Burning Mountains (Wind River Mountain Men #1)

Chapter 7

7

ZOE

I woke to the soft light of dawn filtering through the cabin windows. Axel's arm was draped over me like a 200-pound anaconda, his chest pressed against my back.

Carefully , I turned in his embrace, my heart skipping a beat as I took in his sleeping form. In repose, his rugged features looked like they'd been carved by an expert sculptor with a penchant for rugged masculinity. My eyes traced the strong line of his jaw, the curve of his lips, and lingered on the scar that ran along his collarbone. I wondered about the story behind it, imagining some heroic feat involving a grizzly bear or a daring mountain rescue.

Just as I was contemplating whether it would be creepy to count his eyelashes, Axel's eyes snapped open. A slow, lazy grin spread across his face, making my insides melt. " Mornin '," he rumbled, his voice sounding like gravel wrapped in velvet.

His hand slid up my back. " Sleep well? Or did I rock your world too hard?"

I nodded, my body already responding to his touch like a well-tuned instrument. My skin tingled where his fingers traced, sending shivers down my spine. I pressed closer, craving more of his warmth, more of his touch. " Though I might need another demonstration to jog my memory. You know, for science."

Axel's eyes darkened with desire. " Good ," he growled, before capturing my lips in a searing kiss.

Any thoughts of going slow flew out the window as our passion ignited. Axel's hands roamed my body, leaving trails of fire in their wake. I arched into him, desperate for more contact.

" Axel ," I gasped as his lips found that sensitive spot behind my ear. " Please ..."

He didn't need any more encouragement. In one swift move, he rolled us over, settling between my thighs. I looked up at him, marveling at the play of muscles under his tanned skin. He was so much larger than me, his broad shoulders blocking out the morning light.

As he entered me, I couldn't help the moan that escaped my lips. God , he was big. The stretch was exquisite, bordering on too much but in the best possible way. Axel stilled, giving me time to adjust, his eyes locked on mine.

" You okay?" he asked, his voice strained with the effort of holding back.

I nodded, wrapping my legs around his waist to pull him deeper. " More than okay. Don't stop."

Axel groaned, burying his face in my neck as he began to move. The cabin filled with the sounds of our lovemaking - skin against skin, breathless moans, and whispered endearments.

As our passion built, I lost myself in the sensations. The weight of Axel above me, the delicious friction where our bodies joined, the way his muscles flexed under my hands. It was all too much and not enough at the same time.

" Zoe ," Axel panted, his rhythm faltering. " I'm close."

I could feel my own release building, a tight coil of pleasure low in my belly. " Me too," I gasped. " Don't stop."

With a few more powerful thrusts, I tumbled over the edge, crying out Axel's name as waves of ecstasy washed over me. He followed soon after, his body tensing above me as he found his own release.

We lay there for a moment, both trying to catch our breath. Axel's weight was comforting, grounding me as I came down from my high. He pressed a soft kiss to my forehead before rolling to the side, pulling me with him so I was sprawled across his chest.

We lay there for a while, trading lazy kisses and soft caresses. But as the morning light grew stronger, reality began to creep back. I had meetings at the lodge, emails to send, a whole life waiting for me back in Denver that suddenly seemed about as appealing as a root canal.

Axel must have sensed my mood shift because he pulled back. " What's wrong, darlin'?"

I sighed. " It's just... this has been amazing. But I can't help thinking about what happens next. I have a job in Denver , meticulously planning weddings for couples who think 'rustic chic' means using Mason jars as champagne flutes."

Axel was quiet for a moment, his hand tracing patterns on my back. When he spoke, his voice was soft. " Zoe , I know we haven't known each other long, but I've never felt this way about anyone before."

My heart swelled, even as anxiety gnawed at my stomach. " But what would that even look like? I can't just abandon my career."

" Who says you have to?" Axel said, sitting up. " You're planning destination weddings, right? Why couldn't you do that from here? Hell , we could turn this place into a wedding venue! Imagine exchanging vows with those mountains as your backdrop!"

The excitement in his voice was contagious. " It does sound pretty amazing," I admitted, my mind already picturing brides in their designer gowns.

As we got dressed and headed to the Wind River Mountain Lodge , I found myself stealing glances at Axel , my heart playing emotional ping-pong between this flannel-clad Adonis and my color-coded planner back in Denver .

The lodge came into view, its rustic elegance. Axel walked me to the entrance, his hand on my back feeling like a warm security blanket. " Good luck in there, darlin'," he said, pressing a kiss to my temple that made my knees weak. " I'll be around if you need anything."

The morning flew by fast. I dazzled the lodge management with ideas for weddings that would make Pinterest boards explode. As I wrapped up, feeling victorious, I heard a voice that made me freeze.

" Zoe ?"

I turned around, coming face to face with Jason , my ex-fiancé, looking like he'd just stepped out of a GQ magazine.

" Jason ?" I breathed. " What are you doing here?"

Before Jason could answer, the lodge doors burst open and in strode Axel , looking like Paul Bunyan's sexier, angrier cousin.

" Everything okay here, darlin'?" he growled.

Jason's eyes darted between us. " Who's this?"

Axel puffed up. " I'm Axel Hawke ," he declared, wrapping an arm around me so possessively I half expected him to pee on me to mark his territory. " Zoe's boyfriend."

Jason rallied. " Zoe , please. I know I hurt you, but I've changed."

Axel tensed beside me. " Listen here, Saks Fifth Avenue . I don't know who you are, but Zoe's with me now. We're gonna build a life together, filled with love and adventure."

Tears pricked at my eyes as I looked between the two men. Jason , representing my old life of stability and overpriced lattes. And Axel , wild and passionate, offering a future full of adventure and potential bear attacks.

As I stood there, caught in the most ridiculous love triangle I realized the magnitude of the decision before me. My heart raced as I opened my mouth, ready to make a choice.