Chapter 15
Ileaned back, stretching to ease the ache in my neck. It was Wednesday. The Roost was bustling as the late afternoon rush came through. Everyone getting their end of the day pick-me-ups before dinner. I’d been here grading papers for the last hour, having finished my final lecture of the day.
I’d already texted Axel to let him know where to find me. He was scheduled to pick me up in about fifteen minutes. I was anxious to end my day and relax, even if relaxing at Axel’s cabin was still a little…tense.
We’d fallen into a pattern over the past few days, one that utilized a good deal of avoidance. Besides mealtimes, or driving me to and from town, Axel made himself scarce. He hid away in his workshop or went out for runs in his wolf form.
It didn’t change what had happened, though. The kiss hung between us like a constant reminder. Every time our eyes met and held for a beat too long. Or when a silence stretched. It was there.
It was tempting, fighting the urge to return to my bungalow. Just for a little while. It was only a ten minute walk from campus.
But it wasn’t worth the risk. Ambrose could easily corner me there, outside the public eye. Whereas here, he’d be less inclined. If anyone was against making a scene, it was him.
“So, given any more thought to attending the Fall Fling?” Iris stood over my table, her hand propped on her hip.
“It sounds like the perfect distraction” I grinned.
Less than two weeks away, the Fall Fling was all anyone in Redding was talking about. At this point, I needed some nice, normal, seasonal fun. Something to get my mind off Axel’s behavior. Ambrose’s stalking. The mountain of work I was buried beneath.
“Good.” Iris hesitated. “What about Axel?”
I bit my lip. “Not sure crowds are his thing, you know?”
“So you still want to go with me, then?”
“Definitely.”
“Awesome. What’s going on with the two of you anyway?” She slipped into the chair across from me, propping her elbows on the table. Resting her chin in her hands. Her expression might have appeared innocent, but I could tell she was fishing. Something about it rubbed me wrong.
“Nothing.” I shrugged, since that was the truth. “I mean… I’m just staying with him for a bit while I work out my ex issues.”
“Right.”
Iris was already up to speed on my temporary relocation. We had exchanged a series of texts after Thursday’s incident. She’d even offered to let me stay with her. I’d politely declined.
The unfortunate truth was, Iris was no match for Ambrose and the last thing I wanted was to put her in danger.
“You sure it’s wise staying with someone you hardly know? I really don’t mind if you stay at my place. Plus, it’s right next to yours. Extra convenient.”
“Thank you. Really. I appreciate it. But…we’re managing. I’ve already got the bunnies settled and I’d hate to move them again.”
“Right.” She leaned back to regard me, her expression contemplative. “No worries, then. You’ll let me know if you want me to pick you up for the Fling? Otherwise, we can just meet there.”
“I can just meet you there,” I assured her.
I didn’t intend to make Iris drive all the way out to Axel’s to get me. That she was offering showed how eager she was for me to join her, but I was plenty fine saving her the trip.
“Ready to go?” Axel’s deep voice had me looking up.
“Oh, Axel.” Iris blushed, jumping from the chair and backing away from the table. “Did you want your usual?”
“Not today.” He turned away from her, pinning me with his gaze. His impatient gaze.
“Right,” I huffed. “Let me just get my things together.”
Iris lingered a moment longer. “Text me later,” she added, giving Axel another furtive look, then strode back to the counter.
“You could have been a little nicer,” I observed.
Axel’s brow furrowed. He had no idea, did he? How gruff and short he was with other people. Which meant he probably had no idea the effect he had on others, especially women like Iris. No idea that she was clearly pining for him.
In a way, I was glad, because I wanted him all to myself, even if he had no interest on that front.
With everything stowed in my backpack, I stood. Axel grabbed it before I could shoulder it, then set off across the shop.
“Bye Iris,” I called over my shoulder, waving.
“See ya, Becca.” She waved back, but I didn’t miss the way her eyes darted between me and Axel.
“Any incidents?” Axel asked as he opened his truck door for me.
“All quiet,” I assured him, climbing into his truck. Setting my backpack in the footwell.
We headed out of town.
There hadn’t been much interaction between us today. Just a few bunny photos of the little snacks while they did their enrichment and exploring.
Axel fussed with the radio. Because of course he was old school like that. I rested my head against the headrest, watching the trees thicken as the forest swallowed us up. It was such a beautiful drive.
Five minutes later, my phone vibrated. Possibly Elle, to see how my day had gone. I pulled it from my pocket. My heart jerked when I saw the unfamiliar number. Part of me wanted to ignore it, because then it wouldn’t ruin my day.
“What is it?” Axel interrupted my thoughts. Which was how I realized I’d been staring at the screen a full minute, the device clenched in my fingers.
“A text. From Ambrose, I think.”
He immediately threw on his hazard lights and pulled off the road, letting the truck idle.
“That’s not—you don’t need to pull over.”
“Read it.”
I sighed, unlocking my phone. There was a photo and a text. The photo made my blood run cold. It was a view from the inside of my bedroom at the bungalow. Taken from the perspective of someone on my bed. The text followed.
Unknown Number
Imagine my surprise to find you gone. Shall I stay and wait for your return?
“He’s… He’s in my room!”
Oh, my God. Was he still there now? Or had he taken this earlier?
My phone vibrated again as a second text came in.
Unknown Number
You can’t hide forever. Does that mongrel know he’s protecting damaged goods? That every time you use magic, you become less than nothing? I’m the one offering to fix you, and this is how you repay me?
The words hit me square in the chest, playing off my vulnerabilities. Because I did feel damaged. Broken. Less than. With every bit of magic I used, with every piece of myself that I lost.
The statement was quintessential Ambrose. I knew he meant to manipulate and hurt me. That didn’t make it easier to disregard what he said. Because I’d been feeling this way for years.
My vision blurred. I was so caught up, I didn’t notice Axel leaning in, hovering over my shoulder.
A low growl filled the cab. The sound set the hairs of my arms on end. My phone was pulled from my hand. Axel clicked on the number and promptly blocked it before deleting the text. His jaw ticked. I could feel the fury radiating from him.
“Has he sent you others like that?”
“N-no.” I blinked, clearing my vision. Getting myself back together. “No images. No other texts since seeing him Thursday. But before that, he started threatening me via text. Sent me roses. Things like that.”
Axel held my gaze a beat longer. The light inside the cab was low, but I could see the emotion in his expression. The way his expression was dark with the promise of retribution.
“Good. You’ll tell me if he contacts you again.” He handed my phone back then pulled out onto the road.
I was a modern woman. Perfectly capable of taking responsibility for my own life.
And yet…
Having this behemoth of a male sitting next to me, taking up all the oxygen in the small space, brought more comfort than I was willing to admit. Because the reality was, I felt safe with him. He’d never treated me the way Ambrose had—all pretty words and sugared promises, only to turn on me.
Axel had never sugar-coated anything. He certainly hadn’t started out under false pretenses. The opposite, really. Which made me trust him. Everything I got with Axel was real.
I was lost in my thoughts, so I didn’t register when the engine shut off, or the fact that we were sitting in front of the cabin. I certainly didn’t notice the twinkling lights, or the glass lanterns with electric candles, and the piles of pumpkins and hay bales.
Until I did.
And I gasped. “What…?”
Axel’s gaze was on me. I could always feel it when he was watching me. I felt it now, similar to when he’d stroked his hand down my side while we’d kissed.
The sight of his cabin in the twilight, glowing lights twinkling on the front porch. Autumn decorations prominently on display. I could do little more than blink in wonder.
It was…beautiful.
Artfully done.
Like he’d hired a professional designer.
Except, I knew he would never do something like that—let a stranger into his home.
Which meant—
“Did you do this? Decorate your cabin?”
I finally turned to him.
His throat bobbed. “Do you like it?”
There was so much raw vulnerability in his expression. Eager anticipation while he waited for my answer. It made my throat tight.
I pressed my lips between my teeth. “Axel. I love it. Can we… Can I go see?”
A laugh burst from his chest. It was such a beautiful sound that my own chest instantly lightened. Ambrose’s texts, the fear I felt knowing he’d invaded my personal space—all of it was immediately forgotten as I leapt from the truck and strode to the porch steps.
At first, all I saw was the bigger picture.
The decorations as a whole. But then I noticed smaller touches.
Like the fluffy blankets that were draped over each Adirondack chair and the pumpkin themed pillows on the porch swing.
Then I caught a twinkle of lights from inside the house and my chest swelled with warmth.
Before he was even speaking, I sprinted across the porch and into the house. I stopped in the middle of the great room, pressing my hands over my sternum. Trying to breathe.
Because…
Because…
“Oh…”
“Do ye like it?” His voice was low, close behind me, more heavily accented than usual. Goosebumps pebbled my skin. “If ye don’t, we can change it.”
Tears filled my eyes. I knew. I knew that the only reason he’d done this was for me. And the raw hope in his voice told me as much.
I didn’t think, I simply turned and flung my arms around him, reaching up over his shoulders. He stooped and lifted me, his hands circling my waist as he pulled me up against him, until my feet dangled.
Our bodies were flush. His hard lines to my soft curves. A perfect fit.
Everything about him was warm comfort. From the woodsmoke scent, to the strength of his hold, to the soft fabric of his flannel shirt.
I always knew he would give the best hugs.
All height and muscle. How could he not?
It was like being wrapped in my favorite cozy blanket, with a candle burning and a cup of tea warming my fingers.
“Thank you,” I whispered against the shell of his ear.
I felt his shiver, the way his hold tightened on me.
It made heat explode in my gut. Made me overly aware of every point our bodies touched. Of every hard ridge.
I wanted to kiss him, but I couldn’t get his dismissive words out of my head.
The last thing I wanted was to sour the mood with his biology bullshit.
Even if I could feel the length of him growing against me.
So instead, I buried my face against him, nuzzling my nose against his neck, right where his skin would be most sensitive.
“The little snacks helped,” he blurted.
“Oh, did they?” My lips were a smile against his skin.
“Yeah.” His voice grew rougher. “They added their own personal touch. See?”
I wanted to see. But I didn’t want to turn my head away from where I pressed against him. But I did. And promptly burst out laughing. The pumpkin arrangement next to the fireplace already had little teeth marks scored into the pumpkins and a mess of straw on the ground around it.
“Listen, little witch.” His voice grew serious. “I want you to know that nothing Blackthorn said is true, eh?”
“Axel.”
“No. Listen here.” He pulled back until we were face to face. Close enough to kiss. Close enough that I could practically taste the cinnamon gum he must have been chewing earlier. “You’re not broken. You’re not damaged. You can’t go thinking that about yourself.”
“I… I know.” My voice was thick.
“We’ll get your magic back.” His expression softened. “Whatever it takes. Understand?”
I nodded.
“Good.” He set me down and stepped back. I immediately missed his warmth.
But I was also excited to explore, so I set about checking out all his hard work.
There was a whole candle arrangement resting on the coffee table.
Small pumpkins and florals accenting it.
Sunflower arrangements sat on several surfaces.
There were pumpkins everywhere. And little glass lanterns like the ones outside. All glowing with electric candles.
“Where did you…? How did you pull this off?”
“I drove into Ashton. Called all their craft stores and hardware stores in advance.” Ashton was one of the biggest cities in the country.
“Purchased all their electric candles. Look at this.” He reached for a remote on the nearby end table, then clicked a button.
All the electric candles went off at the same time.
Then they clicked back on. “Got ‘em programmed, see?”
“Oh…”
“The rest of the stuff, the string lights and such, are on automatic timers. You won’t have to worry about them. The pumpkins came from Ashton as well. I didn’t want to clean out the local patch. They’ve got their big Fling coming up.”
A giggle erupted and I clamped my lips closed. “This must have filled up your entire truck.”
“A bit, yeah.”
It’s like a craft store had vomited up all its decorations. But in a tasteful way. Because he’d put real thought into this.
“I absolutely love it,” I said, failing to hide the emotion in my voice. “It’s… It’s the best thing I’ve ever seen. I… You didn’t have to do this for me.”
He gave a casual shrug. “I wanted to.”
And this was exactly why I was falling for him. Which meant I was in so much trouble. Because I was falling for a man who wasn’t interested in forming any kind of relationship with me.