Unwanted Surprise

Chapter 22

"What happened? Why is Axel home early?" Daxton rushed to the front door when we stepped inside. I rolled my eyes at him. Oh, now he wants to be worried?

"Daddy!" Axel launched himself at Daxton and Daxton caught him flawlessly, spinning him around.

"Hey, slugger. Wanna tell me why you aren't in school?" Axel nodded and slithered out of Daxton's arms.

"Some man tried to take me and Michael swooped in and punched him so fast, like Flash!" Axel told his dad excitedly. "And mommy saved me too. Now me and Natalie--that's Michael's daughter and she's my age--we have a playdate!" Axel jumped up and down with excitement, making me smile.

"What?" Daxton looked up at me, alarmed. "Someone tried to kidnap him? Why didn't you say something?" He asked, frowning.

"Axel just did." I said smartly, brushing past him. I didn't have time for his bullshit. "Michael's coming later. You remember him?"

"Michael Ginobli?" Daxton asked, turning to face me. I nodded and tossed my keys on the table. Daxton's gaze darkened with anger and grabbed his jacket and moved to walk out the door. "I gotta go."

"Don't bother coming back. Find somewhere else to crash." I called out, hoping he heard me.

"Mommy, why are you so mean to Daddy?" Axel asked, hopping onto the chair in the kitchen. I breathed a laugh at his question.

"He's--difficult to get along with.  You hungry?" Axel nodded and I went to get him something to eat before settling down and eating breakfast myself.

* * *

Hours later, while we were watching another episode of the Flash, the doorbell rang. Axel jumped up, overly excited.

"They're here!" He yelled, racing to the front door and opening it. "Michael!" Axel's voice carried over into the living room and I got up, bones cracking slightly from sitting down for too long. I heard Michael's voice coming closer and I met up with them halfway.

I almost lost my breath when I saw him. He had on dark jeans and a plain white t-shirt that stretched over his large muscles. I bet his ass looked good too. I shook my head, banishing those thoughts. He smiled when he saw me and held up ice cream and cones.

"I hope this is alright. I brought three different flavors just in case." He said innocently and I giggled. Really Ari? Get it together. I told myself. 

"That's fine, Michael. And who's this pretty little girl?" I asked, bending down to look at Natalie. She smiled shyly and waved at me.

"I'm Arielle. What's your name?" I asked her, even though I already knew her name.

"Natalie." She whispered. She looked exactly like her dad, with her golden hair and brown eyes.

"Hi! I'm Axel. Wanna go play with my toys? I have a toy room!" Axel got in front of me and started talking rapidly to the girl. Her eyes widened, but she nodded and Axel took her hand and led her upstairs.

"Well, I guess it's just the two of us." Michael said finally, after watching his daughter leave with my son. 

"Guess so. I'll show you where to put those." I pointed to the ice cream and led him to the kitchen. When I got to the freezer, I turned around and bounced off Michael's hard chest, not knowing he was so close behind me.

"Whoa there." Michael caught me and I laughed nervously. He pulled me up and our faces were close to each other. I looked down at his plump lips and then at his eyes, breathing fast. I wanted to kiss him so badly, right then, right there. His lips were so close and if I leaned forward just a little bit...