Page 21 of Hard as Stone (Stoneheart MC #2)

POPPY

I ’m going to destroy his bike. That’s what women do in movies when men betray them, right?

They go full revenge mode on their ex’s precious vehicles.

And since Axel loves his damn Harley and everything it stands for more than anything—more than me, obviously—it seems like the perfect target for all this rage burning through my chest.

Except, nobody in those movies mentions how heavy motorcycles actually are.

“Come on, you stupid thing,” I grunt, shoving against the chrome and leather beast with all my might.

My arms already ache from tearing apart Dad’s office an hour ago.

The satisfaction of ripping through his files, of spray painting ‘ASSHOLE’ across his pristine walls in red paint, had felt amazing in the moment.

But now, standing in the MC’s lot with my car stuffed full of everything I own, that satisfaction feels hollow.

I hadn’t planned to come here. Was going to drive straight out of town, leave all this betrayal behind me.

But those damn road blocks—the ones my father arranged, I now know—forced me to detour past the compound.

Something in me snapped when I saw all those bikes lined up, gleaming like they were mocking me.

This was supposed to be my big moment. My dramatic ‘fuck you’ to everyone who lied to me. Instead, I’m sweating and panting, barely able to rock the massive bike an inch while a group of bikers watch from the doorway with barely concealed amusement. What is this thing? A tricycle?

“Come on,” I mutter, shoving harder. My hands slip on the chrome, and I nearly face-plant into the handlebars. “Why. Won’t. You. Just. Fall!”

The growing audience only feeds my frustration. Hawk elbows Duck, whispering something that makes them both snicker. Even Stone’s lips twitch beneath his beard as he folds his arms and leans against the doorframe.

Great. I can’t even get revenge right.

I look up to find Axel heading my way, Lee and Cash flanking him. When they all stop nearby, Axel folds his arms while the other two just wear those infuriating smirks that only make my anger flare hotter.

“Come to watch the show?” I snap, giving the bike another useless shove. Sweat drips down my back and makes my hands slippery. “Because I’ve got to tell you, when this goes down, it’ll be like watching dominoes fall. One bike after another.”

Axel’s expression remains neutral as he watches my futile attempts. “You done?”

“Not even close,” I snarl, giving the bike another shove. My arms are shaking from exertion. “I’m just getting started.”

“Uh huh.” He steps closer, his eyes roaming over me. “And how’s that working out for you?”

I glare at him, hating how calm he seems. How unaffected. “Go to hell.”

“Already there, sweetheart.” His voice is low, meant only for me. “Watching you tear yourself apart over this is worse than any hell I could imagine.”

His words hit me like a physical blow, stealing my breath. For a moment, I see a flash of raw pain in his eyes before that mask of calm slides back into place. It’s enough to make my anger falter, replaced by a confusing swirl of hurt and longing.

“I hate you,” I whisper, but there’s no venom behind it.

“No, you don’t,” he whispers back.

“Sure I do.” A fat tear falls from my eye, and I swipe at it as I kick the tire, which hurts about as much as kicking the stand did.

“And I’ve still got plenty of rage to work through.

Though I have to say, your bike is being really uncooperative with my revenge plans.

” I take hold of the handlebars, figuring if I angle the front tire a little, then I might get somewhere.

“That’s enough, Poppy.” His tone makes my stomach flip. Not with fear—never that with him—but with the knowledge that I’ve pushed him to his limit.

“Ah, so this is the secret to making it fall.” I grip the handles tighter, starting to turn them.

“Let go of the handlebars. Now.” The command in his voice makes me shiver, but I’m too stubborn to back down.

“Make me,” I challenge, even as my hands tremble on the grips.

“Remember, you asked for this.”

“Don’t you dare—” I start backing away, but he’s already moving.

In three long strides, he reaches me. Before I can dodge, he drops his shoulder into my stomach and lifts me clean off my feet.

“Put me down!” I pound my fists against his back, kicking wildly as he starts walking toward the clubhouse. “I mean it, Axel! I’m not done being mad at you!”

“Yeah, you are.” His palm lands firmly against my backside. “We’re going to handle this a different way.”

“Well, would you look at that?” Lee calls after us. “My boy finally learned how to handle his woman.”

“Shut up, Lee!” we both snap in unison, and despite my determination to stay furious, I feel laughter bubble up in my chest. I swallow it back down, refusing to let him charm his way out of this.

Axel carries me through the clubhouse like I weigh nothing, past whistling brothers and knowing smirks, up the stairs until we reach his room. The door clicks shut behind us with a finality that makes my stomach flip.

He sets me on my feet but keeps me caged between his body and the wall, one hand planted beside my head. “You done?”

“No.” I lift my chin defiantly. “I’ve got a whole list of property damage planned. Maybe I’ll spray paint ‘liar’ across your bike next. I’ve already tagged my dad’s office today, so I’m getting pretty good at it.”

Something dark and possessive flashes in his eyes. “You went back to the trailer?”

“Had to get my stuff, didn’t I? Since I’m done with—” My voice cracks, and just like that, all the fight drains out of me. “God, Axel. Everything’s such a mess.”

His expression softens as he cups my face in his hands. “I know, baby. But you’re not alone. You’ve got me.”

“Do I?” The question comes out more vulnerable than I meant it to. “Because the last time I thought that, you were building a case against my family.”

“I was protecting you,” he growls. “Everything I did was to keep you safe. To make sure when this all came down, you’d be clear of it.”

“I didn’t need protecting! I needed the truth! I needed you !”

His thumb traces my bottom lip. “You’ve got it. All of it. No more lies between us.”

And that’s the real problem, isn’t it? Now that everything’s laid bare, I can’t hide from what I feel for him anymore. Can’t pretend this is just some fling or that I could ever walk away.

“Look at me,” he demands softly, and when I do, his eyes are blazing. “Everything I am is yours. Has been since that first day with the stop sign. But I needed you clear of this mess. Needed to make sure when it all came down, no one could say you were involved.”

“I could have helped,” I whisper, but the fight’s draining out of me with every brush of his thumbs across my cheeks.

“You did help. You showed me what I was fighting for.” His forehead drops to mine. “A future. With you. One where you’re safe and free from all their manipulation.”

“Axel...”

“I love you.” The words rumble from deep in his chest. “And I’m done pretending I can let you walk away. You’re mine, Poppy Bennett. My woman. My future. My everything.”

The last of my resistance crumbles. I surge up, catching his mouth with mine, pouring all my hurt and anger and desperate need into the kiss. His hands slide into my hair, angling my head to deepen the connection as he presses me harder against the wall.

“I’m still mad at you,” I gasp when we break apart.

“I know.” He nips at my bottom lip. “But you’re not leaving.”

It’s not a question, but I answer anyway. “No. I’m not leaving.”

His eyes darken with possession. “Say it.”

“I’m yours.” The words come easier than they should, like they’ve been waiting on my tongue all this time. “I love you, you stupid, overprotective biker.”

His answering growl vibrates through me as he claims my mouth again, and this time there’s no holding back.

“Fuck, Poppy.”

He takes possession of my body with hungry hands, his cock hard against my stomach as he pushes closer, eliminating any space between us. I undulate against him, desperate for more contact. My fingers fumble with the buttons of his shirt, needing to feel his skin under my palms.

“Too many clothes,” I gasp against his mouth.

Axel growls in agreement, helping me push his shirt off his arms before yanking my blouse over my head and tossing it aside. His eyes darken as they rake over my newly exposed skin. “Christ, you’re so fucking sexy.”

“So are you,” I breathe, my hands reaching out to reverently trace the ink adorning Axel’s skin.

There’s barely a patch uncovered, and he shivers, hissing between his teeth as my fingers circle around the club insignia on his chest before landing on the bottom rocker and stopping.

I smile. “At least it’s spelled right here. ”

Axel chuckles, the sound creating a rumble under my palms. “Duck’s spelling may be shit, but his ink work is solid.”

His hands slide down my sides, thumbs brushing the undersides of my breasts through my bra.

“Axel,” I breathe. “Please...”

“Please what, trouble?” His voice is rough with need as he nips at my neck. “Tell me what you want.”

“You,” I gasp as his teeth graze a particularly sensitive spot. “All of you. Now.”

He groans, his hips grinding against mine. “Fuck, I love it when you get demanding.”

In one swift move, he lifts me up. I wrap my legs around his waist as he carries me to the bed, never breaking our kiss. My back hits the mattress and Axel follows, covering my body with his. His weight on top of me feels right, like coming home after being lost for so long.

“You have no idea how much I want this,” he whispers, his voice raw as his calloused thumbs brush over my nipples, sending jolts of electricity straight to my core.

I moan, arching up as he pulls my bra cup aside and his mouth replaces his hands, tongue swirling and teeth grazing until I’m a writhing mess beneath him.