Page 35 of Snowed In with Four Firemen
Tanner grumbles, muttering about how he hoped to avoid “kitchen duty.” But then, out of nowhere, he shifts gears. With a slow grin spreading on his face, he walks up to me, taking my hand before I can react. He kisses the back of my hand with an exaggerated flourish.
“Well, if this gets me to spend more time with you, so be it,” he says, his voice low and smooth.
I can feel my cheeks heating up, and despite myself, I blush.
I stammer out a laugh and swoon slightly, but before I can say anything, Axel clears his throat loudly from across the room.
“Alright, everything’s decided then,” Axel says, his tone just a touch harder than usual. He shoots me a look, his blue eyes sharp and focused. There’s something behind that look—possessiveness, maybe? I can’t quite place it, but it makes my heart race. I nod in response, trying to stay composed.
I can’t help but admire how naturally he takes charge of everything, handling the chaos like it’s second nature to him.
I sway a little, the room tilting just slightly as the beers we had earlier catch up to me. It’s not much, just a little buzz, but enough to make me feel light-headed. I grab the nearest thing I can, the edge of a chair. Axel notices immediately, his eyes narrowing as he walks over, his large hand gripping my elbow firmly but gently.
“You okay?” His voice is low, concerned.
“Fine,” I manage to say, offering him a weak smile. “Just a little dizzy.”
He nods, his brow furrowing slightly as he studies me. “Well, you’ve been through a lot recently. Maybe it’s time to rest a little.”
I can’t help but nod at his suggestion. “Yeah, maybe I’ll take a nap.”
“Yeah. You definitely need it,” Ben says sympathetically.
Axel doesn’t hesitate as he touches my elbow. “I’ll walk you up. I’m headed to my room anyway.”
For a split second, I hesitate. The thought of being alone with Axel again, in such close proximity, makes my heart beat just a little faster. Even Tanner looks like he’s about to say something but seems to change his mind. The dizziness, coupled with everything else, wins out. I nod, trying to play it cool as we turn and make our way to the second floor.
We reach my door, and I turn to face Axel. “Well, this is me,” I say, attempting a small smile. But then the dizziness hits again, stronger this time, and I swoon.
Before I can register what’s happening, Axel’s strong arms wrap around me, catching me easily. His grip is firm, solid, and the heat from his body radiates into mine as he holds me up.
I look up at him, my pulse quickening as I realize just how close we are. His face is inches from mine, his breath warm against my skin.
The door behind me pushes open, probably not closed properly, and before either of us knows what’s happening, we stumble inside. Axel catches me again, but this time, his hands are on my waist, steadying me as we land against the wall. My breath hitches.
And then, in an instant, we’re kissing.
His lips crash into mine, fierce and urgent. My hands find their way to his shoulders, gripping the taut muscles beneath his shirt. Axel pulls me closer, one hand tangling in my hair while the other stays firmly on my waist, holding me against him.
It’s fast and overwhelming, and I lose myself in it—there’s no thinking, just feeling. His lips move against mine, hungry and possessive, and I respond in kind, my body pressing into his as the room spins around us.
My fingers curl tighter around the fabric of his shirt, pulling him closer, needing more.
Axel shifts slightly, his hands moving to cup my face, tilting it so he can kiss me deeper, his thumb brushing over my cheek with surprising gentleness.
I feel his hands slide down my sides, gripping my hips firmly as he spins us, my back now pressing against the wall. He breaks the kiss for a moment, both of us panting, his forehead resting against mine. I can see the fire in his eyes, the same tension that’s been simmering between us finally boiling over. He’s holding back, I can tell, his breath ragged as if he’s fighting some inner battle.
“Emily...” His voice is rough, low, like he’s warning me or maybe himself. But before I can say anything, his lips are back on mine, more tender now but no less consuming.
Axel’s hands are everywhere, firm and commanding, exploring the curves of my body as he lifts me effortlessly, carrying me toward the bed. I can feel his fingers brushing over my chest, sending a pulse of heat through me as his lips trail along my neck.
He lays me down gently, his weight pressing into me, and my fingers curl into his shoulders, pulling him closer. His hands move over my sides, and I arch into him, every nerve ending screaming for more.
But then—knock-knock-knock—the sound cuts through the haze, sharp and intrusive. And we crash back into reality.
CHAPTER 12
JACE
