Chapter 24 #2
“Aye.” He stalked toward me, each step deliberate, predatory. “Because every male at that festival is going to be staring at your legs. And I’m going to want to rip their eyes out.”
“That seems…excessive.”
“Does it?” He stopped in front of me, close enough that I had to tilt my head back to meet his gaze.
Close enough that I could smell him—woodsmoke and pine and something uniquely Axel.
“Because right now, all I can think about is getting you back here tonight and peeling those tights off with my teeth.”
Heat flooded me, making my core clench up in anticipation. “Oh?”
“Mmm.” His hand found my hip, fingers flexing against the fabric of my skirt. “Maybe I’ll leave the skirt on. Push it up around your waist while I bury my face between your thighs.”
“Axel.” His name came out breathier than I intended.
“Something to think about.” He leaned in and pressed a kiss to my forehead—gentle, almost chaste, a complete contrast to the filthy words he’d just spoken—then stepped back, leaving me flushed and aching.
“While we’re at this festival. Surrounded by people.
Being wholesome and autumnal and all that shite. ”
“You’re evil.”
“Just motivated.” He grabbed his jacket from the back of the couch, making a motion to indicate it would be for me and not him.
Because he was a werewolf and probably never got cold, considering I never saw him wear any of the coats he kept in his mudroom.
“Come on, little witch. Let’s go be festive. ”
I was practically vibrating with excitement for the entire drive. Rightfully so. Because the Fall Fling was everything I’d hoped for and more.
String lights hung between the barns, casting warm pools of gold across the grounds.
Hay bales lined the pathways, decorated with pumpkins and gourds and bundles of cornstalks.
The scent of apple cider and cinnamon hung thick in the air, mixing with woodsmoke from the fire pits scattered around the property.
Music drifted from the main barn—something folksy and upbeat that made me want to dance.
Craft booths lined the paths, vendors selling everything from handmade jewelry to pottery to knitted scarves. People were everywhere. Families with kids in costume. Couples holding hands. Groups of friends laughing and posing for pictures in front of elaborate pumpkin displays.
Axel tensed the moment we walked through the entrance. I felt it in the way his hand tightened on mine, the way his shoulders crept up toward his ears. His eyes were everywhere, scanning, assessing.
The wolf in him was close to the surface.
“Okay?” I asked quietly, squeezing his hand.
“Fine.” The word was clipped.
I rose on my toes and pressed a kiss to his jaw. “Thank you for doing this.”
Some of the tension bled out of him. “Aye, well. Couldn’t let you have all the fun without me.”
“Becca!”
I turned to find Iris hurrying toward us, weaving through the crowd. She wore a cute flannel dress and boots, her dark hair loose around her shoulders. Her face was bright with excitement—until she got close enough to see Axel beside me.
Her smile flickered. Just for a second. Then it was back, wide and warm.
“You made it!” She pulled me into a hug, squeezing tight. When she stepped back, her eyes darted to Axel again, then to our joined hands. “Oh! You brought... Hi, Axel.”
“Iris.” A short nod. Nothing more.
“I didn’t realize you two were coming together.” She gestured vaguely between us, that bright smile still firmly in place. But something underneath it felt brittle.
“He insisted on coming,” I said, trying to smooth over the awkwardness. “He didn’t want me driving back alone in the dark.”
“Right. Of course. Safety first.” Her laugh was a little too high. A little too sharp. “Well, since you have someone to keep you company, I should go find my friends. They’re saving me a spot near the stage. But find me later, okay? We should dance!”
“Definitely,” I promised. “I’ll come find you.”
She gave us a little wave and disappeared into the crowd.
I watched her go, guilt settling heavy in my stomach. She’d been looking forward to tonight. To hanging out together. And instead I’d shown up with Axel on my arm without even warning her.
“She’s upset,” Axel observed.
“Yeah.” I sighed. “I should have texted her. Told her you were coming.”
“Would it have changed anything?”
Probably not. But it still felt crappy. I’d find a way to make it up to her another time, somehow.
“Come on.” I tugged his hand, pulling him toward the craft booths. “Let’s explore.”
We wandered through the festival, and I let myself sink into the magic of it. The crisp autumn air. The golden firelight. The smell of cinnamon and apples and woodsmoke. This was my season. My happy place. And sharing it with Axel made it even better.
I dragged him through the craft booths first, making him hold my cider while I examined handmade candles and knitted scarves and little ceramic pumpkins. He grumbled but complied, standing like a grumpy sentinel while I chatted with vendors about their work.