[Jasmine’s POV]
I froze in his arms. I hadn’t expected him to kiss , and I was caught off guard. At least it had only been a kiss on the cheek, and he hadn’t tried to kiss on the lips like last ti.
Axel seed to sense my uncertainty because he led off our makeshift dance floor. When I turned back, I noticed that so of the other couples began to dance, following our lead.
We walked in silence for a while along the riverside. Our surroundings beca quiet and peaceful as we wandered further away from the crowd and the music.
"I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable with the slow dancing and the kiss," Axel finally said, looking down at .
I shook my head, not wanting him to think he owed any sort of apology.
"No, don’t be silly. I’ve had an amazing night with you." I sighed, slightly frustrated with myself. "Any other girl in my shoes would be eating out of the palm of your hand." My voice held a teasing tone, but then I grew serious. "Honestly, I just don’t think I’m ready for a relationship right now."
"Is it because of Elliot?" Axel questioned out of nowhere and frowned.
Stunned, I stopped, dropped his hand, and took a step back from him.
"W-what’s that supposed to an?"
Did he know the truth?
My heart slamd against my chest as I waited for his response, expecting him to be angry.
But a calm, understanding expression crossed his face.
"When I noticed that there was so tension between you and Elliot, I had your past investigated," Axel admitted with a sheepish shrug. "I know that you guys are fated mates. And that he broke up with you to be with my cousin."
My mouth dropped open in shock, and fury tore through my body. Was he serious? I couldn’t believe he would do sothing like that.
"That’s a gross invasion of privacy!" I hissed as I backed away from him. "You had no right to do that! Why didn’t you just ask ?"
"I did ask you about your relationship with Elliot," Axel retorted calmly. "Rember? But you lied to and told that you didn’t know him well."
With that reminder, all the fight left , and my shoulders slumped in defeat. Hot embarrassnt made my face go red.
Axel hesitantly stepped toward with his hands raised.
"I promise that I didn’t have any malicious intentions when I looked into your past. I only did it because I care about you, and I want to be able to support you. I’m not mad at you for being dishonest with . I understand why you didn’t tell about you and Elliot." His face softened with compassion. "How hard it must be to see him every day. I’m sorry that he broke up with you and created this ss. Elliot is entirely to bla in this situation."
Hearing that made relax slightly.
"Are you planning to tell Isabella about this?" I asked.
"Of course not. That would break her heart."
We began to walk again and were quiet for a long ti. I stared up at the bright moon with my arms crossed. Axel was silent by my side, allowing to be with my thoughts.
Was Axel genuine? Did he truly not bla for this complicated situation that could hurt a lot of people? It was a good sign that he didn’t seem mad that I had been dishonest with him about my past. And he wasn’t planning on telling Isabella the truth. He had taken the news about Elliot and pretty well.
When we reached the edge of the boardwalk, we leaned against the wooden railing and looked out into the dark, gentle water.
I reached down, took Axel’s hand, and squeezed it, finally deciding that I trusted him enough to give him another chance.
Axel’s bright smile lit up the dark night as he looked down at our interlocked hands. I rested my head on his shoulder, and he wrapped his strong arm around my waist.
For a long ti, we stood there and listened to the gentle waves.
When Axel took a deep breath, as if he were preparing himself for sothing, I looked up at him.
The determined expression on his face made my breath catch.
"I would very much like to kiss you again, Jasmine," he muttered, looking down at my lips.
My stomach swooped. After just the slightest mont of hesitation, I realized I wanted him to kiss this ti. So, I nodded at him, giving him permission to make a move.
Axel gently cupped my cheek with his warm hand and slowly leaned down.
My eyes fluttered closed as he pressed a soft kiss to my lips.
***
Elliot let out a low growl, and his hands balled into tight fists as he watched Axel and Jasmine kiss from his hiding spot about thirty feet away behind a clump of bushes.
"Co on, Jasmine. Pull away," he muttered under his breath.
But she didn’t pull away from the pompous jerk and slap him for kissing her. No, she pulled him closer and seed to enjoy the kiss.
After Jasmine and Axel had left for their date, Elliot had spent thirty minutes convincing Isabella to give him a chance to make up for his distracted behavior last night and take her to Axel’s light show. He managed to convince her by pointing out that attending the art show was a good way to support Axel.
When they arrived, Elliot left her at the hall of spray-painted mirrors, promising that he would co back with food for her. But he had bypassed the food trucks and followed Jasmine’s flowery scent along the boardwalk. He was convinced that if he could just find her and talk to her, she would stop dating Axel.
But he found Axel kissing his mate. How could Jasmine do that to him? He had promised to take care of her and her family. Elliot had even bought a house for her!
His blood boiled with anger, and he knew that he had to take imdiate action before Axel and Jasmine beca serious. He couldn’t allow her to be taken away from him for good.
Elliot stalked away from the awful display of affection and took his phone out of his pocket. He called one of his subordinates and impatiently waited for him to answer.
"It’s ti to execute the next part of the plan," Elliot ordered without any sort of greeting.
His subordinate laughed darkly. "Oh, this is going to be fun. I’ll get right on that, sir."
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