Chapter 5
Ella
I should’ve known better than to let my guard down, but the moment Axel touched me, his thumb so soft and yes, possessive, on my cheek, I knew it was impossible to resist him.
I didn’t even remember leaning in. One moment, I was trying not to think of Blake and the totally real possibility of him making the trip and ruining my holidays with my family, and the next, it was only Axel and me.
His mouth moved over mine with a hunger that stole the breath from my lungs.
There was no hesitation in the way he kissed me.
It was full of heat, and a deep, aching need that pulled me closer and closer.
I clung to him, needing something to hold onto while the movement of his lips unraveled every barrier I’d put up.
Every touch of his hands on me sent sparks racing across my skin until I didn’t want to remember why I’d built up walls in the first place.
His chest pressed against mine, radiating heat through every layer between us.
And when he pulled me onto his lap, the hard bulge of his arousal nudged my ass, making my breath catch as a slow ache bloomed between my thighs.
I slid my arms around his neck, pulling him closer, chasing the friction and the fire building between us.
The need clawing through me was brutal and raw. And it was long overdue.
How long had it been? A year, maybe more? My body was starved for attention, and now it was roaring back to life.
His lips slowed, lingering like he wasn’t quite ready to let go. He rested his forehead against mine for a moment, and my fingers slid down to his shoulder against the soft fur.
Fur? I pulled away, my eyes wide at the pelt of white fur that now covered his chest and shoulders.
But Axel was already moving, his long legs stepping over the coffee table. As he walked toward the kitchen, tray of brownies in hand and completely oblivious to my wonder, the fur slowly receded until he was fully human again.
Was that a half shift? I couldn’t believe that I’d been with Blake for years and never experienced anything like that before. Was it because I never quite affected him the same way? That wasn’t possible, was it?
And I wondered what kind of shifter Axel was. I wasn’t sure if I should ask. Was that bad manners? I didn’t know.
My mystery shifter moved to the old stereo tucked near the fireplace and flipped it on. A sultry rhythm filled the cabin. He held out his hand to me, palm up.
“How about a dance?”
There wasn’t much else for me to do, since the internet was down. Deciding that I was going to enjoy myself for the rest of the night and not think of Blake or anything stressful, I stood, then slid my hands into his. They really were giant hands.
He tugged me gently into the open space between the couch and the fire.
His arm circled my waist, and I let mine rest on his shoulder.
We swayed together; his body was solid against mine.
He was so warm and steadying, like I could lean on him no matter what, so I did.
The tension I’d carried for weeks, months, maybe longer, loosened.
I pillowed my head on his chest and closed my eyes, letting the rhythm guide us.
I couldn’t believe I’d actually told Axel about Blake.
And I didn’t mean the “Oh, don’t you worry about me, I’m doing fine” spiel I gave everyone else in my life.
I’d actually told him the real reason I’d moved.
I’d told everyone else that I just wanted something new.
We’d just met after all. But maybe that was why I felt safe enough to tell him the truth.
He’d even offered to help handle Blake if he ever showed up. Of course, I wasn’t sure if he really meant it. Because, again, we’d just met.
As we moved together, slow and steady, I let my gaze drift around the cabin. The fire glowed warm, the music hummed low, but there wasn’t a single string of lights or sprig of pine in sight.
“Do you celebrate Christmas?” I asked, tilting my head toward him. “I noticed you don’t have any decorations.”
“I do,” he said. “I just didn’t have a reason to put them up since I live alone.” His hand tightened at my waist.
“You know,” I said, brushing my fingers along his shoulder, “I decorated my place for Christmas alone this year. It was the first year I was allowed to actually put up a tree. Granted, it wasn’t a real one since my building won’t allow live trees. But it’s still pretty. And it was fun.”
His head tilted, and he stilled, his arms still around me. “I’ve got a box of decorations hidden in that closet somewhere. The rest is in the shed,” he said. “Haven’t touched them in years. Might be a tangled mess of lights and tinsel by now.”
I eyed the closet door. “Sounds like a challenge to me. Too bad we don’t have more time.”
Axel inhaled like he was about to say something, but didn’t.
We kept dancing, and I let myself imagine what this place would look like with twinkle lights and mismatched stockings. Maybe even a tree.
We danced until the fire died down to a lazy glow. Time had slipped past unnoticed, and when I glanced at the clock on the mantel, I was shocked at how late it was.
Axel noticed too. “You should get some sleep,” he said, giving me one last squeeze before letting go.
I nodded, the warmth between us making it easy to forget everything else. The wind still howled outside. The storm hadn’t let up, and I was so grateful to be here and not freezing to death in my car.
Axel led me to one of the doors.
“This is it,” he said, stepping aside to let me look in. “The bathroom is next door. Just let me grab a pillow and I’ll sleep on the couch.”
The room was simple, clean, and warm. A giant bed dominated the space. The sheets were most likely custom-made because I had no idea they made beds this big. But I guess it’d have to be if Axel were to be comfortable on it.
“But this is your bed,” I said. “You can’t sleep on the couch. Your legs will hang right off the edge.”
“I’ll be fine.”
I was about to offer to sleep on the couch, but I was suddenly feeling brave and bold. So instead, I said, “Don’t be silly. We can share.”
Axel’s blue-gray eyes turned silver in the dim light. “Are you sure?”
“Of course. I’m not kicking you out of your own bed, especially not after everything you’ve done for me. Besides, it’s huge. I’ll stay on my side.”
“Deal. I’ll find a T-shirt for you to wear,” he said.
I disappeared into the bathroom to get ready for bed, and when I returned, I found a super-soft, recently-laundered, well-worn T-shirt waiting for me on the bed. I changed into it, then climbed onto the bed, settling against the pillows on the side farthest from the door.
The minutes waiting for him to return from the bathroom felt like forever.
Once back, he hesitated by the bed for a second before saying, “I sleep in my boxers.”
“That’s fine,” I said, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. “I understand. Get comfy.”
He turned off the lights, and I heard the drop of his pants to the floor, then he was climbing into the bed with me.