Twin Babies for my Pucking Defenders (Chicago Icebreakers #2)

11. Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven

Axel

I like pain.

Not the kind of pain that leaves you crippled or fucked up beyond repair, but the kind that makes you feel something sharp and raw. I like inflicting it. I like feeling it. Maybe that is why I am the bruiser of the team.

Maybe that’s why I let this crush on my best friend’s little sister, Jade, fester like an open wound.

And it’s definitely why I let my personal trainer beat the holy crap out of me under the guise of boxing.

I had to talk to my therapist about it a while back. She said it’s part of my ADHD. Apparently, it’s some shit about needing to burn off the restless energy that builds up like a damn pressure cooker inside my head. She said I could pace, I could overthink, or I could just punch something until I can’t think straight. Guess which option I usually pick?

Jade’s been on my mind all damn day. She still hasn’t confirmed if she’s coming tonight, and it’s driving me nuts. So, instead of pacing like a lunatic, I’m here in the gym, taking it out on some poor bastard of a punching bag. Sweat’s dripping down my back, my knuckles are raw, and every punch makes me think less about Jade and more about the sweet release of exhaustion.

Then the music in the gym cuts out. My phone lights up with an unknown number. I stop mid-punch, breathing hard, and hold up a hand to my trainer. “Give me a sec.”

He nods, stepping back, a smirk on his face like he knows what’s up. I pick up the call, and there it is—Jade’s voice, sweet as hell and soft. “Hey, Axel. I’ll be at Elite Paws in an hour. Maybe we can meet there?”

Fuck yes. “Perfect,” I say, maybe a little too quickly.

I hang up, turning back to my trainer. “I gotta go. Got a date.”

He snorts. “Good luck, man. You look like shit.”

“Yeah, yeah. Thanks, asshole.”

I grab my stuff and head out. My place isn’t far. I strip down the second I’m inside and I turn on the shower. The hot water feels amazing as it’s pounding against my sore muscles. I scrub off the sweat, the grime, the day. I pop my meds and stare at myself in the mirror for a second, hair slicked back, eyes a little wild.

This is it. One chance to impress her, and I’m not gonna fuck it up.

I put on a black, open-collar shirt. Simple but sharp. A spritz of cologne—clean and fresh, like bergamot and sage. I can’t go wrong with that. The bouquet of roses I bought earlier sits on the counter, all set for this exact moment. I grab it and head out to the garage.

I decide on the Aston Martin. Sleek, black, powerful—the kind of car that turns heads and makes a statement. I slide in, grip the wheel, and tell myself to breathe. Not because I’m nervous. I’m just…ready.

I get to the clinic and shoot her a quick text. I’m outside. Then, I wait, holding my damn breath like an idiot.

A minute later, she walks out. Holy. Shit.

Jade’s got her hair up, all tight and slick, showing off her neck. She’s wearing this black dress that clings to her curves in all the right places, stopping just above her knees, and a pair of red heels that look like they could kill a man. And those lips—they’re bright red, like she’s daring me to ruin them.

My cock stirs, heat pooling low in my gut. I’m gonna have a hell of a time keeping my hands off her tonight.

I jump out and stride over, pulling the door open for her. She slips in with this little smirk and I just stare at her for a second. Goddamn, she’s beautiful.

I hand her the roses. “These are for you.”

She blinks, and for a second, I swear she’s caught off guard. But then she smiles, and it’s like a punch to the gut. “Thank you, Axel. They’re beautiful.”

I nod, my throat a little dry. “You’re…breathtaking, Jade.”

She looks at me, and there’s this flash in her eyes like she’s trying to figure me out. “You’re laying it on pretty thick, huh?”

“Just being honest,” I say, sliding into the driver’s seat. “You ready?”

She glances at me, her lips curving. “I guess we’ll see.”

I start the car, the engine roaring to life, and we’re off. The drive to The Haven isn’t long, but with Jade next to me, it feels like I’m hyperaware of every second, every breath. She’s displaying this calm, cool demeanor, but I can see the way her fingers tap against her leg, her eyes darting to me every now and then.

I reach over and take her hand. She glances at me, then down at my knuckles. “What the hell happened to your hand?” she asks.

I shrug. “Boxing.”

She snorts. “I box too, but damn, I don’t get my ass kicked like that.”

I give her a grin. “You could kiss it better, you know.”

She grins back. “You let all your friends kiss you?”

“Of course,” I say, dead serious. “How else would I know how soft Finn’s lips are?”

That gets her laughing, a real laugh that breaks whatever tension was buzzing around in the car. It feels good. Too good.

Jade suddenly bites her lip, then says, “I should probably mention something.”

“Go on.” I keep my eyes on the road, but my heart starts hammering.

“I’m kinda seeing someone,” she says, her voice a bit nervous.

I didn’t see that one coming. “Oh, yeah? Serious?”

She shakes her head. “Nah, it’s…complicated. Just didn’t want to mislead you or anything.”

I nod. “Appreciate that. But, as long as we’re being honest, I’ve got a question for you.”

She raises a brow. “Shoot.”

“Are you wearing panties with that dress?” I ask, trying to keep my face straight.

She mock gasps, then laughs. “You’re incorrigible. Aren’t we supposed to be friends?”

I grin. “We are. And as your friend, I should tell you, I’m wearing black boxers, ‘cause I know you like that.”

She turns a shade pinker and shakes her head. “Hell no. I don’t notice your underwear, you pervert.”

I lean in a bit. “It’s cool. I won’t tell anyone if you don’t.”

She gives me this look, like she’s trying to figure me out. “This isn’t just a friendly dinner, is it?”

I smile. “It’s whatever we want it to be.”

And then she does something that nearly knocks the breath out of me—she lifts my bruised knuckles to her mouth and presses a kiss there. My cock stirs, hot and eager. Goddamn. This is a good sign.

“All right, let’s get some dinner, then,” I say, my voice low.

She whispers, “Okay.”

We pull up to The Haven. I hand my keys to the valet, as Jade and I walk in. The place is upscale as fuck—white tablecloths, candles on the table, the works. The hostess smiles and leads us through the restaurant to a table set up with candles and flowers. The whole romantic shtick. Jade cocks an eyebrow at me.

“Hey,” I say, holding up my hands, “this was initially for Finn and Millie, so just go with it.”

She chuckles. “I don’t mind the candlelight and ambiance.”

“Good.” We sit, and the waiter hands us our menus. I’m not even looking at mine. I’m looking at her —he way her green eyes seem to catch the soft light, the way her lips curve just right when she’s thinking.

We place our orders, and Jade keeps stealing glances at me. I finally lean forward. “Jared would fucking kill me if he knew I was out on a date with you.”

She leans back, smirking. “He’d only kill you if he knew what you had in mind for me.”

I lean closer, voice low. “You wanna know what I’ve been thinking?”

Her eyes stay on mine, and she bites her lip. “Maybe.”

“Let’s make it through dinner first, then we’ll see,” I whisper.

The tension is back, but now it’s humming with something else. Something that makes the air around us thick and charged. Our drinks come, and we toast—because why the hell not? I can’t stop watching her, though, the way she holds herself, that little spark in her eyes that tells me she’s just as into this as I am.

“So,” she says, breaking the silence, “tell me something no one else knows about you.”

I laugh. “You’re gonna have to be more specific. I’m an open book.”

She rolls her eyes. “Bullshit.”

“All right,” I say, leaning back in my chair. “I don’t trust people easily. Takes a lot for me to let someone in.”

She nods, thoughtful. “Yeah, I get that. Same.”

We talk more—about life, stupid shit we did as kids, her work and my gym. Then I realize that I’m having fun. Like, real fun. I’m not thinking about anything else. Just her.

The food comes and we dig in. Halfway through, she leans in, real close. “You know, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look this...put together.”

I smirk. “What, you don’t like me in sweats and a tank?”

She snickers. “I mean, it’s a look. But this,” she gestures to my all-black outfit, “this is something.”

“Glad you approve.” I take a sip of my drink, letting my eyes wander over her. “You clean up pretty nice yourself.”

She blushes but plays it off. “Flattery will get you everywhere.”

“I’m counting on it.”

The night goes on, the conversation flowing easily. I can’t help the way I’m watching her, the way her lips move and the way her eyes light up when she’s telling me a story. I’m hooked. I’m in deep.

And then she leans in again, her voice low and teasing. “So, about those things you had in mind…”

I chuckle. “Let’s just say, I’ve got a lot of ideas. But I think I’d rather show you than tell you.”

She bites her lip, and I swear to God, I’m ready to flip this table and drag her out of here.

“Then show me,” she whispers.

I take a deep breath, keeping my cool. “Finish your drink first. Then we’ll see what happens next.”

She nods, but her eyes are still on me, still daring me. And I’m all in.