Closing Time

44.

I sighed softly with Axel's lips an inch from mine. "I'm hungry." I blurted out.

He paused, hovering over me. I could feel his breath on my skin, his confused eyes trying to read me. "What?"

"I'm hungry."

More confusion. It dissipated the lust. "Huh. You're really not into this, are you?"

I shrugged absently. "I'm hungry, Axel."

A wry smile formed on his lips. "I heard."

I felt some surprise cross through me. "Wow. I thought you'd get angry."

"Did you want me to get angry?"

"No. But I expected it."

Axel laughed easily. "I've been alive very long, Ryleigh. I've learned patience." He leaned in again, gently pressing his lips against mine before pulling away. I could feel the warmth linger on my skin as he sat up and held out a hand. "Let's get you something to eat."

"Sure." I reached out to grab his hand again.

I'd barely sat up before he wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me upright with hidden strength. My legs stumbled for grip on the slipping sand under me.

Axel didn't move an inch as my other hand grabbed him to steady myself. "I thought you're not feeling up to anything right now, Ryleigh." He raised an eyebrow as I felt myself turn red. "Getting pretty handy there."

"Shut up. You did this on purpose."

"Guilty as charged." He turned me around as I finally stood up straight. "Idel hands or whatever."

"That would work if you weren't already a demon, Axel."

"Whoops. Where do you want to go?"

"It's pretty late. I know a few fast food places that should be open near by."

"Sit in or take away?"

"It's a nice night. Let's get some food and come back here if it's not too far."

"Sounds good to me." He looked down at patted his stomach. "I haven't eaten in a few days."

I sighed to myself. Another feature I could have used. I seem to have gotten the ones that seemed to impede my life more than enhance it.

We both stepped apart at the sidewalk to tug our shoes back on. There was no sand in my backpack, only my hair. I tried to shake whatever I could out by combing through it with my fingers as Axel fixed his pants. "Sand in your hair?"

No thanks to you. "Yup." I replied curtly, shaking my head before flipping my hair back. "I hope it doesn't itch for now."

"Wash it when we get home."

'when we get home'- he really has high hopes.

"Or do you need me to help?"

"No thanks." I shook my head again. It was itching. "It's pretty tangled as it is. I'll just tie it."

"It's pretty, I'll agree there."

I gave him a dry look. "What have you not complimented me on tonight?"

"Well..." he leaned back, eyes travelling down my back and then pausing. "Your b-'

"Do not finish that if you want this night to continue." I cut him off, trying to stifle a smile.

Axel laughed, straightening up and shrugging. "Legs. I was going to say legs."

"Right..." I narrowed my eyes at him. "Like I'll believe that."