Page 89 of Wicked Lord

“Enough smack talk, let’s keep playing,” Conrad called out.

Gigi blew the whistle, and we were off again. The minutes flew by with the steady rush of waves crashing along the shore and the heavy footfalls of Vanderhart men. The guys were relentless, but I held my own, snatching red flags left and right. Jackson’s wife, Everly, was really good. I was beyond thankful the newlyweds along with Deb were on our team.

With the sun dipping low in the ocean, the game was nearing its end. The score was tied. With the ball in our hands and seconds ticking down, Axel huddled us together, eyes meeting mine.

“Okay, Lore, you think you can score us the winning touchdown?”

“Absolutely.”

“Go long when I tell you. Trust me.” Those ocean blue spheres sparkled with determination and that typical mischief.

With the next whistle, I took off down the sideline, pulse pounding.

“Incoming!” Axel shouted, and I turned just in time to see the football spiraling towards me.

Everything else fell away; it was just me, the ball, and the end zone. I caught it—barely—and stumbled across the makeshift line scrawled in the sand, planting my feet.

The whistle blew, and cheers erupted around us. Axel sprinted over, lifting me into a hug, and spun us around. "I knew you could do it, Lore!" His lips pressed to mine, and it felt like the most natural thing in the world.

His family gathered around, laughing and clapping me on the back. His dad tousled my hair, a familiar grin on his face. "You’re one hell of a secret weapon, Battenberg."

“Told ya.” Axel’s smile couldn’t have been wider, and it had my heart skipping around my chest.

“She’s definitely a keeper.” Conrad Vanderhart’s warm grin sent stabs of guilt shooting up my spine.

A keeper, right? It took all I had to keep the frown from breaking through.

As we walked back up the beach with Axel's arm around my shoulders, I couldn't help but think this might have been one of the best evenings ever. And it was all a complete sham.

I must have stiffened as we headed back up toward the house because Axel whirled at me, concern in the tight set of his mouth. “What’s wrong, blondie? You killed it out there.”

Lengthening my strides to put some distance between us and Jackson and Everly walking a few steps behind, I whispered, “I just feel guilty lying to all of them. Your family is amazing, and now they think I’m amazing. But it’s all a big fat fucking lie.”

Axel’s lips flattened out. His hand slid down my arm and closed around my palm before he tugged me toward the pool house, away from earshot and curious gazes. Once we were hidden behind the pristine white siding, he released me. I leaned against the wall and huffed out a breath.

“Lore…” he began before dragging his hand through his sun-kissed locks. “I—I don’t know what to say. This whole fake dating thing has gotten so much more complicated than I ever thought it would.”

“I know,” I mumbled.

“And you’re right, my family does love you, and I hate lying to them, too.” He released a frustrated breath. “But we’ve already gotten this far, and I’m still committed, aren’t you?”

Of course, he was. Because he just wanted Cordelia back.

I nodded slowly. And besides, what other option did I have? I still needed to convince my father I could snag my own millionaire, or I’d be forced into the sleazy hands of Brock Haversham.

Axel crept closer, his massive form trapping me against the pool house, which was larger than most people’s homes. “You’re not having second thoughts, are you, blondie?” He flashed that charming smile that had all the girls dropping their panties for.

Second, third and fourth thoughts. I wasn’t sure how much longer I could pretend when all I wanted was to be his real girlfriend. “Nope,” I managed.

“We just have to get through one more night with my family, then it’ll be smooth sailing.”

A terrible thought crept into my mind, and a scowl crawled across my lips. “They’re going to hate me when we break up.”

His brow furrowed, and his lips parted, but before he could get a word out, he snapped his jaw shut. Instead, those brilliant blue eyes locked to mine.

“They could never hate you, Lore. I don’t see how anyone could.” He inched closer, then ran his tongue across his bottom lip. “You’re as close to perfection as I’ve ever seen… You’re freaking gorgeous, smart as hell and can throw a football like a pro.”

“Ax…” My gaze chased to the floor, that look in his eyes much too overwhelming. “No one’s watching us, you don’t have to say that.”