Best of 2017

by Alexa Riley

  I moved into his embrace, cozying up to his warmth.

  “Quinn, I hope this doesn’t sound too insane, but I really like you.” He reached for one of my hands and started to kiss my fingertips, one at a time. “I know I just met you, but I feel like I could spend every day and every moment with you… if you’d let me.”

  I gazed up into his eyes, swallowing the lump in the back of my throat. My heart pounded and butterflies danced in my stomach. “I know what you mean,” I whispered.

  “I know you said you’re only going to be here a short while. And I know the fact that I live a pretty fucked up life is an issue. But I was hoping... I was hoping we could continue to spend time together.”

  “Really?” I giggled. I felt like I was a love-struck teenager. “Are you asking me to be your girlfriend?” I teased. I joked, but there was a wishful thinking element to my comment.

  Axel cleared his throat, obviously uncomfortable. “Well, yes. I mean, if the idea doesn’t scare you off.” He pulled me in closer. “I’m not good at stuff like this. There really is no easy way to broach this subject without sounding so cheesy. All I know is that I want you and me to be together... solely. At least while you’re here.”

  I sat in silence, overwhelmed by the realization that I was about to become the girlfriend of Axel Rye, the man I had come to secretly get information on for my book. My stomach did flips as I tried to take it all in. Could I have a boyfriend and a book deal?

  My emotions jumbled: I was happy, ecstatic, scared, shocked, and timid. I turned to him with a serious expression. “What if I can’t buy into this whole drug thing? I still haven’t wrapped my head around working in a club every night let alone dating someone who represents it. I mean, what do I tell my parents? What do I tell them about you? If you are my boyfriend, I sort of have to tell them about you.” Oh my God, I sounded like a little girl.

  I saw his eyes narrow while he looked at me skeptically. “Well, the fact of the matter is I am what I am. You have to be comfortable with that. One Google search and everyone will know—including your parents—what I do for a living. I don’t believe in keeping secrets.” He paused. “But why don’t we agree to not make this about defining. Let’s make this about two people who have feelings for each other, and take it from there.” He chuckled. “No need getting the parental figures involved on either end. Trust me, you do not want to meet mine.”

  “They can’t be that bad.”

  “Oh they are. Really bad. Dear old Dad is in Europe someplace banging girls half his age while he tries to hold onto his youth. My mother… hell, I have no idea what she is up to. I haven’t spoken to either in a couple of years.”

  I tilted my head in confusion. “But your court case. Weren’t they there?”

  “Oh hell no. Are you kidding me? They didn’t want the shame to wreak havoc on their perfect little worlds.” He sighed. “Enough talk about my parents. That is the most I have thought about them in ages, and I feel I need to pop a Valium and pay for therapy sessions by just doing so.”

  “I’m sorry to bring it up. Nothing for killing the mood like talking about parents,” I said with a giggle.

  “I don’t mind. Some day we will have to deal with them. But not today. Today, I want to talk only about you and me and us.”

  “Us,” I mimicked.

  He nodded. “Us.”

  “And your lifestyle? Do I really fit in with that? You’re famous, and every woman at these hot spots would die to be with you. I’m not exactly the exciting girlfriend type. I may kill your vibe.”

  “It’s a job. I would never betray you because of a paycheck.” He was firm. “My friends will love you because you’re an amazing person. As for the fame, we’ll muddle through it. It’s a pain. I’m not going to lie. But I want you to be with me.”

  Grinning from ear to ear, I wrapped my arms around Axel’s neck. “I would love to be your girlfriend!” I kissed him and pulled away quickly. “I love it!”

  Axel stared at me, expressionless, for an instant. Then, as if he suddenly comprehended what I just agreed to, his grin matched mine. He put his hand behind my neck, pulling me closer, pressing my lips hard against his own. Our lips brushed and tested as we explored the growing connection between us. The touch of our lips was soft, unsure of what was to come. This kiss seemed as if our souls combined. I took in Axel’s breath, as he took in mine. We paused and took a moment to look into each other’s eyes. I could feel the kiss in the depths of my heart. I could feel the most wonderful moment of my life.

  Axel groaned. I muffled the sound and tangled my tongue with his, kissing him with all the passion that exploded from within, until I panted for more, until our bodies strained together and everything disappeared but the ravenous quest of our mouths. The hard, warm weight of Axel pressed against me, one hand slipping inside my loose blouse and behind me to trace the low curve of my spine, then ever so gently lower, to the top of my bottom, where his caress slid the material of my skirt in sinuous circles against my hyper-sensitive flesh.

  Panting, struggling for breath, I broke the kiss to stare into his perfect face. I had to touch him, to feel him. I spread my fingers over the rugged surface of his cheek, moving them down to the firmness of his moistened lips. Axel was the most handsome man I had ever seen.

  Not quite brave enough, suddenly, to meet his eyes, I leaned my forehead against his throat, tugged the white shirt from his jeans and slipped my hand under its hem to find Axel’s firm abdomen and the softness of his bare skin. I felt a sense of triumph at the quiver of his stomach muscles and the near-silent sound of desperation that escaped his lips.

  Axel sucked in a breath as my touch moved around his waist to his spine, where I flattened my palm against the smoothness of his back and let my fingertips slip over every muscled hill and valley.

  With a moan, Axel jerked my hand from beneath his shirt and drew it to his lips, kissing each finger before he released a shaky sigh. “Don’t get me wrong, I love what you’re doing. But if we don’t stop…”

  “If we don’t stop…” I echoed in a haze, watching Axel’s lips move against my hand and wanting them on my mouth instead.

  “I’m going to take you right here. I have very little self-control.”

  That prospect didn’t sound half bad to me, but suddenly we heard voices and a dog barking, and the sound hovered all around us. The spell was broken.

  Embarrassment heated my cheeks, both from being more aggressive than I had ever been and from my public displays of affection. I would have had sex with Axel right then and there if it weren’t for the damn dog. Fuck being a virgin. “This isn’t like me at all. But there’s something about you—”

  “There’s something about us,” Axel interrupted softly. “Why don’t we take a break? I think I should probably take you home… for now. Otherwise it’s going to be pretty hard to respect that virgin card of yours.”

  The drive to Felicity’s apartment was quieter than I would have liked. I met Axel’s gaze several times during the drive. He had the most alluring eyes. With each look, the fire blazed between us.

  I reached over and touched his cheek. “Thank you,” I said. “For being understanding with me.”

  “I’ve never been good with this whole courting thing.” Axel blew out a breath, thrust his fingers through his disheveled hair, and cast me an enticing smile. “You make me feel… different. You make me want to be a better man.” He let out a low laugh. “Just don’t tell anyone that. I have a reputation.”

  At the front door of the apartment, I stopped and turned to face Axel. “I had a really nice time.” He gave an easy nod, his brown-eyed gaze scanning my face. “It was fun,” I added. “Well, not fun, exactly. More like… a million other physical sensations. I’ve never felt this way before. It’s so confusing, but in a good way. Does that make any sense?”

  Axel laughed and stepped closer to me, slid a hand beneath my hair, and pressed his lips to my forehead. When he spoke, his voice was a husky ru
mble that seared me to the bone. “I know exactly how you feel.”

  “I don’t want you to leave,” I admitted. I fiddled with the simple silver chain around his neck, staring at the satiny skin beneath it. “I have a feeling things are going to move quickly between us.”

  “That’s completely up to you. I have the same feeling, but I don’t want to make you do anything you are uncomfortable with. Agreeing to fully give yourself to me is a huge step. I don’t take the matter lightly. When you do, is something I’m going to allow you to dictate. My libido may disagree, but I want this to be all you.”

  A faint smile tugged at my mouth, and I glanced up at Axel through my lashes. “How I feel right now… things are going to move quickly. My libido is in cahoots with yours.”

  “You better go inside,” Axel whispered intensely. “Before I change my mind about letting you have the control.”

  Filled with a feminine power I’d never experienced, I tugged him against me and caught his mouth in a long-lasting, blazing kiss. “Goodbye, Axel.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  ALL TO FUCKING SEE

  QUINN

  IT WAS ALMOST implausible to me what a whirlwind of emotions the past few days had been. Coming to terms with my feelings, my sexual desires, and my choice to be with Axel made my head spin.

  I had told Harrison everything that had happened, and that Axel and I were more than just friends or a means to a book deal. Although shocked at first, Harrison laughed and teased me about being in love. He warned me to take it slow and remain somewhat guarded, but also encouraged me to explore my feelings about the possibility of being in a relationship. He also had informed me that I was not allowed to give up on the book deal. That this was my life, my future, and I had a career to think about. A lustful encounter with Axel Rye was not worth giving up everything for.

  I almost jumped for joy when I heard my phone ring and saw Axel’s name on the screen. I answered it with a huge smile and tried to hide a squeal that threatened to escape my lips. This was ridiculous. Truly ridiculous.

  “Hi, Axel.”

  “Hey.” His voice sounded soft, seductive. “Sorry I’m calling so late. My night went later than I thought. I couldn’t stop thinking about us. I honestly don’t like being apart from you.”

  “I feel exactly the same.” I clutched the phone, as if it were his hand. Cheesy yes, but it’s still what I did. “I feel like I’m walking on air. I’m really happy.” I hoped I didn’t seem too honest, but I didn’t want to hold back how much I liked him. I sucked at game playing anyway.

  “I’m really happy, too,” he said. “It’s almost scary how happy I am right now.”

  I sat down on my bed. “I’m glad you called. I wanted to talk about your career.”

  “My career? Last I checked, I didn’t exactly have a career.”

  “Okay, maybe not a career exactly, but you’re famous. How’s it going to look if you’re dating someone? Won’t it cramp your style? Isn’t your playboy lifestyle part of what makes you cool?”

  Axel laughed. “Cramp my style? No, it won’t, and I don’t care if it does.”

  “What about if it gets out that I’m just a boring girl next door? No fame, no glitz and glamour. You’re in demand at every club, bar, and big event. You don’t think it will make you look… fake?”

  Axel was silent for a moment. “I’m genuine. Everything I do is honest. I put myself out there. If people don’t like that, I really don’t care. I’m not going to change the way I act, the decisions I make, or my feelings for you, because of this bizarre notoriety. I’m not going to pretend I’m single because of an image I should uphold.”

  “I just don’t want to get in the way of what you do. I understand what you do for a living—”

  “It’s a job, and only a job. I’m not going to let it get in the way of us. Understood?”

  The truth was I wasn’t entirely sure I could handle this. I knew how other women, especially Jillian and Axel’s groupies, acted around Axel. The thought of watching other girls throw themselves all over him made me sick to my stomach.

  I took a calming breath. “Understood.”

  “In case there’s any doubt, I wasn’t planning on keeping you a secret. I’m going to be proud to have you on my arm.”

  I felt my pulse speed up. The reality of it all started to sink in. This was really happening. I was the girlfriend of the famous Axel Rye. “Okay. I just want you to know I’m not that needy girl. I can let you be in the spotlight but still be there when you’re all done.”

  “That’s not what I want,” he said. “If anyone is going to be that needy person, it’s going to be me. In case you haven’t noticed, I just can’t get enough of you.”

  Axel’s words sent a wave of warmth through my body. I felt the exact same way, although Axel didn’t seem frightened by it. I, on the other hand, was petrified. This seemed too good to be true.

  “You have to stop melting my heart,” I whispered.

  “Why?” Axel suddenly sounded serious. “I say what I feel, and I want you to always do the same. Don’t ever hold anything back. Honesty is all we have. We need to be free with what we feel.”

  “Okay.” I loved how Axel made me feel so open, and I wasn’t going to think about the book deal and let it ruin this moment. I couldn’t. I just couldn’t. “Can I tell you what I’m feeling right now?”

  “Always.”

  I took a deep breath and nibbled at my bottom lip. “I want to be with you right now, and kiss you all over.”

  I heard Axel’s breath hitch. “You’re making it very hard for me not to hop in my car, pick you up, and keep you with me always.”

  I giggled. “Sweet dreams, Axel.”

  “My dreams will be of you.”

  I held the phone to my heart for a while after we’d hung up and wondered how I could go another moment without Axel in my life.

  QUINN

  TRUE TO HIS WORD, Axel didn’t keep our relationship a secret. As soon as he saw me at work, Axel was all over me. He walked behind the bar and wrapped his arms around my waist, kissing my neck.

  Axel obviously felt comfortable with his dominance and power. He knew he could pretty much do anything at this club, and he had no problem showing affection to me. Axel didn’t hold back a thing. He could hardly keep his hands off my body.

  “Axel, my boss isn’t going to like you behind here. I need to finish my shift before you get me fired.”

  “Your boss isn’t going to say a thing, and you know it.”

  I playfully tried to push him away. “You are so bad. Do rules not apply to you?”

  “I don’t like sharing you. I’m selfish. I want you all to myself,” Axel explained, intertwining his fingers with mine. “Is it quitting time yet?”

  “I thought you had a job to do? Aren’t you supposed to be mingling with all the club-goers and getting them to buy off you?” I inquired somewhat timidly. I hoped Axel enjoyed our flirtations as much as I did, but I did hate mentioning him dealing drugs. But I also knew it was part of his life and I needed to get used to it.

  “I’m mingling with the staff. Much more than I ever have before,” Axel declared, glancing up at me suggestively as he continued playing with my hand behind the bar. I couldn’t help but smile at that as I looked up from our restless hands to gaze at Axel flirtatiously. I felt a shudder run through me when I saw the predatory look in his eyes.

  “I should probably get back to work,” I said softly, reluctantly pulling my hand away from Axel’s. I needed to focus my attention back to pouring drinks before I slid under the counter out of view of others and did something decidedly inappropriate at work.

  “Aren’t you done yet?” Axel whined, and I half-expected him to start pouting like a little boy. An incredibly sexy little boy.

  “Soon,” I replied. Axel reached out and took my hand again, using his index finger to lightly trace patterns along my palm. “And then I’m all yours.”

  “Can’t you just clock out ear
ly?” Axel suggested, sticking out his lower lip petulantly. How was it possible for anyone to look so adorable and deliciously dangerous at the same time? “I can pay you and the club whatever amount. I just want you now.” He had a mischievous glint to his eye, and I simply could not deny him anything with how cute he looked.

  “I guess I could clock out,” I conceded. “I’m not of much help right now, anyway.” For some reason, I found it impossible to say no to Axel.

  “Good,” Axel said, interrupting my wayward thoughts. “Because I want to introduce you to some more of my friends.”

  “I thought you wanted me all to yourself?” I asked in confusion.

  Axel followed me to the back room with a dominant presence, causing my heart to skip a beat. He slowly walked over to me and tugged me softly into his arms. He pulled away and placed a palm of his hand on each side of my face. Very closely, he examined my eyes. “I do,” Axel admitted, and I eyed him suspiciously as we walked to the timecard machine. “But I also want everyone to know you belong to me.”

  “Are you sure? You don’t have to do that,” I asked, nervously licking my lips as I clocked out and took off my apron.

  “Yes, I do,” he stated, reaching out to run his finger down the length of my arm. “I want everyone to know I’ve fallen hard.”

  “Fallen?” I asked anxiously.

  He leaned forward and pressed his lips against mine, effectively shutting me up. The kiss was chaste, less intimate than the gentle exploration of mouths we had exchanged the day before. Axel’s lips ruthlessly stroked my own, sending little jolts of pleasure through my body. I kissed him back, my lips parting slightly as I sighed in contentment. Kissing Axel Rye was quickly becoming a habit I had no intention of ever giving up. I moaned softly when I felt Axel’s tongue gently lapping at my lower lip, demanding entrance. Opening my mouth a bit wider, I eagerly anticipated the feel of Axel’s tongue slipping past my lips and into the warm confines of my mouth. But instead of deepening the kiss, Axel ended it. With one last gentle nip to my lower lip, he pulled back slightly, looking entirely too pleased with himself when I groaned in protest.