Page 124 of From Hell

Jaxon chuckles, a low, clit thrumming sound that heats me from the core out. “Get on the train, and you’ll find out.”

We get on the train.

True to form, Jaxon has booked the Grand Suite. Between him and the room, I can’t stop staring, mouth ajar.

Rich mahogany gilds the walls, intricately carved floral motifs, interrupted only by large windows draped in heavy, rich curtains. A sumptuous king-sized bed, dressed in the finest Egyptian cotton sheets, dominates the cabin. To one side is a small dining area with a polished walnut table flanked by two velvet-upholstered chairs. A marble private bathroom nestles in the corner.

An attentive cabin steward deposits our bags near the door and then leaves.

It’s been nearly a month since I was alone in a room with Jaxon. When I agreed to be his slow travel buddy, I assumed we’d have a cabin each. Jaxon made it clear he sleeps alone. My palms are sweaty and the dress I’m wearing suddenly feels too hot. If I was alone, I’d take it off, but.…

I give Jaxon a shy look, and he gives me a devilish one.

It’s been three and half weeks since he accosted me at the cinema, and every day he’s stalked me, and every day I’ve tried to push him away or ignore him until he left me the Orient Express ticket. It was a slow acceptance, getting used to him being there, watching me from his car at night, skulking in the shadows as I go about my life. Usually, I’d see him out of the corner of my eye, and when I turned and looked at him directly, he either wasn’t there, or he was but didn’t come any closer.

And now he’s right next to me, and we’re going to share a room for the first time, I have no clue how to let him in.

Jaxon, however, has other ideas. He closes the gap between us with a few strides, wrapping his arms around me, his face buried in my neck, breathing in the scent of my skin. I reach up and place a hand on his forearm. Then he whispers in my ear. “I’m going to count to twenty, little fox, and when I’m done, I’m going to strip you, fuck you, and take you whatever way I please.”

I freeze, stock still. His words are in utter opposition to the fancy suite we’re in.

“One, two, three…”

I let out a nervous laugh. “You’re joking, right.”

“Four, five, six…”

Hell, he’s not joking. I pull away from him, turning around to look him in the eye. There’s a dark storm in his silver eyes, mocking me. Choices jumble up in my mind, making me panic.

I could stand my ground and see what would happen.

Lock myself in the bathroom.

Or I could run.

His eyes burn into mine. “Last chance to run, little fox.”

A whistle blows, and the train jerks, pulling away and leaving the station.

“Seven, Eight, Nine…” His smile is all the bad things rolled into one. Adrenaline rushes up my spine, and heat pools between my legs—fear and desire fuse, a lethal cocktail that’s soon going to get me too drunk to run.

I scramble out of the cabin, my heart racing like a horse out of the gate. The train is already moving fast, so there’s nowhere to go but through the skinny carriage walkway, the views whistling past. I’m back on the streets of London running away from him, except this time the carriage is brightly lit, full of people, and I know what happens at the end.

Hurrying through the opulent restaurant car, the crowded bar, and then into the luxurious seated carriages, I don’t look back. Until his hand snakes around my neck, he drags me into one of the empty seating compartments.

His mouth claims mine in a brutal kiss, rasping my lower lip with his teeth. He plasters me onto the smooth carriage wall, so close his body aligns with mine. His erection is rock hard, straining through his trousers. The feel of him pressing against the low heat in my belly makes me gasp and arch my back against him.

He smiles, teeth showing. “I like you like this, desperate for me.”

I tremble as his hands tangle in my hair, yanking my head back and exposing my neck for him. He chuckles, buries his face in my throat, and licks the scar across its length. The curtains are drawn so anyone can stoop and look in. People already have.

“Jax, everyone can see—” My words are cut short by him biting me, his free hand running down the length of me, slowly, searing my flesh with every stroke and squeeze of my breasts over the dress. The only clear thought entering my mind before he yanks the dress down is thatI’m wearing too many clothes.

* * *

JAXON

“Let them watch,” I growl. “Let them see how fucking beautiful you are when you come.”My little fox shivers beneath me, increasing my excitement as she gives the barest nod.