Rough and Rugged: A Meet Me In Milwaukee Charity Anthology

Chapter Two

Monica

My jaw unhinges like a snake. “No, suh. Not happening.” I’m freaking the fuck out so much my Southie slipped out. “What the hell ahr ya doing here?”

I can’t imagine Zachary “Dax” Ladd out here. Jesus, help me. I know that delicious round, perfect booty and the exasperating ass of a man connected to it. My traitorous heart skips a beat.

My peaceful life full of splitting wood, hiking, fishing, snowshoeing and painting was Dax free. He was finally the last thing on my mind and now he’s standing in front of me.

“Did you lose a bet?” I yank my hood down. His dimple pops, and I almost faint.

His voice is loud but hoarse. “Monica! You saved my actual ass. Not just from a deadline I forgot. And you remembered it’s my birthday.” His voice lilts teasing me.

I shift my weight. “I was your and Hayden’s assistant for six years. Damn straight I saved your ass and I remember everything.”

I pretend I can catch my breath. Dax steals it and sizzles my skin ruining my safe space. “Muthafahking Dax Ladd.” He stares at me but says nothing. “Hayden’s the loud funny one. Still a man of few word? Got a good hmm-mmm for me?”

I see his big brain moving as he licks his lips. And now my mind drifts to what his tongue can do. Damn you, sexy tongue memories. “Let’s go before Morty comes back.” He grins, and it about slays me.

“Morty the Moose? You know that motherfucker?”

“He’s not coming to Sunday Supper, but sure, I know him.” I fling his heavy bag on my back. “Follow me.”

He utters, “Yellow door.”

“Of course, you’re ZFL. I’m blue door in case of emergency ranger.”

I tromp ahead while he pants. He’s all lean muscles from swimming or biking, not snow tromping. His blue eyes are almost aqua against the snow and it’s like they see through my bullshit. That’s his gift. He always sees through everyone’s bullshit.

“What the fuck are you doing out here? You’re an administrative assistant.”

“And you’re a silver spoon billionaire. Seems we’re both out of place. Step up your pace, Ladd. We can’t get caught out here in the NorEaster.”

He pulls me to him. “Hi.” Despite everything that’s happened, he was my best friend, and I gave it all up when I gave it up. Doesn’t matter I freaking harbored a wicked crush forever. Dax holds me, kisses my forehead and I sink into his puffer jacket. He tips my chin up. “I’m really glad to see you and not just because you saved me from a rabid moose.”

I wink. “He’s harmless.”

“Not when I tell this story.” He adjusts my beanie, then slings his arm around me and says, “Lead on and tell me tales of these treacherous woods.” I laugh. He has zero survival skills unless you count witty puns for orange juice. He trips.

“You okay?”

“Baby girl, I got this.” My heart flips just as the nasty snow whips through the trees.

The cabin’s cold but gets cozy quickly if you light a fire. These 1930’s A-frame cabins were restored with my help over the last year. Thanks Camp Wakanda, for my arsenal of carpentry skills.

His yummy blond hair is sticking up. “The place is perfect. Jesus, I couldn’t have predicted this...” I grin proudly, knowing I designed it with him in mind, thinking he’d never see it.

Suddenly, the porch chairs fly past the window. “Fuck.” I hoist open the door and snow swirls around us. “Don’t go out there. I can grab the chairs.” A tree limb whizzes by, and I turn back to him.

I yell, “Snow squalls. Secure the chairs before the next band of wind.”

“I don’t know who you are,” he yells from behind me.

I turn and grin. “Monica 2.0.” I open the storage area and he passes me the Adirondack chairs. I heave them inside and he stares at me.

He’s yelling. “I know you’re bundled like some kind of rough and rugged warrior woods woman, but you look cute as fuck right now.” As if the very presence of Dax couldn’t set my core, heart and head on fire. Now he’s flirting.

“Get inside. NOW.” I kiss his icy cheek and lower my goggles, setting off to my cabin that suddenly seems too far from his yellow door.