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"We both fell asleep wrapped up together with the wolves still lullaby-ing us in the background." ― April Genevieve Tucholke

Next Summer…

Gwen

Axel drives the rental car to an iron gate, leans out the window, and states his name at the security box. Afterward, he navigates through well-manicured lawns with vibrant gardens while I gaze up at the sky. The ominous weather has cleared. According to the dashboard, the temperature has reached a perfect seventy-five degrees—ideal for a picnic.

When we reach the front of the white-columned mansion, we follow the red arrow until we spot the valet. After a brief exchange, my silver wolf pops the rear hatch and hands over the key.

My jaw drops as I take in the multi-million-dollar property surrounded by sprawling woods. “Wow, I had no idea.”

“Slate’s first wife came from money. Long story.” While my husband lifts Abbie from the car seat and places her on the pavement, I grab my humongous canvas bag from the back.

“Wait… he was married before Lilac?” Odd how the ladies had never mentioned this.

He frowns, lowering his voice so the little one can’t hear. “Yeah, when he was deployed. He lost her and a baby in a tragic accident. He was in a very dark place for a long time.”

As he speaks, Lucky pulls in behind us. When his kids pile out of his van, Abbie jumps, tugging on my waistband.

“Mom, mom, can I go with them?”

Axel chuckles. “Hold on, peanut. Behave, stay away from the pool, and take Bear with you.”

“Yup. C’mon pup-pup.” Our excited urchin races to the hatch.

When the door opens, the dog remains seated, waiting for his master to give a command. “ Wache Abbie.”

“Woof.” While the two bound away to join the James’ brood, my partner picks up the gifts we brought.

Joined by the other two adults, we follow the kids toward the music behind the house. As we’re about to reach our host, I pull my lover’s ear to my mouth. “Do you suppose we’ll get some alone time?”

The centers of his eyes widen, his nostrils flare, then he whispers, “There’s a guest cottage in the back. I beat Sutcliff for first dibs.”

“Well done.” From what I’ve heard, the private eyes are notorious for being the first to return to a party sex-mussed.

I’m still chuckling to myself as we make our way to the back of the house. Lilac holds baby Iris while Slate speaks with an attractive man in his forties. They stand before a pair of sliding glass doors leading to the indoor swimming pool.

“Oi, mate. Thanks for the invite. Helluva shindig.” Lucky slaps Slate on the back, then steps back to include us in the circle. “Grayson? Izzy? This is Axel and Gwen Wulf.”

“So nice to meet you.” Holy shit, had I known the owner of Patten Securities was going to attend, I might’ve chosen another outfit.

I glance at my nonplused husband, who shakes the billionaire’s hand as if it’s no biggie.

Remembering my manners, I say hello. Once I place the gifts in Lilac’s hands, I squat beside the stroller where baby Iris gurgles. As she claps and kicks, my inner clock gongs. What I wouldn’t give to have another.

“Oh my God, she is soo cute. Can I hold her?” I lift her into my arms, and as she sings da-da-da-da-daaa, her father’s face beams with pride.

Soon after, the sun rises to its peak. Lunch consists of grilled hamburgers, hotdogs, and various fancy kababs. Done eating, we sit in the shade of the house. The sliding glass doors stay open to the inside pool, allowing the kids to play in the water without fear of sunburn. Together with Bear, Slate’s sheepdog patrols the edge, barking if horseplay becomes too chaotic.

Now relaxed, we grab a few beers before joining our weekend-from-hell gang by the pool. The women embrace while the men bro-slap each other on the back and clink beer bottles.

We catch up for a while, then Sam stands. “Yo, G-man. I have a couple of questions for you.”

Turning, my husband quirks up a brow. “Shoot.”

“Did you ever learn Dolly DeClaire’s real identity?” Sam’s question quiets all the conversations within earshot.

Pensive, Axel purses his lips. “Well, I can’t tell you everything, but she was born in Israel to American parents. She went into the army and attended Penn State here in the US. Then, she was recruited by Mossad. After her daughter was born, she retired from spook work to work in emergency management. She had a year’s worth of supplies in a Maine log cabin. In her manifesto, she wrote that she believed the end was coming soon.”

“What pushed her over the edge?” No surprise, this question comes from Blakely, our resident shrink.

Axel’s gaze drops to his beer bottle, his brows furrowing as he sighs. “Her daughter worked for Doctors Without Borders. After she died in the fighting in Gaza, she dove into the darkest corners of the web, determined to bring an end to our government.”

Cassie towels off her youngest, drags a T-shirt over the tot’s head, then asks, “What about the survivalist camp? Did they shut it down?”

My ears perk up. Surely, the ATF, the FBI, or some agency would ensure it never again opened its doors.

Axel’s expression darkens as he shakes his head. “Another paramilitary group bought it. They own similar facilities across the country.”

“Listen up, y’all.” Suds taps a spoon against his bottle until everyone looks up. “It’s not a bad idea to be prepared for the worst. I say we all talk to Grayson about creating our own hive, just in case. I’ll even volunteer to be the cult leader.”

“I’ll second that.” Slate lifts his lowball glass.

The Aussie grumbles, “We’re not here to fuck spiders, mate.”

I have no idea what he means, but Axel does and even nods his head in agreement. “I’m in, too. Now, if you’ll excuse us, I believe we have booked a personal tour of the guest house.”

Smirking, Slate points at the door. “Don’t forget the ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign.”

Face heated, I turn to Callie. “Can you watch Abbie for us?”

“You got it.”

While the men hoot, Axel throws me over his shoulder and sprints to the cottage. Inside, he sets me down in the tiny kitchen, both of us slightly out of breath.

The wide centers of his eyes black, he takes in my swimsuit. “That should be illegal.”

“Why? Is it too revealing?” I double-check myself in the full-length mirror. “All my parts are covered.”

My man’s voice lowers, full of promise. “Expose all those parts, sweetheart. I need to make love with you.”

“But everyone saw us sneak away.” My face heats, which is nuts because we’re a married couple. We’re supposed to do stuff like this.

Axel grins, his teeth flashing in a way that always makes my pulse quicken. “They’ll get their turn. Don’t worry.”

“That’s not what I meant. Oh my God. Anyone would think you guys weren’t getting any. I speak with the wives all the time, and I know, for a fact, you’re all extremely well satisfied.” My teasing causes him to shoot me a wolfish grin.

“I beg to differ. A man can never have enough sex.”

“Poor baby. Let’s see if I can quench that thirst.” As I kiss the tip of his nose, he leads me three steps to the bed.

A folded note sits on the pillow, which I read aloud, then laugh. “Help yourself to anything, and don’t worry—we’ve hired staff to change the sheets.”

“Well,” he murmurs, pulling me into his arms, “they thought of everything.”

As I strip off my suit, he does the same, and we meet between the sheets. Ever since the day-spa incident, our loving has been more intense.

I guess almost dying made us realize how precious every moment should be. “I love you so much.”

Turning his head, his beard caresses my cheeks. “Love you, too.”

Soon, I’m lost in his embrace. All thoughts vanish except for how much I need to be one with him.

When his cock hardens, he lifts a leg and straddles me. Squatting on his heels, he kneads my breasts. As he pinches and pulls, our eyes connect, sending pools of hot liquid between my legs.

“My God, you’re beautiful.” His hand on my knees, he throws my legs over his shoulders.

“Axel. Oh, God.” My senses reach new heights when he kisses my most intimate spot. His tongue plays me until I clutch the sheets. My clit flower buds, and as I’m about to release, he pauses.

Hissing, I let go of a lungful of air and open my eyes. “Why did you stop?”

“I wanted to see you when you come.” His steely gray eyes have never been more beautiful. There’s a vulnerability right under the surface which takes my breath away. He’s an alpha, but he’s also my caring mate, the man I promised to spend my whole life with.

As I fall further in love, he sinks between my thighs. The tip of his tongue teases me higher, and I gasp on the knife’s edge of bliss.

I’m about to blast off when he lowers my heels to the mattress, flips me onto my hands and knees, and thrusts until bone meets bone. My whole body shakes as I push my ass back. His arm reaches around my waist, then finds my sensitive nub.

Holy crap, heaven explodes all around me. I shudder as he drives. A man with a mission, he moves faster, bringing me higher. I can’t believe it when a second orgasm hits with such force that they probably hear my scream back at the pool.

He flips me onto my back. When his pistons turn to jackhammering, I lock my ankles behind his back and dig my nails into his bulging biceps. The moment I tighten my thigh muscles, a groan erupts deep within his chest.

“Agghh!” He stiffens, swells, and releases deep inside me.

Once the aftershocks end, he tickles my eyelids with his tongue. “We should go back. There’s probably a line outside the door.”

I know he’s kidding, but I am so sated, I wouldn’t mind if the queue went on for miles. “Yup. Coming.”

Much later, the sun grows into a giant orange ball. As its last rays lower, we say our goodbyes and return to our hotel. Abbie, asleep in my husband’s arms, snuggles as we wait for the valet to retrieve our car. A happy Bear trots behind us.

Counting my blessings, I wrap an arm around Axel’s waist. “I still can’t believe the world remains blissfully unaware of how close we came to Armageddon.”

“If you had to do it all over again, would you?” With the sky growing pink overhead, I take a deep breath and use the time to consider my answer carefully.

The End