Page 38 of Beauty and the Beard

He places his camera on the ground, nestling it on top of his bag a safe distance away. Once he’s beside me, I have him get used to the weight of the axe in this hand.

“Now what you need to be prepared for is if the blade doesn’t go through the wood, the axe bounces back. You need to control that and be prepared.” Stepping away, I position my feet and instruct him on how to brace his lower body.

“That’s your speed lesson to chop wood. Are you ready?”

He nods and takes a few steadying breaths. Then he raises the axe over his head with great form—just like I showed him—and swings down to the wood. The axe bounces as I suspected it would, and he yelps while taking a step back.

“Jesus, that hurts. Oh. My. God.” He sets the axe down gingerly and grabs at his shoulder.

“Damn it. I’m sorry. I forgot to tell you—the vibrations can be uncomfortable.” I push his hand away and massage his shoulder and arm. “You’re okay? Do you want to keep going?”

“Yes. I said I’d do this and I will.”

He shakes me off and picks up the axe again. Bracing his feet and steadying himself again, he swings. It bounces back, and he sets his jaw before repositioning. The muscles in his arms pop and he swings a third time. This time the blade sticks, and he whoops with joy.

“I’m doing it, Leaf!”

“You are! Keep going!”

Sasha doesn’t have great arm strength, and he’s already strained to his max by the way his muscles tremble when he finally frees the axe from the wood. A day in the gym has nothing on the workout chopping wood can be. But he pauses to wipe the sweat from his brow and continues on.

Finally, his swing goes through the piece of wood and it splits. He steps back, shaking and sweating, but with a smile so big I can’t help myself.

I swoop him in my arms and hug him so tight he grunts with the pressure.

“You did it, baby! I’m so proud of you!” And I kiss him. Without thinking, I press my lips to his, so filled with his joy at accomplishing his goal.

And he’s kissing me back.

I want to tell him everything I’m feeling and try to explain what today has meant to me, but only his name crosses my lips. Breathless and wanting more, I don’t know how to say it.

Instead, he slides his hands into my short beard and says, “Me too, Leaf. Me too.”

Chapter 11

Sasha

Who knew chopping wood could be such an aphrodisiac?

Watching Leaf power his way through blocks of wood like they were butter was incredibly erotic. Maybe it was the way his broad back stretched under his shirt or the way he made this little puff of air every time the axe met the wood. Whatever it was, it captured my attention like nothing else ever has.

And the kiss?

I’ve never in my life been kissed like that. It started with joy that I’d accomplished yet another task I’d never thought I could do, but quickly morphed into more. The passion in Leaf burst forth unlike any of our other encounters. It was there on his lips and his touch and the way he breathed my name.

I wanted to shout to all the creatures in this forest how amazing it was. I also wanted to rip all his damn clothes off and beg him to do wicked things to me that might involve an accidental splinter in my ass.

But none of that happened because the rumble of another ATV came up the path and Leaf’s brother, Perry, came into view.

“Ah, I hoped I’d find you here.”

He kills the engine and removes his helmet, running a hand through his hair. The puff of exhaust lingers and as fun as riding in these things are, I can’t say I’m a fan of all the dust and exhaust smells.

“Hey, Perry.” Leaf calls and I wave to be polite. Our first encounter left a mixed taste in my mouth, but he’s Leaf’s brother, so I don’t want to be rude.

“Everything okay here?”

Perry glances my way as he and Leaf exchange a silent conversation.

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