Chapter 22

CHAPTER 22

AXEL

I t was Christmas morning, and I was lying in bed with an arm folded behind my head, scrolling through Luna's social media feed. It was my new addiction.

She'd posted a new video last night. She was on a ladder putting up lights on her porch. My heart hurt because the last time she hung lights, I was there to help her. Had she fallen? Did she need me?

I couldn't look at the cabin next door with her lights and not think about her and what I was missing.

I watched the entire video, noting the growing number of followers who dropped holiday wishes and emojis in the comments.

When Luna turned toward the camera and with a big smile she said, “Merry Christmas Eve from Florida,” my heart clenched. It was like she was looking directly at me.

She'd obviously moved on and was doing just fine. She didn't need me. She didn't want me. She was happy.

I should be happy for her, but I wanted to be standing next to her in that video, helping her hang the lights. I wanted to use the machine to remove the wallpaper in the living room. I should be next to her, but she wanted to do it on her own. I had to respect that.

I went for a run, lamenting the fact that Luna wasn't next door and there was no chance I'd run into her on the trail. Who knew that running into her would change everything? That we'd embark on the renovation together and come closer than I had to anyone. That I'd fall in love with her. Luna was it for me.

She might be able to move on, but I wouldn't be able to.

Then I showered, checking periodically to see if she was posting more videos. When I didn't see one, I drove to the farm to spend time with my family. I had no reason to lounge around in bed and make a big breakfast when it was just me.

I hadn't realized how lonely I was until Luna came into my life, then left just as quickly.

“Axel. I'm surprised you're here,” Daphne said when I came into the kitchen.

“Where else would I be? I thought everyone wanted me home for the holidays.”

Daphne frowned. “How can you watch Luna's videos and not get on a plane to Florida?”

“Who says I'm watching?” I grabbed a water bottle from the fridge, needing to soothe my dry throat.

“Your jaw that's clenching as we speak,” Teddy said.

I wanted to tell him to fuck off, but Izzy was watching me with big eyes. “Merry Christmas, Iz. What did you get under the tree?”

“A bean bag chair, a tablet, and a new doll.” She held the doll up triumphantly. It was one of those that was designed to look just like her. “That's nice. But what do you need a tablet for?”

Izzy rolled her eyes. “To talk to my friends. Duh?”

“Izzy. We don't say duh, ” Daphne admonished her.

Izzy's smart-aleck expression said she just did, but she wisely kept her mouth shut. Then she asked, “Where's Luna?”

My stomach tightened. “She went back home to Florida.”

Her forehead creased. “You didn't want to spend Christmas with her?”

I poked her stomach, and she giggled. “I want to spend Christmas with you.”

Daphne gave me a pointed look as she mixed the pancake batter. “Uncle Axel should be in Florida declaring his love for her.”

I sighed. “Luna's moved on, and I need to as well.”

Daphne frowned as she looked over at me. “How do you know that?”

Thankfully, Cole came into the room with Colson in his arms. “Hey, man. Good to see you.”

“You too.” I fist bumped Cole, then attempted to with Colson, who giggled at my antics.

Daphne waited with her brow raised. “We were talking about Luna.”

Cole gave me a look that read, “Sorry.”

“Nothing's changed. Luna never said anything about how she felt for me. When I offered to do the renovations together, she said she needed to do them on her own. I'm respecting her wishes.”

Daphne shook her head. “Maybe you should have led with how you felt instead of keeping it to yourself.”

I sucked in a breath. “You think it would have made a difference?”

“You don't know if you don't try.” Daphne poured the batter into the pan.

“What do you think?” I asked Cole.

“I don't know much about your relationship with her, but if you miss her, you want to be with her, and you haven't told her that, then I think your next move is clear.”

The realization came over me, making me feel lightheaded and more than a little panicked. “I need to go to Florida. But it's Christmas.”

“I can't think of a better grand gesture than to show up on Christmas Day,” Daphne encouraged.

“It's so romantic,” Izzy gushed.

“What do you know about romance?” I knew kids were dating early but surely not at Izzy's age.

Izzy rolled her eyes. “Everyone's falling in love.”

Teddy snagged one of the pastries Daphne set out on the counter. “Speak for yourself.”

Izzy giggled. “Teddy and Charlotte kissing in a tree.”

“None of that.” Teddy scooped her into his arms, tickling her as he tossed her around.

“Stop. Stop.”

Daphne frowned. “Uncle Teddy's not kissing Charlotte.”

Izzy's eyes widened. “But I saw you?—”

Teddy swiftly carried her out of the room to her high-pitched squeals.

“What was that about?” Daphne asked us.

I shrugged, not really concerned about Teddy's love life when mine was in shambles. “I guess Teddy's kissing Charlotte.”

“Or Izzy's just giving him a hard time. She likes to tease him about Charlotte.” Cole snagged a pastry and popped it into his mouth.

Daphne set her hands on her hips. At this rate, she'd never make the pancakes, and my stomach was growling. “What are you going to do about Luna?”

I sighed. “I want to be here for the holidays.”

Cole cleared his throat. “No one would be upset if you went to get your girl.”

“What if she doesn't want me?” My stomach fluttered with nerves.

Daphne leaned across the counter. “But what if she does?”

I'd seen the video in the beach house where she'd put the framed picture of my cabin above the fireplace. I loved that she had that reminder of me in her house. That she wanted it. “Should I tell her I'm coming? Give her a chance to tell me not to come.”

Cole scowled as if he was the relationship expert. “Definitely not. It should be a surprise.”

I couldn't stop the nerves even as I was convinced I needed to at least tell her how I felt. But on Christmas? I didn't like not waking up to her or sharing Christmas morning with her. I loved my family, but Luna was the woman I wanted in my life. It felt wrong to spend the day by myself.

“Stay for brunch and look for tickets. You can fly out this afternoon. It's not a long flight. You can be there by dinner time.”

I pulled out my phone to check out the flights. “She might be with her family.”

Daphne grinned. “Surprise her at the beach house.”

“She's living there, right?” Cole asked.

“That's what it looks like.” In one of the videos, she'd shot an image of her air mattress. Would she be okay with me renovating the house with her? I had a bigger hurdle before we even talked about that. Did she love me?

That's the question that kept my stomach tight and made it difficult to enjoy brunch. As the day went on, more of my siblings showed. First Wes and Sutton, then Jameson and Claire. Owen was at his dad's.

I didn't want to leave, but I couldn't stay. Not when I needed to tell Luna how I felt. If I didn't do it today, I might lose her forever.

When I said my goodbyes, everyone wished me good luck.

Dad walked me out to my truck. “I hate to say this. But I hope we lose you to Florida. Just don't be a stranger.”

I turned to face him. “There's no guarantee she wants me.”

“I want you to be happy, and if Luna is who you want, then we'll have to visit you in Florida.”

“I have no idea what's going to happen. I don't want to get ahead of myself.”

“Bring Luna to see us soon.”

“Thanks, Dad.” I hugged him, knowing I was making the right move. My family would always be here for me, but Luna could move on, never knowing how I felt about her. That was unacceptable.

On the plane, I rewatched Luna's videos, crafting my plan for what to say to her. By the time I landed, I was no closer to figuring out the best way to do this. I hoped it would come to me while I was waiting for her at her house.

I rented a vehicle and searched for recent listings in Sanibel. When I found the house, I put the address into the GPS and headed in her direction. I was laying it all out, hoping that Luna felt the same way about me. It was the biggest risk I ever took. Hopefully, it would pay off.

At her house, I parked at the curb, surprised to see a sedan in the driveway. Was she home from her family's already? My heart picked up, because I thought I'd have more time.

I got out of my car and moved toward the porch. I heard a voice inside the house and wondered if she was taping something. Then the door opened, her phone sitting on a tripod in the living room. It was facing us, but I only had eyes for Luna.

She wore a white tank top and cut-off jean shorts, and her legs and feet were bare. Her toenails pink. She was gorgeous.

Her eyes widened in surprise. “Axel, what are you doing here?”

“I came to see you.” Thankfully, my voice came out stronger than I felt.

Her forehead creased. “But why?”

I stepped inside, waiting for her to close the door before I spoke. “I needed to talk to you.”

She wandered into the living room, and I followed her. “You're making great progress.”

She turned to face me. “You came to see the house?”

“I came to see you. I needed to tell you something.” There was no point in pushing this off for later.

She cocked a hip, her eyes wary. “Is there something wrong with the cabin?”

I stepped closer to her.

Her eyes widened. “Did we install something incorrectly? Do you not like the wall in your bedroom? I could change it. Put in something that's more your style.”

“It's not that.” My hands landed on her hips.

“Then what is it?”

“I missed you.” It wasn't the whole truth, but it was a start.

She sucked in a breath.

“It's not the same not waking up to you, cooking breakfast for you, making love to you.” I lowered my voice in case her phone was recording.

“I miss those things too, but that's not enough?—”

“I never told you how I felt. I let you go, thinking that I didn't care whether you left.” I lifted my hand to gesture at the room, the house. “I wanted to support you. I didn't want to hold you back or insinuate that you couldn't do this on your own. I was so worried about doing right by you; I forgot to tell you how I felt.”

Her eyes round, she asked, “And how's that?”

I stepped close enough that her chest rubbed against mine. “I love you, Luna. I never should have let you go without telling you that.”

Her eyes blinked back tears.

“Coming here was a risk I had to take. You might not feel the same way. But I couldn't go on not having told you what I felt. You're it for me, Luna.”

Her smile was tremulous as her hands snaked around my neck. “I love you too.”

“Thank fuck,” I said as I lowered my mouth to hers. Her mouth opened for me, and I didn't waste any time sweeping my tongue into hers. It had only been a few days, but it was too long. I didn't want to ever be apart from her again.

When I slowly pulled back, I said, “I don't know how this is going to work. But I'm willing to do whatever.”

She put her finger on my lips. “I'm still recording.”

She moved away from me, in front of the camera. She lifted her phone so that her face filled the screen. “I hope you enjoyed that. But I'd like some private time with my man.” She turned toward me, and I could see the heart emojis floating up the screen from her followers. “And yes, this is the Axel from the cabin I renovated in Maryland. Merry Christmas.” She blew them a kiss before hitting End on the recording.

I tugged her back to me. “I was worried about dropping in on you like this when I didn't know if you felt the same way.

Luna bit her lip. “I overheard you talking to your dad. You said our relationship was just a way to pass the time.”

“I was trying to protect myself. I knew I had to let you go, and I wasn't sure if you felt anything for me.”

“But that's the reason I kept my feelings to myself.”

My heart pinged at the miscommunication, the time lost. “I'm sorry. I should have been honest with you.”

Luna smiled softly. “I'm just happy you're here now.”

“You want to christen the air mattress?” I lifted her and carried her to the bedroom. It was a good thing I'd watched all those videos; I knew the set-up.

“How do you know I have an air mattress?” Luna asked as I set her down.

I stood at the end of the bed, pulling my shirt over my head, toeing off my shoes before shoving my pants down. “I might have watched your videos.”

“You did?” Luna asked, her gaze slowly moving from my chest downward, heating my skin as she went.

I dropped a knee to the bed and moved over her, noting that we'd need to buy a real mattress. “I missed your voice, and your beautiful smile. You're so passionate about this house.”

Luna bit her lip. “I think I might want to keep it.”

“I want to keep you,” I growled as I dropped my mouth to hers.

Even if I wanted to savor her, I couldn't. This reunion was about reclaiming what was mine. Showing her how I felt about her. She wasn't a way to fill my time. She was everything. I loved her with all my heart.

I lavished attention on every inch of her body, reveling in the way she arched into me, begging for more. When I slid inside, she sighed in pleasure.

I wanted more sighs, whimpers, and moans. I wanted all her sounds.

This was just the beginning for us. I couldn't move as much as I wanted to, the bed was showing signs that it wasn't going to withstand much pressure. I eased inside and out, my head melting at the feel of her warmth surrounding my dick.

When she pulsed around me, I went over, crying out her name as I dropped my head to her shoulder. I slipped out and moved to the side. “You need a real bed.”

She shifted so that her head was on my shoulder and her hand on my chest. “Tomorrow.”

I wrapped an arm around her. “Food, furniture, and then we'll get to work.”

“You're going to help me with the house?”

“I know you want to do this on your own. But I'd like to help you. I enjoyed working on the cabin. It keeps me busy, and I like working with you.”

Luna chewed her lip. “I said I wanted to prove that I could do this on my own. But I enjoyed having a partner too.”

I kissed her temple, loving her with all my heart. “Together everything is better.”

“I have to agree.” Luna picked up her phone, showing me the likes and comments on the video she'd been live streaming when I knocked on her door. “I think my followers like you too.”

“We're going to have so much fun together.” This is why I'd left the military, because I knew there was something more out there for me. Initially, I thought it was rekindling my relationship with my family. Now, I knew I was meant to meet Luna.

She came to Maryland for a reason, and the fact that we stayed in neighboring cabins was fate. She was meant for me, and I'd spent the rest of my life proving that to her.