CHAPTER 128: THE SHOW

~LAYLA~

After quick showers to wash away the spring water and trail dust, Axel and I met in the garden behind our cabin. His hand found mine naturally, like it had always belonged there, our fingers interlacing as we walked the winding path.

"So," he said, guiding me down a stone path lined with lavender. "Tell me about your enlightening swim."

"Victoria and her gossip circle had quite a lot to say about our rushed wedding, my lack of a honeymoon, and whether I’m secretly pregnant."

"Seriously?"

"She basically called our marriage fake. Said you married me out of pity, that I was just convenient rebound material after the Cassandra disaster."

His jaw tightened. "She said that?"

"Oh, it gets better. She implied I trapped you, that you’re probably already regretting it." I kicked a pebble off the path. "She also questioned why I’m ’playing businesswoman’ when I could be spending your money at spas and shopping on Fifth Avenue."

Axel stopped walking, turning to face me. "What did you say?"

"I told her I don’t need to prove anything to women who define their worth by their husbands’ bank accounts." I smiled tightly. "Let’s just say she didn’t appreciate that."

"Good." He squeezed my hand. "What about the rest of them?"

"Mixed reactions. Some were supportive, others scandalized. The usual. They basically just sat there, soaking it all in like it was premium entertainment." I looked up at him. "What about your hike? You said it was also enlightening?"

"Ronald tried the same angle with me," Axel said, his thumb stroking the back of my hand. "Asked if I really loved you or if it was just a smart business move. Had the audacity to call our marriage ’interesting timing.’"

"What did you say?"

A slow smile spread across his face. "I may have mentioned his offshore settlement with his secretary. The one Victoria doesn’t know about."

I stopped walking. "You didn’t."

"I simply reminded him that people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. He backed off pretty quickly after that."

"Axel O’Brien, you’re terrible." I squeezed his hand. "And I love it."

"They want to tear us down because we’re happy," he said, pulling me closer. "We’ll show them exactly how wrong they are."

I laughed despite myself. "So we both had eventful separate activities."

"We did." He pulled me closer, his voice dropping. "Which is why we’re going to show them exactly what a real partnership looks like. Starting now."

That fire I’d felt at the spring rekindled in my chest. "Yes. Let’s."

—

Ellen’s voice rang across the lawn like a drill sergeant’s. "Alright, couples! Afternoon competition time! Two games, ultimate bragging rights, and the winners get a private sunset picnic by the lake!"

"I want that picnic," I whispered to Axel.

"Then we’re winning," he said simply.

Ellen explained the first game; it’s a wheelbarrow relay race, but blindfolded. "The person being wheeled gives directions. The pusher trusts completely. It’s about communication and trust!"

"This is ridiculous," Victoria muttered nearby.

"Scared?" I asked sweetly.

Her eyes flashed. "Please. Ronald and I have this."

Axel crouched down, gripping my ankles as I planted my hands on the grass. "Ready?"

"Born ready. Just don’t drop me."

"Never." His hands were warm and steady.

Ellen blew the whistle. "Go!"

"Straight ahead!" I called out, my arms burning as I walked on my hands. "Three steps. Now slight right. Right!"

Axel held on tight, staying steady even as everything around us fell apart. I could hear Victoria screaming at the top of her lungs, and I watched as someone’s husband completely lost control and crashed into the bushes.

"Left! Quick left! Now straight, full speed!"

We hit our rhythm, moving like we’d practised this a thousand times. My muscles screamed, but I pushed harder.

From somewhere nearby, I heard Victoria’s shrill voice. "Ronald, slow down! I’m going to fall!"

"We’re at the cone!" I shouted. "Turn around, same way back!"

Thirty seconds later, we crossed the finish line. Axel set me down gently, and I collapsed against him, both of us laughing breathlessly.

"One down," he whispered against my neck, his breath hot on my skin.

Victoria and Ronald came in third place, and she was visibly upset.

—

"Second game!" Ellen announced. "Partner trivia! We’ll pull questions from those Q&A cards you filled out. Let’s see who really knows their spouse!"

We started with some easy questions, like our favourite colours, foods, and hobbies. Everyone had those answers ready. But then, Ellen’s face lit up with a playful grin.

"Layla, what’s Axel’s biggest fear?"

I didn’t hesitate. "Losing control in chaotic situations. He needs structure, plans. When things spiral beyond his control, that’s when he struggles."

Axel blinked at me, something soft and surprised in his eyes. "That’s... exactly right."

"Axel, what’s Layla’s biggest fear?"

"Spiders," he said immediately. "Any size, any kind. She once passed out from being locked in a room with spiders."

I flushed. "It wasn’t just one, okay?"

Ellen moved down the line. "Victoria, what’s Ronald’s coffee order?"

Silence.

"Victoria?" Ellen prompted.

"Um... black? No, wait. With cream?"

Ronald’s face tightened. "It’s a double espresso, Victoria. I’ve ordered the same thing for eight years."

The tension was delicious.

We won by a landslide. Ellen crowned us with ridiculous ribbon medals. "Our perfect match!"

Victoria’s pout was sweeter than the prize.

—

Yoga started at the outdoor pavilion, mats arranged in neat rows. The women set up on one side, the men on the other... Ellen’s idea of "maintaining focus."

Fifteen minutes in, I was trying to hold warrior pose when I noticed the women whispering. "Should we go spy on the men?" Jennifer, one of the wives, suggested with a giggle.

"Absolutely," another agreed.

We snuck over like teenagers, peeking around the pavilion’s corner. The men had transitioned to a more intense workout: pushups, planks, basic strength moves.

My breath caught when Axel peeled off his sweat-soaked shirt.

"Oh my God," someone breathed behind me.

He had an amazing body with broad shoulders that slimmed down to a defined waist, and his abs looked like they were carved from stone.

I had seen him shirtless a few times before, but this? Seeing him like this was different. Full display in golden afternoon light, muscles flexing with every movement?

Heat pooled low in my belly.

"Ladies!" One of the men spotted us. "Enjoying the show?"

"Make it worth watching!" someone called back.

The men immediately turned it into a competition: who could do the most pushups, hold a plank the longest, or bench the most weight using a makeshift setup?

"Go Axel!" I shouted, surprising myself.

He glanced over, that devastating smile appearing as he added more weight. The other women were cheering their husbands, but my eyes stayed locked on Axel. The way his biceps flexed, sweat gleaming on his skin, and the focused intensity in his expression.

My pulse quickened. My skin felt too tight.

He easily won the strength demo, and when he looked directly at me, something electric passed between us.

"Girl," Jennifer sidled up beside me. "Is that the mountain you climb every night?"

"Damn," another added appreciatively. "Lucky woman."

Heat flooded my cheeks, spreading down my neck. "I...we’re just..."

"Sure you are," Jennifer winked.

’If only they knew there was no climbing... yet.’ I said to myself.

—

As I made my way back to the lodge, Axel caught up with me. He wrapped his arm around my waist and gently led me into a quiet hallway.

"Did you enjoy the show?" His voice was low, teasing.

"I don’t know what you’re talking about."

"You were staring, Layla." He backed me against the wall, and his presence overwhelmed me. "I could feel it."

"So were all the other women."

"I only cared about one set of eyes." His gaze dropped to my lips.

The tension that had been building all afternoon finally broke. He gripped my waist, and his lips crashed against mine in a demanding kiss. I responded immediately, my fingers tangling in his damp hair as I pulled him closer.

Heat exploded through me. His body pressed against mine, hard muscle and warm skin, and I forgot where we were, forgot everything except...

My heart pounded so hard I thought it might burst. Then the other night he’d pulled away flashed in mind and I couldn’t help it.

"Wait." I gasped, pushing against his chest. "Wait, Axel."

He pulled back immediately, breathing hard. "What’s wrong?"