Page 27 of Axel Martin

Heavy boots. A sharp intake of breath. The sound of someone fighting like hell not to fall apart.

“Lark.”

I turned my head, wincing. “Hey, mountain man…”

Axel crossed the room in three strides. He didn’t speak. He just dropped to his knees beside the bed and wrapped a trembling hand around mine.

“I told you I’d be back before you,” I whispered, trying to smile. “I guess I was wrong.”

He swallowed hard, eyes locked on mine. “Don’t do that again. Don’t ever disappear on me like that.”

“I didn’t mean to—”

“I don’t care.” His voice cracked. “You scared the hell out of me.”

Tessa quietly stood and gave us space, slipping out the door.

I tightened my grip on his hand.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I just… I needed to feel alive again.”

His jaw worked, and he leaned forward, pressing his forehead gently to mine. “Next time, let’s stick to hiking. Maybe paddleboarding. Hell, I’ll buy you a kite if you want to chase the wind.”

I laughed—and winced. “I’m a storm chaser. You knew that the moment you hauled my ass off of the top of the trailer. But I promise not to get so close.”

He kissed my forehead, then leaned back just enough to look me in the eyes.

“You’re not going anywhere alone,” he said. “You’re mine. if you want to chase storms I’ll go with you. If I’m not there, then one of the guys.”

25

Lark

Back at Axel’s Cabin, Frasier Mountain

There’s something humbling about needing help to get off a couch you didn’t ask to lie on.

I shifted under the quilt, irritated by how much my ribs ached and how the dull throb in my head still made the world tilt if I moved too quickly. The storm was days behind me now, but it continued to echo in my bones.

Axel moved through the kitchen barefoot, warm and silent. His presence filled the room like gravity—impossible to ignore. He set a steaming mug beside me without a word. Chamomile. I didn’t even have to ask.

“You’re staring,” I said.

“You’re beautiful when you’re grumpy.”

“You’re delusional.”

His lips twitched. “That’s been established a long time ago.”

I chuckled as I sipped the tea and let the silence stretch. It wasn’t awkward. It was just… full.

I glanced at him. “You’re not going to bubble wrap me, are you?”

“Tempting.”

“Axel.”

He turned, his eyes steady. “I’m not going to treat you like glass, Lark. But I almost lost you. I need a minute.”

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