“Sounds great!” She hopped out of the bed and went for the dresser against the wall where she’d stashed her clothes. “Just let me wash up.”
“There’s some water by the fire I can put in the bathroom for you, but not enough to shower, and it’s a little cool.”
She went down the ladder naked, her clothes clutched against her chest with one hand. “That’s fine.
It’ll get me going.”
Axel grabbed her when she turned for the bathroom, swung her around and pulled her into his arms before planting a deep, tongue-tangling kiss on her.
“Mmm…” she murmured when he lifted his head.
“I think I could get used to that.”
He kissed her again, then swung her away and gave her bare bottom a little slap. “Go, or we’ll never get out the door.”
She laughed and dashed for the bathroom.
“Oatmeal and coffee good for you?” he called through the door.
“Sounds good,” she called back. She determined to make the best of the few days she had left with him.
Dakota needed to take everything he had to give so she could relive the memories when she was back home, buried in work, and…alone. Funny, but she’d never thought of herself as lonely before. Her work kept her so busy she barely thought about it. But now that she had some quiet time to reflect, she thought maybe she’d been missing something in her life.
“Oh, wow!” Dakota hopped down off the porch and into knee-deep snow, then promptly burst into laughter. “It’s so beautiful today.”
It sure is, Gunnar told Axel as the two stood on the porch watching her flail about in the snow.
The temperature had risen to at least forty overnight and the sun was high, the sky as blue as he’d ever seen it. Axel couldn’t take his eyes off the woman who’d thrown herself onto her back, arms outstretched as she stared up into the brightness.
I heard her whispering to you. What’d she have to say? Just more ‘what a pretty kitty’ nonsense?
Gunnar chuckled. Actually we had quite a discussion over your prowess— our prowess. She said you’re like two completely different men.
Axel grinned and moved his snowshoes from against the cabin wall to the porch floor. Really. Two different men, huh?
Yep. One exciting, one thorough, I believe was her word.
“Come on up here, honey, and get your snowshoes on.”
He watched as Dakota struggled through the snow to get onto her feet, then clomped up the steps. She grinned like a loon, and he couldn’t keep from leaning over and kissing her lips.
“Give me a minute. I think I want to lose a couple of layers of clothing or I’ll suffocate. It’s so warm out.”
“Okay, but don’t bare too much. Weather can change in the blink of an eye.”
She gave him a saucy wink. “I thought you liked me bare.” She giggled and pushed past him when he made a halfhearted try at grabbing her.
Gunnar sighed, making Axel look down at him.
“What?” Axel whispered.
Any more doubts?
Axel shook his head. It’s too soon to reveal ourselves. Let’s just go with the flow the next couple of days and then decide. She mentioned spending her last day in Leavenworth with her friend. We’ve got some time.
You’re right. Just sucks being the one who doesn’t get to have his hands on her again anytime soon.
Well, Axel said reluctantly, not wanting to forfeit any time with her. We could switch again-Gunnar shook his head. No. Enough deception. We do it again and she’ll think it’s still you. Next time I get my hands on her, I want her to know who’s touching her. I need to know she’s willing and wants me too. It will be hard enough to explain what we’ve already done. More will only make it worse. He groaned. I want to. I just can’t.
You’re right, Gun. We can’t deceive her like that again. It’s not right, especially if she is the one .
The door behind him opened. Axel turned to see Dakota dressed in her ski pants and a sweater that looked as if it was pulled on over a T-shirt, her jacket open. She stuffed her knit stocking cap into her pocket and pulled her gloves from where she’d tucked them beneath her arm. “I’m ready.” She grinned. “Where we goin’?”
Axel laid her snowshoes on the floor. “Put these on, or we won’t make it out of the yard.”
She laughed and laid her hand on his back as he strapped her into them.
“I thought we’d head up to the lake. It’s not a far hike, and it should be pretty today.” He stood up and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. “You start getting chilled, tell me. Start sweating, take off the sweater.
Got it?”
She stuck out her tongue at him. “Yes, boss.”
“Watch it, little girl, or I’ll have to turn you over my knee.”
Her eyes blazed with heat, her pupils dilating as she sucked in a quick breath. “Promise?” she said with a breathy note to her voice.
“Oh, you are a bad girl.” He popped her on the butt before picking up his pack and strapping it on.
She laughed. “I’ll be really, really bad if you’ll—” Meowwww.
Gunnar’s noise—meant to stop the conversation, Axel was sure—sent Dakota into a fit of giggles. She clomped over to Gunnar and scratched his ear. “Okay, kitty. No more naughty talk around the cat.” Then she pulled on her glove. “You know, I’d swear he got embarrassed this morning when he pulled the blanket off me.”
That wasn’t embarrassment, Gunnar said. She’s got the best pair of tits I’ve ever seen, and she almost had a big ass kitty pounce her.
Axel laughed. “Maybe he’s shy.”
Bastard.
Pussy.
Reowww.
Dakota yelped and swung around to glare at Gunnar. “What’s wrong with you?” She put her hands on her hips. “Jeez, don’t make that sound unless there’s another wolf around. I don’t like it.”
Gunnar hung his head as if she’d just chewed him a new asshole, and gave a little whimper. Just as Axel knew she’d do, Dakota went to Gunnar and gave him a hug.
“Oh, you big baby. I’m not mad.” She kissed his head. “Just don’t scare me unless I’m supposed to be scared.”
Gunnar licked her cheek, and she laughed.
“Suck up,” Axel muttered, shaking his head in disgust at his brother.
Dakota stood up straight, keeping her hand on Gunnar’s head.
Gunnar chuckled. Whatever works.
Axel hopped off the porch then turned and lifted Dakota down into the snow. It took a few seconds for her to find her balance, but when she did, she grinned up at him. He would swear he’d never seen a more beautiful woman in his life.
Dakota followed Axel through the snow, the shoes hardly sinking at all because the snow was wet, but the little bit that stuck to the shoe was heavy, making it even more difficult than normal to walk in the webbed footwear. She followed Axel’s tracks as he headed around the side of the cabin, and when she looked up at the new view, she gasped in awe.
Axel stopped and turned back. “What’s wrong?”
All she could do was point at the towering mountain covered in white. The snow sparkled in the sunshine as if diamonds were scattered over the surface.
“Falke’s Peak, or at least that’s what we call it.”
“It wasn’t there when we got here the other night,” she said, moving closer to him. “It’s amazing. Look at those jagged edges, and the snow is so pretty.”