“That’s what they say,” Nick chuckled.
Under any other circumstances, Axel might have punched his friend in the arm or slapped him on the back for picking up Jenna’s jealousy joke and expanding on it, but tonight he simply wasn’t in the mood for banter.The kiss with Jenna still burned under his skin, tangled with guilt, longing, and the ache of everything unresolved.
He leaned against a rough hewn support post and surveyed the bed.It looked quite cozy, like a sanctuary in comparison to the sterile metal beds with too thin mattresses they’d been sleeping on in prison.He had to admit Nick had picked a nice area on the hay.
The makeshift bed with Jenna’s light blue sheets and dark blue blankets was nestled in the far corner, shielded from the window and beneath the slanted roof.The domesticated look was a stark contrast to the weathered wood floor.
Axel pushed away from the post and walked over to the large second story window and gazed outside.
Jenna said she’d leave the back porch light on and had told them to use the house key Cyn had given them in case they needed to go to the bathroom.
The porch light was on, and it glowed like a beacon, pulling at him with a force he didn’t want to name.And so was one of the bedroom lights facing the barn.She was probably nestled snugly in her bed reading a book, with that damned dog.
Axel smiled as he remembered she liked reading romance novels before she went to bed.Those quiet nights had been his favorite.Her absorbed in a book, him pretending to be asleep just to watch her breathe.He loved her so much.He would do anything for her.
Man, he wouldn’t mind trading places with that dog, especially after experiencing such an uncontrollable reaction to kissing her.
Now that the rain and storm had passed, it was remarkably quiet, both inside and out.No sound came from the horses below in the stables, and not even a creak emanated from the planks of old grey wood that held the two-storey barn together.
As Axel’s eyes adjusted to the darkness, his gaze drifted east of the ranch house where no lights shone.There he noticed tiny bursts of light floating here and there above the tall grass.
He smiled.
Fireflies were flickering in the night, and for a brief moment, he felt a profound sense of freedom.He heard crickets singing too.How cool was that?He hadn’t heard that sound since before he’d gone into prison.
He let out a deep, heavy sigh, finally accepting that he was truly outside those concrete walls lined with razor fences and reunited with Jenna.Well, not exactly reunited with her, but given the circumstances, he was grateful he was here to help her.
“So, this cop that’s coming tomorrow.Just answer his questions and don’t volunteer any information about yourself.Cops have a way of following the law and I sure don’t want him to find something on us to throw us back in prison.And don’t mention Jenna’s handgun,” Axel said.He wasn’t afraid for himself.He was afraid of losing the one person who’d kept him sane behind bars.
“Good idea.No wearing shorts tomorrow either.Don’t want him seeing the ankle bracelet,” Nick said.
“Exactly,” Axel agreed.
“Thanks for not mentioning about the cop coming.I think we had an enjoyable evening, despite you letting Jenna know everything that needs fixing around her place,” Nick said.
“Yeah, well it needed to be said.It appears her husband wasn’t much of a handyman and didn’t make the necessary repairs.And I gotta agree, it was a pleasant evening.One of many, I hope,” Axel replied.For the first time in years, Axel had felt something close to normal.Delicious food, good laughter, hard work, a woman he loved and a friend he trusted.
He heard Nick move to stand behind Axel.Saw his reflection in the window.He was looking over Axel’s shoulder, checking out the ranch house.Nick’s body heat was blasting against him like an electric blanket and his shaft hardened like a serpent as memories of their nights together in the prison swept over him.
“We should take turns in keeping an eye on the house, despite that Cujo coming out in Daisy when she hears someone coming,” Nick said.
The routine from prison came back into Axel’s mind easily.It was a silent agreement they had.Their shared vigilance, the instinct to protect each other through the rough days and nights.
They’d had to keep quiet while having sex.Always quiet, so their ears would be in tune to when a guard would patrol and gaze into their cell.They’d been lucky in being housed in an older prison where the security cameras covered the hallways and other areas of the prison and not the sleeping quarters.He’d heard that in the newer prisons, security cameras were everywhere, even in the toilet and shower areas.
“I’ll take first watch since I can’t sleep,” Axel volunteered.
“Okay.Doable.I can go to sleep now.How about if I sleep about two hours.Then I’ll do the next two hours so you can sleep and so on.”
Axel nodded and watched Nick’s reflection in the glass pane.He’d removed his shirt and his chest muscles were flexing as his hands went for his pant zipper.
The sight of his physique made Axel’s breath catch.He’d never had a reaction to any man in his past.Just to Nick.He really should not go near the man anymore, especially with Axel wanting to get back with Jenna.
But the pull of Nick was quite strong, and Axel ground his teeth together and clenched his fists.
Stay strong.Stay strong.Don’t give into your need for him.
“Hey, before I go to bed.One question,” Nick whispered.
