Built and Bearded: Bearded Bros Series

by K. C. Crowne

  “Dax, you are just full of surprises,” Oakley giggled.

  I led her inside and took her to our table. An ice bucket held an opened bottle of a vintage wine and I poured us each a glass.

  Oakley’s eyes shined with excitement and happiness. I was just as happy.

  “Happy Anniversary,” I told Oakley.

  Oakley beamed at me. “Thank you Dax, for the best year of my life.”

  I grinned. I loved her more than ever.

  Micheal brought out our first course and we slowly ate to the candlelight and soft music. The ambiance was perfect for the occasion.

  We finished two more courses and a gourmet dessert.

  “I think that was the best meal that I’ve ever had,” Oakley said.

  I had to agree. I stood up and put my hand out to her, “Dance with me?”

  Oakley accepted my hand and we began to waltz around the room. We moved together like we were one person; made for each other for eternity.

  When the music stopped, we stood on the dance floor, holding each other close. I pulled back slightly and went down to one knee.

  “Dax?” Oakley began, her hand to her mouth.

  I pulled a small box out from my jacket pocket and opened it. Oakley’s face lit up and tears started to fall down her cheeks.

  “Oakley, will you marry me?” I asked her.

  She wept even harder. For a moment, I thought she might need to go and sit down, but then she put out her hand.

  “Yes, Dax Hunter, I will marry you!”

  I smiled and slid the ring on her finger. She looked at it and her smile was priceless. Her happiness meant the world to me.

  Epilogue

  Oakley

  It was the day of our wedding. We had all of my friends and family, as well as Dax’s at our home at the resort. I’d never have had our wedding anyplace else.

  The last year had been the most amazing year of my life. After the publicity of the Stone wedding, Hunter’s Mountain Ski Resort became the venue to be married at. We were booked almost a year in advance.

  Plus, we were remembered as the heroes who saved those children amidst a horrible tragedy.

  Talk about my wedding planning business booming! The Hunter’s ski business boomed, as well. I’d could never have dreamt that my career and life would have turned out to be so perfect. Dax supported me and promoted me as the best wedding planner around and I loved him so much for it.

  Dax wouldn’t let me plan my own wedding, though. So, instead, I had Hailey plan it, as well as be my Maid of Honor.

  Lindsay and Anglea were my bridesmaids and Abby and Raini my flower girls. I loved having such a big, built-in, loving family.

  Hailey’s date was Cooper Stone and I was so happy to see them together again.

  Mary Beth welcomed me to the family as her new daughter. “Now, if only Harley would find his bride-to-be,” she smiled.

  The wedding was beautiful. I wore an elegant, cream-colored dress with a long, lacey train that trailed behind me.

  I was the bride of my childhood dreams.

  Dax was my handsome groom. My knight in shining armor. He was the man who I was going to love and cherish for the rest of my life.

  During the reception at the lodge, as our guests were dancing and having a good time, I told Dax that I had a surprise for him.

  “What can it be?” he joked. “You’ve already have given me everything that I could ever ask for. I’m the happiest man alive,” he informed me.

  That was Dax for you, always making me feel like the most loved woman in the world..

  “Well, Mr. Happiest Man Alive, I have one more thing for you. Something that you don’t have yet,” I informed him.

  “Hmm, I don’t know what that could possibly be. My beautiful bride is standing right here in my arms,” Dax laughed, grabbing me and pulling me to him.

  He kissed me deeply and I let him. But I needed to tell him my news.

  “Dax?” I said his name slowly.

  “Yeah?” he asked, now curious.

  “I’m pregnant.”

  Dax just stared at me. “You’re what?” he asked as if he didn’t hear me correctly.

  I grinned and nodded. “Dax, you heard me.”

  “You’re pregnant? As in, you’re going to have a baby?” he asked again.

  “I’m going to have our baby.”

  “We’re having a baby?”

  I’d never seen Dax act this surprised about anything before. For a moment, I thought he was going to need to go and sit down.

  “Yes, Dax, we’re having a baby! You’re going to be a father;and a great one!” I told him excitedly.

  Dax finally accepted what I was saying to be true. He face lit up like the sunshine. “I’m going to be a father,” he smiled at me.

  I beamed at him.

  “I never would have imagined; me with a beautiful wife and a new baby on the way. What a perfect life I have!”

  “I agree,” I told him and leaned up to kiss my very own mountain man.

  The End

  Beauty and The Beard Preview

  Prologue

  Is this real?

  Is this actually happening?

  He grabbed me by the waist with his oversized hands and pulled me to him. With our bodies close, I felt his hardness against my abdomen. He was shaking, breathing in short, raspy breaths

  I knew that he wanted me and I wanted to let him know that I wanted him just as much. All day, I had thought about him, and I gave up trying to stop myself from what was about to go down.

  I pushed my abdomen into his hard cock. I felt it grow thicker against me. His hands moved from my waist to my ass and pulled my groind into his . I yearned to feel him and ground up against him.

  He moaned and reacted by pushing his lips hard against mine. He moved them to my cheek then to my ear and sucked on my lobe. The feeling sent shivers down my spine and I heard him whisper in my ear.

  “I want you so f*cking bad,” he said in a husky voice.

  I answered by putting my hand on his cock. I gave it a quick squeeze then moved to his belt to unbuckle it. Once unbuckled, I undid the button and slid down the zipper of his jeans. His huge cock pitched from the confines of his pants.

  I moved my hand up and down his long shaft. He groaned into my ear and kissed my neck. His hands moved up my side and found my round breasts. His thumbs circled my nipples making them hard and erect.

  I continued to pump him as he moved his hands down my thighs and up under my dress. He slid my dress up and his fingers lingered over my black, silk panties. His thumb found my moist lips and he pushed it lightly inside, finding my clit.

  “Oh my God you are so wet,” he murmured into my hair.

  I parted my legs slightly so that his entire hand slid under my crotch. He parted my lips with his fingers over my panties and moved his hand back and forth while thumbing my clit. I groaned in delight and moved my hand over his cock faster.

  His fingers left my folds and he slowly slid my dress up over my tummy and breasts. I raised my arms so that he could pull it up over my head. I stood before him in a black bra and panties.

  His hands came back down to my bra and massaged my breasts. Then his hands traveled down to find my wetness again. He leaned down and kissed my lips passionately.

  I wanted him to be naked.

  It was my turn to slide his shirt off of his broad shoulders. As I moved my hands back down over his naked chest, I was in awe of his toned, sexy body.

  I slowly moved my hands over his hard pecs then down over his chiseled abs before finding his enlarged cock again.

  I could do anything I wanted, and right now, and I wanted his cock in my mouth.

  Cole

  “Bring it back, Bella!” I called out.

  I chuckled as my German Shepard playfully tossed the ball into the air to herself and watched intently as it bounced a few feet away. At the sound of her name, she glanced over at me, quickly retrieved the ball, and came running toward
me at full speed. I stepped aside just in time as she burned on past.

  “Bellaaa girl!” I called out, laughing.

  She stopped, dropped the ball, and looked back at me, ears pitched forward, tongue dangling, seeming to smile at me and say, “Come and get it if you want it.”

  As soon as I took a step forward, Bella playfully grabbed the rubber ball and ran away with it.

  “Keep it; I don’t want it anyway,” I called after her, smiling. I turned my back and pretended to walk away.

  I heard her run up behind me, and when I turned, she sat and dropped the ball at my feet. I quickly picked it up before she changed her mind and tossed it again for her to fetch, starting the “ha, ha, I’m not going to give it to you” cycle all over again.

  Grinning to myself, I watched as she ran to fetch the ball. I glanced at my watch and realized that it was later than I had thought. I needed to wash up at my cabin and head out for a meeting at the resort.

  I ran passed my front door, into the hallway of my cabin, past my living room which was enamored with my plaque trophies from hunting and fishing. I walked to the bathroom, splashing cold water on my face and looked at myself in the mirror.

  The thin patches of gray probably made me look older than my thirty-two years but girls found it sexy so I left it alone. I rose to my full height of six two and studied my reflection. My dark brown hair was tousled, and my deep blue eyes stared back at me. I was proud of my thick mustache, which fit my personality as the most outdoorsy of my three mountain brothers.

  After getting cleaned up in the bathroom and changing into a fresh pair of clothes, I went back outside to find Bella patiently waiting on the front porch.

  “Ok girl, I’m ready. Come on,” we both walked over to my blue Dodge Ram Rebel. I had just upgraded to the truck this winter and loved its rugged, off-road capabilities; perfect for the mountains and hunting. It was everything I needed in a car.

  I opened the passenger door and Bella, came running over and jumped into the passenger seat with one big leap. I got around to the driver’s side and got behind the wheel.

  “Time for breakfast,” I told her, patting her on the head.

  “Woof,” Bella replied as if she understood.

  I drove us down the Hunter’s Ski Resort, my family owned business. I was headed to park in front of the primary building, which housed the front desk, main common room, guest rooms, and The River Room, our resort restaurant.

  Monday mornings were reserved for a family breakfast. A tradition that we had been keeping since my father opened the place. Since he passed, my three brothers and I still met to discuss our plans for the resort, upcoming schedules, and to just get in some good old alpha men bonding time.

  On the way down the driveway, I passed Brad and Angela’s cabin and saw that the Jeep was already gone. I passed Mom’s big house, where all us brothers grew up. I assumed that one the boys had picked her up already since I hadn’t heard from her.

  I was glad to see that the main driveway was still clear from when I plowed it last night. Pine tree-speckled mountain tops twinkled with snow as far as the eyes could see. The sun was rising quickly and reflected off of the shimmering ice floating on the Blue River situated below the resort, down in the valley. From my position on the mountain ridge, I could see a moose off in the distance drinking from the far side of the river.

  The sight of it always took my breath away.

  I was damn lucky to grow up in such a place.

  It was going to be packed this week, I speculated. December was one of our busiest months. Hunter’s Resort was a skier’s paradise. Besides skier’s, we got hunters, ice fishermen, nature enthusiasts, and those who just wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life for the holidays.

  I pulled into the lot and slid my truck beside Brad’s white Jeep Wrangler just as Angela was stepping out of the passenger side.

  As I got out of my truck, I heard a small voice say, “Hi, Unca Cole.”

  I turned to see a miniature Angela standing on the curb hugging her favorite raggedy brown teddy bear. White-blond, springy curls blew in the morning breeze, and big blue eyes beamed at me with excitement.

  “Good morning, lil Abigail,” I greeted her as I bent to lift the small child and swung her to my side. I planted a kiss on her chubby cheek.

  Abby giggled and asked, “Where’s Bella?”

  “She’s right here,” I replied going around to the passenger side and opening the door. Abby reached out her arms to Bella who moved her snout straight to the little girl’s face to give her a big wet kiss. Abby giggled wildly as Bella lapped at her rosy cheeks.

  “Okay, Bella,” I said, moving the small child away. “That’s enough kisses.”

  “No... more kisses,” Abby squealed.

  “No more kisses, Abby,” Brad told her. “It’s time for breakfast. Everyone is waiting for us.”

  “Okaaay,” Abby sulked.

  “You can sit beside Bella inside, how’s that sound?” I asked her.

  “Yay!” she replied, grinning again.

  “Okay, let’s go, Bella.” Bella jumped to the ground and bounded up the steps to the resort’s front doors knowing it was time to eat. With a two-year-old around, there was always an abundance of “under the table scraps” easily obtainable.

  “Where are the twins?” I asked Brad.

  “We’ll be seeing them shortly. They stayed at Mom’s last night and Harley picked them up this morning.”

  Dax’s pickup and Harley’s SUV were already in the lot, so everyone else was there. Our group headed inside to greet them.

  “You guys made it,” Dax exclaimed, smiling as Abby waved at them.

  “Bout time, I’m starving,” Harley added, sitting beside Dax, grinning.

  The twins giggled at the exchange and waved at their dad and Angela. Then turned to me and said in unison, “Morning, Uncle Cole.”

  “Morning, guys,” I returned the greeting.

  Mom got up from the head of the table to pull out Abby’s high chair and I slid her inside. Bella took her spot next to the highchair, patiently waiting for her first hand out.

  I kissed Mary Beth, my mom, on the cheek and took my seat between her and the twins. Brad took his seat at the other end of the oblong table, with Angela beside him.

  After a few minutes of light conversation, Michael, The River Room’s Head Chef, brought out a cart full of platters of breakfast nourishments. We waited for him to set them on the table before digging in.

  Ms. Everette, a plump elderly lady who'd been with us since the beginning, brought over a large pitcher of OJ and began to fill our glasses. Once filled, she left and came back with a tray of small fruit bowls which she placed in front of each of us.

  “Why don’t you join us this morning?” my mom asked her.

  “Oh, no... thank you... I have to get the rest of the prep done for the soup. I’m running late this morning,” she exclaimed and ambled back to the kitchen.

  All you could hear for the next few moments were silverware dinging on plates and noisy chewing, as everyone enjoyed their breakfasts too much to speak. I wouldn’t expect anything less from the Hunter family, we certainly knew how to eat.

  Finally, Brad said, “Let’s begin the meeting. Anyone wanna start?”

  “I will,” Harley began. “Good news is that I’m booked this week with ski lessons. Got some private lessons scheduled and family group sessions planned. Bad news... maybe... is that the lifts have been moving slower than normal. At first, I thought it was my imagination, but yesterday they got even slower. I think that the gears need to be checked,” he said, looking over at me.

  I was known as the “handyman” around here. Besides maintaining the roads, I did the landscaping and fixed practically anything that needed fixing.

  “Okay, I’ll be up to take a look at it,” I assured him.

  “Cool, thanks, man. I can always count on you,” Harley replied. “And, what else?” he continued, thinking. “I
got my fitness classes posted for the week, so I’ll be running back and forth from the fitness room to the lodge. Mark, the new ski lift attendant is doing a good job. And, Michelle will be covering the bar and ski rentals for the week, so all is good on my end.”

  “Thanks, Harley,” Brad said, nodding. “Dax?”

  Dax pulled back his long, sandy-colored hair from his deep, blue eyes and said, “I got some new ads to run this week. And, I’m working on a new commercial. I got a meeting down in Breckenridge on Wednesday with the local network. I’m hoping they will give me some kind of deal with running the commercial for the next few weeks,” he acknowledged.

  “Sounds like you got it all worked out,” Brad said, smiling.

  “Of course,” agreed Dax, forking some eggs into his mouth. “Between doing that stuff, I’ll help out at the lodge. It’s going to be busy for all of us this week,” he noted.

  “Yes, it is,” I agreed. “If it snows, I might need you or Brad helping me with the walkways and roads. One of my workers broke his foot last week.”

  I saw Brad’s concerned look and before he could say anything, I put up my hand to cut him off. “He didn’t get hurt here. He was cutting wood at home and a log fell on his foot,” I reassured him.

  “Whew,” Brad let out a sigh of relief. “I’m sorry that he got hurt, but glad it didn’t happen here,” he remarked.

  “Yeah, really,” I agreed. “Anyway, I might need help with that. Depends on how much snow we get.”

  “No problem. Us Hunters have no problem getting our hands dirty,” Brad agreed.

  “And, besides general maintenance, I need to cut a shit-load of wood for the common room and the lodge fireplaces. I got behind on that,” I admitted.

  “While you are at it, cut some wood for my cabin,” Dax ordered, half-jokingly.

  “Cut your own wood,” I retorted. “Somethin’ wrong with your arms?”

  “No, it’s just best that you do it with those manly rugged hands of yours. My hands are too nice to get all calloused up,” he joked, beaming at his perfectly manicured fingernails.