Apartment 306

Chapter 3

I sat there for what felt like forever looking at the note trying to understand what was going on. Tears continued falling down my cheeks freely but I couldn't seem to bring myself to wipe them away. Did Mr. Nolan really send this? Suddenly, I felt Axel's hand make contact with my shoulder and I jerked away not having any control of my body. I felt jittery, on edge, like I couldn't sit down properly. I didn't even realize I was shaking until I felt Axel's arms circle around my waist pulling me until I laid flush against his warm chest with his legs positioned on either side of me.

"Axel?" I gasped out but my voice was just above a whisper, as we sat there on the floor.

For a moment neither one of us spoke and though I was nervous, I couldn't seem to want to push him away. His warmth bathed my back and I sighed, laying my head back into his shoulder not even caring for one moment that I was basically laying naked in this man's arms. For a moment as the quiet settled around us and our breathing sync together, I found myself beginning to calm down and the fear I felt before, disappeared.

"I'm sorry," I said feeling Axel's heartbeat against my back in a soothing manner that helped to ground my nerves.

"For?" He responded as I felt his fingers draw lazy circles upon my towel, just above my belly button. I sighed even though it felt nice, I knew this was wrong. I shouldn't be here laying upon him like this knowing he had a girlfriend but also that I hardly knew him. For the moment though I couldn't deny that I felt safe in his arms. I turned looking into his honeysuckle eyes seeing confusion staring back at me.

"Coming over here, waking you up, I shouldn't be laying on you like this..." I began but instantly Axel cut me off, smiling as he talked.

"Forget it. My day has already been shit and besides, I like you here. Beats being alone." I frowned, seeing the dark bags under his eyes.

"What about your girlfriend?" I asked watching his brows meet together in confusion.

"What girlfriend?" He asked and I stiffened.

"Umm...that girl from last time. You to were..."I tried to choke out as I felt myself turn red.

"Oh Sherry, she's not my girlfriend. Just a hookup. We had an arrangement of sorts but she recently moved." He said with a smirk upon his face and I watch as his eyes darkened with mischief.

"Oh," I said looking away knowing my cheeks were on fire.

"Why so interested?" He said with a chuckle causing me to stiffen further. I swallowed feeling nervous suddenly.

"I'm not," I said a little too high for my liking. "I mean, I was just curious."

"Well, you know what they say about curiosity, right?" He said and I turned feeling my brows knit together in confusion. His eyes twinkled as he smiled down at me.

"What?"

"It killed the cat." He said with a chuckle making me roll my eyes.

"Oh, Shut up," I said playfully as silence drifted between us. I relaxed back once again with my arms laid across my chest and my legs crossed at the ankles. My soapy hair had long since dried and even though I knew I had to wash my hair again. I couldn't seem to want to move. It's been so long since I felt the comfort of another human being. Minutes passed but neither one of us made a sound.

The room was bathed in shadows but I could just make out the layout of the room. Just beyond us sat what looked like a soft black leather couch. A huge flat-screen television and entertainment center. On the right side of the room stood a giant bookshelf that took over the whole wall decked out in an impressive assortment of books that I couldn't help but smile at. The balcony doors were obscured with a fresh assortment of red and gold curtains that seemed to bring a fresh contrast to the otherwise dark furniture.