Page 25 of Wicked Lord

“Okay, I’m ready,” I chirped, tossing back the dismal thoughts.

“Great… you said you wanted to go back to the Zeta house to discuss?” He waggled a flirty brow.

“Yes, we should totally do that.”

Axel’s hand slid down my arm, and his warm fingers weaved between my own. My heart fluttered, an unfamiliar feeling throwing it into turmoil. Giant butterfly wings whipped at my insides as we walked hand-in-hand through the library.

Shit, Lore, get it together. This was what you wanted.

Steeling my spine, I met the curious gazes of half a dozen students as we passed and donned that practiced smile. Everything was going to work out perfectly.

As soon as we were free of the brutal scrutiny from the library, I inhaled a swig of sultry summer air and led the way back to the sorority house. Axel was quiet beside me, his eyebrows pinched and a vein thrumming across his forehead.

“So what made you change your mind?” I finally asked. After our conversation yesterday, I was almost certain he’d pass on my deal.

He shrugged, his burly shoulders straining against his collared shirt. “I guess this shit with Cordi has been bugging me more than I thought.”

“Because youloveher…” I couldn’t help the little childish sing-song.

“Shut up, Battenberg!” Axel’s cheeks burned fifty shades of red. “I told her I wanted a break actually.”

“You did?” I was sure my eyes had gone cartoon-character wide. Wow, he really was all in.

“Yeah, I mean I figured if we were doing this, we better do it right.”

“I like your style, Vanderhart.” I tossed him a smirk. “We should probably set some clear boundaries so we’re both on the same page. We should have a list of expectations, terms of endearment, events to be attended, rules?—”

“Oh God, woman, please don’t tell me there are gonna be spreadsheets.”

I jabbed my elbow into his side, and he buckled over, releasing a satisfying groan. “I’m just saying we should cover all our bases.” And maybe, I’d created a Google sheet or two.

“Fine, whatever you say, sugar mama.”

“Absolutely not. Take that back immediately.” My lips screwed into a pout as his deep chuckle vibrated between us.

“What? You said there were going to be terms of endearment, and I totally heard you call me babe back there.”

“Did you like that? Was it too much?”

He smirked, the soft smile lighting up his baby blues. “Nah, it’s cool. I’ll have to think of a good one for you.”

“Definitely not sugar mama.” My nose crinkled at the nickname even from my own mouth.

When we reached the Zeta house, Axel released my hand, scooted in front of me and opened the front door. I eyed him as I passed through the opening, jaw nearly unhinged. “You know, when there’s no one around you don’t have to do stuff like that.”

His broad shoulders lifted. “It’s okay, I don’t mind. This way it’ll be more natural when others are watching.”

“Good point.” Man, I kind of hit the jackpot with Axel.

How had I never noticed what a great guy Killian’s roommate was? I’d spent most of the year so obsessed with the asshole, I’d completely missed it.

“Hey, girl.” Tate spun around on the living room couch and peered up over the top of her book.

Shit, she’d been so quiet, I hadn’t even noticed her from the entry foyer. Had she heard our conversation?

“What are you doing here? I thought you were off to the Maldives this summer with your family.”

“Not until July.” She dropped her book on the floral couch and walked toward us, her curious gaze pinned to Axel. “My grandparents are spending the summer with my family at our home in Copper Cove, and I just can’t stand the old people smell.” She wrinkled her nose. “Besides, I’d rather spend the summer at the Zeta house than be forced to entertain them.”