Page 17 of Kidnapped Wife

“You’re sure you don’t want to go back to the main house for Christmas?” Elsie asked. “I know you like to entertain.”

“I don’t like to fucking entertain. It’s an obligation I don’t agree too,” Massimo said, lifting the axe and bringing it back down on the wood.

He was now convinced his wife wouldn’t try and make her escape, so he’d allowed her to accompany him to chop some wood for the fire. They had already gotten a delivery of supplies, including groceries. Romero had arranged everything for him.

“Yeah, but you’ve always said it is good for family relations,” Elsie said.

“And I’ve had enough of family relations this year. I promised you a Christmas at this cabin, and that is exactly what we’re going to have.”

Elsie smiled. “You did this for me?”

“No offense, babe, but I could have kidnapped you to the basement at home, along with all the warehouses I own. It didn’thave to be quite as comfortable as I made it.”

She sighed. “You make everything sound so romantic.”

He loved her sarcasm. Again, Elsie was the first woman to not accept his shit. She didn’t allow him to treat her with anything but respect. She wasn’t afraid of him.

“I always think of everything.”

“Well, if you’re thinking of everything.” She jumped down from the bench she’d been sitting on. “How about you teach me how to chop that wood?”

If it hadn’t been for the snow, he would have gladly had her butt naked. However, he didn’t want her to catch her death with cold, so the clothes were essential, as well as the scarf, and he couldn’t forget the hat he’d made her wear.

“Be my guest,” he said. “Come here.”

She removed the gloves he’d forced her to wear, and she came walking toward him.

Gripping her waist, he pulled her in close and put the axe in her hand.

“You’ve got to hold it firmly within your grip, and then lift it up and bring it straight back down. You must use force, otherwise you’re going to get it stuck.” He took the axe from her, giving her a demonstration. “You see.”

“I’ve got it.” She grabbed a log, placing it on the stand. “I’m ready.”

He didn’t know if this was a big mistake giving her the axe. Massimo stayed close as she lifted the axe, and he watched as she brought it down, and she did so with the right amount of force to slice the plank of wood in two.

She let out a whoop and spun around toward him. “See what I did there?”

“You’re a natural.”

“Can I go again?”

“Go ahead.”

He watched as she grabbed another piece of wood, putting it in place, and with one swoop of the axe, it sliced through the wood.

“I had no idea this could be so much fun.”

Massimo fell in love with her even more.

She did several more slices, and then he took over as she went back into the cabin to get them a hot chocolate. This time, he had a little test for her. Prior to leaving the cabin to cut wood, he’d left his keys on the kitchen counter for her to take. If she was going to leave him, now was her chance. She wouldn’t get very far, as he’d disconnected the necessary cables to start his car.

He’d known she would go for a hot chocolate break. Elsie never drank hot chocolate any other time of the year. It was her one treat of the whole year. A month of drinking hot chocolate.

Slicing through several pieces of wood, he waited, and Elsie came out of the cabin carrying two mugs of hot chocolate. He put the axe down, and Elsie handed him a mug.

“I appreciate you putting your keys in the way of temptation,” she said, holding them out on her finger. “But I don’t need them.”

“You’re not pissed?” Massimo asked.

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