Taken by Axel: Pin Me Down Trilogy, #3

By Laura Day

Taken by Axel is book 3 and finale of the Pin Me Down trilogy!

The gloves are off and he’s not just pinning me down for practice 

They promised me he was a professional
That he had a cool, quiet strength and the sort of intensity that left you shaking.

They didn’t tell me he was made of almost six feet of pure muscle, scars, and a bad attitude.

Everything is a fight with him. 

Crass son of a bitch doesn’t begin to cover it. 
And clothes don’t, either…

Day in and day out I have to get down and dirty in the ring with him.
Sweat, skin, and friction.

I don’t think I can fight it much longer. 
Not when he uses his mouth for more than back-talk and his hands for more than punches

Axl Connolly wants me, and Axl Connolly always wins

• Language: English
• Publisher: eBook Publishing World
• Release date: Nov 30, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386778967

Book preview

TAKEN BY AXEL: Pin Me Down Trilogy (Book 3)

By Laura Day

The gloves are off and he’s not just pinning me down for practice.

THEY PROMISED ME HE was a professional

That he had a cool, quiet strength and the sort of intensity that left you shaking.

They didn’t tell me he was made of almost six feet of pure muscle, scars, and a bad attitude.

Everything is a fight with him.

Crass son of a bitch doesn’t begin to cover it.

And clothes don’t, either...

Day in and day out I have to get down and dirty in the ring with him.

Sweat, skin, and friction.

I don’t think I can fight it much longer.

Not when he uses his mouth for more than back-talk and his hands for more than punches

Axel Connolly wants me, and Axel Connolly always wins.

Chapter 1

ELMSWORTH COLLEGE, it sounded stately and elegant and a little beyond Marie’s means. But she shook that thought away. No more putting herself down. It was just a name for Pete’s sake. She couldn’t let herself get dissuaded just from a name. So she checked it out online and it looked perfect. It was a local college where she could get a good hotel management degree. Marie liked running the Hawks’ mansion, but the history stuff wasn’t her favorite part. She liked when tours came in and she could show other people around; she liked the party and hosting. She could see herself running a small inn one day, if she were lucky.

So with Cate in tow, Marie went to check out the college in person. Axel was there, too, of course. He had called and asked what she had been planning for the day and then invited himself along. She was glad he was there. Marie was turning over quite a few new leaves, but she still felt shy and nervous most of the time. Having Axel there would help give her more confidence and make her feel safe.

The school was about forty minutes away from Harksburg and Marie felt a twinge of sadness once they passed the town limits. This would be the first time she would leave Harksburg since declaring it home. She felt safe and enjoyed the little town and she was sad to see it recede in her rearview mirror.

But any sadness or hesitation was washed away once they actually arrived at Elmsworth College. It was situated on a low hill with a lovely view of the mountainous country around it. It had been a woman’s college once and it still held that antique charm. The exterior of the buildings were brick and the walks were lined with stately and large oaks. The paths were made of cobblestone and lined with peonies and daffodils.

It’s so pretty! Cate exclaimed as she leaned over to smell a flower.

It looks like something out of a chick flick, Axel said as he glanced at a bulletin board covered in flyers advertising empty rooms and guitar lessons.

Is there something so wrong with that? Marie asked. You can’t expect the entire world to look like a boxing gym.

Now that is a world I want to live in. Nothing but gyms as far as the eye can see, Axel said as he pulled Marie close and planted a kiss on her lips.

She gave him a crooked smiled and pushed him away. She could tell he was just teasing because he was pleased. This was a good idea. This could be a good thing.

They walked inside one of the buildings, which Marie was surprised and pleased to see was very modern. All of the classrooms were smart classrooms with computers and projectors. She flipped through one of the course books and saw listings for entrepreneurship, accounting, sales, taxes, record keeping, and vendor selection. It all looked intense, but they were things she wanted to learn more about.

Cate starts school next fall, Marie said to Axel. Then I won’t have to worry about daycare and I’ll have some free time during the day.

Sounds perfect, Axel said. You should apply now. He reached for a pamphlet that listed the materials she would need.

But that was the problem: she would be starting a real life here and a real life was one Austin could track. Could he find her this way? Marie looked over to Cate who was gleefully running around a fountain, getting the occasional splash of water on her. She was trapped. She needed to get a good job so she could always provide for Cate. But, even more than that, she deserved a real life – a life where she wasn’t looking over her shoulder or hiding. But what if that new life put her and Cate in danger? She didn’t want anything to happen to her daughter, but she also knew she couldn’t spend her life doing nothing.

I can see you changing your mind, Axel chided gently.

I know. But I have to think of Cate.

Cate wants you to do this. You know she wouldn’t want you to put your life on hold for her.

It’s about her safety. He could find me through this.

He might, but he might not and I will be here for you, no matter what. If Austin comes here, I will deal with him for you.

Marie put the pamphlet back and turned away angrily. They had been having the same discussion for weeks now. Axel didn't understand. It was all too easy for him to be tough and brave, but it was different for Marie. She didn’t have to worry about just herself, but Cate, as well. She couldn’t put her daughter in danger.

She was halfway out the door when Axel grabbed her wrist and stopped her. His touch was loose and she could have escaped at any moment, but instead she sighed and looked at him. He pulled her into a hug and she leaned against his strong chest and breathed in the scent of him. He was so solid and real; she still couldn't quite get enough of him.

I’m not going to tell you what to do. It is your decision; I just want you to know that you aren’t alone in this.

Marie nodded into his chest and watched Cate play. I don’t know what I’m going to do, she admitted. I never know what the right thing to do is.

You seem to be doing an okay job so far. You landed me, didn’t you?

Marie giggled and pushed him away. That’s quite the ego you got there, Connelly, she said.

Hey, I earned this ego.

She shook her head and watched as he ran out in front of her and then swooped Cate up into his arms and lifted her about his head. She squealed in delight and spread her arms as they played airplane and he carried around the fountain one last time.

You should go to this school, Mommy, Cate