AVA AND AXEL: FROM SOULMATES TO INMATES

Chapter 1: Welcome to Luxe Street Riders

Luxe Street Riders wasn't just any car dealership in Detroit, Michigan. It was the dealership, the kind people whispered about. Known for its luxury inventory and eccentric clientele, it was a legend in the city. Rappers dripping in diamonds, housewives with young sugar daddies, and CEOs trying to reclaim their youth all walked through its doors. The place was a circus, and every day was a new show.

For Axel Rivers, Luxe Street Riders was home.

He'd been the top salesman here for three years running, and for good reason. With his sharp jawline, blonde hair tied in a man-bun, and the kind of tattoos that seemed both rebellious and refined, Axel was practically a walking billboard for the luxury cars he sold. He had an easy smile, the confidence of someone who knew his worth, and an uncanny ability to close deals faster than his colleagues could start them.

Axel's life was a well-oiled machine: work, gym, drinks with his buddies, repeat. Women came and went, but nothing ever stuck. His career, his reputation, that was what mattered. Luxe Street Riders gave him all the chaos and excitement he thought he needed.

That was, until she walked in.

It was a typical Wednesday morning at Luxe Street Riders. The showroom gleamed under the bright lights, luxury cars displayed like gleaming trophies. Axel was reviewing the latest sales report when the door swung open, and in walked Ava Delaney.

She wasn't just beautiful, she was magnetic. Her tanned skin glowed like she'd just returned from a beach vacation, and her long black hair cascaded down her back in soft waves. Her figure was curvy in all the right places, drawing eyes as she moved. But it wasn't just her looks that caught Axel's attention; it was the quiet confidence in her stride, the way she carried herself as if she knew exactly what she wanted and how to get it.

Axel wasn't the only one who noticed.

"Holy shit," muttered Conner, his best friend and junior salesmen, under his breath. "Who's that?"

Axel barely heard him. His eyes were locked on Ava as she approached the reception desk. For a moment, he was rooted to the spot, completely captivated.

"You've been gawking at the new girl for a full five minutes," Morgan's voice cut in, another receptionist and Conner's long-time girlfriend, snapping him back to reality.

"New receptionist, right?" Axel asked, trying to sound casual as his pulse quickened.

Morgan nodded, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Her name's Ava. Moved here from Florida. And trust me, she's out of your league, Axel."

He raised an eyebrow. "Out of my league? Does that even exist?"

Morgan crossed her arms, grinning. "Since she walked in and didn't even glance your way. She's smart, focused, and not the type to fall for the 'I sell luxury cars' charm."

Axel chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "We'll see about that."

Despite his usual confidence, he couldn't shake the feeling that Ava was different. She didn't carry herself like the women who usually drifted into the dealership, drawn in by flashy cars and money. She was calm, composed, as if she'd seen it all before. He found that intriguing. Maybe even unsettling.

That morning, Axel convinced himself that chatting Ava up wouldn't be a big deal. After all, he was Axel Rivers, top salesman, smooth talker. But as he approached the reception desk, he felt a flicker of something unusual...nervousness?

Ava was typing something on her computer when he leaned against the counter, flashing his trademark grin. "Hey, Ava right?, How's your day going?"

She looked up, meeting his gaze with a polite, measured smile. "It's going well, thanks. Just getting the hang of things."