Page 90 of Wicked Lord

His fingers closed around my chin, tilting it up so my eyes met his blazing ones once more. “I’m not pretending right now, blondie. I mean every word.”

His lips brushed mine, the kiss sweet, and completely unlike any of the fiery, lust-induced ones before. My heart staggered, knees wobbled, and I leaned more fully against the wall.

My mouth parted and his tongue snuck in, tentatively. A low groan escaped him as his tongue tangled with mine.

“I thought I saw you two come back here.” Jeremy popped out from around the corner, and I tore my lips from Axel’s. His brother’s light eyes glinted with amusement as he regarded us.

“Fuck, Jer, haven’t you ever heard of privacy?” Axel growled.

“If you want privacy, go to your damned room. Don’t maul your girlfriend by the pool for all to see.”

“You’re an ass.” He wrapped his fingers around my palm and dragged me back toward the house.

“I just came to tell you Dad’s firing up the grill,” Jeremy called out behind us. “Are you inviting your friends out for the fireworks later?”

Axel stopped and turned to face me as we reached the back porch. “What do you think, blondie? Should I invite the guys?”

I wanted to say no more than anything. What I really wanted was the night alone with Axel, but my logical side knew that would only be asking for trouble. No matter how much I wanted Ax, I couldn’t screw up this arrangement. Being forced to marry Brock would kill me. I had to bury these feelings far down…

And what better way to do that than having Ax’s drunk, obnoxious frat brothers here as a distraction.

“Yeah, invite them.” I shrugged. “It’ll be fun.”

I could have sworn I saw a flash of disappointment in those bright eyes, but I’d probably imagined it. My fake boyfriend couldn’t possibly have real feelings for me, too, right?

CHAPTER 37

LOOKING FOR TROUBLE

Axel

Some of my joy deflated when the guys spilled into the backyard just as the sun set, but I cheerfully waved at them. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to see my friends. I’d just been looking forward to hanging out with my family while enjoying the crashing waves and beach air.

That was bullshit. I’d wanted Lorelei all to myself.

And that was fucking dangerous.

The kiss we shared earlier hadn’t been part of our little show for my family, and neither of us had consumed a sip of alcohol. Things were getting messy, and it was probably good that the guys were coming.

Lexi was also with them, Killian tucking her into his side as they walked toward the firepit where I sat. Those two rarely went anywhere without each other, so I expected her presence, but when a purple-haired vixen, donning a tight red, white, and blue mini dress, emerged behind a hulking Gage, my stomach dropped.

Why was Cordelia here?

My gaze chased to Lorelei’s as she stood near a wrought iron table, laughing with my mom and Gigi. She looked adorable in her shorts and t-shirt, so unlike the uptight heiress everyone knew.

Something tightened painfully in my chest at how easily she fit in with my family.

When she peered over my head at the approaching group the light in her eyes dimmed, but she kept that smile plastered to her face. It was a learned habit. Lorelei never wanted anyone to see her real emotions.

She didn’t fool me, though.

Had she wanted to spend the evening with me? Alone?

“Look what the cat dragged in.” My dad set his beer down and marched toward the guys. “You boys look older every time I see you. Soon, you’ll all have grays like me.”

Killian grinned. “I can’t wait. I’ll look even better. It’ll give me a real distinguished air.” He shoved Lexi in front of him. “This is the love of my life, Lexi.”

A blush coated her cheeks as she reached out and took my dad’s ginormous hand. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Vanderhart.