Page 132 of Axe Marks the Spot

“Couldn’t wait until tonight?” I ask.

Dane’s lips get closer to mine. “I was already on my way here when I texted that, so no. I couldn’t wait.”

His hands move to my hips, fingers sliding into the loops of my jean shorts. He pulls me closer so I can feel his growing erection, and I almost groan embarrassingly loudly at the feel of it.

Dane tucks a strand of hair behind my ear and cups my jaw. I rest my cheek in his hand, absorbing his strength and grounding myself in him. His hips shift against mine, the heat of him reminding me that now is not the time or place to kiss him or even be in this position with him. But apparently, I have no self-restraint when he’s this close to me.

I close the distance between us, bringing my hands up to his shoulders and tugging him down so that we’re evenly matched. He backs me further into the counter, bringing our bodies impossibly closer. A sound akin to a whimper escapes his lips, and arousal floods my core. I never thought a man making that noise would turn me on, but he’s making it because of me.

My mouth parts, and our tongues tangle together. I groan and lift my hips higher, seeking friction. He tastes so good, and his touch on my body is addictive. I lose myself in him, in the way he smells so masculine and woodsy, a smell that reminds me of home and everything that makes Dane, Dane. My hands trail down his back, and when they reach the top of his leather belt, a throat clearing stops me.

I push him away in my shock. My eyes meet a smiling Morgan’s, and heat blooms in my cheeks.

“Don’t stop on my account; just wanted to see if you needed help. Been in here awhile, and Kas was getting worried.”

I don’t know if Morgan is telling the truth because I don’t think we’ve been in here that long, but either way, Dane and I have been had. If she didn’t know anything about us before, she does now. And unless I beg, Morgan won’t keep this from Fox and Nathan. They tell each other everything.

Dane’s fingers brush mine, and I look up at him. I don’t know what I expect to see, but an adoring smile isn’t it.

The next thing he does shocks me to my core. He leans down, pressing a kiss to the crown of my head before addressing Morgan. “I’ll let you two talk.”

He squeezes my hand and looks in my eyes as if to say share what you want before he steps to the fridge and takes out the drinks we were supposed to get for everyone. With a final glance in my direction, Dane leaves me with a grinning Morgan.

When we hear the cabin door shut, she walks to the dining table, sitting in the chair facing me before gesturing to the chair across from her.

“Tell me everything.”

39

Lindsey

BY THE TIME I’VE finished giving Morgan all the juicy details, we’ve both finished half of our spiked lime seltzers.

Morgan’s cheeks are pink as she says, “I’ll admit, when I asked you to tell me everything, I didn’t think you would.”

I press my lips together, looking down at the table. Morgan reaches across the table and places her hand on mine.

“No, please. Don’t be embarrassed. I’m glad you did. You just keep so much to yourself, I didn’t think you would.”

She’s right. While I consider Morgan one of my closest friends—if not my only real friend in Starlight Haven—I normally don’t share like this. But I guess that’s something else that’s changed in me since I’ve been with Dane. He’s showing me how much I’ve been missing by not being honest, by keeping my life locked up and not asking for help.

Things are much easier when I don’t act like everything is fine.

“I’ll admit, it’s nice to have someone who knows.”

Morgan smiles and squeezes my hand again. “Feels good to get things off your chest sometimes.”

“It does,” I say honestly.

“I’ll admit, when I emailed Dane to let him know you may contact him, I was ninety-nine percent sure you would, but there was the one percent that thought you wouldn’t.”

My eyes go wide. “You emailed him?”

She nods. “Drunk emailed. I’m lucky Dane likes me, because it was super obnoxious.”

“What did you say?”

“Just that a friend of mine might be emailing for his services. I didn’t give him any information or say you lived in Starlight Haven.” She winces. “I hope you’re not mad.”