Axel's Daisy

28 • Destiny

   Attraction swirled between us like invisible ropes, binding us with future love and laughter, shaping what we would come to mean to one another. The moment my eyes met his, surreal emotions washed over me. I felt faint yet complete, his aura drawing me in like a sweet melody. I could feel the warmth of his gaze on my skin as he soaked me in with his gorgeous eyes until he felt like home. Our electric stare caught my dad's attention before he went inside, his words becoming mere background noise. Even after he left, we couldn't stop gazing at each other.

  I never knew love could feel so good. I felt on top of the world.

  Love was a heavy word—I knew from the moments he was there for me through my lows that I was irrevocably, painfully, devotedly in love with him. Not just him, but his personality and energy. I loved him like an angel behind the person. He was my angel on earth.

  He seemed to feel it too. He pressed his palm to mine, his cedarwood scent reaching my nose as he leaned down and whispered into my ear.

  "You look so beautiful, Daisy."

  My hand shivered at his words, and the intense look in his eyes spoke volumes. I took a sharp inhale as his lips left butterfly kisses on my cheek and moved to my ear. My cheeks heated when he left me breathless, his hand fitting comfortably in mine.

  He gave me a bouquet of uncoordinated flowers, but I didn't comment on it. The pleasing mixed odor made up for the arrangement, and I thanked the sweet guy.

  I adjusted my simple black dress adorned with black roses along the sides, which showcased the curves of my waist, with my other hand as we walked to his car.

  "You don't look bad yourself, Golden." I felt the need to say something, and he chuckled.

  "Thanks. After you, my lady." He opened the door for me, and I happily got in.

  My heart was in my throat as I watched him turn on the radio and drive smoothly with one hand. It was kind of late, given our full schedule, but we managed to make it work. His face was lit by the moon, his hair glowing, and his sultry lips hummed the melodies of Elvis Presley. His eyelashes softly brushed his under-eyes as he blinked.

  How could a guy be so perfect?

   He defied all stereotypes, and I had known him for only three weeks. I continued to gaze at him, wondering how I had managed to attract someone like him.

   There was nothing wrong with me, but I was more of a shy, enclosed introvert, and he was Axel Hughes—the star quarterback who stole hearts and charmed everyone. I used to see him in magazines on the outskirts of Wisconsin.

  My hands were clammy, and I felt like I might puke from nerves. I took quick breaths to steady the erratic beats in my chest.

  This was our first actual date.

•••

  "Are you peeking?" His hands were over my eyes as he asked for the second time, his body pressed against mine as he guided us slowly.

  "No." I giggled, feeling like a preteen with how he was acting around me.

  "Ta-da." He uncovered my eyes, and I was astonished.

  The place was empty with white walls and small tables holding various clay tools. It finally clicked—it was a pottery studio. Everything was perfectly arranged: the apron, the potter's wheel, the clay, and the paint for the final touches.

  He nervously watched my reaction, and his effort was rewarded with an award-winning grin from me. I saw the rose petals on the ground and the small boxes on the sides of the tables, reflecting his thoughtful planning.

  "I love it," I said, excitedly gazing at him. "This is my first time doing pottery."

  My excitement made me race to the table as I donned my apron. He composed himself and came up behind me, tying my apron with his fingers trailing along my back, sending a thrill through my stomach.

  "There are going to be a lot of firsts with me, Daisy." He liked calling me that, and I was giddy every time he did.

   He put on his apron, and we sat next to each other. The side of his knee brushed against my bare one, and we felt an electric zap between us. Neither of us mentioned it as we examined the tools: a sponge, a needle tool, a fettling knife, a wooden trim knife, a rib, and a trimming tool.

  "How do we start? I don't know where to begin."

  "You're lucky to have a pro clay player," he boasted. "I didn't get anyone to teach you because I wanted to make the move on you."

  "What's the move?" I asked.

  My cheeks hurt from grinning whenever he was around. It was impossible not to with this eccentric guy.

  "Well, you asked for it."

  He came up behind me and placed a patch of clay in my hand. His head rested on my shoulder as his side profile touched mine. He positioned his palms under mine, guiding me to knead the clay.

  We used the potter's wheel to shape the clay, our fingers united as we cupped the clay together. Then, he stepped on the pedal of the wheel to heat the clay, making it hard.

  His aftershave was more addictive than any drug, and I hid the fact that I sniffed his cologne. His breath fanned my neck, and I gulped to keep my throat from drying.

  "Look, it's a cute cup."

  I was thrilled to see the clay transform into an adorable small cup. Our nails were coated with excess clay, and the wet substance covered our fingers.

  "It's not as cute as you are."

  His corny lines made me lighthearted, and we no longer focused on the cup. His lips made a beeline for my neck, pecking me a few times. I could feel my pulse racing against my throat as my breath hitched.

  "What color do you want to paint it?" I changed the subject before I turned into mush.

  "Blue." He answered, dabbing the brush on the cooled pot. We became engrossed in painting our masterpiece.

  When he finished, I surprised him by writing "D & A" on the cup. It drove him wild as he turned me around effortlessly with his strong arms, his lips inches from mine.

  We memorized every detail on each other's faces. His nose brushed against mine as I tilted my head, my lips parting as his met mine in a slow, trailblazing kiss. His cheek was soft against mine, and our breaths shuddered as we deepened the kiss, as if we had been waiting for this moment forever.

  "Wow," I whispered when we pulled away, catching our breaths.

  His eyes were half-lidded, a dreamy haze in them as he licked his lips and sighed in contentment.

  "This is better than I expected," he breathlessly confessed before we went in for round two.