Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6

AXEL

I sat on my porch hoping the door to Luna's cabin would open and she'd come outside in a towel. Even better yet—naked.

Why couldn't I rewind and go back to last night when she was in the hot tub?

It's not like I had to see it again to believe it. Her naked body was embedded in my mind. I couldn't stop thinking about it.

When she was in my bedroom this morning, all I could think about was stripping her down and laying her across my comforter. She'd spread her legs for me, giving me that challenge in her eyes. The one that said she didn't think I could satisfy her because no other man had before.

I bumped my bottle against my thigh. It was a challenge I would gladly accept if she was interested. From the way she'd practically run out of my cabin, she clearly didn't feel the same way.

She probably was concerned for her safety, working with a strange man in his cabin. She should be. She didn't know that I'd never hurt her. Not like that.

I wanted to drown her with pleasure. I adjusted my aching cock in my jeans.

For the past hour, my eyes had been trained on the dark windows of her cabin as if she were my target. I was braced for any sign of movement.

I'd seen her working in the front window earlier this morning, and if her cabin was set up like mine, her bedroom was directly across from mine. Would I be able to see her getting dressed through the curtains?

What was it about Luna that had me acting like this?

I drank the lukewarm beer, wishing it were cold. But I was worried if I got up to get a new one, she'd take that moment to come outside and I'd miss her.

I knew I was being ridiculous. That there was zero chance she'd do that again, but I couldn't tamp down the hope.

She seemed eager to work on the cabin at first, but after the tour, she'd changed her tune. I'd spent the afternoon clearing out the debris from the demolished wall. Then thinking about what I should do next.

Her brothers didn't listen to her, but I was eager for her advice.

She'd grown up in construction. I was positive she would see things that I wouldn't. I was good with my hands, but I had no idea how to go about a renovation. Other than using a sledgehammer, I was at a loss for what to do next.

Did I want a nice bathroom? Should I start with the kitchen? What if I lost interest halfway through and was stuck with a torn-up room?

That worried me the most. Was I motivated because a woman had moved in next door that captivated me? Or was it something else? Had I finally found something to work on?

The light went on in the bedroom. She wasn't coming outside tonight. I tried to ignore the sharp pain of disappointment.

Was she getting dressed for bed? Would she take a shower? Would she touch herself while thinking of me?

I was a sick bastard for thinking it, but I couldn't stop. I was gluttonous when it came to thoughts of Luna naked.

Had she wondered what it would be like for me to touch her or slide into her wet heat? Would her skin be soft under my palms? Would her nipples be hard?

All I could think about was her breasts in the water, her nipples hard and begging for my mouth. I drank the rest of my warm beer, wishing I was sucking on her instead.

I was so messed up. I was hard as a rock, despite taking care things in the shower. It wasn't enough when it came to her.

Even if she let me in, I had a feeling she was an addiction. One I'd crave for the rest of my life. Then the light flicked off. She was in for the night. I could relax.

Maybe she didn't feel the same way, or she was scared off by the dirty thoughts in my head. She could probably sense them.

I flexed my fingers around the empty bottle. Disgusted with myself, I went inside, tossing the bottle in the bin, then turned off the lights and went to the spare bedroom where I had weights stored.

It was time to tire myself out so I could sleep. I shouldn't work out after drinking a beer, but I needed to do something physical, and I hadn't decided what should be done on the house next. I was still hoping that Luna would help me.

I went through an arm routine, lifting heavier than normal for every exercise. I wanted my muscles to burn. I wanted to be sore for days. I wanted to be so exhausted I wouldn't think of Luna when I rested my head on the pillow.

By the time I was done, sweat was pouring off my body. I grabbed a towel I kept in the room, wiped my forehead, then tossed it into the laundry basket on the way to the bathroom, the same one Luna stood in today.

She hadn't looked disgusted by the blue tile; she'd looked distracted like she was thinking about something else entirely. But what?

Was it too good to be true to assume that she wanted me as much as I wanted her? I was obviously delusional. Luna was from Florida. She was only here for a few weeks. She'd be a nice diversion for that time, but nothing else could happen. My family was here. Hers was there.

She wanted to be more involved with her family's business. There was nothing for her here, other than an escape from her real life.

I couldn't be another person's escape. Not when I'd retired from the military because I wanted something meaningful. Something that meant more than signing up for another four years.

I vowed I wouldn't jerk off to Luna's breasts again, but I couldn't help gripping my aching cock. It was begging for attention, and I was throbbing with need.

The thought of her inside my bathroom was driving me crazy. I swear I could still smell her tropical scent. I wasn't sure if it was her shampoo or her lotion, but I wanted to find out. I wanted to know everything there was to know about her.

I wanted to be so deep inside her that she didn't know where I ended and she began. I groaned as the vision of her naked came to the forefront of my mind.

Luna naked on my bed, spread out like a Thanksgiving feast. I'd stand at the end of the bed, drinking her in, calculating all the ways I could devour her. I'd start with her breasts, sucking a hard nipple into my mouth while I tweaked the other one. She'd be writhing beneath me, angling her slick pussy against my dick.

I gripped tighter, squeezing to the point of pain before slowly jacking myself off. I could practically feel her wet folds against my skin. I'd take my time with her breasts. Then when she was desperate for more, I'd kiss my way down her stomach and settle between her legs.

She'd be wet for me. Her musky scent would only heighten my need. Her fingers would tangle in my hair because my beard against her soft skin would drive her wild. I could only imagine what she would taste like, how her hips would lift off the bed, her thighs trembling around my ears.

I came with a shout, her name on my lips. I dropped my head against the hand I'd braced on the wall. I felt like I'd run a marathon.

But I wasn't sated. Not by a long shot.

I washed up, then turned off the water, needing to try and get some sleep. I didn't want to sleep so late I'd run into Luna on the trails again. I was afraid if I did, I'd do something crazy like kiss her, then fuck her on the trail where anyone could see.

I prided myself on control, but around Luna, I had none. If she didn't stay away, I wasn't sure how long I'd be able to hold back. Maybe that was what she sensed in me, the wildness, the out-of-control desire. She should stay away from me.

Just because I wanted someone didn't mean I could have her. She'd go back to her world soon enough. The one that wouldn't include someone like me. I'd done nothing but let my family down for years. I shouldn't add someone else to that losing equation.

I tossed and turned most of the night, then woke with a hard-on before it was light out. The clock read five a.m., which was closer to my usual routine.

Instead of lazing around in bed, I got up and threw on workout clothes. I'd hit the trails harder today because I wasn't able to finish my run yesterday.

When I stepped outside, it was still semidark. There were no lights on at Luna's cabin, and I was almost positive she wouldn't be wandering the trails this early. She struck me as a night owl who slept in.

As I ran through my routine of static stretches, I wondered what it would be like to live with someone like Luna. Would she work on her laptop until late, only closing it when she was tired? Would she sleep in a T-shirt and nothing else? Would I be able to control myself when I woke to find the cheeks of her ass peeking out from under her shirt—no, my shirt.

Fuck, the thought of her in my shirt and nothing else was more enticing than any other scenario I'd thought of in the last two days.

With a groan, I ran a hand through my hair, took one last swig of water, then tossed the bottle on the porch. It was time to outrun this attraction for Luna.

I ran faster down the trail than I ever had before. It was like someone was chasing me. But no matter how fast or how far I ran, I couldn't escape the image of Luna in my bedroom, in that hot tub, in nothing but a towel, naked. I couldn't escape her.

I ran around the lake. There was no one up this early except a few fishermen. By the time I was on the way back, which was mostly uphill, my muscles were screaming from exertion. We never ran this far in P.T. But I wanted to push myself. I wanted to make myself forget about Luna.

When I slowed to a jog then a walk, I caught a glimpse of bright colors on the porch. It was Luna in yellow leggings and a loose white shirt. It was sexier than any dress.

I wasn't going to survive my new neighbor. I was supposed to be pissed that she'd interrupted my solitude, but instead, I wanted nothing more than to slide those leggings off those legs and bury myself in her sweet heat.

Luna was leaning over something in the flower beds. Then she straightened and slowly turned, a smile spreading over her face. “Good morning.”

If she knew what I was thinking, she'd run in the other direction.

“Morning,” I said, but my voice was rough, like I'd been gargling with rocks. I felt like I'd been up all night drinking instead of working out. My muscles were sore; sweat was dripping from my body.

I lifted my shirt to wipe the sweat from my face, and when I finally dropped it, Luna's gaze was fixated on my stomach.

“Like what you see?” I couldn't help but ask.

She jerked as if she'd been caught doing something naughty.

Had she used a vibrator last night? Did she use it on her clit, or did she slide it inside? I wasn't going to be able to hide my hard-on in these shorts.

Her white shirt molded perfectly to her chest, revealing a tantalizing amount of skin and the globes of her breasts. Then it flared out enticingly over her hips.

I lifted my gaze to the sky, thinking about my commanding officer, the last mission I went on. That did it. I took a deep breath, then swore.

I heard her mumble, “That seems to be a problem.”

But when I snapped my attention back to her face, it was carefully smoothed out.

“Did you have a good run? Knock anyone down a hill this morning?”

“It's still early,” I said wryly.

She looked up at the sky, where the sun had only just risen. “That it is.”

“You're not going for a run today, are you?” I asked her.

She grimaced. “I'm a little sore from yesterday.”

That was my fault. “You should ice that knee and take some anti-inflammatories.”

“I took some when I woke up. I'm sure I'll feel fine by tomorrow.”

My stomach twisted. I didn't like that I was the one who hurt her.

“You get any work done last night?”

I ran a hand through the wet strands of my hair. “I lifted weights instead. I wasn't sure where to start.”

Luna swallowed, then nodded. “Yeah, I'm not sure I'm the best one to help you.”

“You wanted to earlier.” What had changed?

“I'm not technically here on vacation. I have to work, and I need to prove to my brothers that I take my job seriously.”

“Helping me renovate the cabin could be a way to prove yourself to your family.” Why was I making another offer for her to work with me when she clearly didn't want to? I wasn't ready to give up yet.

Luna looked up at me, using her hand to shield her eyes from the sun. “You think so?”

“I don't say things I don't mean.”

She considered me for a few seconds, then said, “I believe that.”

“It's probably my military training. Sometimes we only have time for a few words, and we have to make them count.” I let out a breath. “So what do ya say? Want to work on the cabin with me? I know you'd work your magic, and it will be incredible.”

Her forehead creased, which only made her more adorable. Her sun-streaked hair, tan skin, and the freckles that dotted her face drew me in. “You don't know anything about me. How do you know I'd do a good job?”

“Luna. You grew up in construction. You absorbed all the knowledge, whether your brothers want to believe it or not. Plus I can tell by the way you dress that you have an eye for style.” She was bright and sunny, and any idea she came up with would be better than mine. I'd been living in barracks or rented apartments for a decade. I'd never had to study design elements or know what would sell a house.

Luna sighed. “Okay.”

“You'll do it?” A thrill shot through me. I'd expected more of a fight since she'd already backed off.

She bit her lip. “If you don't like any of my suggestions, you have to tell me.”

I grinned, and her eyes widened. “I'll like anything you do.”

I could see her lips wrapped around my cock, those innocent eyes looking up at me, trusting me to treat her right. That would be the ultimate privilege: to have this woman believe in me. I wasn't sure I deserved it, but I sure as hell wanted it.

Luna shook her head. “You're too easy.”

“I'll be the best first project for you then. You couldn't ask for a better customer.” I was enraptured with her, and I wanted her to succeed. I held out my hand. “Partners.”

Luna frowned. “You don't want to see what I've come up with?”

I grinned wider. “You worked on it already?”

Her forehead creased. “Yes. No. I might have jotted some ideas down.”

“I'd love to see them because I'm stuck at the moment.” And I'm going to work out until I hurt myself with nothing else to occupy my time and my hands. I could easily distract myself with her body, but she wasn't ready for what I wanted to do to her.

“I'll bring them by later. I need to get some work done this morning.”

“I'll make dinner,” I said, wondering what the hell I was going to make that would qualify as a meal.

“You don't have to do that.”

I held up a hand. “You're helping me. Plus, you're essentially working on two jobs when you're supposed to be relaxing here.”

Luna looked around. “Just being here is nice.”

“Most people go to the beach when they want a vacation.”

Luna shrugged. “The ocean blends into the background at some point. Although I miss the holiday lights on the palm trees this time of year.”

“I can't say I've ever seen that.”

Luna beamed. “There's something about holiday music mixed with sand that's an irresistible combination.”

I was starting to think she was the irresistible combination. Would her skin still smell like sand and ocean air? I was dying to find out.