Axel didnât even try to hide the way his gaze lingered on her, deliberate, like he had all the time in the world to take her in. There was something assured in the way he carried himself, like he already knew how this night was going to unfold and that sheâd be right there with him for it. At her mention of Sawyer, his jaw shifted slightly, not tense, just dismissive. âYou donât need to do anything about him,â he said smoothly, voice low and steady. âHeâs already irrelevant to us both.â His eyes held hers, a faint smirk pulling at his lips. âYou choosing me? Thatâs the only part that matters.â As they walked, his hand stayed firm at her lower back, fingers flexing just slightly like he liked her there. like he wasnât planning on letting that space between them exist again anytime soon. He glanced down at her when she reacted to his order, amused. When she teased him about the fries, he let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head. âBecause you're predictable with the fries,â he said, though the way he looked at her made it clear he meant it as a compliment. âIn the best way.â He picked up a fry and threw it at her. At the table, once she sat, Axel didnât rush to sit down himself. He lingered for half a second, eyes on her, like he appreciated the view before finally taking his seat across from her. Relaxed, but focused. âOnly when it counts,â he replied to her âgentlemanâ comment, voice smooth, one arm draping casually over the back of his chair. When she brought up dessert, his attention sharpened again, gaze flicking to where her finger landed on him. That, paired with the slow brush of her foot against his, earned a quiet exhale through his nose. Axelâs gaze darkened, but instead of say something out loud, his hand slid down beneath the table, catching her ankle with a slow, controlled grip. He guided her foot higher along his leg, teasing, stopping right on top of his crotch. He leaned in slightly, voice low, almost a murmur meant just for her. âNo,â he said smoothly, eyes locked onto hers, a slow smirk pulling at his lips, âbut that is.â
she didnât care about sawyer anymore, but if she was completely honest, she hated that he had decided to cheat on her and chose someone else. that part made her want to ruin his lifeâthat was just who she was. âheâs irrelevant, but that asshole still cheated on me, and i want to ruin him,â she pointed out with a sigh. âof course iâm choosing you, youâre my man,â she added with a smile. lacey was loving every second of it, loving how she didnât have to care about anything but axel. she wanted to remember every bit of that date. âiâm predictable with fries? funny,â she chuckled, âyou know how to read me that well?â she flirted, her brown eyes finding his. as she sat down, she took a deep breath. âonly when it counts? am i that good of a companion?â she teased, a warm smile on her lips. she noticed the way he looked at her as she flirted, the way his hand found her ankle, and he moved it so her foot was resting against his crotch, made her smirk. she let her foot rest there, she smirked slightly, eyebrows lifting in quiet challenge. âyou know how i like my dessert,â she winked. she nudged her food lightly, then leaned in just a bit. âi donât know how long youâre going to last, but we can play a little game,â she smiled before pulling her foot back a few inches. âyou drive me crazy, you know that, right?â she whispered.












