Page 9 of A Veteran’s Obsession

Axel punches a code into the security panel, and the door to the spa swings open.

“Are you sure we’re allowed in here after hours?”

He raises an eyebrow at me. “This is my place. I’m allowed anywhere.”

I shiver at his words. He’s a badass resort owner who used to be in the army; he can cook, and he’s funny and interesting. We spoke for three hours non-stop about where we grew up, what we do. For someone who’s at least a decade older than me, we connect as if we’ve known each other our entire lives.

Which is how he managed to convince me to use the spa facilities after hours with him. In my underwear.

He flicks a switch, and soft light illuminates the corridor. There’s the sound of burbling water and the scent of patchouli.

“Steam room or spa?” he asks.

The steam room means sitting in my underwear, exposed, and there’s no way I’m doing that. At least in the spa, my body will be hidden under the water.

“Spa.”

He leads the way down a corridor, and the burbling sound of water gets louder. He punches in a code on the security panel by the door, and it swings open. Then we’re outside, under the stars with the dark mountain looming before us. Soft lighting illuminates a natural spring that’s surrounded by leafy ferns.

“This is the spa?” I was expecting a pool with jets, but this is incredible.

“It’s a natural spring. There are other pools inside, but you can’t beat the view from this one.”

He looks up, and I follow his gaze. Stars pierce the sky, tiny diamonds shimmering above us.

“Oh wow. It’s beautiful.”

“It sure is.”

I turn to the sound of his voice, and Axel’s looking at me. My heart skips a beat at his heated gaze and the meaning behind his words.

He thinks I’m beautiful.

Axel sheds his robe, and my gaze snags on his taut body. It’s pure hard muscle from the backs of his shoulders to his thick thighs. It’s lucky he’s got his back to me, or he’d see me licking my lips. I can’t help myself. I’ve already had dessert, but I could go for seconds on this man. He is Hot with a capital H.

There are steps into the pool, and steam rises off the surface as he sinks into the water.

“Come and join me.”

He’s looking up at me expectantly, and all I have to do is disrobe and join him. But my fingers hesitate on the tie. Axel’s body is perfect, and mine is—not at all what anyone would call remotely close to perfect.

Back in the safety of his lodge, it seemed like an adventure to sneak into the spa at night. And my underwear is as big as a swimsuit, so it didn’t seem like a big deal. It felt brave and daring, but now that I’m here, I step backward, unsure if I can do it.

“Can you turn away while I get in?”

I hate asking him that. I hate how weak I sound, and if there’s one thing my mom taught me, it’s not to be weak. But after the last few days, it’s getting harder and harder to hear Mom’s voice in my head.

Axel tilts his head. “If it makes you feel more comfortable, I’ll turn away.”

It’s a relief, but I also hate that I had to ask. A week ago, I would have boldly taken off my robe and not given a damn what anyone thought. But now I wait until Axel turns his back and quietly slip into the water.

The warmth encases me, and I let out a long sigh. Tension melts away, and everything I’ve been carrying slips off my shoulders and dissolves in the water.

Emotion bubbles up inside me, and it’s too powerful to hold back. Tears sting my eyes, and I blink quickly, but they keep coming.

“Hey.” Axel glides over to my side. “Let it all out, Ruby, whatever you’re holding in. Let it go.”

I love that he’s not trying to comfort me, that instead he’s giving me permission to release.