Page 18 of Axes & Nos
“Yep, and I’m going to make Mom’s chocolate chip cookies to win her over. Unlike you, I am happy I’ve found my mate.” I shoot back and her teasing smile falters as she flinches as though I’ve slapped her. My guilt is instant, but before I can apologize Evren puts her hand up to stop me.
“No, don’t apologize for stating the truth. I’m happy for you, truly I am. I can’t wait to meet her.” Evren says honestly, avoid the elephant in the room that is the topic of her mate. He’s not a bad guy; he was just in a shitty pack before he took over. Hopefully he can eventually win her over, if not I hope they don’t go crazy in the meantime.
“Well, I have to woo her first, and this is the first step. Women like sweets, it’s a proven fact. You live off of them during that time of the month, that’s why we keep Milk Duds in stock. So, these cookies will be the ticket to making Myra fall in love with me or at the very least give me her phone number.” I explain with a teasing grin and Evren smacks my shoulder in response.
“Oh my God, are you telling me you haven’t even gotten her number yet? The great Daxton James Holden couldn’t get a girl's phone number. Are you losing your touch?” I roll my eyes at her and laugh at her use of my full name.
“No, I’m not losing my touch. She’s just a little prickly is all. I didn’t even get her name until I went to help Alia and her move into their new office.” Evren’s eyes go round as saucers, and I explain to her how I first met Myra without knowing who she was at the time. By the time I’m finished she’s holding her stomach laughing like a lunatic.
“I love her already! She will never let you get away with anything. The Fates have found the perfect match for you. Here let me help you make the cookies.” Evren says as she tries to push me out of the way.
“No, I’m making these all by myself. Shoo.” I make the shooing motion at her as I continue. “I want to take all the credit when she asks who made them. If I tell Myra you helped, she’ll think I let you do all the work.” I declare as I push her out of the kitchen and turn the oven on to preheat.
“Suit yourself. Don’t say I didn’t offer.” Evren says as she saunters off to her room.
Chapter Ten
Myra
List for office supplies, check. List of furniture for the cabin, check. List for kitchen supplies, check. Tapping my pen against the table I think about what else I need to make a list for. I’m sure I’m forgetting something, but it’s escaping me at the moment. Today I’ll swing into the thrift shops in town to see what I can find off of my lists. Who knows, maybe I’ll get lucky and find an actual bed. The air mattress is functional but not much could be said for comfort level. Sipping the last of my coffee I stand to get in the shower to start my day when I hear the rumble of a vehicle coming up the driveway. Rushing to the front window I peek out and see Dax’s truck making its way up the drive.
“Shit! What is he doing here?” Looking down at myself I realize I’m running around in nothing but my panties and an old band T-shirt from before Steven. Running into the bedroom I grab a pair of leggings and shimmy into them just as there is a knock at the door. Glancing in the bathroom mirror I screech at the sight of myself. My hair is going in all different directions, and I try to pat it down the best I can when I hear Dax yelling from the front door.
“Myra! Myra, are you alright? Myra, open the door!” His voice sounds urgent as the door rattles.
“I’m fine, be right there!” I yelled back at him, rushing toward the door, before he could knock it down.
“Jesus woman, you scared about five years off my life.” Dax rushes out, clutching his chest, his breathing labored as I open the door. As soon as he sees me, his eyes rove over me, desire sizzling over my skin at the hunger in his eyes.
Why does this man affect me so damn much? It’s not just because he’s fine, he is, but that can’t be the only reason. I’ve seen tons of fine men over the years, none of them have affected me like he does. There is something else about him that keeps making me want him.
“I saw myself in the mirror and well.” I motion toward myself like it explains why I screeched.
“Well what, you realized how fine you are?” He teases with a smirk.
“Oh yeah, I’m looking mighty fine right now with my hair looking like a rat's nest, my face naked, my ratty t-shirt, and workout leggings. I’m positively radiant.” I say with a laugh.
“I’m sorry my brain shorted out when you said naked.” He says, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
“Oh my God, really! That’s all you heard?” I choke out.
“Woman, if you saw you the way I see you, that wouldn’t even be a question.” He grits out, a growl in his throat, reminding me he’s not entirely human.
“I’m sure you say that to all the girls.” I snark back at him shaking my head.
“No, never said anything like that to any other woman. I’ve said many other things to get in their pants, but nothing like that.” He says matter of factly.
“Oh really, and what do you say to the women you typically hit on?” I ask, venom lacing my voice. Why am I asking him? It's really none of my business. But there is a twisted part of me thatneeds to know. Maybe to prove that he’s the charmer I accuse him of being, to give me more ammo to avoid his advances.
“Actually, I had an epiphany yesterday while at the grocery store. I’m not the hitter onner, but the hitted onner. I don’t know that onner is a word, but.” He says with a shrug of his shoulders, like he’s come to some grand conclusion that is supposed to make things better.
“So, women just throw themselves at you is what you’re saying.” I scoff at him in derision. Of course they do, why wouldn’t they. The man oozes sex appeal from every pore of his being. It would be impossible for any straight woman with two eyes to ignore that fact.
“Well yeah, so you see I don’t hit on women, like you think I do, they hit on me. I just never turned them down before. Until yesterday that is.” He states as though this should make me happy for some reason.
“And yesterday you what? Decided that suddenly sleeping with every woman who throws themselves at you wasn’t worth it anymore. What changed for you to come to this grand epiphany?” I taunt him with a laugh.
“You. You changed everything Myra.” He says earnestly. There is no mischief in his eyes, no smirk upon his lips, and no charm oozing from him, only honesty.