“Hey, when did you get back?”he said softly.
It appeared Axel had not heard his question.A strange blend of relief and regret washed through him.He was safe from exposure, but he was denied the possibility he had dared to imagine.
He forced his voice to stay steady, clinging to the routine like a lifeline.
“Awhile ago.The horses are all out.Chicken coop has been taken care of so you’re off the hook on that chore.Fresh eggs for breakfast.Come on.Let's eat.Let Jenna sleep.”The words came out soft and protective, even though she wasn’t his to protect.
The flush on Axel’s cheeks tugged a smile from him.It was a reminder of the man beneath the hardness prison had carved.Any other time Nick would tease the man, but right now he needed to get himself distracted as he had one hell of a hard on.
* * * * *
Jenna was on fire.Nick’s question ofMay I join you, had lit her fuse.It had taken everything in her not to open her eyes and sayyes, Nick, join us.The words replayed in her mind like a spark catching dry tinder.Reckless, impossible, and yet so achingly tempting.
Have mercy!Why did the idea of a ménage turn her on so much?The thought unsettled her.Not because it felt wrong, but because it felt too right, too natural.
Surely it had more to do than with pregnancy hormones and widow fire.
She was so grateful that Nick had suggested to let her sleep or she might have done something she might regret, like sleeping with AxelandNick.
But did she regret sleeping with Axel?
Her heart answered before her mind could.No regrets.There was only the deep, bone-level relief of having him close again.
She had told him about her baby, and the memory of his reaction softened her.He hadn’t flinched, hadn’t pulled away, hadn’t said he didn’t want the baby.He’d just folded her into the warmth of his acceptance.He had said it wasours.
Could it be this easy to just get together and move on like nothing happened?
No, she still felt as if him going to prison was her fault, but he had been at fault too.His anger had caused a death.Had affected many lives.
She blew out a tense breath and realized the loft was quiet except for the distant hum of wind whispering through the areas between the slats of wood.It appeared to be cloudy today as no sunshine shone through the window.
She realized she was underneath a sleeping bag.The weight of it felt like a quiet promise.Axel had covered her, protected her, protect her baby, even while she slept.
The scent of sweat and sex clung to her skin.She could still feel the phantom press of Axel’s hands on her hips, the way his rough palms had gripped her as he pistoned into her with that hungry rhythm.
The memory triggered a naughty ache between her thighs.
She exhaled and rolled onto her side, pressing her face into the pillow where his scent lingered.The smell of leather, sweat, and man.
Her man.
His scent wrapped around her like a memory she didn’t want to let go.It was warm, familiar, grounding.
Yes, it had been too long since he’d made love to her.It wasn’t just passion.It was years of longing, of grief, and unfinished love crashing together in a single night.Way too long since having his heavy weight pinning her down with possession.
Prison had stolen so many years from them, but last night, it had been like no time had passed at all.As if he’d never left.How could that be?
Oh, how she’d loved the incredible way he’d pistoned into her, hard and deep, claiming her, while her nails had dug into his strong shoulders.He’d swallowed her cries as she’d climaxed.
He’d told her he loved her and said he would have gone and turned himself in no matter what she’d said.But she still felt guilty.
A moan escaped her as she shifted and felt the soreness between her thighs.It was a delicious reminder of last night.Her body ached in a way that felt like remembrance.It was a reminder of everything they’d reclaimed and everything still unresolved.
Her fingers trailed down her stomach, tracing the faint marks his stubble had left on her skin, yesterday morning.She could still hear the way he’d groaned when he came inside of her.The incredible way his cock had twitched and pulsed as he’d orgasmed.
Oh boy, she wanted him again.
Why had she fallen asleep?She did many times after sex.It was a curse.
