Caught in the Axe (Maine Lumberjacks, #1)

by Daphne Elliot

“We’ll have a great time. The girls are gonna love you.” Snatching up his coffee again, he headed to the door. “I’ll let you guys get ready for your meeting. This is so great. Oh, and Lila,” he said from the doorway. “Do you prefer baseball or hockey?” “Not sure,” I said, tilting my head in confusion. “Why?” “So I know who to introduce you to. I’d be shocked if all the pro athletes in attendance weren’t lining up to ask you out tonight.”

Mind spinning, I looked at Owen, who was violently typing away on his computer, his face red with anger.

This was a terrible idea. I could kill Enzo for suggesting that he’d introduce Lila to the hockey players and baseball players in attendance tonight. After he mentioned it and shot me a pointed look, I could barely get through my meetings.

And then I had to sit on my couch while Lila tried on a bunch of dresses, each more gorgeous and sexy than the last. Each time she’d disappear into the guest room to change, my heart would take off in anticipation. And each time she’d come out to ask my opinion, I’d have to hold my breath and silently tell my dick to stand down. I swore Enzo was straight-up fucking with me.

“You okay?” I asked as I handed her coat to the attendant. “Yes.” She nodded, but the smile she gave me was uncertain. I cocked a brow and waited for her to elaborate. She worried her bottom lip and regarded me for a long moment. Finally, she smoothed the front of her dress and said, “I’m not a fancy event girl. Any time I had to go to things with Cole, he left me behind and ignored me.”

“And you are drop-dead gorgeous,” I said, tilting my head so I could get closer to her. “You look like a princess, but not one of those lame, helpless ones. You’re like a badass princess.” “I did pack my hip daggers,” she joked, eyes dancing. “I’d expect nothing less from the Maple Sugar Queen.” I offered my arm, and she took it, and then we strode into the ballroom. “Princess,” she corrected as we maneuvered around people. “Miss Maple Princess.” “Nope.” I shook my head. “You’ve been promoted to queen.”

“Can we talk about your success for a second?” She licked a drop of champagne off her bottom lip, and the room spun around me. I’d probably give her my social security number and bank PIN if she asked while licking champagne off her glossy lips. Who knew I was a lip guy?

“Lila, this is Amara DiLuca, our general counsel and Enzo’s sister.” She elbowed me. “And one of Owen’s closest friends. You’re so pretty. Let me introduce you to everyone.” She looped her arm through Lila’s. “My mother is dying to meet you.” My stomach bottomed out. Mama DiLuca was a force to be reckoned with. She’d probably have Lila and me married by dessert.

As I watched them go, that dread morphed into something like hope or anticipation. Because it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world if I got to keep her.

After she’d squeezed my hand, all I could focus on was her smooth skin and her curves in that dress, even as the rest of the table fell into a fit of laughter as Delia talked about her twins and how their lifelong goal was to control the robots of the world. So, in an effort to control myself, I headed to the bar to get my girl a refill. “You should come to the game tomorrow.”

She turned and caught my eye, as if she could feel the way I soaked her in, even in a large ballroom filled with hundreds of people. I didn’t turn away. I couldn’t take my eyes off her even if I wanted to. Was I a creep? Yes. But I was also desperate to soak up every moment with her I could get. Beckett tilted his head and assessed me. Then he shook it and held up his whiskey between us. “You’re so fucked.” I didn’t bother turning away from Lila. Yeah. I absolutely was.

“I’ll say this once. Go after what you want. Even if it’s terrifying.”

“Owen.” I bowed my head and took her in. She was all pink cheeks and misty eyes and her usually bright smile. Fuck, she was gorgeous. “Yes, Lila.” “It may be the champagne talking, but I like your fancy friends.”

While we waited for the attendant to retrieve them, she beckoned with her finger, and I bent down to get closer. “And,” she whispered, her lips just millimeters from my ear, “I think I like you too.”

Once we were inside my condo, I crouched and supported her as she slid to her feet. The instant our connection was broken, the Neanderthal buzz wore off. What was I thinking? That she’d tear off that sexy dress and beg me to make her mine?

My face burned with humiliation. After the night we’d had, I was sure he would make a move. I’d flirted with him and danced with him, throwing out all the signals. Did I need to wear a flashing sign that said tear my clothes off, please?

Once I was fresh-faced, I marched out the door and across the living room to Owen’s bedroom. I didn’t stop, afraid that if I did, I’d talk myself out of it. So I pushed the door open without knocking. The moment my feet sank into the plush carpet of his room, I came to an abrupt halt.

He was standing near his bed wearing a pair of boxer briefs and nothing else. “Lila?” he said, his eyes wide. “You all right?” I didn’t respond. I was too busy processing the sight of him almost naked in front of me. The broad, strong chest. The thick thighs. The heat that ignited in his eyes as they roved over me.

“What are you doing?” he asked into my mouth, his voice low and husky. I pulled back a fraction. “I can’t lie in the guest room all night thinking about how I want to be in here with you.” I inhaled a steadying breath. “I’m tired of playing it safe. I’m taking what I want.”

My fight was interrupted, though, when he grasped my wrists and pinned them above my head. “If you’re not going to behave,” he growled. “I’ll have to punish you.” Heat flooded my core. My brain didn’t have the first clue what that might entail, but my throbbing clit did.

“Since the moment you first walked into that office building, I’ve been thinking of your naked body under mine. I’ve waited so long for this moment. You’re going to be a good girl and let me play.”

What the hell had just happened? I squeezed my eyes shut, certain this had been a really good, exquisitely detailed dream. Except the woman snuggled into my chest proved that it was real fucking life.

slid down her body and pushed her legs apart. Then I dipped down and gazed at her perfect pussy. “What are you doing?” Her voice was breathy. “I’m a growing boy,” I teased, slowly lowering my face. “And I need to eat.”

She grabbed my face and kissed me. “I usually don’t like oral.” I froze and my stomach bottomed out. How was that possible? “But you’re some kind of expert.” Now that was the best compliment I’d probably ever received. Fuck my diplomas. I wanted that matted, framed, and hung on my office wall.

I smiled at the memories. I’d come a long way. And until a few weeks ago, I would have said I was really happy. But then I met Lila. And it had become clear that I was missing one big thing in my life. Her.

“My brother got you for eight years,” I spat, the anger inside me bubbling up. “And I only get a weekend?” The moment the words came out of my mouth, I wished I could breathe them back in. God, I hated myself right now. I sounded exactly like Cole; selfish and petty.

“Is that what I am to you? A trophy? A revenge fuck? A toy you want to steal from your little brother?” “No. Of course not.” I shook my head. “Lila, I’m sorry.” She held up a hand. “That was shitty, Owen. The circumstances then and now are vastly different. You should be able to understand that.”

She averted her gaze and clasped her hands in front of her. “We can still be friends.” “I’m a shitty friend.” “No, you’re not. All weekend, I met person after person who adores and respects you. You have no idea how lucky you are. You’ve built an incredible life for yourself. I’m proud of you, and I hope you can leave all the Lovewell bullshit behind soon and get back here.” “The bullshit is so much more bearable when I’m with you.”

had promised myself that I wouldn’t get sidelined by dick. Even good dick. And Owen was the best dick. Not that I’d tell him that. His ego didn’t need the stroking.

My running playlist kept me going, even as I got distracted by my surroundings. My heart lurched and I almost tripped over my feet when movement ahead of me caught my eye. I pulled up short and froze as I took in the massive moose standing in the middle of the path about ten yards away, blocking my access to the lake.

I’d taken a single step back when he bellowed. A loud, moaning roar. He turned enough to make the thick scar cutting across his back and hindquarters visible. Shit, it was Clive. The notorious bull who liked to wander around town wreaking havoc on its citizens.

Slowly back away, cut through the woods if necessary, and avoid detection. I took a step back, then another, up the hill, sticking close to the tree line in hopes that he wouldn’t spot me. I’d only gone a handful of feet when he grunted and swished his tail. When he turned his enormous head and pinned me with one big moosey eye, my body locked up. Aw, fuck. Should I run?

He made a loud, scary noise, causing me to jump and slap a hand to my chest. Fuck me. I’d rather run up a mountain in hell than tangle with Clive. He had no fear and could gore my ass with minimal effort. The grunt he let out sent snot flying from his massive nostrils, but he didn’t come closer.

When I made it to the bend in the path, I turned and ran like hell toward the parking lot.

And there, lying next to the row of black dumpsters I’d just hustled past, was—I stopped short. Holy fuck. There, on the ground, was a man. His face was bloody, and he wasn’t moving. Fuck. Fuck.

Rob hovered above me, holding out a hand. Shaking, I slid mine into it and let him help me to my feet and lead me away from the paramedics. When we were out of the chaos, he stopped and put his hands on my arms. “Are you okay?” “I—” I shook my head and held my bloody hands out in front of me. “I don’t know.” “Okay, let’s sit down and get you a coat. Then we can talk.” We were halfway to the entrance when Owen came storming out. He stuttered to a stop when he saw me, and his eyes went wide. Then he broke into a run.

“Is that necessary? We have cameras. Gus will be here any minute to assist you.” “She found the body,” Rob said firmly. The two men glowered at one another, neither willing to bend and allow the other to take the lead. “Owen,” I rasped. “Officer Fielder is my ex-stepdad. It’s fine.”

Lila had been pale and shaking since Officer Fielder had brought her inside and cleaned her up. She was in shock, and every protective instinct inside me had been activated. The police wouldn’t let me take her home, but at least Officer Fielder was kind and patient.

But I bit my tongue and gritted my teeth while they asked Lila dumb question after question. And finally, they gave me permission to take her home. I wrapped my arm around her as I led her to my car. “You don’t have to do this.” She peered up at me, her face still wan.

“Of course I do. It’s just a ride, Lila.” That was a lie. It was so much more to me. The woman I cared for deeply was hurt and scared. I’d do anything to make sure she was safe and cared for. So I’d gladly take her home and keep an eye on her. Even if that meant camping out in her driveway for the night.

was so lost in my thoughts I didn’t hear the door open. “Oh my God, is she okay? Where is she?” I spun and came face-to-face with Lila’s mom. Sandra looked like an older, fancier version of her daughter. Even in her medical scrubs, she was dressed up. Hair done, lots of jewelry, and perfect red lipstick.

“I’m Owen.” Taking it, she gave me an appraising once-over. “Finally I get to meet the famous Owen Hebert. Thank you for taking care of my baby.”

I cleared my throat, surprised at the direction of this conversation. “She’s incredible,” I said, only realizing how potentially creepy that sounded once the words were out. “At accounting. Work, you know,” I stuttered like a bumbling idiot. “She’s very smart.” Sandra pursed her lips and crossed her arms. For a long moment, she scrutinized me, then dropped her arms and stepped over to the stove. “Let’s sit down.”

“I don’t want to intrude.” She pinned me with a look that reminded me so much of Lila I did a double take. “Don’t you dare leave.” Once she’d added honey to her tea, she nodded toward the living room. “Go sit your ass down so we can have a chat.”

“This place,” she mused, “is not for everyone. I’ve grown a thick skin over the decades, but Lila deserves a hell of a lot more.”

“You know,” she said, “if I were the type of person to listen to the rumors, I’d kick you out of my house right now. According to the gossips, you’re one of those greedy city types. Got too big for your britches and forgot where you came from.”

Sandra didn’t seem to mind that she’d stunned me speechless. “And the fact that you’re a Hebert? Trust me, one of the reasons I want her to get out of this place is to get as far away from the Heberts as possible.”

“I am not my father.” She gave me a pitying smile over the rim of her mug. “Of course not. He’s a one-of-a-kind piece of shit.” I laughed.

She leaned forward and lowered her voice. “I know something happened between you two.” I stiffened but pressed my lips together. I had no interest in giving away anything Lila hadn’t shared with her mother. “But I’m not a meddling mom. My girl knows what she wants.” She squeezed my hand. “Promise me something?” I gave her an encouraging nod.

“Do not trap her. Do not clip her wings. Let my girl fly. Because I believe she can soar.”