Chapter 11 #2
For a moment, the room was quiet, save for the low hum of the air coming through the ceiling vent. Maisie tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and he could tell she was a little nervous. Licking her lips, she looked up at him. “Then I guess it’s ready.”
Her smile was small and private, the kind that made his chest tighten.
“Maybe. But I’m not sure I want to leave just yet,” he gruffly murmured.
Ducking her head slightly, she whispered his name.
And when she looked up at him, he couldn’t answer, not with words.
He stepped into her space, close enough now that he could see the flecks of gold in her eyes and feel the faint brush of her breath against his lips.
He hesitated—just for a heartbeat, giving her the chance to pull away.
She didn’t.
Maisie tilted her chin up, and that’s all it took. His mouth found hers in a kiss that started tentatively, almost questioning, before deepening with a certainty that nearly brought him to his knees.
The room, the bed, the glow of the lights—all of it blurred around him. All he could do was feel: the warmth of her body, her curves, the way her nipples hardened against his chest. They were alone in a room with a bed. The door had a lock. What the hell was he waiting for?
She was clutching the front of his shirt and pressing impossibly close. Axel tore his lips from hers so he could kiss along her jaw, her throat, and down into her cleavage.
A favorite spot.
When Maisie’s hands smoothed up over his shoulders and into his hair, he knew they were on the same page. He just needed to get her to where she was just as crazed as he was, if not more.
“Axel…” she panted, lightly tugging at his hair. “Axel…we can’t…we need to stop.”
Say what now?
Instead, he lifted his head and pressed his lips to hers again for a searing kiss, and he was fairly certain they were back on track, until she lightly pressed against his chest.
As much as he didn’t want to stop, he did. Slowly. Reluctantly. And when he lifted his head, she smiled at him, completely breathless.
And looking more than a little dazed.
“I want you,” he murmured, caressing her cheek. “So damn much that I’m ready to lock that door and take you right here on this pristine bed.”
The way she blushed was more of a turn-on than it should have been. “We can’t, Axel. Although, I’m not gonna lie…it’s tempting.” She nibbled on her lip before glancing over her shoulder at the door.
He thought for a moment that she was going to change her mind, and he was ready to kick off his boots. But then her shoulders sagged as she faced him.
It wasn’t happening.
“If there weren’t dozens of people running around the lodge,” she began, smoothing her hand over his chest. “And if I wasn’t sure that people were going to come looking for me, it would be a no-brainer.”
“I hate that you’re right. Just like I hate that we’re going to have to go back out there and pretend like nothing happened. I hate all of it, Maisie. But most of all, I hate that there’s still a part of you that you’re holding back.”
Slowly, she stepped back and out of his reach, and he knew he might have gone too far.
“I don’t want to do this right now. I can’t. We’ve talked about this, and it’s just the way it has to be.”
He nodded, but he wasn’t happy.
“So, does the room pass inspection?” she asked, clearly trying to lighten the mood.
Axel grinned. “Yeah. Like I said, it’s perfect.”
Smiling, she nodded. “Okay then.” Sighing, she looked around again before nodding toward the door. “Come on. We need to get back.”
“Sure.”
Neither seemed to be in a rush as they leisurely strolled back toward the lobby, where all the action was.
“Would you like to have dinner with me tonight?” she asked, surprising him. “We can go into town or maybe order some takeout and hang out at the cabin.”
Without hesitation, he took her hand in his, brought it to his lips and kissed it. “I’d like that very much.”
She playfully nudged his shoulder. “You know we’re just prolonging the inevitable, right? And there are still things I can’t talk about.”
“I know.” He didn’t understand, but right now he was just so desperate for any crumbs she was willing to throw his way.
I am so screwed…
Hand in hand, they continued down the long hallway, and when they turned the last corner, they were met with the hum of activity.
It was back to reality.
Dammit.
He spotted Walker talking to a bunch of guys who were bringing in boxes, and Harlow was standing there with them.
Slater and another guy were carrying a mattress down another hallway.
And Connor was talking to a guy Axel had never seen before.
He was dressed too nice to be one of the movers, and they weren’t expecting any inspections, so he was a little confused.
“Hey, do you know who Connor’s talking to?” he asked Maisie, and was surprised when she came to a halt. Turning his head, he looked at her and saw she’d gone completely pale, like she’d seen a ghost. “Maisie? Are you okay?”
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Connor and the guy walking toward them, and he felt wildly confused.
“Maisie?” he asked again, but she didn’t answer.
“Take your hands off my fiancée!” the new guy demanded before setting his eyes on Maisie.
Axel dropped her hand and took a step back, staring at her in disbelief. “You’re engaged?!”
She shook her head vehemently, her eyes pleading. “No! I swear, Axel. I am not engaged!”
“Don’t let her lie to you,” the guy said, his voice openly hostile. “We’re engaged and planning a wedding.”
“No, we’re not, Bryce,” she snapped.
All he did was laugh before stepping in close. “Yes, we are. I had dinner with your parents last night. We’re thinking of booking the Plaza. We all know how much you enjoy their menu.”
Axel heard her groan but was at a total loss for words.
“So this is where you’ve been hiding?” He had a look of utter disdain. “Slumming it with some construction trash?”
Without a word, Axel simply hauled off and punched the bastard right in his stupid, smug face.
The scream was out before she could stop it, and the next thing she knew, it was pure chaos all around her.
Connor quickly ushered her out of the way before trying to get between Axel and Bryce.
Fucking Bryce.
Bryce, who was currently on the ground with Axel hauling him back up just so he could punch him again.
“Axel!” Connor shouted, but Axel wasn’t listening. “That’s enough!”
“Who the hell are you calling trash?” Axel demanded as he hit Bryce again.
Thankfully, Walker ran over, and it took both him and Connor to pull Axel away. Bryce was on the ground looking more than a little rough and confused.
No one helped him to his feet.
“Walker, get Axel out of here,” Connor snapped, before turning to face Maisie. His expression was hard, but he let out a long breath before he spoke to her. “Are you alright?”
All she could do was nod.
“Let’s take this to the kitchen so I can get this asshole some ice.” He hesitated for a moment before reaching down and hauling Bryce to his feet. Then he grabbed his arm and all but dragged him away.
Maisie stood there, shaking.
“Hey,” Harlow said quietly as she stepped closer. “Are you going to be okay? That was a little intense.”
“I still don’t know what’s going on. I don’t know what Bryce is even doing here or how he found me.”
“Is that his name?” she asked. “He showed up here a little while ago. I was walking across the parking lot and he called out to me and demanded to know where you were. He wouldn’t tell me who he was, but there was no way I could have gotten in here before him.
I’m so sorry.” Then she paused. “Um…who exactly is he?”
This wasn’t the time to get into the whole thing, so all she said was, “Someone I desperately want nothing to do with.”
Luckily, Harlow didn’t push.
“Do you want me to go with you?” she asked. “I mean, I’m guessing you’re going to follow Connor and get rid of this guy, right?”
“I am, but…I need to do this alone.” Forcing herself to smile at Harlow, she added, “But thank you.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
“I left my tablet over on one of the tables over there. It has all the information about where all the furniture goes. You know, if anyone asks.”
“I’ll take care of it.” And before she knew it, Harlow was hugging her. “Whatever’s going on, I’m sorry.” When she pulled back, she offered a small smile. “And just know that I’m here if you need someone to talk to.”
“Thanks, Harlow. I appreciate that.” And with a steadying breath, Maisie slowly made her way across the massive lobby toward the kitchen. What she really wanted was to run after Axel and make sure he was okay, but this situation had to be dealt with.
In the kitchen, she found Connor standing against the island with his arms crossed and Bryce sitting on a stool holding an ice pack to his face.
And Axel.
Quietly, she walked over and stood next to Connor.
“What are you doing here, Bryce?” she demanded, seriously impressed at how calm she sounded, but her eyes actually hurt from not looking at Axel.
“I came to put an end to this nonsense,” he replied defiantly.
“You and I both know this is all just a game to you, and you’re wasting everyone’s time.
We’re getting married, and I’m tired of waiting around for you to get your ass home.
And so are your parents. I had dinner with them last night, and we started planning the wedding.
So why don’t you be an obedient little thing so we can go home? ”
Beside her, Connor straightened, and she put her hand on his arm to keep him from doing anything.
“I’m not going anywhere,” she stated. “I’m not marrying you. I was never going to marry you. I would rather live on the street than marry you.”
He didn’t look the least bit fazed. “Maisie, we both know you’d never survive on your own, so just stop, okay? Quit being difficult. You had your fun. You slept with the help, and now you’ve got it out of your system.”