Page 26 of Hard as Stone (Stoneheart MC #2)

AXEL

One month later...

Summer’s final days paint the clubhouse lawn in golden light as kids chase each other between picnic tables, their laughter mixing with the sizzle of burgers on the grill and the steady thrum of motorcycles revving to celebrate Hawk and Andi’s wedding.

From my spot at the grill I can see everything—my brothers relaxing with their families, Duck arguing with Tank about proper grilling techniques, and Lee chatting up one of the new bartenders from Devil’s.

But my eyes keep drifting to Poppy.

She’s sitting with Andi on a blanket in the shade, baby Adam sitting in front of her playing with a stack of cups while the twins perform a little song and dance in front of her.

The sight of her so natural with the kids, those mama-bear instincts already showing in how she handles them, hits me right in the gut.

Makes me think about our own future, about seeing her round with my child.

“You’re burning the burgers,” Lee says, appearing at my elbow. “And staring at your old lady like a lovesick teenager.”

I flip him off without looking away from Poppy. “Thought you were busy with that new bartender.”

“Sarah? Just being friendly.” But there’s something in his tone that makes me glance over.

“She why you’ve been at Devil’s every night this week?”

“Nope. Been talking to Devil. He’s selling. But it isn’t to us.”

“For real? Who’s he selling to? Better not be fucking Summit.”

Lee shakes his head. “Nah, Devil made it clear it’s not Summit. Said the buyer wants to keep Devil’s as a bar, just spruce it up a bit. Bring in some live music, maybe expand the patio. Devil seems to think it’ll be good for the neighborhood.”

I nod thoughtfully as I flip the burgers. “Long as it’s not Summit moving in, I’m good with it. That area could use some new blood, some investment that doesn’t have to come from us. There’s only so many things the club’s funds can manage.”

“Speaking of business—Duck says Summit’s scrambling. They tried finding another construction company when the Bennetts missed those early deadlines, but with the club’s backing and materials already in place, we kept the contract. Summit’s pissed .”

I grin, pride swelling in my chest. Under Poppy and her brothers’ management, Bennett Construction has already made more progress in a month than Summit managed in six. The difference is obvious in every repair we complete. “Good. Let them choke on it.”

“West side’s looking better too. Those drainage systems they put in actually work now.” Lee’s eyes track across the lawn to where Felix is deep in conversation with Stone about their next project. “Amazing what happens when you do repairs right instead of using them to drive people out.”

“Speaking of the west side...” I nod toward Hugo, who’s helping Maria carry a plate of cookies to the dessert table. Their hands brush as she sets down the platter, and the shy smile they share doesn’t escape my notice. “Something’s starting there.”

Lee chuckles. “Yeah. I heard he’s been volunteering to help with repairs around her place ever since they moved into Paradise. Think he’s worked on her porch three times this week alone.”

“JJ seems better too,” I note, watching the teenager actually smile as he teaches some of the younger kids how to throw a football. “More like his old self.”

“He wants to be a prospect.”

I raise an eyebrow at Lee. “He’s still too young.”

“I know, but the kid’s got potential. Sharp eyes, good instincts. Might be worth keeping an eye on him, get him ready for when he’s old enough.”

I nod. “We’ll see. For now, let’s just be glad he’s doing better, and Maria seems happier too.”

“You’re right,” Lee says at a normal level before adding louder, “Though if Hugo breaks Maria’s heart, we might have to have words with him.”

Hugo falters slightly, his neck going beet red as he realizes we’re watching. He mumbles something to Maria before hurrying off, nearly tripping over his own feet in the process.

I shake my head, chuckling. “Kid’s got it bad.”

“Can’t blame him.” Lee shrugs. “Maria’s a catch. Strong, independent, great with her kids. Plus, have you tried her tamales? Man could fall in love over those alone.”

“Careful,” I warn jokingly. “Keep talking like that and folks might start to think you’ve gone soft.”

“Nah,” he says, backing away to rejoin the others. “I’m not interested in finding myself an old lady. I just think Maria deserves to be happy again.”

Poppy catches my eye from across the yard and smiles, that special soft smile she reserves just for me.

My heart does a familiar flip in my chest as I watch her hand Adam back to Andi and stand, brushing grass off her jeans.

She looks good in her cut, the ‘Property of Axel’ patch prominently displayed as she makes her way over to me.

“Hey trouble,” I greet her, pulling her in for a kiss that lingers just a bit too long to be strictly PG. “Having fun with the rug rats?”

Her whole face lights up. “They’re amazing. Adam’s starting to pull himself up now, and the twins showed me how Steel taught them to sing ‘twinkle, twinkle little star.’”

The image of our tough-as-nails prospect doing twinkle fingers in his signature tiara flashes through my mind, making me chuckle. But it’s quickly replaced by a vision of Poppy with our own baby, teaching our own kids nursery rhymes and silly dances.

“What?” she asks, catching something in my expression.

“Just thinking.” I brush my thumb across her cheek. “About how natural you look with them. How right.”

Her breath catches as she reads between the lines. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.” I lean down to murmur in her ear. “Makes me think about putting one of our own in you.”

The shiver that runs through her tells me she’s not opposed to the idea. “Axel...”

“Quit burning those burgers and go get a room!” Duck calls out.

Poppy pokes her tongue but doesn’t look away from me. “Maybe we should. Test out that new mattress of ours.”

I grin and wrap an arm around Poppy’s waist, pulling her flush against me. “You read my mind, trouble.”

Grabbing her hand, I practically drag her across the lawn, pausing only long enough to press the tongs into Lee’s hands, ignoring his knowing smirk as I guide Poppy back toward the clubhouse.

The moment we’re up in our quarters, I have her pressed against the wall, my hands already working to undo her jeans.

“Eager, are we?” she teases breathlessly, but her own fingers are just as desperate, tugging at my belt.

“For you? Always.” I capture her mouth in a searing kiss, swallowing her moan as I work her jeans and panties down her legs. She kicks them off impatiently, then goes to work shoving my jeans down to my ankles. But they get caught on my boots.

“Fuck. Oh, forget it,” she says, wrapping her hand around my thick cock and flicking her tongue over the head, making me groan. “I got what I want.”

“Poppy,” I hiss, gripping the door frame for support.

“Mmm?” she hums, running her tongue down my shaft, drawing me in deeper into her warmth. Her hand strokes the base as she takes me deeper, humming around my cock in a way that makes my knees weak.

“Fuck, sweetheart, your mouth...” I thread my fingers through her hair, not pushing or controlling, just holding on for dear life as she works me over.

She pulls off with an obscene pop, her lips shiny and swollen. “You like that, Road Captain?” Her voice is throaty, wrecked, and so fucking sexy. “You like it when I get on my knees for you?”

“You know I do.” I tighten my fingers in her hair, guiding her back to my aching cock. “Now be a good girl and put that sassy mouth to better use.”

Her eyes darken at the command and she obeys eagerly, wrapping her lips around me once more. She takes me deep, relaxing her throat until her nose brushes against my abs. Stars explode behind my eyelids at the tight squeeze of her throat working my sensitive head.

“Christ, Poppy, just like that,” I rasp, my fingers pressing into her scalp.

She moans around my length, the vibrations making my balls draw up tight.

Her tongue traces the thick vein along the underside as she bobs back and forth, getting me closer and closer to the edge with every swirl and flick.

Just as I’m about to lose it, I tug at her hair, pulling her off my cock with a growl. “Up,” I command roughly, my voice gravelly with need. “As much as I love that filthy mouth, I need to be inside you when I come.”

Poppy rises to her feet, a wicked gleam in her eyes as she wipes the back of her hand across her glistening lips. “How do you want me?” she purrs, already turning to brace her hands against the door.

“Just like that,” I rasp, running my hands over the curve of her ass appreciatively before gripping her hips. “Spread your legs for me, trouble. Show me how much you want it.”

She obeys with a needy whimper, widening her stance and arching her back to present herself to me. I groan at the sight, her swollen pussy lips glistening with arousal, dark pink folds beckoning me.

I run my fingers along her seam, gathering her wetness before circling her clit, making her gasp and buck against my hand.

“Please, Axel.” She moans, pushing back against my teasing fingers. “I need you inside me.”

I grin, loving how desperate she sounds. “Ask nicely, trouble. Beg for my cock.”

“Fuck, please!” She whines, wiggling her hips impatiently. “Please fuck me, Axel. I need your big, thick cock stretching me open. Filling me up. Making me yours.”

Her filthy pleas tear a groan from my chest. “That’s my dirty girl,” I praise, lining myself up with her entrance. “Taking what you need like a good little brat.”

With one hard thrust, I bury myself balls deep inside her tight, grasping heat. We both cry out at the suddenness, Poppy clenching like a vice around my throbbing shaft.

“Oh god,” she pants, bracing herself against the door as I start to move. “Yes, Axel, just like that. Fuck me hard.”

“You got it, baby.” I set a brutal pace, my hips slapping against her ass with every forceful pump. The way she moans and writhes, meeting each powerful thrust with equal pressure has me almost losing my mind.

“Harder,” she demands. “I want to feel this for days.”

I growl in response, gripping her hips tighter as I slam into her, the force rocking her whole body. “That what you need, trouble? My cock reminding this greedy little cunt who it belongs to?”

“Yes!” she cries out, her pussy clenching around me. “I’m yours, Axel. Only yours.”

Possessive pride surges through me at her words. I reach around to rub tight circles on her clit, making her back arch as she chases her pleasure. “That’s right, baby. This sweet pussy is all mine. My perfect little cockslut, aren’t you?”

“Fuck, yes, all yours!” Her head falls forward as she grinds back against me, so close to falling apart. “Please, Axel, I need to come. Make me come on your cock.”

I pinch her clit, giving her what she needs. “Do it, Poppy. Soak my dick with it. Show me who this cunt belongs to.”

“Axel!” With a high, keening cry, Poppy shatters around me, her pussy clamping down on my cock like a velvet vise as she comes undone. The pulsing squeeze of her walls is too much and with a roar, I follow her into bliss, pumping her full of my release.

“Fuck, Poppy.”

“Oh god! Axel!” she sobs as I continue to thrust shallowly, working us both through the aftershocks.

I press open-mouthed kisses along her neck and shoulder, tasting the salt of her skin.

“That’s it, baby. Milk my cock. Take everything I’ve got and give me a baby.

I can’t wait to see you round and glowing with my child.

” I run my hand reverently over her stomach, imagining it swollen with new life.

Poppy trembles beneath my touch, her voice breathy as she asks, “You really want that? A baby with me?”

I gently pull out of her and turn her to face me, cupping her pussy so my cum doesn’t leak out, using my fingers to push it all back inside. “More than anything, trouble. I want it all with you. You’re my endgame, remember?”

Tears glisten in her eyes as she smiles up at me. “I want that too, Axel. So much. I love you.”

“I love you too, sweetheart.” I kiss her softly, pouring all my devotion into the tender press of lips. “Now what do you say we go get cleaned up and rejoin the party before they send a search party?”

She giggles. “Probably a good idea. Though I don’t know how I’m going to look anyone in the eye after that. I’m pretty sure they all heard.”

“You look at them with that freshly fucked glow that lets them all know who you belong to,” I tease, swatting her bare ass playfully.

Poppy rolls her eyes, but can’t contain her grin as we quickly clean up and make ourselves presentable again. Hand in hand, we head back out to the party, ignoring the knowing looks and good-natured ribbing from my brothers.

As Poppy gets pulled into a conversation with Andi and Ginger, no doubt being grilled for details, I make my way over to where Stone is nursing a beer, watching the kids play with a wistful smile.

“They’re something else, aren’t they?” he says as I come to stand beside him. “Make you realize what’s really important in this life.”

I nod, my eyes finding Poppy again. She’s laughing at something Andi said, her head thrown back, the sun catching in her hair and making her look almost ethereal.

“Never thought I’d have this,” I admit quietly.

“A woman who loves me, a future to build. After everything with my father, the family legacy I walked away from... I didn’t think I deserved it. ”

Stone claps a hand on my shoulder. “You’ve more than earned it, brother. You and Poppy both. After all you’ve been through, all you’ve done for this club and this town, you deserve every happiness.”

I nod, unable to find words for the contentment settling in my bones. This is what I walked away from my family’s legacy for—not just the brotherhood of the MC, but the chance to build something real. Something honest.

Poppy catches my eye across the lawn and gives me that sunrise smile that still hits me like a punch to the gut. Yeah, we’ll have our own family soon. Build our own legacy. One made of love and trust instead of power plays and lies.

“Get over here and feed me, Road Captain!” she calls out. “These burgers aren’t going to assemble themselves!”

I shake my head, grinning as I head over to where my woman is waiting for me to help her prepare our food. Some things never change—like her sass, or the way my heart races every time she looks at me. But that’s exactly how I want it.

This is our life now. Our family. Our future.

And I wouldn’t have it any other way.