Dracian Legacy (14 page)

At that time I thought that was the cutest thing any boy had ever said or done for me. Especially a boy I had a huge crush on. But a few months later, everything changed between us. Still, I couldn’t throw it away. It wasn’t only part of my room; it was part of me.

“After all the bashing the past four years, I didn’t think you’d keep it.”

“I don’t hate you, Dean. I do, however, want to punch you in the face every time I see your stupid smirk…” I laughed. “
If
I were a violent person. But since I’m not, I settled for the verbal bashing.”

I’d been staring at my clothes for too long, so finally I gave up small talk. I turned around. Dean was watching me. He nervously rubbed his temple with his brows creased. His entire person radiated apology—a look that didn’t fit his features very well.

He closed the distance between us in two long strides and placed his hands over my cheeks, lifting my face so we were looking into each other’s eyes.

“I’ve regretted one thing.” Remorse poured from him, heavy and smothering. “If I could go back in time, I would redo that one moment. I don’t know why I acted the way I did. Then…” He gave me a long, tortured blink. “I was a complete idiot to push you away. After that kiss, my first kiss,
our
first kiss, I freaked. I wanted to come back and apologize, beg you for forgiveness, but my ego…”

“So you thought if you made an ass out of me, you could feel better about yourself? How original.”

“I already admitted to being an utter disappointment and a pompous ass.” His smile turned genuine. “There wasn’t a single day I didn’t regret it. I knew we were drifting apart. I knew I needed to do something. I wanted to. I didn’t know how… It’s really stupid.” He traced my cheek and jawline with his thumb.

“Well, men, on a basic level, are plain stupid… But…” My words disappeared when my eyes locked with his.

Dean stared back at me, his eyes clouded and seductive. He leaned in, waiting for me to push him back—away. I placed my hands on his chest, unsure of my own needs and wants. I knew I shouldn’t want this—not when my heart was still aching for
my
Dracian.

Before I knew what was happening, his mouth covered mine. He started to softly kiss my lower lip. Once. Twice. And three times. A range of flutters built in the pit of my stomach as his lips seared a path from cheek to neck. When I didn’t push him back, he took that as an approval and covered my mouth with his, kissing me with more urgency. He pushed apart my lips and his chest vibrated under my hand. He let out a little moan and pulled me closer to his body, between his legs.

My heart was screaming this was wrong, although my body was responding to his touch. A strong mysterious bond connected me to Dean. But it was never nearly enough compared to how I felt toward Axel. Axel was what I wanted, what I needed. Not Dean. Never Dean. I placed my hand over his chest and fought against every urge of my treacherous body.

“Stop. Please.” I pulled back breathlessly.

Confusion dressed his features. His heart beat frantically against my palm. His eyes were clouded and cheeks flushed. His warm breath teased my lips. He looked painfully vulnerable… gorgeous.

I shook my head. “Dean… I-I can’t.” I pushed him harder, desperate for distance between us. “This isn’t fair… for either of us.”

A range of emotions crossed his face before a devilish smile settled. I knew that mask. It was one I was entirely familiar with. He took a few slow, deliberate steps back.

“Are you always this uptight?” he asked, running a thumb across his lips.

Argh!
There it was—his need to be an arrogant ass. Another reason why we wouldn’t work. I didn’t understand how he could switch from being a caring person into this selfish, egotistical asshat. I squared my shoulders and put on a brave face.

“You would’ve known if you stuck around,” I spat and spun on my heels, facing away from him.

I hated Dean for what he did. It wasn’t the humiliation or the kiss, but the fact he chose them. He chose his other friends over his best friend. Over me.

“Look at me.” His voice pleaded.

There it was. God, he was worse than a girl PMSing. I turned to face him, my hands in fists. His features were soft and calm. He wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me to him. “I’m sorry. I promise on my life, I’ll never leave you again.”

I wanted to scream. God, I was so sick of his hot-and-cold behavior. I didn’t know what to say.

“You’d be doing me one hell of a favor if you just tell me where we’re going.” I whined.

“Just wear something causal, preferably something that covers you head to toe,” Joshua yelled up the stairs like he couldn’t believe I was capable of saying such a thing. “And leave Grumpy behind.”

“Well, I wouldn’t be
grumpy
if you left
my
ice cream alone, douche!”

He chuckled. “Just get down here. For God’s sake, I’m about to turn into dust. You’re worse than Cassie… Ouch!”

My phone buzzed.

Axel: This reminded me of you.

When I clicked on the attached link, my cell blasted with the “I am a Gummy Bear” song. I started laughing.

“Stop laughing and get your ass down here,” Joshua said. “Ouch!”

Me: It must be the bubbly personality.

Axel:
Nope.

Me: The incredibly sexy voice?

Axel: Hmm…

My heart fluttered and I grinned.

Axel:
Nope

Me: Then it’s definitely because the gummy bear is so edible.

Axel
:
Bingo!

I nearly dropped my phone, reading the last reply. Be still my heart.

Axel: I have a surprise for you.

Me: Yeah?

Axel: Yup.

Me: What is it?

Axel: It’s been delivered to your house.

“Would you get your ass down here already?” Joshua interrupted my thoughts.

“Say that one more time and I swear to God, I’m gonna turn you to dust myself,” I muttered, knowing all too well he couldn’t hear me.

I cleared my head and looked into the mirror, giving one final assessment. I wore a white floor-length silk skirt that sat below my hipbone and an off-the-shoulder orange silk top that sat above my hipbone, leaving a tad bit of bare skin showing. I complemented my attire with sizzling T-strap orange heels. Mom’s amulet, as always, hung low around my neck. My hair was pulled up in a high ponytail, leaving two strands shaping around my face.

With newfound confidence, I stepped out of my room and walked down the stairs. My skirt flowed around me like waves of soothing water. I checked my phone one last time in hopes of another text from Axel.

“Beauty takes time, my dear brother,” I said roguishly. “Will you—”

I almost fell flat on my face, missing the last step. I stared at
him
waiting at the end of hallway, rocking nervously on his heels. Axel always looked every bit breathtaking, but more so tonight. He wore a black designer suit with a white shirt that peeked between his jacket lapels.

“I beg to differ.” His eyes glowed bright blue.

I gawked at him like a hungry baboon.

Not a monkey.

Not an ape.

But. A. Baboon.

The heat rushed into my cheeks and I looked down at my feet, embarrassed.

Joshua walked into the room, his hands shoved into his front pockets. “She’s surprised all right.”

Cassie smirked knowingly. I took a few deliberate steps toward Axel, still unsure if he was really here. Especially, since tonight was the fall dance at the RHHS.

“I promise to make it worth your while,”
Rachel had said.

“I have a surprise for you,”
he texted me not five minutes ago. “
It’s been delivered to your house.”

“I’m here to ask you out on a date.” He took a few steps toward me.

“I…” Ah, hell, why was it so hard to talk when he was around?

He smiled. “It’s not the fall dance.”

I looked at Joshua for support and he shrugged his shoulders.

“Okay.” I didn’t need to be asked twice.

He held out his hand, which I took with a little hesitation. I was a bit out of sorts, confused by his presence.
He should be at the fall dance with Rachel.
He opened the car door and waited till I took a seat before letting go of my hand. This was going to be a night to remember. I could feel it.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

“You look beautiful tonight,” Axel said in a heated whisper directly into my ear. When I didn’t respond, he asked, “What are you thinking?”

I pressed my lips together firmly. “Why you are here… with me?”

Did Rachel back out? Did he back out? Was he trying to make up to me for some stupid reason? If so, why? Why did it matter?

I shivered unintentionally.

“Are you cold?”

“No, if anything, it’s getting a bit warm out here.” I bit my tongue, noting the slip.

Seemed like an all talk and no thought kind of night.

Crap.

We stopped walking when an awe-inspiring scene came into view. A cobbled pathway led to a gazebo that stood in the middle of a tiny pond bordered by a beautiful garden. Moonlight reflected off the calm water surrounding us.

Axel pulled my hand into his and intertwined our fingers. An electrical shock spread from the tips of my fingers all the way to my toes. His hand quivered in mine, like he was nervous. He pulled me closer, leading us to the middle of the spectacular view.

Our surroundings were illuminated with flickering candles reflecting against the red and white chiffon fabric. A table for two sat in the corner with beautiful daisies, roses, and gardenias. Soft, soothing music filled the background, like an afterthought. My heart hammered against my chest as my eyes drank in the magnificent sight.

The whole setup was remarkably romantic, sweet, and beyond anything I could describe in mere words. It was perfect. Simply perfect.

He did this for me? That couldn’t be right. I must’ve dozed off in the comfort of my bed. This whole thing must be a dream. Yes, that made much more sense.

But when I finally had the courage to look up, I found Axel’s bright-blue eyes staring back at me. They looked radiant, like the brightest star in the darkest of nights. I knew then it had to be real. Because my imagination would never be able to recreate the magnificence before me.

Only one word came out in a choked whisper. “Why?”

“Because you deserve everything that is as beautiful as you are,” he said, matter-of-fact.

I blushed, biting my lip. “Thank you. You didn’t have to.”

“I wanted to.” He beamed. “I hope you’re hungry.”

Right on cue my stomach growled and a nervous chuckle escaped my throat. I placed my hand over my stomach. “Famished.”

The chair groaned against the wooden slab as Axel pulled it out for me. I didn’t know what to expect tonight, but I intended to live it like it was my last night on earth.

“This is amazing. Complements to the chef,” I said, chewing a tender piece of chicken drenched in apricot sauce.

“Thank you.”

“Wait, you cooked this?”

“Yours truly.” He bowed his head in response. “I wouldn’t want it any other way for our first date.”

I sucked in a deep breath, heat radiating from every nerve ending. I had a feeling that tonight there would be an ongoing cartwheel circus in the hollow of my stomach.

“So…,” he said after dinner and got on his knee and opened his arms. My heart flipped tenfold before I got the nerve to ask him what he was doing.

Still on his knee, he smiled, swaying his arms, gesturing me to dance with him. I placed my napkin on my empty plate and stood up, walking toward him. With my hand in his, he pushed to a standing position, pulling me toward him when our song, “Dance With Me” by Nouvelle Vague, started and he led our first dance.

My heart hummed with desire as he held me close. My mind was blocked and thoughts evaporated. Thinking was overrated anyways.

“This song…,” I whispered.