Axes & O’s

3. The Prey

Chapter 3

The Prey

My sly fox heard me. I knew the moment that twig snapped that he was on to me, and now I have no choice but to run again.

My head darts to the left and then right, snow muddling my vision. It’s coming down like crazy, but I love it. The cold flakes melt on my heated cheeks and collect on my lashes, only adding to the beauty and thrill of the moment.

I take off as quietly as I can through the fresh snow as I pump my arms and lift my legs high so I don’t trip. I know our property like the back of my hand, but so does the one hunting me. Even if I could mute the sound of me running and clear my footprints in the snow, he’d be able to track and find me. He always does.

I come to an abrupt stop when I reach a fork in the powder-covered trail. I debate my options, wondering which way I should go. I could go right and head to the old hunting cabin, but with the snow coming down, I’m not sure I’d make it that far. And if I’m being honest, I don’t think I want to make it that far.

“I can hear you thinking, little lamb.”

The hair on the back of my neck rises, and my nipples automatically tighten at the timbre of my hunter’s deep and taunting voice. I have no idea how he snuck up behind me—I didn’t hear him running after me. But that’s what makes him my cunning fox. And why I know I’ll always lose this game.

I take a step forward, finally hearing the snow crunch behind me.

“If you run again, know I’ll show you no mercy when I catch you,” he warns.

Hot arousal pools between my legs, and despite his taunt, I know him. I know he wants me to run. The corners of my lips pull up as images of what will occur when he catches me pop behind my frozen eyelids.

I inhale the scent of winter: damp earth, pine, and burning wood, soaking in the scenery for just a moment. The way the world has gone quiet from the falling snow makes what my fox and I are about to do far too dirty for such a pristine and beautiful setting. But that’s part of the fun.

I slowly turn my head over my shoulder, my long blonde- and black-streaked hair wet from snow and sweat. My hazel eyes connect with my hunter’s cool blue ones, and in the dark evening light, they look like two pools of haunting black.

“Who says you’ll catch me?” I taunt.

He flashes me his white teeth, but I don’t wait for his sly and mischievous smile to fully seat itself. I burst forward and take off to the left, weaving my way through incense-cedar trees and pines while his amused and throaty chuckle follows behind me, telling me he’ll make good on his threat.

Which is exactly what I want.