I reached out with my hands too.

Took hold as I shifted to my hip, then my knees.

I pressed between his splayed thighs and wrapped my arms around his body.

And I took in his beautiful face.

Then I kissed him.

He slid his arms around me and kissed me back.

When I pulled away, I whispered, “I’m going to have a show.”

And at that, Axl Pantera smiled at me.

Big and white.

And dazzling.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Fly Forever

Axl

The next day at lunchtime, while Axl moved through the restaurant toward his mother’s table, his phone chimed.

He dug it out of his side leg pocket, looked down at it, and saw he had a text from Hattie.

The phone recognized his face and the text came up.

Hope everything goes okay with

your mom.

Tell her I said hey.

xx♥♥oo♥♥

She was thinking of him. Worried about him. Worried how he’d handle whatever was coming.

And she wanted him to know he was on her mind.

Christ, he was in love with this woman.

He stopped on his way long enough to reply,

Will do, babe.

At the restaurant. I’ll pick you up

at your place later to go get

your dad. ♥

He then pocketed his phone, resumed walking, aiming his eyes at his mother to see she was watching him.

He smiled at her.

She smiled back and started to push out of her chair.

He moved forward faster, and when he got close, ordered, “Don’t get up.”

“Rubbish,” she said, clearing her chair, turning to him, putting her hands on his shoulders then positioning her face for him to kiss her cheek.

This he did.

Then he held her chair as she sat down, helped her scoot it in, all before he sat down.

He started it.

“Hattie says hey.”

“Tell her I said hello back.”

He saw she already had a drink. San Pellegrino with lemon and lime.

“Have you been here?” she asked.

“No,” he replied, glancing at the menu sitting on his place setting and seeing the prices.

Hawk paid well, but Axl would rather go to Mustard’s for a hot dog or Brother’s for a hamburger than go to a snobby joint with white tablecloths and pay through the nose for lunch.

Though, he’d consider taking Hattie here for dinner so he could see her in another of her dresses.

Just not on a Sunday.

His lips quirked at that thought.

“I don’t even know if you’ve been here.”

At her tone, as well as her words, Axl’s attention cut back to her.

And the waiter was at the table.

“Drink for you, sir?” he asked.

“Same as my mom,” Axl ordered.

“Anything to start?” the guy pressed on.

“We’ll have the large bowl of mussels to share,” his mother said.

“Right away,” the waiter murmured and took off.