Page 98 of Axe-identally Married
“Thank you for protecting me,” I said as she squeezed me hard. “But I need to take a risk right now.”
With a pat to my cheek, she walked me to the front door, where Cole was waiting, wearing pajama pants, winter boots, and one of his knitted hats.
“Watch yourself, lover boy. If you hurt my girl, there will be consequences.” Magnolia had no coat or shoes on, but she stood in the snow and stared Cole down.
With his focus fixed on her, he swallowed audibly. “Of course.”
“I mean it. I know people. No body, no crime. You get me?”
He nodded, his brow furrowed in confusion and maybe terror.
“She’s all yours,” Magnolia said. Between one blink and another, her expression turned sweet, and she waved as she shut the door behind her.
“Hi,” he said. He had clearly been rushing when he shoved his hat on his head. It was lopsided, and his hair was sticking out adorably. “That was… something.”
I shrugged. She wasn’t wrong. I had no doubt Magnolia could dispose of a body efficiently.
He pressed me up against the side of the house and kissed me deeply. His mouth was warm and tasted like peppermint.
Instantly, my core heated and my breath quickened. “Take me home,” I said.
“My pleasure, wifey.” He turned around and motioned for me to jump on his back.
“You can’t give me a piggyback,” I protested.
“It’s the middle of the damn night, and we’re both in pj’s. Just climb on.”
Huffing, I jumped up. Once I’d gotten my arms securely wrapped around his neck and he had a good hold of my legs, hetook off down the road toward the cottage. It was frigid, but the sky was clear and the stars glowed above the lake.
“Are you sure I’m not hurting you?” I asked, resting my chin on his shoulder.
“Pretty sure I can carry my wife home,” he said. “I was a pro athlete.”
“But I’m heavy,” I pleaded. The last thing I wanted was to hurt him.
He stuttered to a stop and put me down. When I’d found my balance, he turned and grasped me by the shoulders. “When will you get it, woman? This is not a hardship. I love it.”
“It’s just—”
“Stop right there.” He squeezed my arms. “I’m a big guy. God made me six-seven for a reason. For a while I thought it was to play hockey, but now I know better. It’s so I can carry my wife home and then ravage her.”
Before I could respond, he scooped me over his shoulder, slapped my ass hard, and took off jogging toward the cottage.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Willa
He had me on the bed, naked and ready to go, within minutes.
The sheer power of his body and the way that naughty grin got my panties off in record time continued to amaze me.
He was already kissing my neck and trailing his fingertips over my breasts.
But as much as I wanted to let myself go, give in to all of it, my chest tightened and nerves skittered through me.
He pulled back, wearing a worried frown. “Are you okay?”
I nodded and inhaled deeply. How the hell could I put into words the insecurities plaguing me? Cole made me feel so desired and cherished, but I couldn’t help but worry that I wouldn’t be enough for him.
