Chapter 12

CHAPTER 12

AXEL

S ex with Luna was life changing. I couldn't get enough of her. I wanted to fuck her on every surface of my cabin. But if I gave into the temptation we wouldn't get anywhere with the renovation, and she had her own work to do.

I spent the morning ripping up more linoleum. It was unbelievably frustrating that there were so many layers. The previous owners were too lazy to remove flooring; they just kept adding to it. But if I wanted this renovation done right, I needed to get down to the subfloor.

By midafternoon, I'd finally removed all of it, and I felt ridiculously accomplished. I showered, made a quick sandwich, then carried the debris to the truck.

Once the bed was full, I hauled it to the dump. On the way back, I picked up pizzas, hoping Luna hadn't eaten yet. I wanted to have time to sit on her porch and admire the lights this evening.

When I pulled up to our cabins, she was sitting on the rocker on the porch. I carried the pizzas to her. “Hungry?”

Her eyes widened. “I was craving pizza. How did you know?”

Pleasure curled through my chest, licking at my heart. “I saw the sign for pizza and had to stop. You haven't eaten yet, have you?”

Luna shook her head. “When I work from home, I get lost in my work and forget to take breaks.”

“That's what I'm here for then.” I followed her into her cabin, setting the boxes on the counter.

Luna grabbed plates, and we ate at the island. “What are your plans for the rest of the evening?”

“Demolition? That's all I can do until we have new appliances and flooring.”

“Once you decide on what you want, I'm having everything delivered. They assured me they could get the truck up here.”

“Do you have the options ready for me?”

Luna nodded. “I do.”

We finished eating and washed our hands. Then Luna grabbed the tablet, scrolling through her suggestions for appliances, flooring, and paint colors. Everything looked good to me. I was just glad I didn't have to pick it out.

“I'll order these right away.”

I frowned. “Not tonight. I want to enjoy the lights.”

Luna put the leftover pizza in the fridge, then heated milk on the stove. “It's my night to make hot chocolate.”

Days working on the house and leisurely evenings spent on the porch were nice. I wasn't much for going out on the town or eating in restaurants. I preferred a quiet night at home, and Luna was the perfect addition.

We carried our hot chocolate outside, and Luna turned on the lights. Setting our mugs aside, we took in the view from the yard.

Luna clasped her hands together. “It's a shame no one will see these but us, but it's nice too. Our own personal paradise.”

“You think this is paradise?” I was surprised since she grew up on the beach.

Luna nodded. “It's exactly what I needed. Some time to myself without seeing my family. I still talk to them on the phone, but the distance is…nice. I didn't realize how much they took over my life. They have an opinion about everything, and I didn't want to face them after what happened.”

“It wasn't your fault.”

Her face pinched. “I know that. But it just feels like things don't work out for me. And I'm worried that's going to extend to my ideas for the design business.”

“Try imagining that everything is working out perfectly.”

Luna looked over at me, a little surprised. “I want to believe that.”

I wouldn't say it out loud. But meeting Luna at this time in my life felt a little like fate. The future was murkier. It made me think that fate was playing with me, but I could enjoy what we had now and not worry too much about what came after she went home.

Maybe Luna was only meant to be in my life for a short time. I didn't like the idea of that. But I wouldn't let myself long for more.

I was used to moving frequently and not creating ties to any particular person or place. It had been the same with my family. I'd created distance to make it easier on me. It would be best to do the same with Luna.

I couldn't forget she was leaving soon. I reached my hand out to her, and she took it with a smile. It was a nice evening on the porch. Luna had blankets and hot chocolate, and we turned on holiday music.

“Are you planning to see your family for the holidays?” Luna asked tentatively.

I sighed, setting the mug aside. “That's the plan.”

“Are you worried about it?”

“I left a long time ago and visited only occasionally. I told them I was visiting friends when I stayed here.” I held my breath for her response. I'd never told anyone I didn't see friends, but that I'd been so close to home and hadn't visited. I'd essentially lied about my plans to my family.

Luna frowned. “Why?”

“I just wanted time to myself. When you come home for the holidays, there're all these expectations, and I didn't think I could live up to them. It was an adjustment, and I worried I wouldn't be able to relax enough. That my family would think something was wrong.”

“I can understand that. But don't you think they would have understood if you explained it to them?”

That made me pause because I hadn't. “My family is close. Especially after my mom died. I just didn't think I could pretend everything was fine. They had all this time to get over her being gone, when I kind of ran from it.”

Luna shook her head. “I don't think they would be mad at you. Maybe a little hurt, but if you explain the situation to them…”

I didn't want to. I kind of wanted to forget about it.

“Aren't you worried about it now?”

“A little.” I pushed my foot to get my rocker moving.

“I can go with you if you want.”

That made me pause. “No one knows I'm here yet.”

Luna shrugged. “Whenever you're ready.”

“You'd do that for me?” I asked her, never having met anyone who'd do something so selfless. But then again, I hadn't let anyone else in.

“I want to be there for you.” She covered my hand with hers, and I wanted to forget about my family issues and the ball of emotion that was forming in my chest.

I tugged her until she got the hint and climbed into my lap. It was a tight fit, her knees were pressed against the sides of the chair, but I wanted to feel her against me.

Her hands played with the edges of my jacket, and her eyes held a hint of mischief. “Now that you've got me here, what are you going to do with me?”

“Consume you,” I said as I drew her closer and kissed her. I wanted to forget about our conversation and my impending visit home. My family knew I was retiring. I couldn't avoid them forever. But I could lose myself in Luna for the night.

I could wipe my brain of everything but her scent and her touch. I pressed her closer to me, not wanting to let go.

I stood, her legs going around my hips, and I opened the door, kicking it shut behind me. I ripped my lips from hers long enough to ask, “Bed?”

She pointed in the direction of the stairs, and I went back to kissing her. I went to the room at the end of the hall. Her cabin was similar to mine. Then I dropped her on the messy bed.

I made mine every morning, but that was probably the military training. Luna was easier going, and that's what attracted me to her. She was different than me, more malleable, less rigid. Maybe she'd rub off on me.

I took off my clothes while she watched from her position on the bed. She looked gorgeous anywhere, but I think I preferred seeing her in my bed.

I ignored the dismay that she'd be gone by the time my cabin was renovated.

I mentally shook my head. I needed to forget about the future. There was only the here and now, and this woman was letting me in.

Luna crawled toward me, sitting back when my cock sprung free.

“I want to make you feel good,” she said.

I wasn't going to argue with that.

She gripped my cock, and I forgot about everything else. There was just me and her. The look on her face when she worshipped my cock.

Just like last time, I enjoyed her mouth on me, but I wanted more. When I got close, I pulled her up and off the bed, helping her undress while I kissed her. Then I gently placed her hands on the bed and pulled her hips back so that she was open for me.

She shifted on her feet like she felt exposed in this position.

I ran a hand down her spine and over her hips to soothe her. “You're beautiful.”

Then I dipped a hand between her legs, finding her dripping for me. I wouldn't be able to hold back now that her scent was in my nostrils. I had the forethought to grab the condom from my wallet, sheathed myself, then entered her with a tight grip on her hips.

I wouldn't last long. There was something about this position that got me hot. I drove into her hard, gripping her hips tightly as I moved. Tingles started at the base of my spine, and I leaned around her to circle her clit, needing her to come first.

She arched into my chest as she cried out my name. I'd never get enough of hearing it on her lips.

It felt amazing to pleasure her. When her spasms slowed, I flipped her onto the bed so that she was on her back, then entered her again. I lifted one leg to get the right angle. As much as I liked the other position, I think I preferred to see her face.

She wasn't like the other women I'd slept with. This was deeper than just the physical. We'd connected on a level I hadn't with anyone else.

When she reached for me, I moved over her, dropping my lips to hers. There was something about kissing while I moved inside her. It was like we were connected on every level. I sensed that this was getting into dangerous territory, that the more we were together, the harder this was going to be when she left.

But I couldn't bring myself to pull back. I was already in too deep. She was becoming an addiction I couldn't shake.

The orgasm snuck up on me, washing over me like a wave. I felt contentment and an overwhelming affection for her.

With a sigh, I pulled out and rolled to the side. I tied off the condom and disposed of it in her bathroom.

I washed my hands before returning.

She lay on her side, watching me.

I stood at the side of the bed. “Is it okay if I stay, or did you want me to leave?”

She smiled. “Please, stay.”

I'd locked my cabin when I left to get the pizza, so I didn't need to run home for anything. I slipped under the covers and gathered her to me. This was becoming a habit. We worked during the day then came together at night.

It was a comforting routine, one I looked forward to.

We were quiet for a few minutes. Then Luna said, “I saw a tree in the woods that could work for a Christmas tree. Could we cut it down?”

I was already drifting off, but I said, “Let's do it.”

“Tomorrow,” Luna said as my eyes drifted closed. I never thought I'd come to the cabin and meet someone. Luna changed everything.

T he next day, Luna helped me uncover the wood floors since it was the weekend and she didn't have to work at her family's business. We moved the furniture to evaluate every plank. Most of it was salvageable. We'd need to sand it and restain it, but I'd done the research and was confident we could do it ourselves. We'd do it together.

Then we hiked to the spot where Luna had seen the tree.

Luna clapped her hands when she saw it. “It's perfect.”

I cut it down and hauled it back to the cabin. Then we searched both cabins until we found an old tree stand and set it up in front of the window. Luna had more decorations so we used those on the tree.

We sat in front of the fire to admire it.

“This is so nice. I don't want to leave.”

I knew she meant go home to Florida. “So stay.”

Luna sighed. “I have to go back eventually. I scheduled home visits in the new year for my business.”

I nodded. “Sounds like you have to go back then.”

The light in her eyes dimmed a bit at my words, but I didn't want to hold her back. Her life was in Florida. She could only work remotely for a short time. Especially if she wanted to get her design business off the ground.

“We only just met. It would be crazy for me to think about staying.”

“We knew this was temporary though,” I said as I threw an arm around her shoulders.

She stiffened. “Right.”

I wasn't sure if things would change once I saw my family. Would they draw me into their gatherings? Would I be one of them or an outsider?

We heated up the leftover pizza and ate at the counter. When I cleaned up, she said, “Would you want to try out the hot tub? I hung more lights over it.”

I paused. “That sounds great actually.” I hadn't forgotten what she looked like naked in the hot tub. This was my fantasy come to life.

She grinned. “We don't need bathing suits, do we?”

I straightened. “No.”

Now that she'd given me permission, I crossed the room and threw her over my shoulder carrying her outside while she wiggled. I didn't set her down until we stood next to the hot tub, the object of every one of my fantasies. I threw off the cover and pushed buttons until the jets were moving and the rainbow color lights were lit.

Luna undressed quickly, and I was helpless to look away. When she stepped in, she asked, “Are you going to join me?”

I scrambled to keep up, sinking into the hot water, the worries and anxieties melting away.

Here we could just be us, we didn't need to worry about Florida or my family. We were coming together, getting to know each other.

I drew her into my lap, and she straddled my hips.

She'd hung white lights above the hot tub.

“You could keep these here year-round. They aren't holiday colored, and they add to the ambiance.” Not that I needed any encouragement to take off her clothes.

Luna winced. “I won't be here though.”

“Right.” How had I forgotten the one that bugged me the most about our relationship? But her breasts were in my face, and I couldn't ignore her nipples any longer. I sucked one into my mouth, reveling in the soft gasp and the familiar sensation of her hands in my hair. She held me to her as if she was afraid I'd get away.

She was mine for now, and I was going to take advantage of every minute we had.

Luna slid over my cock, her head falling back.

“Do we need a condom?” I asked her, prepared to get out and grab one.

She lowered her head so her gaze met mine. “I don't need one.”

We'd done it by accident yesterday, but now it would be intentional. I trusted her. I nudged my cock at her entrance, and she lowered herself the rest of the way.

I laved attention on one nipple, then the other, my grip on her hip only enough to encourage her to move faster. Her breasts bobbed in front of my face, and her skin was illuminated by the lights under the water and overhead. She'd never looked more beautiful.

When she shattered, her expression one of immense bliss, I wanted to hold onto her. I wanted to be the one who got to see her like this forever. I wanted to be her last. The urge came on suddenly and had me racing toward my release.

I thrust once more from underneath, releasing inside her with no barrier. This girl was special, and I should find a way to hold onto her.

But how did a guy hold onto someone when he'd never kept anything?