Chapter 15
15
HAZEL
I f anyone had told me that the perfect Valentine’s Day dinner would involve learning insults that would make a sailor blush, I would never have believed them.
But this has been the most incredible Valentine’s date of my life. Nothing could possibly top it, especially when Axton drops completely unsubtle hints about me wearing a diamond ring by this fall and mentions in passing that there are two spare bedrooms for children’s rooms, even after I take over the office.
Over strawberry pie and raspberry vanilla cupcakes, he explains that he spends six to eight hours almost every day out in his massive workshop, making furniture and restoring antique motorcycles. I’m going to have plenty of time to work undisturbed.
“And now…” Axton pushes himself up from the table and takes my hand. “I think you should see your office before it’s completely dark.”
We stroll down the hall, and I realize again that everything in this house is scaled for his huge frame. The hallway is a bit wider. Doors are two inches taller. Vaulted ceilings. High counters. I’m definitely going to need a step-stool to reach things in the pantry.
It’s also becoming clear that Axton is wealthy. The woman in the bookstore had mentioned the Wolfe family as if I was supposed to know who they were. I don’t, but I’ll look them up later. It’s clear they’re a big deal.
“Presenting… your new office. I use it for reading sometimes, or if I’m doing research on bikes, or furniture styles. I can easily do that at the dining room table, though.”
In the darkened room, I am stunned by the exquisite view of the valley and rolling forests through the windows. Then Axton snaps on the light.
“This is…” I sputter. “I mean… Wow.”
The left wall is completely lined with mahogany bookshelves. The opposite side has a long, sleek desk right by the window, and a soft, gray, comfy couch.
I spin, throwing my arms around Axton. “My decision had already been made when you cooked such a wonderful dinner for us and were so sweet about this date. But now you’re giving me an office?”
He tips my chin up with his finger. “Your career is important to you. I want to give you everything you could possibly need to succeed.”
He leans in to breathe against my ear. “I have to admit, though, I’m happy you liked me even when you thought I only made furniture and lived in a one-room cabin.”
My fingers tangle in the back of his hair as I pull his lips to mine. Every kiss with him is magical, but this one feels different. Like a declaration has been made. His response now is even more fiery as he grabs my ass, strokes my back, and holds my body tightly against him.
He breaks the kiss far too soon. “Do you want to get that phone call over with?”
“Not really.” I squeeze his hand, then stroll out to the kitchen, where I left my purse. Grabbing my phone, I flash him a grin. “But are you busy two weeks from now?”
“No. Why?”
“There’s an annual conference in New York that Dad never misses. We could go to the house and pick up my stuff then.”
“Perfect. I’ll borrow a van.”
I type out a text carefully, then hold it out to show Axton before I hit send.
Hi Dad. Two words: Get. Fucked. It was disgusting of you to send Fern here without checking with me first. It was completely nuts to send the local sheriff later. I told you I was fine several times, but as always, you didn’t listen to a fucking word I say. I would have answered your texts properly if any of them had been polite or sane. They weren’t. I’ll be coming to pick up some of my stuff on February 28. If you’re reasonable about this, I’ll call you on holidays. If you’re shitty about it, you’ll never hear from me again, and I’ll tell Mom exactly why.
“What do you think? I didn’t say all of my things, just so he wouldn’t freak out as much. I hope.”
“I think it’s perfect.”
I hit send, nodding decisively, then Axton looks at me straight on, his jaw tense. “Baby, when we get there, if your father raises his voice or even tries to lay a hand on you, I can’t guarantee that I won’t snap.”
“Snap away all you like. But I can all but guarantee he won’t be there.”
“What about your mother?”
“Oh, she’s really nice when Dad’s not around. She’ll probably make us some sandwiches and help us pack.”
He laughs and kisses the top of my head. “I like her already.” Axton looks around, then scratches his chest absentmindedly. “You know, that just wasn’t enough dessert for me. I’m still peckish.”
I turn toward the kitchen. “If you like, I could make?—”
My squeal echoes around the huge space as he throws me over his shoulder, marching us to the bedroom. He switches on the side lamp, and I barely have a chance to register the beautiful, understated decor before I’m gently tossed across a dark gray comforter.
“I dunno… I think your other bed was firmer,” I giggle. “Better for the spine.”
He lifts my ass to pull off my sweater, giving me a light spank that makes me laugh. “You’d better like ’em both. We’ll be living in that cabin for a few weeks a year when the snow cuts off this house. Unless we plan on being stranded up here.” My sweater and bra are flung onto the easy chair.
“There’s plenty of firewood and fruity wine. I think we’d survive – oh!” I gasp as my leggings, panties and socks are dragged down and off my legs.
I’m already clutching at his shirt, needing his warmth against me. He helps me pull it off, as I fumble with his jeans, trying to pull them down by tugging the bottom edge with my toes. It…doesn’t work.
“Hold on,” he grins, standing up.
I stare shamelessly, glowing inside as I watch the denim slide down. The delicious V-lines over his hips point to my prize.
Once he’s gloriously naked, he sits on the edge of the huge bed, crawling slowly toward me. “You know, I bought this big ass bed so I could sprawl the hell out.” He kneels up, then spreads my legs wide. “But now I’m only going to use a fraction of it, curled around you every single night, baby.”
“Good. Hope Peak is pretty chilly this time of year.”
“And yet, this is the hottest Valentine’s Day I’ve ever had.” His eyebrows lift, then he grunts as his head drops between my thighs.
This time he doesn’t tease. He feasts on my flesh, gripping my ass and hoisting me into position. My heels cross behind the middle of his back as my hips tilt and I stare into his wild eyes.
Every time I moan his eyes light up even more, so I don’t hold back. “Yeah,” I gasp. “Don’t tease me so long this time.”
His growls vibrate against my skin, sending tremors through my core. Maybe it’s because we slept together innocently a few times before becoming physical, but it feels like our bodies have already bonded and that he knows everything I need. Everything I crave.
“Pure sweetness,” he groans, alternating between thrusting his tongue inside me and circling my clit. “I might be starting to like that candy wine, but there’s no comparison. This is way better.”
I can’t speak. Can’t breathe. Can’t even think. I didn’t need any more proof that Axton and I belong together. The way he plays my body like a musical instrument makes my heart sing.
The pressure of his tongue against my clit. The friction of his two thick fingers inside me, pulsing gently. His warm breath. His free hand gripping my ass and holding me in place. Controlling me, but only for my own good. To increase my pleasure.
He already cares for me so perfectly. And we’ve known each other less than a week!
A corner of my mind spins down the path into our future, where we grocery shop and watch movies and snuggle together every single night. But honestly, at least 97% of my attention is focused on the deep, hot waves of lust rolling through me.
Just as I begin tipping past the point of no return he growls again, his fingers moving faster as his eyes burn into mine. The climax pulls me under and spins me around like a final leaf during a winter storm. It leaves me breathless. Quivering. And so excited it feels like my heart might burst.
If this is what I get for venturing out on my own, I definitely made the right decision.
He moves over me, the hot steel bar of his shaft branding my stomach.
I grin up at him. “I forget. Did I officially agree to move in with you? Or was it just implied?”
“I think it was implied.” He pins me with a look until I burst out laughing.
“Well, you wanted clarity before. So here it is… Yes . This is happening.”
My mouth falls open as his massive cock begins sliding into my wet pussy, my body stretching for his, becoming accustomed to his girth. Axton is a big man in every sense, and it’s definitely going to take some time for me to get used to this – if I ever do.
He buries his mouth in the crook of my neck, the rest of his body motionless as he slowly rolls his hips, groaning when he finally bottoms out inside me. “This.” He fists the back of my hair to lock our gaze together. “This close. Forever.”
I’m nodding, but I’m unable to resist a smirk. “You mean just the sex stuff, or you’re going to be my Valentine forever?”
He responds by kissing me so hard my thighs tighten, spine arches, and brain completely checks out.
There are no more words. Only lust. And love, of course.
But right now…mostly lust.