Page 24 of Spelled By Truth and Tresses

His eyes fluttered open. He groaned, then nuzzled his face into my neck. Wetness pooled between my thighs as he squeezed the hand around my throat once.

“Your scent is intoxicating, pet,” Jax said, then sucked on my earlobe. I gripped the sheets, my breaths coming out in pants. The next thing I knew, he had rolled on top of me and pinned my wrists above my head in one smooth movement.

“Get off me, Ax.”

He chuckled and pressed me deeper into the mattress with his hips, his thick erection trapped between us. “What did you just call me?” He rumbled.

“Um…Ax? Give me a break. I haven’t had coffee yet.”

With his free hand, he wrapped the long length of my hair around his fist and tugged. “I like it.” His cock twitched against my belly through his boxer briefs.

Wait, what the fuck?

“Why the hell are you in my bed, asshole?” I spat, my arousal vanishing. Something wasn’t right.

His grin fell, then he rolled off me and onto his side. “Do you remember anything from last night?” He questioned as he stood, then stretched. His tight white t-shirt rose, revealing the bottom of his cut abdomen, the smattering of his happy trail and adonis’ belt daring me to look lower. The muscles in his arms bulged obscenely as he hinged at the waist and grabbed his pants.

I tried to hold on to my anger, but it was near impossible to stay focused whenever he was near.

“You look good in white.” I bit my lip, and I stripped him bare with my gaze. Jax’s eyes darted to my mouth and his breath stuttered.

He cracked a smile. “Well, fuck me. Did you just give me a compliment, pet?”

“Don’t get used to it,” I warned.

“You didn’t answer my question.” He stared at me long enough that heat crawled across my cheeks.

The events of the previous night crashed over me like a tidal wave, each emotion slashing at me as they fought to the forefront of my mind. My hands balled into fists and I squeezed my eyes shut, then muttered, “Unfortunately, yes.” I raised my chin. “I still can’t make sense of everything after my grief flared. I…It felt like I was drowning until a warm presence enveloped me. That was you?”

He nodded, then sat and slid long, muscular legs into his jeans. “I was nearby when I heard your screams. I tried to ignore them.” Jax rubbed his sternum. “But the darkness wouldn’t allow it. It pulled me toward you, despite my efforts to resist.”

The dark unknown within me stirred, and I flinched. Why was he nearby to begin with? I should question him, but he was there for me when I needed him.

“I’m going to pop in the shower. Care to join me?” He stepped closer, then snatched my waist and dragged me into his chest. “Mmm, our naked bodies slick with soap…the possibilities are endless,” he said, then chuckled darkly.

I appreciated his abrupt change of subject, but it did not help my confusion. The image of Jax forcing my face into the tile of the shower and his cock drilling into me flashed across my mind. No, Zellie. Don’t get distracted. Caffeine first, always. I cleared my throat, then stepped back. “I’m going to get coffee. Want some?”

“Absolutely. The shower can wait. I like this plan better, anyway; your scent is marked all over me.”

I turned to grab my purse and let out a sharp cry as Jax’s palm cracked against my ass. “Let’s go.” Urged Jax. He pushed strands of brown hair away from my eyes.

“Actually, I’m meeting Lalita.” I didn’t want to risk Jayde and Amara seeing Jax and me together… the inevitable fight of that encounter was too exhausting to even think about.

Jax narrowed his eyes, then he crossed his arms over his chest. The tattoos on his muscular forearms flexed obscenely with the simple movement. “I’ll walk you to the gates of campus, then.”

I exhaled slowly. “Okay.”

I texted Lalita.

Meet you at the academy, L. Going to be late.

I tucked my phone away and stepped out the front door. He followed. We walked by the neatly trimmed gardens all lined up in front of houses that looked the same. The sounds of the bees distracted me. I looked around to see where they were and spotted two by a bunch of calendula flowers. We cut through a shortcut and I caught my sweater on a bramble. It may have been sunny, but it was still cold.

“Here,” he said and freed the thorns from my sleeve.

The sun hit his hair, bringing out the golden shades amongst the dark.

We eventually reached the gates. “Thanks for last night. It meant a lot to me.” I tried to keep my tone upbeat.

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