired .

"I'm glad you like it," he said.

Axel revved the engine and glanced at me as he kicked the brake.

"I've been working on this bike for an old friend of mine. He likes to buy old sports cars and bikes and restore them. He's been coming to the biker bar since before I was born. Anyway, I am doing him a favor since the bike needed extensive work and the shop was charging him way more than what it was worth to do. So, he asked me to do this and he's paying me half what they would have charged him. Plus, I get to drive it today with you," he said, offering me his famous trademark smile.

"Okay. Let's see what this baby can do," I said, smiling back at him.

Arching his eyebrows, Axel looked at me and revved the engine again. His smile twisted to reveal a naughty smile. He was turning himself on listening to the power just under his touch. "Hold on, you are in for a wild ride," he said as he backed up and began to drive, a little too fast, but I didn't mind. His laughter increased along with the speed of the car.

We drove through Lexington, passing by the University of Kentucky and some of our favorite restaurants and bars. We continued to drive until we reached a section of town I had never been to. Which is sad because I grew up in this town. I noticed Axel glancing at me every few minutes, watching for my expression. After a while, we pulled off on one of the side roads and parked under a large tree. A small pond was nestled behind some trees and underbrush.

"I love this place," Axel said, as he helped me off the bike .

Axel threw his arm around me and hugged me to his side as he led me over to the large oak tree next to the pond. I inhaled his scent, my favorite of vanilla and spice. His body was always so warm, inviting me to cuddle even closer. "This is turning out to be a great day, I love spending time with you," I said, not realizing I had said the words aloud first. I had meant to only think about them, but once they slipped past my lips, I became embarrassed.

Strengthening his grip, Axel hugged me tighter. "Yeah, it really is," he said, kissing me on top of my head. His warm breath tingled against my neck as he inched himself closer to me.

We sat down under the shade of the large oak tree and admired the beauty surrounding us. As I sat next to Axel, my eyes roamed over his entire body. I had been so stupid when I first met him. Believing him to be some bad guy because he rode a bike and worked at a bar. Instead, he had turned out to be this hilarious, sweet, and charming guy.

"I want to tell you something," Axel said nervously.

My mind began to race as my heart sank deep into my stomach. Those words were never good. I knew Axel was too good to be true. I knew I was a fool to let myself think I could have him. I had plans and I had foolishly believed I could accept this man into my life, too.

Sensing the fear filling my body, Axel grabbed my hands and pulled me close.

"Don't freak out," he chuckled.

"Well, those aren't usually words you say before you have good news," I said, biting my lip from worry .

"You have it all wrong. The other night after we…" he smirked just thinking about our sensational sex. "After we had sex, I came home to my brothers throwing a wild party. Angie was there," he said.

My face grew pale and my eyes began to glisten with unshed tears. My stomach churned and I felt like I might be sick. Was he about to tell me he hooked up with Angie? If he did, I would have to end this. As much as I loved him, I couldn't be that type of girl. I would never be the type who is stuck by a man who cheated. I would never forgive him or myself.

"Ivy, don't freak out," he pleaded again. "Angie tried to hit on me. I turned her down. I went to my room and locked the door. You can ask any of the guys at the clubhouse, most of them were there. The only thing I could do was compare her to you. Shit, I compare everyone to you. Because no one is as good as you are. I need you to know that you can trust me. I'm sure you've heard about the guy I used to be, but I'm not him anymore. I've changed for the better, because of you," he finished with an endearing smile.

"I would understand if you had hooked up with her," I lied, unsure about what to say. "But, I appreciate you being honest with me. It really means a lot."

Shaking his head, Axel let out a deep breath. "Why would you have understood if I had hooked up with Angie? I am with you. I just wanted you to hear about it from me in case Angie ran her mouth or something," Axel argued.

Grabbing my hands, he forced me to look into his eyes. I swear, I felt like he was trying to open a window into his soul.

"Axel, we haven't really talked about…this," I said, pointing between us .

"Well, we should. I don't want anyone else and I would die if you were with another guy. Let's make this official," he smiled.

I couldn't help myself. "So, you want me to be your girlfriend?" I asked.

"Girlfriend and so much more," Axel said, pulling me into him for a long kiss.

"I like the sound of that," I said.

In that moment, my mind began to blur as my body ached for that touch again. In one instant I was sitting next to Axel, holding him tightly as I sank into his world, his personal world. He had just given me the words I needed to hear. While I had freaked out, I had nothing to worry about. Before I knew it, I was climbing on top of his lap, straddling him and pressing my lips together with his. Once my lips graced his, any space between us quickly disappeared. His eyes grew wild at first, then he took hold of me and kissed me back with such force it took my breath away. His hands were positioned on my neck, pulling me closer as our bodies collided against each other. His lips had a wicked effect on mine, as passion and desire coursed through my veins. My hands were in his hair, pulling and tugging at each curly strand of coal black hair. His touch thrilled every nerve in my body. The moment was intense, so powerful that I felt it becoming my new obsession. I was addicted to his touch, his kiss, and to his soul. His lips were rough but tasted sweet, a perfect combination that made me want more-- much more. He was relentless as our bodies and minds collided with that one, perfect kiss. Every movement he made was calculated to bring me pleasure.

I felt his hands cup my face and pull me toward him. When I opened my eyes again, I was staring into his beautiful dark eyes. He held me close, staring at me for what seemed like forever.

I wanted him in all ways possible. We were so opposite, yet so perfect for one another at the same time. He loved to push my buttons and he knew how his touch would drive me crazy, but he did it anyway.

"Thank you for telling me that," I said as I kissed him again.

"I want you to give all of yourself to me, Ivy. I promise you won't regret it."

And I didn't regret it. Axel Raven had all of me now.