to her and simply held her as she fell asleep. I was remiss to lay her in the crib until I heard Nixon come into our room.
“Those locals sure know how to wear a guy out,” he whispered as I laid Nicole in her crib next to our bed.
“Says the quarterback for the Raptors?” I teased. “Are you losing your touch?”
He cocked an eyebrow at me, gently ensnaring my wrist and drawing me into the attached bathroom with the outdoor shower. “You tell me,” he said, sliding his hands along my ribs, over my waist, and between my thighs.
“Nixon!” I whisper-squealed, not wanting to wake the baby.
His grin was infectious as he hoisted me up until I locked my ankles around his waist. “Come on,” he said, turning toward the incredibly small shower. “First, we’ll check for spiders,” he joked. “Then you can tell me if I’ve lost my touch.”
I trembled against the man, my heart racing as he claimed my mouth.
He’d never lose his touch.
Never lose the ability to steal my breath or make my heart melt.
And—thanks to a night in Vegas—we had a whole bunch of forever to look forward to.
THE END
AXEL SNEAK PEEK
If you love the Raptors, you’ll love Axel! Turn the page for a peek at the first chapter of AXEL and learn all about the Carolina Reapers!
AXEL Chapter One
“Are you settling in?” I asked my brother as I pulled into the airport. At least it was the smaller, regional airport, so I didn’t have to deal with Stockholm traffic.
“Stop worrying,” Tage practically growled into the phone, which sent the sound vibrating through my Rover’s speakers.
The shiny black four-door piece of exquisite machinery was the first “just-because” money I’d spent on myself. Ever.
“I’m your brother. It’s my job to worry,” I reminded him. That’s all I did when it came to Tage. Worry. How the hell could I not when he’d been my responsibility since I was sixteen?
“Normal brothers get each other drunk.”
Normal brothers didn’t lose both their parents in car accidents.
“Tell me you’re not drinking. You know your coach is going—”
“Relax, Axel. I’m not drinking. Just giving you hell. I was, however, sleeping off a hellish morning practice.”
“I still wish you’d enrolled full time at Lule?.” I pulled up to the gate and lowered my window. “Axel Nystr?m,” I told the guard.
“Like you did, right?” Tage scoffed.
“I didn’t have the option, remember? You were eight years old. What was I going to do, move into student housing with you?” I glanced at the dashboard clock. Ten past ten. Lukas was due to land in five minutes.
“You’re on the list,” the guard noted. “Hangar two.” He directed me through the gate.
“Thank you,” I told him and then followed his directions, turning right to get to the hangar Lukas’ jet usually parked at when he flew in from the States.
“Relax,” Tage sighed. “Coach said I could manage a couple of classes. Besides, I’m only looking at a year or two here. Then maybe I can transfer to an American school. From there it’s four years and a college education before I get drafted into the NHL.”
My heart swelled. “Now that would be something I would whole-heartedly support. I’m so damn proud of you, Tage.”
“Oh, come on, don’t get all watery,” Tage teased. “Where are you, anyway?”
“At the airport to pick up Lukas.” Usually I would have told my peacock of a best friend to drive himself from the airport, but he’d never directly asked me to pick him up before.
“He’s in? Really? I thought he was deep in preparation for the season? I heard that new team is going to be insane. Or at least they will be once they lock down a center—wait…”
“Don’t go there.” I shook my head even though I knew he couldn’t see me.
“Oh, come on! You know that’s why he’s coming in. The NHL is calling!” Tage whooped.
I parked my Rover next to the hangar as Lukas’ jet touched down. “A member of an NHL team is always calling. Don’t look so far into it. Now, get some rest. You’ve got the Nystr?m name on your jersey, so you’d better do it proud.”
“Proud enough to pound on you when the season starts.”
I grinned as Lukas’ jet taxied toward us. “You went to the wrong team if you think you’re going to take me down.”
“Yeah, yeah. All jabs aside, have fun with Lukas. Relax a little, would you? You’re finally an empty-nester!”
“Goodbye, Tage.” I hung up on my little brother and climbed out