Axel: A Bad Boy Romance Read online

  This is a work of fiction. Any names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons--living or dead--is entirely coincidental.

  Axel copyright @ 2016 by Laura Day. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embedded in critical articles or reviews

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  MASON

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  Chapter One

  Her hand trailed over the coarse rope. She could feel the scratch of each individual fiber as it brushed against her soft skin. As she moved forward, placing one foot in front of another, she let her hand trace along it until she had walked the full square. She was in a boxing ring. It was strange; she had never really thought about boxing before. She had never watched it on TV or been interested in it in the slightest, so why was she in a boxing ring?

  The lights were off and everything outside of the ring was fuzzy and unclear. It all looked very far away. She let her hand slip from the rope as she looked around her sparse surroundings. Marie had the strangest sensation that she was supposed to be meeting someone. There was supposed to be someone else here. She glanced around and then saw him in the corner to the left.

  He was sitting on a low stool his knees spread apart as he lounged back on the ropes. He was wearing a robe with the hood pulled up over his face. Marie wondered what he looked like underneath that hood. She took a tentative step towards him, feeling the slight bounce of the mat beneath her feet. She walked forward, her eyes searching under his hood hoping some detail would come into view.

  Finally, she was only a step away from him and Marie reached out to push his hood back when the seated figure suddenly lunged forward and grabbed her wrist. She gasped and tried to pull away, but he held her tightly. He stood up and towered over her and Marie tried to make out his face, but it was too dark. She tried to pull her hand from him, causing him to relent a moment later. Marie allowed herself to take a step back, but went no farther.

  She didn’t want to run from him; he was the reason she was here. Emboldened, she took a step forward and, in return, he let the robe slip back from his head. He was handsome, with blue eyes and light hair and before Marie could get a good look at him he had swept her up in his arms. Her eyes closed instinctively as his lips found hers. The hair on her arms stood up as his soft lips encased hers. He slid his tongue over her lips as he pulled her body closer and she was pressed against him.

  Marie kissed him back. She bit his lower lip and heard him growl as his hands traced their way down until he stopped to grab her ass. He lifted her up onto her tiptoes as she sucked on his lip. Her toes curled as he kissed her. She reached down feeling underneath his robe. His stomach was toned and firm she ran her hands over his warm skin, feeling all of the strength he so casually held.

  His hands were tangled in her hair as he pulled her close. He was holding her face against his as he kissed her fiercely, sliding his tongue over hers. Finally, she pulled away from him to catch her breath and he took the opportunity to kiss her neck. He slid his tongue over her receptive skin making her shudder. He licked the sensitive nape of her neck and she grabbed at his hair, urging him on.

  Marie whispered the word yes and grabbed his arms and now it was her pulling him closer. She pushed her body against his and she could feel his erection as it grew against the light material of his shorts. His stubble was rough against her skin, but his lips and tongues were terribly soft. The two sensations together made Marie’s toes curl as she moaned into his ear. She never wanted him to stop.

  Without even realizing it Marie was grinding her hips against his. In slow movements she grazed his erection with her body and he began to move with her. Her hand fell down to his shorts and she ran her fingers of the soft fabric over his growing member. He moaned into her neck as her hand slowly moved up and down his shaft. Her touch was light and he impatiently bit at her neck, making her gasp in surprise.

  She pulled her neck away from his mouth and with her free hand she guided his face back to hers. She kissed him deeply, sliding her tongue over his and then sucking on his lip as her hand traced ecstasy over him. He pushed her up against the ropes and she felt the rough material against her bare back. She was trapped between him and the ropes, but she wouldn’t have moved for the world. He grabbed the ropes on either side and kissing her fiercely he pushed her back until she was almost hanging off of coarse material. Her arms clutched at his strong shoulders knowing he would never let her fall.

  With her back to the ropes Marie brought her legs up and around his waist. He slid his hands under her ass grabbing it as he lifted her up. She threw her head back and kissed his way down her neck to her breasts. With one hand he caressed her breast and with the other he kissed and nibbled her pert nipple. Marie arched her back against the ropes and grabbed at his shoulders to pull him even closer to her. She wanted him. She had never wanted anyone like this. Sex had never been like this before.

  As if he could read her mind, he stood Marie up and slipped his robe off of his shoulders. The muscles in his arms were accented with tattoos that covered every inch of skin. Marie reached forward and traced the dark ink of a detailed Celtic knot. Goosebumps were covering her skin as she caressed his arms. She was ready for him.

  She bit her lip and looked up at him as his hands loosened his shorts and they fell to the ground. Marie took a step towards him and took his erection in her hand. She felt his body shudder and as she caressed him. His hand spiraled around her waist as he leaned down and took her mouth in his. He pressed against her hand as she continued to stroke him. His arms were clutching at her, digging into her skin as he urged her on.

  With a low growl he pulled away and then in one swift motion he swept her up into his arms. She was only in the air for a moment before he quickly knelt down and placed her on the gently mat. She groped for him, finding his cheek and pulling him closer to her for a kiss. She didn’t want to be separated from him, she needed to touch him. His hand slid down her stomach and she bit her lip and closed her eyes as his hands explored her. He touched both of her breasts as Marie writhed underneath him. She was unable to control herself as her body twisted in a desperate bid for contact with his. Her skin was tingling.

  He brushed her thigh with his leg. He knelt between her legs as he slowly spread her legs apart. She sighed and spread herself for him, opening her eyes to see him staring down at her. He leaned forward and kissed her tenderly and slowly as she dug her nails into his back until finally his fingers slid into her. Marie moaned and her breath hitched as she reached up and ran her hands through his hair, grabbing him as his movements sped up inside of her.

  Her cold skin was getting hotter as she moved to encourage his fingers. She kept breaking away from his kiss to gasped for breath, but she was only free for a moment and then his lips would find hers again. His tongue would plunge into her mouth and he would be biting at her lip. She gave into him every time, feeling like putty beneath him.

  “I want you,” she whispered as her bruised lips broke free of his. She looked into his blue eyes and she could see the want echoed there. He was hard as he hovered over her. He kissed her as he slid easily inside. She grabbed his shoulders and bit back a cry as her body adjusted t
o him. He was bigger than she was used to.

  Slowly he began to move. She could feel every inch of him as he pulled out of her. She could feel the head of his penis as it slipped in and she cried out in pleasure as he pulled himself out again. He moved deliberately, making sure she felt everything he wanted to give her. She grabbed his arms and his shoulders, pulling him closer and urging him to go faster.

  She moved against him. She matched his rhythm and his thrusts as her excitement built. She pushed back on him, lifting herself to be even closer. He leaned down to kiss her, stopping while still inside of her. He slid his hand under her back and lifted her up, until she was almost sitting on his lap.

  His hand firmly on the back of her neck, he moved up and down and she sighed as his hand slid down between them. She pushed her hips against him as he thrust into her. At the same time his finger grazed her clit and she dug her fingernails into his back. He put his other hand under her ass and lifted her even closer, going ever deeper. His face against her chest, he thrust into her, his fingers spinning circles over her most sensitive part.

  Marie gasped for breath. She wrapped her hands around his shoulders and buried her face in his neck as they moved together. His every movement inside of her stroked her inner fire. She could feel her skin getting hotter and she couldn't stop herself from moaning. She bit his neck, scratching at his back as he brought her closer to her release.

  She was so close. She wanted him to make her come, but at the same time she never wanted him to stop. His fingers slid over her clit as her hips pushed against his erection, feeing as he moved inside her.

  “Yes. Oh yes,” she cried out, her voice high-pitched and hoarse. She wrapped her arms around him and pushed herself against his fingers. “I’m so close,” she whispered. She never wanted him to stop. His fingers sped up as electricity shot through her veins. Her skin felt like it was on fire, her orgasm growing inside of her, building until she wasn’t sure she could take anymore.

  He bit her shoulder and with one final thrust she felt her body tense. She screamed out the word yes as her body convulsed around him. She squeezed her eyes shut as she rode her orgasm to finish and pleasure washed over her. She finally opened her eyes in time to watch as he took her by the shoulders and, with a groan and a final thrust he came into her.

  With a gasp Maria De Santa woke. Her heart was pounding. She took a gasping breath and looked around the strange motel room. She listened for a moment, but heard nothing strange or suspicious. Just the distant sound of cars on a faraway road.

  It was just a dream she said to herself. A very intense dream. She looked over at the other twin bed in the room. Her daughter was asleep silently in her own bed. Marie lay back down and closed her eyes as she tried to calm her pounding heart. She’d had a lot of strange dreams these last couple of nights, but none like that.

  Chapter Two

  Sitting up in bed Marie ran her hands through her long, dark hair. It was messy and needed to be washed. She had been too scared the last few days to take a long shower. Being in the shower meant leaving Cate to herself and Marie still hated letting her daughter out of her sight. Instead, she had just been tossing it up in a tight bun and ignoring it as best she could. But today, for the first time in seven days, she would finally have the time to wash, dry, and style it.

  A thin strip of daylight was pouring through a crack in the faded and stained motel curtains. This was their second night at the Gilfoyle Motel. It was an old-fashioned motel set far back in the woods and well-hidden from the road. The sign for the motel showed a woodsman type man with an axe slung over one shoulder. He was winking as a large, wooden word-bubble inviting visitors to come by.

  The walls were painted mustard yellow and they were scratched and marked and dented. The carpet was a mottled red and black, which was only a good combination if you wanted to hide stains. There was a dresser with an old TV on it, two twin beds, and not much else. It was sad and, yet, Marie could barely hide her smile as she looked around at it.

  He still hadn’t found her. All those months ago, when she had first started thinking about leaving, she had never even dreamed she would get this far. She had been sure he was going to catch her before she even left Arizona. For the first few days on the road she kept seeing her ex everywhere. He was standing by the side of the road or waiting in line to check out at a gas station. But it had only been her eyes and paranoia playing tricks on her. It had been over seven days and there was still no sight of him. For the first time, she was starting to believe there was a chance she was actually going to pull this off, but she was still a little too scared to really believe it.

  Marie looked over at the other twin bed and the sleeping face of her daughter, Cate. Her mouth was open a little and her blonde hair was splayed on the pillow behind her. Her little cheeks were pink and Marie had to stop herself from just staring. Cate was five years old and perfect. From the moment she had been born Marie loved her more than anything else. Everything she had done had been for Cate.

  Marie leaned over and stroked her daughter’s cheek, feeling the warmth that resided there. At five, Cate had a million questions about everything. She wanted to know the name of every tree they passed. She liked to lie on her back on the ground and count all of the birds that passed overhead. She liked slowly working her way through a picture book, noting each detail of every image on all the pages. She was curious and inquisitive and sweet and nothing at all like her father.

  Marie got out of bed silently and moved the curtains aside so she could take in the parking lot. Last night she had memorized every car that sat there. A green Mazda, a red Ford, a grey Camry, they were all still there and there were none that were new. Letting out a breath she didn’t know she was holding, Marie waited at the window to see if anything looked suspicious. But it was a typical, quiet, early morning.

  She closed the blinds and checked the lock. Cate was still sleeping soundly as Marie moved to the small motel bathroom. There was a shower stall that at least looked clean, which was a pleasant surprise. Marie slipped out of her baggy t-shirt and sweatpants letting them fall to a pile on the floor. She rolled her shoulders and wondered when she would finally stop having to worry about Austin finding her.

  She let the hot water stream down her hair and face and over her shoulders and down her body. She liked the water scalding, hot enough to cook a lobster, as she liked to joke. The bathroom filled with steam as she closed her eyes and washed her hair and her body with the soap she brought from home.

  She had always liked showering, though Austin had always gone out of his way to try and ruin it for her. Somehow taking a long, relaxing shower was selfish in Austin’s eyes. He used to demand to know who Marie thought she was spending so much time in there for. Didn’t she have any work to do around the house? Weren’t there better ways she could spend her time? She was still expecting to hear Austin screaming at her through the door. He used to love to bother her when she was in the shower. Where’s dinner? Where are my shoes? Deal with Cate! There was always something for Austin to be screaming about.

  She stepped out of the shower and smiled to herself. Not anymore. She was gone, she had left and Austin was never going to scream at her or hit her again. She had done the thing she had been threatening to do for years: she left him. Seven days ago she had just up and left. No forwarding information, no reason given, just a note saying she was taking Cate and he would never see either of them again.

  The last time she had seen Austin it was through a black left eye. She had been packing his suitcase for him and he had been standing over her, berating her about the terrible job she was doing. He was the one who worked, as he was always reminding her. She was the stay at home mom so things like cooking, cleaning, shopping, watching Cate, packing were all her jobs even when she had to do all of those things at the same time. He was never happy with what Marie did. She was never good enough; there was always something she was messing up.

  Austin worked as the head of Security for
Gregory Peters, a billionaire investor. Gregory had a big investment conference in New York City. He would be gone for three whole days and Austin needed to be there to personally protect his boss. Marie had been folding Austin’s underwear when the plan began to form. She had been saving up money secretly for years. She had five thousand dollars tucked away; it was enough. It would have to be. Austin never checked in when he was out of town for work. He always claimed he was too busy to call, but Marie was pretty sure he was spending his time with other girls. But she didn’t care about that now; she hoped he spent every second in the arms of another woman not thinking about Marie at all. She was happy for the radio silence. It gave her at least a three-day head start to take her daughter and go.

  She had heard about the job on a mommy message board. It was in the middle of nowhere in a small town in Pennsylvania. Buried deep in a large forest was the small town of Harksburg. In the small town of Harksburg was the Harksburg Historical Home. It was the ancestral home of the town’s founding family, the Hawks family. The house was over two hundred years old and had been turned into a museum in the seventies. The museum needed a caretaker. Someone to live in the apartment in the attic and run the museum and gift shop and make sure that nothing inside was damaged. It was the perfect job.