Page 172 of Redemption Ridge Vol II

Keegan snorted and leaned toward Karen. “It’s a testosterone-filled night of chest thumping and silliness.” Realizing what he said, Keegan added, “No one gets intoxicated, stupid, or violent. There’s just a lot of teasing.”

Karen nodded. “Teasing is good.” She gestured for Kerry. “Come on over here, and let me see if I can help you hone your skill a little better.”

“She means land the axe in the target,” Keegan teased as he stepped aside. His hazel eyes looked more brown than green in the stagecoach lighting, and they glittered with a challenge.

“Big talk for a guy who barely stuck the landing.”

“This isn’t gymnastics,” Keegan quipped. “And I’ll take barely over nada anytime.” He swept his arms to the range. “Let’s see what you’ve got, big guy.”

Karen grimaced. “Strong man, sharp weapon.”

“He’d never hurt me,” Keegan replied.

Kerry had never wanted to kiss that smug mouth more than he did right then. He loved that Keegan knew he’d always be safe in his presence. He winked at Keegan and said, “Damn right.” Kerry turned his attention to the target, pictured Chuck’s stupid face in the center of it, and threw his axe. “Bullseye!” Kerry cheered when the blade struck the target with a loud thud.

Karen gave him a high five, and Keegan celebrated with an exuberant but all-too-quick kiss.

“I think you guys have the gist of it,” Karen told them. “I’ll leave you to it, but let me know if you need some help.”

The lane rental was like a bowling alley, allowing them to play as many rounds as they could squeeze into their time limit. Scoring was all done by hand instead of a computer, and they didn’t have any fun graphics when they landed an axe. Kerry found their jeers and reluctant congratulations much more stimulating than dancing cartoons. The first game went to Kerry, but he knew the next would be much tighter since Keegan’s accuracy improved with each throw.

“How much time do we have left?” Keegan asked as he approached the thrower’s mark on the floor.

“Forty-five minutes.”

“It only took you fifteen minutes to pound me into the…” Keegan’s words trailed off as he realized their secondary meaning. “To win,” he amended.

Kerry waggled his brows. “I like the first remark better.” He tilted his head and reconsidered as he closed the distance between them. “Though I’m not sure if that was a complaint or a compliment. Are you suggesting I slow things down or speed them up?”

Settling his hand on Kerry’s chest, Keegan gave a playful push. “Get back over on your side of the stall until it’s your turn. Don’t make me call Karen over here to remind you about the rules.”

Kerry took a few steps back and pointed to the sign. “No need to get me in trouble. I can see the rules.”

“Then obey them,” Keegan replied. He squared up against the target and pulled his arms back over his head, but he looked at Kerry instead of releasing the axe. “Fast, slow. I don’t care how long it takes as long as you pound me.” With that, he returned his attention to the target, took a deep breath, and let it fly. The axe landed dead center in the bullseye. Keegan turned and strode toward him with an extra swagger in his step. “Top that.”

Kerry lightly cupped Keegan’s jaw to hold his mouth in place for a hard kiss. “I’m going to top you.”

Keegan sighed, and his eyelids lowered to half-mast. “Promise me that both of the cards will lead to life-affirming orgasms?”

“Not earth-shattering?” Kerry asked.

Keegan snorted. “Why would I want the world to break apart when I finally get my hands on you?” He swatted Kerry on the ass and tipped his head to the throwing line. “Now, get over there and wow me.”

Kerry complied, but his throw was off a little. He turned narrowed eyes on Keegan. “You got me all flustered.”

Keegan rolled his eyes, but it was true. “I’m sure my last shot was pure luck.”

Except it wasn’t, and neither was the next one or the one after that. His throws didn’t all land in the center of the bullseye, but close enough. Kerry had some excellent throws, but they weren’t enough to beat Keegan. They set their axes down and exchanged congratulatory hugs and kisses.

“We have some time left,” Kerry said. “Do you want to—”

Keegan took him by the hand and led him out of the range. “Where are you hiding the third set of cards?” He stopped by Kerry’s truck and faced him. “Are they somewhere on your person? Because I wouldn’t mind a thorough body search.”

Kerry wouldn’t mind that either, but not in the parking lot of Lumberjack’s Axe and Ale. “The cards are up in my bedroom.”

Keegan was around the truck and opening the passenger door before he finished his sentence. “Let’s go.”

“I feel kinda cheap,” Kerry teased.