Page 60 of All My Heart

He sucked on my nipples, alternating between the two while I rode him. I chased my release, feeling the friction each time I took him inside me. He bit lightly on my nipple, and I spasmed around his length, wishing this could go on forever.

He followed me over, thrusting from underneath once before shuddering, emptying himself inside of me.

My heart was pounding in my ears, and my breath came in short pants like I'd been running.

Axel tensed. “Do you hear that?”

I lifted my head from his shoulder. It was the sound of gravel kicking up. “Someone's coming.”

Axel lifted me off him, and I scrambled to get out of the hot tub and grab the towel I'd placed on a nearby bench. I covered myself while Axel threw on his clothes, forgoing drying off.

Unfortunately, my clothes were inside.

It was a blue truck with white lettering on the side.

“It's one of my brothers,” Axel said stiffly.

I wanted to turn and run. To at least go inside and get dressed, but something kept me rooted to the spot.

The truck came to a stop next to Axel's, and a large man got out.

“Teddy,” was all Axel said through tight lips before he was stalking toward us.

“What the hell is this?” Teddy threw his hand in my direction, and I felt dirty for some reason, as if we'd done something wrong.

“What are you doing here?” Axel’s voice was tight.

Teddy let out an incredulous laugh. “That's what I should be asking you. We were hoping you could be home in time for the holidays.”

A muscle ticked in Axel’s jaw. “I told you I would be.”

“Yeah, because you're already discharged. You keep telling us your paperwork is delayed, so I called, tried to get some answers. You've been living here for how long?” Teddy's voice rose with each word.

“How did you find me?” Axel asked in a quieter tone.

“The address was on your paperwork. I was shocked to find out you bought this place and have been living here and lying to us about not being home yet.”

Axel held up his hands as if to ward him. “I'm sorry. But it's not what it looks like.”

Teddy threw another hand in my direction. “I don't care who you're shacking up with, but you could at least be honest with your family.”

I felt dismissed. I wasn't central to this conversation, and I was standing dripping wet in the cold with nothing but a towel. But I didn't feel like I could leave Axel by himself to deal with his brother.

From what I could remember of our late-night discussions, Teddy was his oldest brother. The one who took over when their mother died. He was overprotective.

Axel ran a hand through his hair. “I'm sorry I hurt you. And everyone. But I needed some time.”

Teddy's shoulders relaxed only slightly. “What for?”

“To decompress. To figure out who I was now that I'm not a soldier.”

“Tell me one thing— Is this where you came instead of visiting us on leave?”

Axel winced. “I didn't do it to hurt anyone. I just didn't feel like I fit in with the family anymore.”

Teddy took a step forward. “How can you say that?”

Axel glanced over at me and said, “We should take this inside.”

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