Page 34 of Axel

She would eventually want children of course, but that would be when she met someone she was in love with, and they had mutual respect. Being with her mother had taught her that not being all the way in whenever one was having a child was problematic.

Her dad had been forced to leave them and her mother had spent the time poisoning her mind against him. Those years of her childhood had been bitter and consumed with hatred for a man who had done nothing but love them both.

She would not do that to a child. Pushing away the dismal thoughts, she swung her legs off the bed and grabbed the robe. There was no scent of coffee brewing and when she stepped into the kitchen, she was not surprised to find it empty.

Wrapping the robe around her, she stood there at the counter staring at the coffee pot for a few minutes before stirring herself to get ready for the day.

He had not indicated that he wanted to see her again and she had too much pride to ask. It was up to him if he wanted them to continue. Picking up the pot, she went to the sink, determined to put him on the backburner for the time being.

*****

Taking the second cup of coffee with him, he went out onto the front porch and leaned against the railing. Ignoring the biting wind, he stood there gazing out sightlessly at the familiar scenery, a frown touching his brow.

He had crept out this morning at the crack of dawn after getting only two hours sleep. And creeping out was exactly the term for it, no matter how he spun it.

His mental clock had him opening his eyes to find that he was snuggled against her naked body, one arm thrown around her waist and it had felt so good, he had wanted to stay. That thought had him panicking and had influenced him to get the hell out and never look back.

He had been careful not to wake her. Moving his body away first and then his arm, he had made it off the bed and got dressed in the partial darkness with only the light from the moon to guide him.

Then he had spent a few precious minutes staring at her before pulling the sheets to cover her nakedness. He had then left the room in a hurry and made his way out the front door, pulling it close behind him.

He had ridden with her from his mother’s place, which left him with the task of hoofing it back to his. The journey was only a mile or two away and at that time of morning, there was no one around to wonder what the hell he was doing out and about and where he was coming from.

After changing into sweats, he had punished himself by running several miles, before limping his way back home. After taking a shower, he felt restored enough to make a pot of coffee. He should probably get something to eat.

After a night and morning of strenuous sexual activities, not to mention the five and a half miles of exercise, his body needed sustenance – at least, something more than just caffeine.

But he was not hungry. At least not for food. There were scratch marks on his chest and bruises on his back left there by her blunt nails.

And he had left a few marks on her as well. Like when he was sucking on her nipple – he had been too hungry, too eager and had bitten the top of her breast. Then when the climax had claimed him, he had sunk his teeth into the side of her neck and tugged the skin into his mouth.

He had also left a mark on her smooth stomach. Lifting the cup to his lips, he drank too fast and swore ripely when the liquid burned his tongue and almost had him choking. He did not want to think about how foolish he had been last night. He had made love to her without using anything.

An unwanted pregnancy was the last thing he wanted to contend with. Not to mention the fact that he was going to have to face her again. He had told her that he did not want a relationship.

But he could not deny what he was feeling – what he had felt last night and this morning when he made love to her. Something had been torn loose inside him and he was unwilling to identify what the hell it was.

Frowning at a squirrel chasing its tail in the middle of the yard, he took another sip of coffee and tried to quiet the urgent beating of his heart. He had work to do and really did not have time toanalyze his feelings. Emptying the cup, he went back inside to try and get some work done.

Chapter 9

He tried his best not to notice her, but that was impossible. He had also contemplated not attending the function, but since he was the guest of honor, it would not have been prudent.

The citizens had turned out in droves. It amused him to have people walking up to him and introducing themselves as if he was a stranger. Even though he was tempted to shout out that he was born here, had grown up in this very town, he managed to curb the desire to do so. The bonfire had been lit with ceremony and pomp.

The mayor had waxed eloquently, droning on like a typical politician and had the spotlight shone on him for nearly half an hour, until people had started to get restless and bored. Then he had asked Axel to say a few words and he had done just that.

His speech had been brief and to the point. His parting shot: “I think you have listened to enough speeches for the night. Let the fun begin.” Had been met with a rousing cheer. Now children were running around, with parents gathering in groups and shooting the breeze.

The ceremony was being held in the recently renovated park. A path had been cleared and the bonfire was contained by placing grills around the blaze. A trestle table was placed in one corner, straining with the amount of food and the atmosphere was one of conviviality.

His mother and sister were surrounded by friends. A live band was playing upbeat music on the makeshift dais, and he had been asked to dance by several women who were hoping he would take one of them back to his place.

But his only interest was the exquisite beauty who had arrived ten minutes ago, wearing painted on denims, knee-high boots and an aquamarine sweater and brown leather jacket. She had joined the group where his mother and sister were, and he could see her laughing as she accepted the hot cocoa that had been handed to her.

His eyes narrowed when he noticed the owner of the pub hanging at her side and whispering in her ear.

“Quite a turn out.”