1

Linda

"That was a beautiful song you sang, my little songbird," he remarked. I turned around, stifling a sigh. Despite two months of touring, I hadn't grown accustomed to the post-show attention from men. The stranger smiled, and I briefly examined his face, noticing a missing tooth replaced with gold, a loose tie, and weathered skin.

"Thank you," I replied with a polite smile. I didn't want to be impolite, but I was in no mood for unwanted company. The show had gone splendidly, and I simply yearned for a quiet drink. "Now, if you'll excuse me..."

"Hey," the man interjected, becoming increasingly frustrated as I tried to step away. "Hey," he repeated, "Aren't you going to let me buy you a drink, canary?" He chuckled at his own joke.

Politely and sweetly, I declined, adhering to the lessons my mother had imparted. I had learned to smile even when life handed me heartache, which seemed to be my constant companion these days. My college boyfriend, Alan, had presented me with two options: pursuing my singing career in Indonesia for the winter or staying cooped up in our cramped, cold Brooklyn apartment. I was beginning to doubt whether I'd made the right choice.

"Why the attitude?" he sneered. "You think you're too good for me?"

I replied, maintaining my politeness, "Actually, I don't think anything about you, sir. I'm just enjoying a drink before I head back to my hotel. Alone."

The drunk grumbled, and before I knew it, he was standing up from his stool. "You think being clever is a good idea?" he snapped.

Then, an unexpected turn of events occurred. A deep, rugged voice intervened, saying, "Excuse me, the young lady and I were actually seeking each other."

We weren't. In fact, I had never seen the tall man who had positioned himself between me and the intoxicated stranger. His broad shoulders and imposing presence left me surprised. The man with the golden tooth scowled and turned away.

"Are you all right?" the stranger asked, and I looked up at him. He sported a red silk tie, expertly knotted at his collar, a meticulously trimmed beard, piercing blue eyes framed by a sharp, angular face, a strong jaw, and prominent cheekbones. He exuded strength and handsomeness.

Breathless, I replied, "I'm fine, thanks to you."

The stranger sighed in relief, his concern for me evident. However, his expression darkened. "What are you still doing here?" he demanded. "I thought you'd be gone by now."

I chuckled and said, "There's no need to be angry about it. I'm Linda Ryder," extending my hand.

"I'm Axel Linden," he responded, gripping my small hand with his large one. An electric thrill surged down my arm. "And I know who you are. I came to hear you sing tonight."

"Thank you," I replied. "Did you enjoy the performance?"

Axel's voice, deep and dark, replied, "I did. You're very talented, Miss Ryder. How long have you been singing?"

I couldn't help but feel a bit suspicious. I had just fended off one unwanted admirer and wasn't sure I needed another. Yet, there was something intriguing about Axel. "I've been singing for about a year now," I answered. "But it's been a dream of mine since I was a little girl."

"You're not from around here, are you?" Axel inquired.

I shook my head. "No, I'm from New York."

"New York?" he said, appearing interested. "Well, that's intriguing. I'm from New York too."

Curious, I asked, "What do you do there?"

Axel revealed, "I run a few bars. Tell me, Linda, what's a jazz singer from New York doing all the way out here in Bali?"

Blushing, I replied, "I suppose it's the only gig I could find. I've only been singing professionally for about a year." I smiled.

But there was no smile from Axel, which was unusual. Typically, men would flash smiles my way, driven by their desires, thinking I could fulfill them. However, the cold intensity emanating from Axel Linden's bright blue eyes was a stark contrast to the usual attention I received. What was even more unusual was the way his gaze seemed to ignite a fire within my heart.

"I see," he replied, his tone uncharacteristically devoid of warmth. "And where are you headed now? Unless you plan on staying for karaoke?"

Smirking, I responded, "No, actually, I'm just waiting for the rain to stop so I can get back to my hotel."

Axel's growl shattered the moment, "Well, you're not waiting here. Come on. I've got a private room."

"Excuse me!" I retorted. "I don't know who you think you are, buster, but you're not ordering me around."

"Fine," Axel conceded. "I apologize."

"That's better," I laughed. "So, where's this private room you mentioned?"

Axel raised an eyebrow and teased, "Oh, so you want to come up now?"

"I'm considering it," I replied with a hint of playfulness.

He led me up a flight of stairs, above the bar, to a cozy lounge with a sliding screen door and an elegant tapestry adorning the wall. On the opposite side was a clock, a dartboard, and a long, full-length mirror, gleaming in the pale moonlight.

The night unfolded with us seated together on a chaise lounge, sipping our drinks while rain fell and the moon cast its glow through the drifting clouds. We conversed, and I shared my life story with Axel – how I had moved to New York from Wisconsin after college, maneuvered my way into a spot at the renowned Blue Note jazz bar, and ended up on a solo singing journey across Sumatra, Java, and Bali.

"Your dedication to your music is impressive," Axel remarked. But even as he praised me, his expression remained devoid of a smile. Was it because of something I had said, concern for my well-being, or was that simply his demeanor?

"Thank you," I replied, beaming. "You can't truly succeed at something unless you're dedicated to it."

Axel nodded in agreement, adding, "And if your boyfriend couldn't see that, well, it's his loss."

"Ex-boyfriend," I corrected, gazing outside.

The rain had ceased more than an hour ago, but we were still engrossed in conversation, and I had subtly moved closer to Axel on the chaise lounge. His warmth and the scent of his cologne, reminiscent of lime trees and sandalwood, enveloped me and made me feel drowsy. It was evident that Axel wasn't impervious to my presence either.

When I informed him I was currently single, he appeared surprised. "You're kidding," he remarked.

"No," I said, "it's recent."

"Why did you break up with him?" Axel inquired.

"He actually broke up with me," I explained. "He gave me an ultimatum: stay in New York or come to Bali."

"What? He made you choose between your career and your relationship? Linda, that's absurd. You shouldn't have to endure that. Someone who holds you back like that is...well, they're no friend at all."

I was taken aback by Axel's unexpected sensitivity, but as he spoke, his eyes seemed to cloud with thoughts of something else. I felt an urge to brighten the mood of the stoic, handsome man in front of me.

Changing the subject, I asked, "Do you play?" while eyeing the dartboard mounted on the wooden wall.

"Sure," Axel replied with a smile.

As it turned out, Axel was quite skilled at the game, scoring a perfect 100 on his first throw. When it was my turn, my dart fell to the floor, causing him to offer some advice, "You need to work on your stance," after my repeated failures.

"What does that even mean?" I inquired, perplexed by his words.

"I'll demonstrate," he replied, and for a rare moment, a hint of a smile graced his lips. He moved closer, his strong hands settling on my shoulders. With a gentle motion, he adjusted my stance, widening my legs.

I turned to face him, my heart racing, my breath quickening. He was so close that he peered down into my eyes.

"I'm not imagining this, am I?" I whispered.

"No," he breathed. "You're not."

Gradually, Axel's hands moved around my neck, and instinctively, I reached up to him. If we had been standing, I would have needed to stand on my tiptoes to reach his lips, but in that moment, I melted into him. He enveloped me, and our lips met. I kissed him slowly, savoring the sweetness of his breath and the faint trace of liquor on my tongue. Axel eventually pulled away, and our eyes locked in an unspoken understanding.

“Are you sure?” he said, his voice low. I could feel his restraint—how he wanted to pounce on me. And I wanted it too. Somehow, the care Axel showed for me only made me more desperate for him.

“Yes!” I said, smiling. Couldn’t he see how much I needed him?

I kissed him again, and my hands fell around his strong shoulders as I did. I pressed my body to his and felt his warmth, and instinctively my hands reached for the buttons of his jacket, undoing his tie and then his shirt, until he was bare-chested for me. My eagerness to have him seemed to shock Axel. He hadn’t expected me to wear my feelings so openly, and seemed dazed as I kissed his chest.

But suddenly, without warning, I felt the great weight of his body descend on me, until we were lying entwined on the sofa. I felt his heart racing through his chest, saw the blood rush to his cheeks as he kissed me, not gentle now, but rough and hard, leaving tiny marks on my neck and chest. This was it—what he’d held back. A powerful, protective lust that was about to sweep me into a world of unknown pleasures.

Axel pulled me up to meet him again, and before I knew it, he’d stepped around me and was kneeling on the couch, his fingers calmly unzipping my dress as he peppered the back of my neck with kisses. I wore nothing for him now but my underwear, and heard a growl of pleasure escape his throat as he ran his hands around my bare waist, cupped my breasts and gave into the lust I knew he felt for me.

“You’re beautiful,” he purred, and I sighed, feeling the words escape as breath on my shoulders.

“You’re not so bad yourself, handsome,” I murmured.

I could feel his throbbing erection almost escaping his pants, and turned as he bit and sucked at the soft flesh on my shoulders, working quickly to free his thick manhood from his pants. I slipped off his belt and it fell through my trembling hands. Never, never in my life had I known a man as comforting as this, confident and calm in his movements as he drew my body towards his.

Within no time at all, I’d loosened his cock from his pants—and what an enormous, gorgeous cock it was, throbbing with desire for me, and certainly the biggest I’d ever seen.

"Wow,” I said, without meaning to.Would it fit?

But Axel just pulled me into his lap. He kissed me.

“It’s okay,” he said, and I knew it would be. I was already more flushed and aroused than I’d ever been in my life. I could feel myself growing wet between my legs.

I Lindenred myself onto my knees, wildly tossing my hair over my shoulder. It only seemed to arouse Axel more. I bent and greedily began to suck his dick, first kissing it, before taking the shaft in my mouth, descending and rising with rapid motion.

“Oh my God,” said Axel, through gritted teeth. “That’s incredible.”

My hand wrapped around his cock as I sucked it, and I thought that Axel would succumb right there and then—my ex certainly did—but I was shocked when he snarled, and pulled me up on the couch, freeing himself of the last of his clothes, and tearing off my bra and my panties.

“You’re not getting away that easily,” he sneered, and bent, and before I knew it, I felt his mouth gently pressing against the heat of my hot, wet pussy. I moaned, and stretched my arms down to his head, where my fingers felt his thick, dark hair. I showed him how much I liked it, lazily draping my legs over his shoulders while he expertly ate my pussy. Slow, long licks of his tongue began to charge my body with delight, as he sank his mouth closer and closer between my legs, never applying too much or too little pressure. It was perfect. I’d never known a man who could do this as well as him. I was twenty-three years old, a plaything in his hands, inexperienced and utterly fascinated. My head said no, but my heart yelledyes. I sighed and felt my loins give way for him.

I knew Axel wanted to have sex with me, knew that was why he’d thrown me down on the couch with such eagerness, and I welcomed it. I needed him, his strength, his power, inside of me, through me, everywhere. He kissed my breasts, and then my neck, and my face, and finally rose up before me, his enormous cock posed over the lips of my pussy.

“You want this?” he said, teasingly, and I looked up at him, my eyes full of fire.

So what if this rich guy was going to discard me in the morning? So what if it was just a one-night stand? So what if I never saw him again? Despite my disappointment, I couldn’t stop now.

I wanted him.

“Fuck me,” I said. “Please, Axel, please.”

As the head of Axel’s penis pressed into my pussy, I yelped, astonished at just how big he really was. But gently, slowly, he worked into me, pushing himself deeper and closer, until he was completely inside me, until I was pinned beneath him on the couch. His strong arms wrapped around my wrists, holding me down while he began to move his waist in a slow, gentle rhythm. The size of him was a shock: my loins felt on fire, and more than once or twice, I struggled, before surrendering, holding him close to me as he punished my pussy with faster, firmer thrusts now. I began to cry out, not with pain but with pleasure, not wanting but needing Axel Linden.

I tightened my legs around him, and looked up into his eyes. Axel seemed like he was about to come when a thought came to me:I wasn’t on birth control.

It’s just one time,I said to myself. I knew I needed him. I knew there was no way I’d make him stop, not when he’d shown me the night of my life, the best goddamn fuck I’d ever get. I wasn’t about to pass it up.

When Axel came, so did I. The stimulation had welled in me until my legs locked around his. I’d never come for a man before, and as I did, I cried out, “Oh god, oh GOD!” and the world shook, before falling to stars, while Axel’s cock pumped inside me, showering me with a heat and light and warmth I’d never known.

When it was over, the world fell to dark for a while. When I lifted my head up and looked at the clock, twenty minutes had passed and Axel was gone.

“Cocky bastard,” I muttered, and began hurriedly to look for my clothes. Thank God, no one had discovered us. But the bar was closing soon.

As I left, I saw a small white card on the table. It read:

“Thank you.

Axel Linden.”

+1543011311

I couldn’t believe that this mystery man, this traveling bigshot, would have given out his contact information so easily.

And if it weren’t for what happened afterwards, I’d never have called him at all.