Page 39 of Icebreaker

The day turned out to be as fun as Sven had hoped. It passed in a blur of sun-dappled water and whirring fishing lines. The river rushed around our waders, a solid current tugging at our legs when we cast our lines.

Sven's laughter roared as he told us stories about his fishing adventures. He commanded a small commercial boat and mainly caught herring. "We had it every way you can imagine,"Axel told us. "I'm surprised it wasn't the flavor of my birthday cake."

Our fishing efforts were successful. We had plenty of fish for a good dinner. Sven showed off deft knife-handling skills while cleaning the trout.

Axel took over the cooking duties. Soon, the aroma of the sizzling fish on the grill mingled with the smoky scent of the open flames, making my mouth water.

Watching the ease of interaction between father and son, I witnessed actions that probably happened over and over back in Sweden. Both of them could have prepared the dinner blindfolded.

As we ate, Sven grew quiet. I noticed him staring toward the woods beyond the flickering campfire. A few minutes later, he cleared his throat and spoke with a gravelly, emotional voice.

"This makes me think about how I met Axel's mother on a trip like this." His eyes were glassy with unshed tears. "She was the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen, standing on the riverbank with the sun reflecting off her golden hair."

Axel stopped eating and listened. I reached for his hand, weaving our fingers together.

"She was fishing with her father and two older brothers. She told me they only brought her along to clean the fish." We all chuckled softly.

Sven continued to describe more of their relationship. He shared details of a whirlwind romance and recalled the two of them sharing their dreams for a future anchored by invincible love.

Then, his voice cracked; the pain of his loss still apparent after so many years. "When she passed," he whispered, "I thought my world was over. I couldn't imagine ever feeling whole again."

Axel tightened his grip on my hand. I had some insight into the depth of his grief, having lost my parents while growing up.

Sven turned to his son. "I know the pain of losing someone you love far too well. You feel like you'll never recover, but I also believe you can find joy again if you let yourself be vulnerable."

He glanced at me and smiled. "Don't let negative events from the past hold you back. Don't let fear stop you from embracing Quinn. Life's too short, and love is too precious to waste."

Axel remained silent. The crackling of the fire was the only sound we heard. Then, he slowly exhaled, and he turned to face me.

"I love you." He took my other hand. "I should have said it before now, but I do."

"I love you, too. Always."

***

Later that night, we lay wrapped together in a sleeping bag, initially clothed in shorts and T-shirts. It was a tight fit, and I knew Axel could feel his impact on my body.

First, he kissed me. His lips lingered against mine as I savored how he tasted and smelled. He pulled a hand up and cupped my chin while lightly biting my lower lip.

Fireworks raced through my body, nerves, too.Is this the moment, my first time?Axel knew I'd never gone beyond kissing and groping. I'd mentioned that in passing. We suddenly had the perfect opportunity in front of us.

Axel reached down with his free hand while we continued to kiss. He gripped the hem of my T-shirt and began to tug upward. We both chuckled as we had to break a kiss so he could pull the shirt off over my head.

My skin was suddenly bare. I'd been like that around Axel so many times in the locker room, but this was entirely different.He suddenly disappeared down into the sleeping bag, and I yelped when his teeth closed lightly on my right nipple.

Axel's hand appeared and clamped lightly over my mouth. "Shh, Quinn." The sleeping bag muffled his voice. "Don't want Dad to hear how incredible you sound when you're coming apart for me."

That would be easier said than done when every nerve ending in my body was firing at once. A whimper escaped my lips at his words, my hips bucking up when his hand slipped beneath the waistband of my shorts. As his fingers wrapped around my shaft, I had to bite back a moan, my entire body trembling with need.

"So…so hard. I love that. So excited…just for me," Axel growled, his hand stroking so slowly. "I've wanted this—wanted you—for so long. Please tell me you want it, too."

"I want you. I want everything with you."

Axel looked at me, his pupils wide with lust. He leaned in to share a searing kiss; his tongue plundering my mouth with a hunger that left me breathless.

It was all uncharted territory for me, and the moment's weight suddenly felt overwhelming.

Axel sensed my hesitation and paused. He pushed back out of the sleeping bag and looked into my eyes. "Hey, we don't have to do this if you're not ready. Let's take it all at the speed that works for you."

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