He slipped his hands into the sides of her pants and slid the tight jeans down slowly until they pooled around her ankles onto the floor. He reached around her, unbuttoned her eyelet shirt and let the garment fall to the ground. There she stood in a pink lace bra and matching panties. He strode to the Jacuzzi and filled the tub with piping hot water. His attention turned to her again, and he made his way back to where she stood. Lifting his shirt over his head, he tossed the material aside. She salivated at the sight of his sexy chiseled body. He unzipped his pants, his erection pressing against the fabric of his boxer briefs. Stepping out of the pants, he kicked them aside.
With his bare hands, he ripped her lacy panties to shreds and hoisted her onto the edge of countertop, and spread her legs wide and he stood between them. The musky smell of his masculinity invaded her senses and moistening, she readied for his sensuous touch. He unfastened her bra, freeing her perky breasts. His sheathed rod pressed firmly against the delicate folds of her moist opening. He pulled down his boxer briefs and his cock plummeted out. Without hesitation, he gripped his shaft and guided himself into her, entering her slowly as she adjusted to his size. She gasped at the intensity of him filling her. She clutched his shoulders as he pumped into her hard. Her back arched as the intensity of their lovemaking heightened. Her breasts bounced freely up and down with each of his powerful thrusts.
He pounded into her so hard that she couldn’t help the scream that escaped her lips. A hand flew up to cover her month.
“Let go baby. Scream for me, as loudly as you want. No one can hear you, only me.”
She hoped he was right. The loud sound of the Jacuzzi’s jets roaring and insulated walls would drown out her cries. He pummeled her hard now, her body convulsing in sheer pleasure as every nerve ending fired in response to his thrusts.
“Axel. Axel.” She cried loudly.
“That’s it baby. I love the way you moan my name.”
They exploded together, she around his hard shaft and he deep inside her.
“You feel so good, Kerrigan.”
She leaned forward and placed her head onto his sculpted chest. His arms wrapped tightly around her and his warm naked body pressed against hers made her head spin.
His swollen erection was still inside her. Without caution, strong arms lifted her off the counter and he stepped into the middle of the bathroom.
“Can you handle round two?” he asked, sweat pouring down his face.
Her arms wrapped tightly around his thick neck, and her legs spanned his waist. “Yes,” her soft whisper tickled his ear.
He gripped her thighs firmly, raised her up and impaled her with his hard shaft. Repeating the motion, he penetrated her fully.
“Ah. Ah. Oh, god.” The delicious moan escaped her lips until the pleasure built to the apex once more, rendering her silent.
“Fuck,” he groaned loudly, sliding her up and down on his slick cock.
Trembling all over, she found her release again. Limbs limp like wet spaghetti, she clung to him for strength. Thrusting into her with full force, a loud cry, emerged from her depths, another instantaneous release. “Ah. Axel. Axel.”
His load spilled into her for a second time before he gently placed her back onto the countertop.
He leaned in, capturing her soft full lips with his and kissed her slowly. “Kerrigan, you have no idea what you do to me. I can’t get enough of you,” he panted.
Her hands still trembled, but she maintained a tight grip on his shoulders. “Me too,” she replied breathlessly.
“Come on. Let’s bathe and head downstairs or I’m afraid they’ll never see us again,” he teased.
Helping her down from the cool countertop and he led her by the hand to the tub filled with steaming water. Kerrigan stepped in first and seated herself. Axel entered and sat behind her. She could feel his cock rising, pressing against her behind.
“I told you that I couldn’t get enough of you,” he whispered.
“You’ll have to save it for later. Weren’t we supposed to be downstairs thirty minutes ago?”
“I don’t care. I want time alone with you. Turn around, face me and ride baby.”
She eagerly complied, guiding herself gingerly onto his shaft. His fingers sank into her thighs, his grip bringing her down onto his cock.
“Kerrigan, I want to savor you. Don’t move, be still.”
Deep inside her, Axel gently rocked her back and forth. The water surged around them, crashing into the tub’s sides, nearly overflowing and splashing to the floor, their swaying movement the cause. He ground deeply inside her, almost in slow motion.
She shuddered all over. Gasping, “Ah. Ah,” she released soft cries into his ear.
Tenderly, he held her close to him, face-to-face, searing blue eyes ablaze and sensual, searched hers. He whispered in her ear. “You’re mine, always. Say it for me Kerrigan.”
His thickness slipped in and out of her, warm and sinewy, pressing, reaching the depths of her desire. Her eyes rolled back and she moaned a breathy response. “I … I’m yours … always.”
In this position, her orgasm had been prolonged, moments fading into minutes. She had never felt anything like this before. Tears leaked, trickled down her cheeks and splashed onto his shoulder, down his chest. He searched her eyes again. Her tears were an emotional release, a sensation he experienced with equal weight. He crushed her lips with his, capturing her sweet sobs. He held her tightly and continued the slow rocking motion until the full intensity of the wave of pleasure had passed. When their lovemaking had ended, she shuddered uncontrollably, every part of her weak.
He had worked her over good. Neither of them had experienced an intimacy so extraordinary. It was pure emotion and unbridled ecstasy. She barely could stand, and she was more tired than before their earlier nap. He helped her bathe and ordered her to lie down. Kneeling, he planted a soft kiss sweetly on her forehead.
“Mmm,” she whimpered softly at his touch.
His eyes met hers, tender and tired. “I love you, Kerrigan. You belong to me, always,” he whispered as she closed her lids and drifted to sleep.
Renewed and invigorated, Axel bounded out of the room and headed down to the family room. His parents weren’t there, but when he entered, he was greeted by a round of applause from Ryker who was stretched out across the sofa. “Way to go big bro. You gave it to her good, didn’t you? You were up there for hours.”
“Can you at least pretend to be somewhat civilized? We napped. She’s still asleep, and I didn’t want to wake her,” he moved to the chair next to the sofa and fell into it.
“Right,” Ryker said, his tone cynical. “A woman as hot as Kerrigan is lying in your bed, and you expect me to believe you didn’t fuck her senseless.”
“You’re an immature ass. It’s no wonder you’re single. What I do with my woman, in my bedroom, in my cabin is none of your business.” He placed his feet up on the ottoman, getting comfortable.
Ryker sat upright and faced Axel. “It is my business when everyone in the cabin can hear you two.”
“What! You heard us?” He gripped the front end of the chair’s arm, digging his nails into its leather, and leaning forward.
“Yep, and so did mom and dad. They couldn’t take it anymore. They went out to dinner.”
Axel grimaced. “I didn’t think anyone would hear us. I had the Jacuzzi jets on. Don’t say anything to her. She’ll be mortified.”
Ryker grabbed a fishing magazine from the table next to the sofa and pulled it up, covering his devious smile. “I’m just messing with you. No one heard a thing, but I knew you weren’t just napping up there.”
“You’re so juvenile. Grow up!” The tension in Axel’s face loosened.
Ryker flipped the pages of the magazine haphazardly. “So what’s it like with her? She’s one impressive piece of tail.” His eyes peered over the magazine into Axel’s glare.
Axel lowered his bare feet from the leather ottoman, placed his forearms on his k
nees and leaned in. “Ryker, I’m going to say this one more time.” He spoke with clipped words beneath gritted teeth like a master ventriloquist. “Kerrigan is my woman. She’s not a piece of tail. If you talk about her in a disrespectful or disparaging way again, I’ll pulverize your face and kick you out on your ass.” Jeering at him, the pitch of his voice deepened, words meant to sound harsh and firm.
“So, you’re serious about her? My apologies, I didn’t mean to offend.”
“I am serious about her. I’m in love with her.”
Ryker lifted his eyes up from the magazine and eyed him speculatively. “Wow. Really?” His brows arched and mouth fell open. “I never thought I’d see the day. The mighty and powerful Axel Christensen succumbs to a woman, to little Kerrigan Mulls no less,” he said.
Running his fingers along the chairs slick arm, Axel leaned back into the chair. “She’s the one.”
Ryker tossed the magazine onto the wooden side table, his eyebrows shooting up in shock. “The one, huh? Does she know?”
“She knows how I feel about her—that I love her. I haven’t said anything more than that, yet.” Axel stared out the window watching the sun sink into the lake as it began to set. The sunset paralleled his life—the ending of one day and the anticipation of the next, filled with new mysteries, to be uncovered.
“More?” Ryker’s question brought his focus back. “You mean marriage?”
Axel twisted around and set his determined eyes on his brother. “Yes, when the time is right. Now, stop grilling me. What about you? Is there anyone significant in your life?”
“No. I’m still enjoying the single life. If I had someone like Kerrigan, I might be persuaded to settle down, too.” Ryker winked.
He stood and moved to the large window, and then turned to face Ryker. “Someday, I’m sure you’ll find the right woman.”
He knew what he wanted—what he felt for her. This was the very reason that he wanted her to meet his family, but the thought that he was ready to settle down was still fresh. Although he was nervous, he was not a man to run away from his feelings. Instead, he embraced them fully. Standing at the window, he formulated his next move. He had to tear down her walls completely.
CHAPTER SIX
Saturday, October 6
At the dawn of the next day Axel, his dad and Ryker went fishing on the lake, leaving Kerrigan and his mother alone to bond. The men sat at the end of the dock baiting and casting their lines as steam rose off the murky water and the smell of peat algae filled the air. Ryker had been acting strangely, barely talking and eyes shifty. Axel suspected Ryker was up to something.
“Dad, did you know that Axel is planning to ask Kerrigan to marry him?” Ryker stuck his hook through a thick black worm, sneering at Axel while his legs dangled off the edge of the dock.
His line sunk into the water, John pivoted and pinned Axel with his gaze. “Son, is this true? Have the two of you discussed marriage?” Silence fell between them. The only sound that could be heard was the gentle lap of water slapping the dock.
Axel shot Ryker a fiery look, and then turned to face his father. “No dad, we haven’t discussed marriage yet. I haven’t decided when I’ll ask her, but I do intend to propose soon.” He tilted his white cap, masking his face from the burning rays of morning sunlight.
A tug on his line forced John’s focus back to the water. “What about her family. Have you met them?” He asked over his shoulder, competing with the sputter of a boat motor off in the distance.
With a quarter turn and throw of his shoulder, Axel cast his line into the lake. “Nope. I know all about them though. Her mother is a retired teacher.” The hiss of Ryker’s beer can opening stole his gaze. “She teaches piano lessons and tutors children. Her father worked in law enforcement—semi retired. She has an older brother who’s married and has a set of twins. He’s a cardiovascular surgeon.”
John nodded. “Sounds as if she comes from a decent stock of people,” he said. Winding the reel his arms flailed, and he struggled with his catch.
Axel’s eyes burned hotly. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” His voice pitched.
Pressing his lips together, “I’m just saying that her family sounds as if they’re decent people,” John said, glancing at Axel, his forehead wrinkled.
Axel adjusted the lid of his cap, staring across the lake and not making eye contact. “You mean because she’s, not from a family of elites and Ivy Leaguers or because she’s black?” Axel tilted his head from left to right, loosening his neck.
Sounds of the surrounding forest coming to life could be heard all around them, birds chirping, frogs croaking, and insects buzzing as the crispness of the early morning faded into sweltering humidity under the sun.
John’s shoulders stiffened, and his face turned a shade of red that matched the t-shirt he wore. “Axel, you’re twisting my words. That isn’t what I said.” His rod slammed into the dock planks with a loud thud. “Shit! I lost the damn thing.”
Axel wound his line. “No, that isn’t what you said, but isn’t that what you meant? I suggest that you get over any issues you have with Kerrigan. She’s in my life, to stay.” The tone of his voice rose.
Axel glared at Ryker, who sat back, a smug grin resting on his lips enjoying the spat while he pulled and tugged, struggling with the fish at the end of his line.
“Son, I don’t have any problems with you two or Kerrigan, or her family. I really do like her. You’re being overly sensitive. She makes you happy and I want that for you.” John placed another worm onto his hook. “I think your mother will be thrilled to help plan a wedding.” Slimy palms slid across John’s lap, wiping residue onto his jeans.
Axel calmed and observed at his dad pensively, eyes narrow and lips pursed. “I’m in defense mode when it comes to Kerrigan. She’s sensitive about how others perceive our relationship.” He exhaled a deep breath and his posture slumped.
John sat his rod down and turned to Axel. “Son, my reaction is simply out of concern for you, especially after everything you’ve gone through with Sara. I guess I’m still wounded as I know you are.” He stared at Ryker, nodded his head disapprovingly, and then shifted his eyes back to Axel. “A word of advice for the health of your relationship—you both need to get a handle on your insecurities. A relationship takes hard work, and you’re bound to have critics. The important thing to remember is that you get out of life what you expect, whether it’s real or manufactured in your mind. If you love each other, then that’s what matters.” John dropped his line again, lips pressed into a thin line and eyes squinting, the grit of determination riddled across his face. “Son, my concern was for you and not about Kerrigan or anything else.”
His heart rate back to normal, Axel nodded his head. “I’m sorry dad. I know you’re only looking out for me.” Eager fingers clawed, through the ice chest, to grab a beer. Axel appreciated his father’s words and knew his father was right about one thing—the insecurities in their relationship had to be addressed.
Ryker held his head down and leisurely lifted his eyes to meet Axel’s leer. He mouthed, “Sorry, bro.”
A slow roll of his eyes back at Ryker, Axel huffed. “It’s all good. Gentlemen, we have some fishing to do. Let’s get to it.”
Yanking his line from the water, John pulled out the large trout that lost its struggle against the line.
“Now, that’s a thing of beauty.” John piped up and flashed his pearly whites.
Ryker stretched his hand out. “Hey, pass me that bucket,” he demanded, his competitive nature awakened. “I’m going to catch the prize fish today.”
John let out a hearty laugh. Axel shoved the bucket to his brother. “We’ll see.”
The three men continued fishing, the tension finally dissipating into vapors like the steam rising from the lake into the mid-morning dank.
Inside the cabin, Kerrigan and Elizabeth lounged, the salty sweetness of kettle corn wafting as they watched The Notebook. She liked Elizabeth, who
seemed like a sweet woman, but Kerrigan braced for an onslaught of questions.
Elizabeth’s graceful fingers, pale and expertly manicured, waltzed across the wooden trunk that served as a cocktail table. She grabbed hold of the tablet-styled, touch screen remote control. Jabbing the pause button, she brought the movie to an abrupt halt. “Are you in love with my son?” she blurted out.
Kerrigan’s eyes shifted from the flat screen and darted to Elizabeth. Her pulse went from a calm resting rate to 175 beats in an instant.
Pulling the plaid tapestry throw around her shoulders tight, she gnawed mercilessly at her bottom lip. “Honestly, that’s a difficult question for me to answer. This is new territory for me—the first relationship I’ve ever had.” Kerrigan crossed her arms over her stomach.
Sitting on the small love seat across from her, Elizabeth wiggled to the edge. The aged leather screamed loudly against her friction. She fastened her eyes to Kerrigan. “Thank you for your honesty. It’s obvious to me that he loves you. May I ask why you’ve never been involved with anyone before Axel?”
Kerrigan exhaled a breath. “Axel is the first man I’ve ever cared for this deeply.” Peering through the large window, she caught a glimpse of the men at a distance on the dock, her focus drawn to one in particular who wore a white cap. A swarm of butterflies attacked her stomach at the sight of him. Slowly, she fixed her gaze back on Elizabeth. “I’ve never been any good at dating.”
“Why’s that?” Elizabeth asked.
“I attract the wrong kind of men—the ones who are only after one thing.” Kerrigan lifted the glass of iced water from a coaster on the side table, brought the rim of the glass to her parched lips and gulped hard.
Closer To You (Suits in Pursuit) Page 4