Getting up lazily, she begins to cross the room and pulls an outfit out of her dresser. I can’t help but stare as she bends over to put the blue lacy underwear on.
Focus, Axel.
I pull the rest of my clothes on, and then cross the room to wrap my arms around a fully clothed Minka. I pull her close, inhaling the smell of sex on her.
“Say you’ll come over tomorrow night.” I plant a kiss on her lips.
“Okay. I’ll come.”
I’d never brought a girl home before. With Allison, I always went to her house. And I secretly knew mom would never approve.
Now? I was so goddamned happy I’d waited.
22
Minka
Owen insisted on picking me up, so here I am, in his passenger seat rubbing my sweaty hands down the black lace circle skate I’d bought specifically for tonight’s dinner.
I’d been fidgeting the whole car ride, something I think Owen noticed after the sixth or so pass down my skirt, because he reaches across the console and tugs my hand into his lap.
“Will you calm down? They are going to love you.”
His smile does nothing to calm my nerves. I am naturally jumpy around just him, now adding his family and the pressure of that into the mix? I was bound to become catatonic by the end of the night.
Not to mention that I was now his girlfriend. And he was my boyfriend. For someone who had never had an official boyfriend, I was unusually calm. Not that I had ever anticipated this was where we would end up. But when Owen asked me to be his, it just felt natural. I’d never felt this sort of rightness that had settled into my soul in the last 24 hours.
After we’d had that round of mind blowing, world shattering sex in my bed, in my bed (I’d never be able to sleep the same in it again), he’d cuddled up with me on the couch and watched episodes of House Hunters while we ate ice cream. The whole thing was so domestic that I felt my inner future-housewife heart melting at the cuteness.
I had never been this person. I usually attacked any man who came within 20 feet of me. I shielded myself with my bitch armor. But Owen had broken through and peeled away the pieces, worming his way into my heart and lodging there.
And surprisingly, I didn’t want to dig him out. Ever.
I’d paired the mid-length black lace skirt with a fancier white satin t-shirt blouse, pearl studs and sparkly gold flats. I’d taken the time to smooth out my curls with the straightener I owned, and took extra care with my makeup, lengthening my eyelashes and making sure my lips were a pretty shade of maroon. The color matched my skin well.
We drive up to a large wrought iron gate, and Owen stops the car to punch in a code on the keypad. They swing open slowly, and he pushes the car through. The driveway winds up and up, until we coast onto a plateau and the house comes into view.
“Wow.” I hadn’t meant to say that out loud, but the Axel’s house…damn. I’d seen some great houses, what with the millionaire kids I went to school with. But this was something altogether.
You had to call Owen’s house a compound, there was no other word to describe it.
Just from the driveway alone I could see the ginormous main house, with its tuscan feel and sloping roofs covering beautiful wrought iron balconies. Next to that, on the sloping lawn, I could see tennis courts to the left, flanked by what I could only guess was a state of the art pitching/batting cage.
On the other side of the house, connected by what looked like a thin hallway, was a five-car garage.
“Its obnoxious, right?” Owen sighs.
“Actually, I think the design is beautiful.” His eyes crinkle happily at my assessment.
It was then that I realized he might be just as nervous as I was. “I’m really happy to be here with you.” I squeeze his hand and see his tense shoulders relax.
The car circled the drive, and then stopped, my door parallel to the giant wooden double doors. I stared at them, a bit frightened to move but a bit aware that I’d look weird if I stayed strapped into the car. I felt Owen squeeze my hand one last time. “Now or never.” He smiles at me.
This was a huge step, but I was ready.
I unbuckle as he swings his own door open, running around to my side to help me out of the high truck. He was probably hoping I’d flash him or something.
Not that I didn’t want to shed my clothes with him right now. He looked so sexy tonight.
His shimmering brown locks were slicked back in that way that made him look like a European model, his face a dark shade of brown from all the time he’d been spending outside lately.
Blue khaki slacks stretched around his muscular thighs, and perfect ass, and he’d tucked an off-white golf polo into them. Owen had completed his outfit with those preppy summer loafers all the guys around here wore.
He looked good enough to eat.
Taking my hand securely in his, he laces our fingers until my palm molds into his big, calloused hand. I take a deep breathe, preparing for what, I don’t know.
He leads us up the steps, winks once, and pushes open the beautifully crafted front door.
I step into the biggest foyer I’ve ever seen. And its decked out in all marble.
I’m rendered speechless for a second. After seeing Owen’s beach house, I shouldn’t be that surprised, but his real home was a work of art. Seriously, this was like a museum.
The ceilings sloped and dipped so that the entire open concept first floor just felt larger than life. The color scheme was much like the beach house, neutral and chic, but this was obviously a classier design. Mirror surfaced reflected the perfect light fixtures strung about, fresh flowers sat in extremely expensive looking vases, and everything about his home screamed class and money.
I had never felt more out of sorts in my life.
My nose is hit with a spicy, delicious smell, and Owen tugs me wordlessly toward what I can only assume is the kitchen as the smell grows stronger. He shrugs and laughs quietly, seeing the look of shock on my face.
I smack his shoulder. “I mean, I knew you were rich, but really?”
“I told you before, my parents are rich.” he whispers, swatting my butt since I’d stopped walking.
Cresting the small set of steps in front of us, we end up in the kitchen, which is, of course, fit for a restaurant staff of twenty.
At the stove stands the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen. And I don’t mean that she was probably the most gorgeous, she actually was.
"Caro! Oh my gosh, I am so excited that you are both here! You must be Minka!"
This woman, who I can only assume is Owen's mother, although I don't know how since she looks more youthful than me, bounds over gracefully. She wraps her arms around me, and I'm overwhelmed by the unexpected hug. But it's oddly nice, being in a mother's embrace, even if its not my own.
She holds me back at arms length. "Caro, you didn't tell me how beautiful she was. You're a very lucky man to have this gorgeous girl willing to put up with you."
I laugh at her chiding of Owen. "Yeah…caro, is it? Not singing my praises, huh?"
His mother's eyes twinkle. "And she's funny too. Caro means my dear. Portuguese is my first language."
Owen gives a half-hearted sigh, faking his annoyance. "Minka, this is my mother, Raquel. And yes, mama, she is very beautiful. But her smart mouth gets the best of her at times." He winks at me, a wolfish grin on his face. My stomach flutters and its totally not nerves from this dinner any longer.
"Carllll!" She yells, turning away to pop something in the oven. Is it bad that I'm surprised she is cooking? If I lived in a house like this I wouldn't even bathe myself. I'd hire someone to do it.
"What's for dinner, ma?" Owen wanders over, popping something that looks like a pastry in his mouth.
"Hey!" She swats at him. "No dessert before dinner. We're having Moqueca."
"Yes!" I glance at Owen, a question in my eye. "Fish stew, it's kind of like Brazilian jambalaya . But with coconut milk and spices. You'll love it, mom's recipe is ban
gin’.”
Movement out of the corner of my eye catches my attention, and I turned around. My breath catches in my throat.
Standing in front of me is an older version of Owen. Damn. Owen is going to be just as sexy when he is older.
"Minka, this is my dad, Carl." Owen cuts the tension.
"Hi." Its all I could say. Owen's dad is seriously hot.
"Nice to meet you. Finally nice to see how Owen's been spending all of his time..."
"Dad." Owen snaps, raring for a fight. I see their talk hadn't quite set in yet.
"Don't worry son, just expressing my appreciation that this young lady has been keeping you out of trouble this summer." He directs at me, "His baseball has really improved since you came along."
Owen shakes his head, but at least he’s smiling.
I have never been in the presence of three more good looking people in my life. No amount of new clothes had prepared me for this. I didn't fit into Owen's life. If I hadn't felt it before, I certainly did now. It was like a mortal standing next to Zeus and his family.
"Sit, sit, let's eat in the kitchen. We don't have to be so fancy, I want to get to know you, Minka."
Raquel ushered us all away from the large kitchen area and over to the breakfast nook. Which was ten times fancier than any room in my house. So there was that.
Taking a seat next to Owen and across from Carl, I placed my sweaty hands in my lap. I'd never had a boyfriend, much less met his parents. Or went over anyone's house for dinner except my friends.
"So Minka, senior year, right? Big times ahead! What do you think you want to do after high school?" Raquel studies me warmly, waiting for my answer. She was so nice. I'd always assumed beautiful people had ice where their hearts were supposed to be. Or maybe that was only Allison Renner and her band of groupies.
"Yep. I plan to go to college. I want to become a nurse." Owen squeezes my hand under the table, filling me with a bit more courage.
"That's wonderful! I always thought medicine would be such an interesting profession. Me, I was only able to become a dumb model." She flicks her beautiful mane of hair over her shoulder. I'd become a model too if I looked like that.
"Mom, don't put yourself down like that. You were one of the best in the world."
"Ah yes, caro, but I only mean that what Minka wants to do is admirable. Only the best people in life sacrifice their time and energy to help others."
She smiles at me knowingly, and I can’t help the wave of happiness that floods my chest. His mother has only known me a few minutes and yet it feels like we’ve been here for hours. She knows how to make someone feel welcome, and appreciated. I think I fell in love with her at that moment.
Raquel got up to take the food out and serve it into bowls, and a semi-awkward silence settled over the table. Now I saw why Carl was with Raquel. She lit up the room, could hold any conversation, make anyone feel welcome. She was his Owen.
"So...uh, Minka, where do you think you'll look for school?"
I feel my cheeks pink at Carl's question.
"Well..." I cough, unable to hide the coming embarrassment. "I actually have loved Grover since I took a tour there last summer. And the five-year nursing program is amazing."
Owen's head snaps around to look at me, a bright smile on his face. He looks like he wants to hug me and tease me all at the same time.
"Really?" Carl says at the exact same time Raquel yells over, "How wonderful!"
"We do have a great biology program...and several other stellar selling points..." That wolfish smile is back on Owen's face.
My face turns beet red.
"Oh lay off the poor girl, caro. You're embarrassing her." Raquel swats at his head as she sets the last bowl down in front of her husband and slides into her seat.
The meal looks delicious. Besides the fish stew, she'd prepared a summer salad and these bread and cheese balls Owen called Pão de queijo. And then proceeded to stuff five in his mouth.
Taking my first hesitant bite, the spicy flavors melt onto my tongue. "Oh my god." I spoon another spoonful into my mouth. "This is the best thing I've ever tasted."
They all laugh jovially at me.
"My wife's cooking is second to none." Carl heaves spoonfuls of stew into his mouth. I don't think Owen had come up for air since she set the food out.
We made small talk as we ate, if Owen was looking forward to going back to school, where Carl and Raquel were thinking about traveling. I learned that they had properties in Italy, Greece, Africa, and of course Brazil.
From the outside, their life looked like a fairytale. But I preferred the view right here from the kitchen table, where I knew the flaws and imperfections under the surface. It was more special that way.
I thought for the zillionth time how badly I'd misjudged Owen.
After dessert, Raquel insisted we sit out on the back deck and watch the fireflies. She even offered me some wine after the men had gone out to set up the cushions on the patio furniture.
“I’m not legal Mrs. Axel…”
“Oh none of this nonsense, Mrs. Axel. Please call me Raquel. Or mama.” She winked, looking so much like her charming son. “In my country, we don’t treat young adults like babies. Not like here. Under my roof, you are legal.”
Still not knowing how to respond, I shuffle my feet.
“It must have been tough to grow up without your mother.”
I snap my eyes to her’s, shocked that she knows such a personal fact about me.
“Did Owen…?”
“No, sweet girl, no. We motherless recognize it in each other.” She smiles sadly, conspiratorially.
“You lost your mother?”
“When I was nine years old. I always wondered what would be worse; losing her after her knowing her so long, or never getting to know her. Its a shit draw anyway you get it, though.”
I nod, suddenly overcome with sadness.
“Ay, I don’t say this to make you sad. I just want you to know, you can always talk to me. Especially if that bonehead out there screws up!” She smiles, clearly trying to cheer me up. “We are friends now. In each other’s life. And I have a feeling we will be seeing a lot of each other.”
Glancing out to the porch where Owen is actually laughing in the presence of his father, while they sling cushions on the chairs together, I have a feeling she’s right.
Not only was I in too deep now with Owen, but his family was pulling at my heartstrings too.
23
Minka
"Who the fuck knew that when we first got invited to a college party, it would be through Minka. If you'd told me that a year ago, hell, three months ago, I'd have cracked up." Kels is examining her nails in the backseat.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, bitch." I direct Chlo to take a left at the light as we entered campus. Thank you, Google Maps.
"I didn't mean it like that. I just didn't think in a million years you would have a boyfriend...I didn't mean that like that either. I mean to say, boys are dicks. Who are only good for one thing. Dicks."
"You should really just close your mouth now." Chlo quips at her, pulling slowly through the winding campus drive, flanked with rows of beautiful tall trees on each side.
Grover University was the school to get into in Virginia. It was the school period for most Mitchum kids. Presidents, CEOs, celebrities and athletes had graced the hallowed halls and gone on to pursue and achieve impossible dreams. It was picturesque, everything you envisioned when you thought storybook college campus. The grass was emerald green, dotted with hundred year old trees and beautiful floral landscaping. The buildings looked more like colonial castles than places that housed classrooms.
The Greek Life was notorious, Chloe's dream, not mine, and the entire campus sat on a stunning, turquoise lake, complete with an outer two-mile-long-ring that students ran around. Not only did their theater and dance school feed right into some of the most prestigious dance companies in the world, but their five-year nursing progra
m was unrivaled. Chloe and I had been dreaming about attending together for years. We planned to get together in the next few weeks and fill out our applications simultaneously, hoping it would give us double the luck.
"You both should really suck your drool back in before we hit the bleachers." Kels didn't plan to go to college, never had. After high school, she was headed for Zimbabwe. Or Tunisia. Or wherever her heart desired and there were animals in need. But it didn't mean I couldn't hear the jealous tone as she scolded Chloe and I.
I would feel the same way if they were headed into the future, together, without me.
"We love you, badass." I smack a kiss in her direction, and her megawatt smile returns.
Ever since Owen had heard his school was my top choice, he’d been nagging at me to come. It only took half a week for me to relent, agreeing to come see his first pre-season game and spend the night. I mostly came because I was obsessed with Grover. Or because it meant an adult-free night away with my hot-as-sin boyfriend. Either or.
Chloe pulls up outside the athletic complex, parks, and we make our way to the field. My stomach starts to do little somersaults. This was the first time I'd actually seen Owen play, had actually been invited. Sure, I had snuck to a couple of his high school games, admiring the various members of the team. Or cowering when Chloe and Kelsey catcalled them. But I'd never been there in official girlfriend capacity.
I'd never been anywhere in official girlfriend capacity, with anyone. This was new and exciting, and also a bit terrifying.
I just hoped they won. I didn’t know what Owen was like after a loss. And I didn’t want that to ruin our weekend.
Climbing the bleachers, I see that we are on the early side, and we pick a great spot right smack dab in the middle.
"Mmm, I can't wait to see Miles in those tight baseball pants, its been too long." Chlo is practically licking her chops. She is chomping at the bit to get him alone at the party tonight.
I'm chomping at the bit to get Owen alone. Finally out of Mitchum, on our own, in his college dorm room. Just thinking about it makes me tingle in the places only he knows how to ignite.
Pitching to Win (Over the Fence #1) Page 16