Lumberjack BRIDE (Lumberjack DUET Book 2)

by Tabatha Kiss

  I blink out of my trance, quickly realizing that everyone has leaned forward in their chairs, Hazel’s grandmother included.

  “Yes!” I say. “I mean, no. I do. I do.”

  They chuckle quietly as I push the ring down Hazel’s finger.

  “And do you, Hazel Smith, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?” Moore asks, punching every word to make sure she’s listening.

  Hazel smiles a little wider. She doesn’t blink or hesitate. “I do,” she says, easily finding my ring finger without even looking.

  I feel the ring travel over my knuckles, a cool shot of metal that rattles me down to my toes.

  How did this happen?

  How did this girl become my wife?

  When I first met her, she was a complete mess. Standing in my office in ripped tights covered in coffee and blathering like a fool. She was obsessive and annoying and nothing at all what I ever wanted in a woman, but… here she is. Standing in front of me in white and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

  Hazel Smith. My bride.

  “Then, by the power vested in me by the state of Montana, I now pronounce you—”

  I reach out to cup her face, pulling her in far before my cue, but I don’t care. I kiss her anyway. Her lips purse with mine. Her arms latch around my neck and she laughs as I lift her a few inches off the ground.

  “Husband and wife…” Moore finishes, his voice a hundred miles away. It echoes behind us, along with the whistles and applause and Pearl barking loudly along with them.

  Hazel laughs harder in our embrace. I open my eyes and see tears in hers. Hell, there might be a few in mine, too.

  She grins at Moore. “I think we can take it from here, Reverend,” she says.

  He stands back, sliding out of the way to give us space.

  Hazel’s lips brush against mine. Her scent fills my nose, striking lightning deep into my heart.

  I look around, my gaze traveling over the heads of family and friends. I see our house. Our life. Our future. Since the beginning, it’s all been a twisted game on a chessboard, but all the pieces fell into place in the end.

  Though, I guess it’s not really the end, is it?

  We still have our entire lives to grow and change. To screw up and make up. To have and to hold.

  King and Queen. Equal partners.

  Best dotted line I’ve ever signed.

  Nine

  Hazel

  “Wait—”

  Leo tugs me away from the front door.

  “Leo, please…” I extend my arm, reaching for it. “I am so tired. I just want to get in there and kick these shoes off—”

  He lifts me up and cradles me in his arms. I yelp in surprise, feeling a twinge of concern for my still-pristine dress.

  “I’ve been looking forward to this,” he says. He juts his chin. “Okay, open the door.”

  I lean over and twist the knob, giving the door a light push to fall open. Pearl rushes in first under his feet and I hear her take her rightful spot next to the fireplace.

  Leo carries me over the threshold and I grin at him.

  “Oh…” I say. “I could get used to this.”

  He pulls me down and kisses me. “Me, too.”

  I inhale deeply. “Home,” I hum.

  “Home,” he repeats.

  “Smells good.”

  Leo kicks the door closed behind us. “Yes, it does.”

  “Sounds… quiet. Doesn’t it sound quiet?”

  “Everyone went home,” he says, shrugging his wide shoulders as we walk through the foyer toward the kitchen. “It’s just you and me now.”

  I eye the old food and dishes stacked along the counter. “Ugh. Guess we should clean those…”

  “Later.”

  He twists to the stairwell.

  “Did you pay the caterer?” I ask him.

  “Later.”

  “You didn’t pay the caterer?”

  “No, I did, I just don’t want to go down that list right now.”

  I sigh as we ascend the stairs. “This place is trashed. We’re gonna be living on old cake for a week.”

  We reach the landing and Leo pauses to stare at me. “Hazel…”

  I look at him. Leo. My new husband. I smile. “Yes, Leo?”

  He kisses me, his soft lips caressing mine with that familiar lust. “Later,” he whispers.

  “Then, what happens now?”

  He raises a brow.

  “Oh,” I say.

  I stay quiet as mouth tingles and my tongue twitches. I kiss him back, my head spinning as he carries me the rest of the way to the bedroom. My hand slips behind his neck and I pull myself a little closer to deepen the kiss and tug lightly on his tie. He smiles as I slip it free and drop it to the floor. I kick my shoes off my ankles and they fall with soft thuds.

  Leo lays me down on the bed, his eyes roaming me; no doubt wondering how quickly he can get this dress off without causing damage to it or myself.

  I lean forward to bunch up the skirt a bit before shifting around onto my knees, exposing my back to him. He pinches the zipper between my shoulder blades and slides it down to the small of my back. His cool fingertips glide along my skin, striking a deep warmth that makes me even dizzier. He leans down to kiss my neck as his arms wrap around me from behind. His beard tickles me. His lips own me. I tremble for him, just like always.

  My dress slips down and Leo cups my bare breasts. I turn back to feel his lips press against mine and he effortlessly draws my bottom lip between his teeth.

  “I’ve missed you,” he says, feeling every piece of me. “This body in this bed…”

  “Leo,” I say with a smile.

  “Yeah?”

  “Shut up.”

  I turn around and stand up to let my dress fall the rest of the way to the floor. Leo clings to me, holding me against him and I feel his erection digging into my hip. I push his jacket down and start working on his shirt buttons as we trade kisses and lust after each other.

  He slips his belt free, losing patience. I rid him of his shirt and fall back onto the bed as he pushes his pants down. He stands above me, naked and eager.

  His eyes fall to my panties, the one last layer between him and every inch of my skin. I raise my hips to let him pull them off but his mouth twists to the side as he reaches into his pocket.

  Leo withdraws his pocket knife. I bite my lip, digging my tooth in as he slides the blade between my panties and my skin. He cuts them, slicing the fabric away, as I hold back my laugh.

  He tosses the pieces to the floor, along with his knife, and pushes his knee between mine to force them open. I lie back, watching his hairy chest fill my vision as he towers over me. A moan teases the depths of my throat, lingering the brink of pleasure, as he slowly thrusts forward.

  Pearl leaps on the bed and lays down beside us, pushing in close to lick my face.

  Leo groans. “Pearl, for fuck’s sake…”

  I laugh and reach out to scratch behind her ear. “She’s just happy to have me home again,” I say.

  He glances down at his erection. “Yeah. Me, too.”

  I pat Pearl’s head. “Go lay down and he’ll make extra bacon for you in the morning. Okay?”

  Pearl licks my hand before rolling off the bed.

  I smirk at Leo. “See? No harm done.”

  He leans back and scoops me up, angling me to lie against the pillows. “Hazel, any further second not spent inside of you will be incredibly harmful to me,” he says.

  “Blue as the ocean, huh?” I quip.

  “They’re drowning,” he says, laughing as he crushes his lips on mine again.

  I feel his shaft explore between my folds, slipping down without the need of a guiding hand. My knees spread wider out of pure instinct, giving him access to all of me. I throb hard for him, holding my breath and counting the moments until I finally feel him slip inside.

  Leo exhales, breathing out the pent-up frustration he’s carried with him the last two weeks. �
��Yes,” he grunts, filling me with a single, powerful thrust.

  The moan expels from my throat, trembling my lips. “Yes,” I whimper, repeating the word back at him and he smiles with delight.

  Pleasure takes over and I feel him lose himself with every touch he gives me. His hips sway, rocking his cock in and out of me, growing faster until he’s pounding me against the bed. I wrap my arms around him, caressing his naked body while I kiss his neck. It’s all I can do while he ravages me.

  I take his hand, entwining our fingers as I squeeze them tight. A tremor takes my core, making me moan in his ear. He lays his face against my shoulder, biting down as he groans, losing all control. I grind my hips with his, taking his cock in so deep we both shake.

  I laugh. Hard.

  Leo raises his head to look at me, though he doesn’t dare stall his thrust. “What?” he asks.

  “That’s some impressive wood you got there,” I say.

  He chuckles, shaking his head. “You know, maybe you shouldn’t talk.”

  “I agree.”

  I roll us over, pinning him on his back. I roll my hips, taking him back inside of me as his hands hold me up.

  Leo grows tense. “Oh, fuck, Haze…” he whispers, cupping my breasts.

  I move faster and he tightens his grip. Pleasure washes over his eyes, turning me on even more. My mouth waters for him. It’s been too long since I’ve tasted him.

  I move back, letting him fall out of me, as I slide down his body. He cranes his neck to watch me travel downward. I kiss his skin and lick his abs on the way toward his groin.

  I open my mouth wider to take him inside. Our sweet tastes mix together, igniting my tongue and I moan for more. He runs his fingers through my hair, urging me to suck harder and I do as he desires.

  Leo groans a final time and shoots out onto my tongue. His sweet taste touches my buds, making them dance and I moan at his flavor. I suck lightly on his tip, cleaning and pleasing him, until he physically makes me stop.

  He collapses back, laughing. “Oh, my…” he says, letting the sweat roll down his brow.

  I wipe my lips as I crawl over him. His chest heaves in and out as I kiss up his abs. “Don’t fall asleep,” I warn. “You’re not done yet.”

  “I won’t…”

  I straddle him, staring down at his closed, tired eyes. “Leo…”

  “I’m gonna need another minute. Just…” he points a weak hand, “keep yourself warm, okay?”

  I scoff. “You’ll make your new wife get herself off on your wedding night?”

  His eyes open. “Well, when you put it like that, it’s pretty bad.”

  “Yeah, it is.”

  “In that case—”

  He shoots up and flips us around onto my back. I cry out, laughing hard, as he descends my body. He leaves a long trail of kisses down my belly and navel, all the way to linger between my thighs. He settles between them, each kiss feeling longer and deeper as he moves in closer to my slit. His beard tickles at me, making me twitch. The feeling blends with suspended passion and I find myself moaning before his tongue even slips between my folds.

  I roll my head back and close my eyes, letting it all wash over me. Warmth spreads throughout my body. I dig my fingers into his scalp. His tongue rolls and laps. I look down to find him watching me, admiring my shaking breasts as each subtle flick of his tongue sends fireworks through my limbs. My muscles twist beneath him but a strong hand on my waist holds me down. I grip his wrist, holding on as the tension breaks and I moan even louder through orgasm.

  Leo pecks my inner thighs as he enjoys the view, slowly inching upward as I begin to calm down again. “How was that, new wife?” he teases.

  I hum, closing my eyes. “Not bad.” I swoon.

  He lies beside me and takes my hand. “Then, I have done my husbandly duty and have earned a rest.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  Safe and warm, I drift off and the last thing I feel is Leo’s lips pursing against my forehead.

  I sit at the kitchen table. A deep hunger grows a little more in my stomach but I can’t seem to care about that right now. I watch Leo moving around by the stove, listening to the light popping of bacon frying in a pan. My eyes drift down his torso to his tight slacks.

  Leo clears his throat, drawing my eyes up to his. “And just what are you doing?”

  I pick up my coffee mug. “Perving on you,” I answer simply.

  “Well, good,” he says. “I won’t feel bad about doing the same to you.”

  I look down my body. I’m wearing his large, blue flannel shirt and nothing else. “You like it when I wear your shirts?”

  He tears a few burned strips of bacon in half and drops them into Pearl’s bowl by his foot. “You know I love it,” he says.

  “Just checking.” I turn my head and bury my nose in his collar, inhaling a deep breath of his scent. “Always reminds me of that first weekend.”

  “Me, too.”

  Leo walks over with two plates and sets one down in front of me. “For you, my wife.”

  I grin at the plate. Fried eggs, bacon, and buttered toast. The breakfast of champions or, in our case, the lazy breakfast of those who have been fucking all night and just kinda need a break.

  “Thank you, my husband,” I say.

  He shoves a piece of toast in his mouth, taking a huge bite, as his phone rings on the table. We pause, our eyes flicking in its direction, but neither of us moves to answer it.

  “Probably Bobby,” he mutters.

  “Bobby knows better than to call a guy the morning after his wedding, right?” I ask.

  He chuckles. “I doubt it.”

  The phone rings again. I furrow my brow.

  Leo finishes his toast. “Just ignore it. We’re on our honeymoon. Also, we’re naked, so…”

  I laugh. “And?”

  “And you don’t answer the phone while you’re naked.”

  “Says who?”

  “Says everyone.”

  I bite my smirking lip. “So…” I run my bare foot up his leg, settling it between his thighs just a few inches shy of his groin. “What you’re saying is… we don’t have to acknowledge the outside world at all as long as one of us — or both — stay naked?”

  He smiles as he looks down my shirt again. “That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

  Ten

  Bonus Chapter: Leo

  Lumberjack BABY

  Wealth. Power. Wood.

  Three things I’ve always thought were the most important in my life.

  Wealth. That one’s obvious. The more money you have, the easier life is.

  Power. The more of that you have, the more control you possess.

  And wood? Well, when you work in the lumberjack business, that always goes hand-in-hand with the other two.

  It’s strange how much things change. Now, when I think of wealth, I think of where it’ll go once I’m gone. When I look into my wife’s eyes, I wonder where the hell all of my power and control went off to. And wood…

  There’s still plenty of that in my life but I find myself whittling a little more than the occasional chess piece lately.

  I balance the nail between two fingers and choke up my grip on the hammer to give myself the most control. Gentle taps are all I can get away with at this hour but I’m officially running out of time here.

  Seven months down. Two to go.

  I hit the nail, forcing it down and securing the final bar in place. A few more quiet taps to make sure and I give it a little jiggle. Solid as a rock. It better be, anyway.

  I take a quick step back to admire the work.

  “Looks good,” I hear behind me.

  I spin around, taking in a sharp inhale. Hazel stands in the doorway with her hair clipped up on her head, wearing one of my thick flannels and a baggy pair of slacks; one of the only outfits she says is comfortable for her at this stage and I believe her. I can’t imagine how it must feel lugging around a belly full of baby like that, especially not a Jackma
n baby. We’re not exactly small.

  “Thanks,” I say. “Did I wake you? I’m sorry.”

  She walks in with one hand resting on her growing stomach. Her eyes admire the work-in-progress crib in front of us. She reaches out and runs a limp finger along the side.

  “You didn’t,” she says. “Heartburn keeping me up again.”

  I set the hammer down. “Give me a few minutes here and I’ll draw you a bath.”

  She chuckles and sits down on the stool by the workbench. “Thanks, but I’d rather just watch you work.” Her lips curl even more at the crib. “I love this tradition. Has it really gone back six generations?”

  I nod. “Seven, I think. My father built me a crib, just like his father built for him, just like his father built for him, and so on.”

  “That’s so sweet.”

  “I always thought it was lame, to be honest. But then…” I look at her belly. “All of a sudden, I couldn’t wait to do it.”

  Hazel smiles, her tired eyes squinting beneath the bright lights above us. “Can you build me something?” she asks.

  “What do you want?”

  She cringes. “Still waiting on that new headboard we broke last Valentine’s.”

  I laugh. “Oh, yeah.”

  “And Pearl’s doghouse could use an upgrade.”

  “I’ll see what I can do.”

  She inhales, briefly clenching as she rubs her chest. The discomfort fades from her face quickly but that doesn’t make me feel any better about it.

  “Thank you,” I tell her.

  She looks up. “For what?”

  “For…” I gesture down, “this. It doesn’t look easy.”

  “It’s not,” she says, nodding. “But it feels good, you know? Not the throbbing feet or the backaches, naturally, but just being a part of something.” She runs a hand over her stomach again. “A big family with traditions and…” She pauses. “Just feels nice.”

  I walk over and wrap my arms around her shoulders. “This kid is gonna learn so much about Jackman family values and where I came from and all that,” I say. “But I’m also going to make sure he knows where his mom came from and who his grandparents were and what they did to bring us together. All right?”