Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 21230 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 106(@200wpm)___ 85(@250wpm)___ 71(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21230 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 106(@200wpm)___ 85(@250wpm)___ 71(@300wpm)
"My dad wouldn't give a shit, but even if he did, I wouldn't care." Axel paused before continuing in a softer tone. "I've thought about you a lot over the years. It was great to see you yesterday."
"Okay, you've seen me," I said. "We're caught up on each other's lives. Why are you here?"
He cocked his head and looked at me for a moment with half-closed eyes.
Damn, why did he have to be so sexy?
"You were a smart girl in high school, and I'm sure you're a very smart woman, but you ask some really dumb questions." He moved to the edge of his seat and leaned forward. His knees rubbed against mine. "I'm here because I want to see you again. We have a connection, a history, and I want to get to know you better as a woman."
I laughed, a hard, mocking laugh. "Is that what you call it? You want to finish what we started yesterday and add me to your long list of conquests?" I looked around, glad to see the lobby was mostly empty. I lowered my voice to a hiss. "Why don't we just fuck right here. We can get it over with, you can add me to your list, and move on."
Axel's mouth fell open and then he shook his head slowly. "Is that what you think of me, Kayla? What the hell? What did I do to you?"
"I see how you carry on. I see all the women you date, one after another. I'm not going to be one of your throwaways. You're a race car driver just like your father, and you're a womanizer, just like your father."
Axel pushed up out of his chair and walked a couple of steps away before storming back. "What makes you think you can talk to me that way? You don't even know me. You haven't known me for ten years. Fuck, Kayla."
He stared at me angrily, and I glared back. But I could see that my accusations had gone too far, and that under his anger, he was actually hurt.
"You don't know me," he repeated in a lower voice, his anger retreating as fast as it had come.
I stood, ready to conclude our conversation. "You're right, I don't know you. But there's no point in us seeing more of each other. What happened yesterday never should've happened. You were my stepbrother, for god's sake! But I know I'm to blame too, and I'm sorry for letting things get carried away."
Axel reached to touch my arm, but I stepped around him, avoiding his hand. I moved just out of reach and turned to look at him before leaving. "I'm going to write a really nice story about you, and then I'm never going to look back. Goodbye, Axel."
CHAPTER 7
JUST LIKE THAT
AXEL
She left me, just like that. A few quick, angry steps across the bright lobby, and she was gone.
I was too stunned to go after her. She was so unlike the girl I'd known. The Kayla who'd lived in our house had been quiet, shy, and really sweet. The Kayla who'd just stormed off had no problem speaking her mind.
And I was stunned by what was on her mind. How could she just assume that I was like my dad? Sure, I loved racing like he did, but I knew damn well that he was a bastard when it came to women, and I'd made a very conscious choice never to emulate that behavior. I knew how badly my father had hurt Kayla's mom, and by extension he'd hurt Kayla too. I understood her anger toward him, even after all these years, but why was I guilty by association? It made no sense.
I'd sunk into a chair when she'd left, my head heavy in my hands. I looked up to see that she'd left the flowers I'd given her. I grabbed them, tossed them in the trash on my way out, and found my car. Today I was going to drive fast. I needed it.
Thirty minutes later, the city shrinking in the rear view mirror, thoughts were still racing around my head faster than I was driving. I thought about my father. He was a good dad but a lousy husband. He couldn't keep his dick in his pants, even after he got married. He was on his fifth wife now, and I wouldn't be surprised if he was fooling around on her too. I was nothing like him. I hadn't been married or even in a serious relationship. I liked women; I liked them a lot, but I didn't make commitments and promises that I didn't plan to keep. I was careful that none of the women got attached, so that I wouldn't hurt them. Why in the world would Kayla think I was anything like my old man?