Page 25

CHAPTER 24

AURORA

“What do you guys want to do tonight?” Carver asks.

That’s the million-dollar question but one I’m afraid to answer because I don’t want to subject myself to the Spanish Inquisition from the overprotective alphas in my life. It’s been an endless parade of teasing since we left the warehouse a few days ago, and Carver keeps taunting me with his stupid rendition of ‘Jaxson and Aurora sitting in a tree’ like we’re in fucking kindergarten instead of grown-ass adults. Jaxson and I haven’t spent one moment alone to discuss what’s developing between us, and I’d really like to do that before my courage disappears.

Sure, you can kill three people without blinking. Tell a guy you have feelings for him, nope, that’s too much.

I mentally slap myself and shake my head to focus on the conversation. Lykos bumps me with his nose, and I lean down and kiss his head while giving him a scratch behind his ears and whispering, “I’m okay.”

“Bowling?” Bennett suggests.

“Let’s go see that new horror movie,” Thomas says. “The one with all the gore. I think Aurora might get some new ideas.”

I grin and tap my temple. “You don’t want to know the thoughts I have up here, Thomas.”

Mind made up, I dig my phone out of my purse and send a text for reinforcement.

Me: HELP

Willow: Carver or Thomas

Me: The whole gang

Willow: What’d they do? They still singing about you and Jaxson kissing. Cause girl, got to admit… HOT

Me: Willow focus!

Willow: Sorry

Me: I haven’t got any time alone with Jaxson to talk about what happened or us, if there even is an us. The guys are always around. I’m starting to lose confidence here.

Willow: We can’t have that. I’ll take care of it.

Me: What are you gonna do?

Willow: Leave it to me

A minute later, multiple cells ping simultaneously, and each of the guys reach for their devices.

Carver scrunches his forehead as he reads the text and then smirks at me. “Well, I finally got her number.”

Jaxson’s phone is the only one that didn’t go off. I lock eyes with him and gulp at the intensity of his gaze. It’s filled with lust, and amusement. Everyone else reads the message on their phone, mumbles some excuse about something coming up, and one by one files out of Jaxson’s apartment. My cell vibrates in my hand, and I glance down.

Willow: Have fun

Me: I owe you

Willow: You can pay me back by giving me all the deets

Me: Gotta go! Love you

“You wouldn’t have anything to do with that, would ya?” Jaxson asks, jerking his thumb over his shoulder.

He damn well knows I did. Two can play that game.

“Maybe,” I say coyly. “Would you be upset if I did?”

He marches over, lifts me off the couch, spins, and sits with me straddling him. “You good?”

“I’m good.”

“How’d you get rid of them?”

“I didn’t,” I answer honestly. “Willow did.”

Jaxson throws his head back and laughs, and I join him. Lykos tilts his head, watching us as if we’re crazy. My body vibrates against his as we both struggle for breath. I freeze, gasping as Jaxson’s cock hardens beneath me. His laughter dies, and his eyes smolder with promise.

I attempt to slide off of his lap, but he grips my hips, holding me in place. “You don’t have to move unless you’re uncomfortable.”

“I’m fine,” I say and drop my head in embarrassment.

Can I really do this? Yes, yes, I can because I want this man. I’m taking back control.

He lifts my chin. “What’s going on in that beautiful mind of yours?”

Here goes nothing.

Taking a deep breath, I slowly unbutton my top and let it slide down my arms to reveal my lavender lace bra.

“A-a-are you sure?” Jaxson chokes.

I hesitate for only a moment. “I don’t know, but I want to try.”

Jaxson grips my neck and crashes his lips to mine. His tongue demands entry, and I gladly oblige. He stands abruptly, and I wrap my legs around his waist. Lykos jumps off the couch and begins to follow us so we pull apart long enough to yell at the dog to stay as Jaxson carries me into his bedroom and kicks his door shut.

He lays me gently on the bed. “We go as slow as you want. You say the word, and we stop, okay?” I nod my agreement. “Need the words, babe,” he coaxes.

“I’ll tell you if I can’t handle it, promise.”

“You’re in charge,” he reminds me. “Clothes off or on?”

“Off,” I say breathlessly.

He reaches behind his back and tugs his shirt off in one swift movement, revealing a rock-hard six-pack. Next, he unbuckles his belt and whips it out of the loops like they do in the steamy romance books Willow loves to shove in my face. Jaxson with his clothes on is sexy, but Jaxson practically naked is sinfully so.

Leaving his boxer briefs on, he crawls toward me. My heart hammers in my chest the closer he gets. Goosebumps break out over my body, and my skin tingles with anticipation.

He lays above me, holding his weight with his forearms in a plank, leaving a trail of kisses from my mouth to behind my ear and down my neck. I moan and reach to pull him closer. He slides an arm under my back and flips us over so I’m on top.

“Your show, baby.” He winks.

My heart melts at his consideration as I let my fingers explore his pecs. I place featherlight kisses along his jawline, down his neck to his chest. I drag my nails across his stomach, stopping at the band of his boxers. He raises his eyebrow in question, and I tug gently while he lifts his hips off the bed, allowing me to remove them.

I swallow hard when I see Jaxson’s size. He’s long and thick. I’m nervous about having a panic attack, but my desire for Jaxson wins out. Dipping my head and licking his cock from base to tip, I entice a moan from him. I swirl my tongue around the head before gently sucking it into my mouth and flicking my tongue over his slit. I repeat the movements, gradually pulling him partway into my warm mouth. His hands twist my hair, and I immediately stiffen under his hold.

You’re okay. You’re safe. It’s only Jaxson.

He lets go immediately and grips the sheets. I continue my ministrations until I feel his legs lock up.

“Baby, you have to stop or I’m go?—”

I know I’m not ready for that, so I release his cock from my mouth with a pop and wrap my fingers around him firmly, stroking fast. He comes with a grunt, erupting all over my hand.

In a lightning-fast move, he flips me onto my back.

“Can I taste you?” he asks.

“Yes,” I squeak.

He slams his mouth to mine, and our tongues duel for dominance. He nips and sucks his way down to my breasts.

“God, you’re beautiful,” he mumbles as he reaches behind me, unclasping my bra. Jaxson slides the cups out of his way and nibbles on my soft flesh until my nipples are hard peaks.

I arch my back, forcing myself further into his mouth. “Jaxson, please,” I beg.

He releases me. “Do you need more, baby?”

“Yes.”

“Your wish is my command.”

He kisses his way between the valley of my breasts and down my stomach before stopping at the waist of my yoga pants. He raises his brows in a silent question, and I tip my chin before he peels them and my panties off.

Suddenly unsure, I cover myself. Jaxson doesn’t comment or make any attempt to move my hands. He kisses them and around my thighs, until I let my arms fall to my side. He massages my feet and legs, and my muscles slowly relax. I close my eyes and let his touch comfort me. He nudges my legs apart, and his breath tickles my inner thighs. With the first swipe of his tongue, I bolt upright.

“Omigod!”

Jaxson presses firmly but gently on my stomach to hold me in place. He attacks my clit with enthusiasm until I’m a spineless mess. I lace my fingers into his hair, holding on for dear life. He inserts a finger and pumps it in and out until I’m withering beneath him.

“Jaxson, don’t stop,” I plead.

The hand resting on my stomach slides up and tweaks my nipples as he adds a second finger, hitting that delicious spot deep within.

“I’m gonna come,” I warn as I detonate.

He nips my clit and sucks hard as my legs grip his head, locking him in place. When the pleasure subsides, he places a kiss on my stomach and climbs up beside me, gathering me in his arms.

“Was that okay?” he asks.

“It was perfect,” I whisper.