Page 45 of Deadly Cravings

My smile evaporated when I noted the cut on his temple. Blood dripped down his cheek and I inched forward, alarmed. My legs tangled with the dress, so I bunched and lifted it.

“Asher,” I murmured, lifting my hand that he caught and pressed a kiss to the palm.

“Jax and I had a slight disagreement, nothing to worry yourself over.” I frowned at Asher. His eyes were alive with anger, practically spitting fire, but he covered it with a sly smile. I curled my fingers in my fist and blinked quickly. What was I doing worrying about avampire?

A towel slapped him across the face, and I dragged my attention over to Jax. I gritted my teeth at the scowling jerk, directing my self-hatred at him.

I slit my eyes, but he hadn’t even looked at me.

“I’ll fetch your heels from my room, Pet.”

“I’ll pull the Benz around.”

I blinked as they disappeared.They were leaving me alone with the vampire that had anger issues?

My teeth clicked and I couldn’t help taking a few steps back when he moved my way. His lip curved with disgust.

“I’m not going to eat you, girl.”

“Could have fooled me,” I muttered, and he narrowed his eyes, so I pressed my lips together. I still couldn’t get over the differences in personalities between the twins.

He approached me until I was backed near the couch, pulse pounding in my throat.

Jax dropped in front of me and slipped his fingers through the slit of the dress. He gripped and lifted my calf so my foot perched against the couch, splaying everything. A blush scalded my face while I struggled to regain my balance.

“Hey,hey.” I shoved at his shoulders but he didn’t budge as he slid fabric up my leg. His nails scraped across my thigh and then a strap flattened, tightening near the apex of my thighs. He’d pulled a sort of garter up my leg.

I sucked in a breath when one of his digits rubbed the sensitive spots near the growing heat. My chest heaved as I looked down at his twitching jaw. The strap’s tension around my upper thigh was snug. His palms flattened at my leg, the tip of his left fingers grazing my lower ass cheek. I wobbled again and gripped his head for purchase. The short strands of hair were hardly long enough to peek through on the other side of my splayed fingers.

Jax’s touch became light and his fingers grazed my thighs as he inhaled sharply. As he stood, his grip slid up my side and his other hand clinched my waist.

His body was packed with the same lean muscle as Asher, though he was slightly larger.

“Jax,” I said, not knowing what to do and not wanting to pull away. Though he put the fear of vampires in me, my body wanted to go supple against his. The fear bloomed into something else and a pull at my core sucked the air from my lungs. His nostrils flared, gaze becoming like ice chips.

“You disgust me, human,” he whispered near my face. My lips parted as I gawked up at him.

Steps sounded and he shoved off me with one last icy look, and I landed on the couch butt-first. I licked my lips, trying to catch my breath. My panties were drenched by that look in his eyes... and the way he grabbed me. I shivered and lifted my gaze to his glaring one. Asher narrowed his eyes at his brother and shoulder checked him as he passed, lowering in front of me.

He lifted a pair of black heels and plucked the price tag, dropping it on the ground. The cool leather slid onto my foot and Asher set my heel on his knee so he could buckle the strap.

“Don’t put yourself in unnecessary situations. We’ll be outside the entire time even though we’re going in different vehicles,” Jax spoke succinctly, staring me down. “Pertheirinsistence,” he sneered. “I rigged the button on the strap attached to your leg. Hold it down for five seconds if you’re in danger. But only as a last, final, all-hope-is-lost resort.”

“Is it like that alert thing when elderly people fall?” I muttered as I lifted my skirt over my knee to take a look at the thin strap and the flat button attached that was set on my outer thigh.

“What?”

“Nevermind,” I muttered at his snapped response. So grouchy.

Asher looped the strap to the other shoe and held his hand out for me, but I brushed him away, navigating the six-inch heels easily. I recognized Prada like the back of my hand. The satin pumps were dreamy.

Jax stepped near, looking at his brother over my shoulder. If Jax stepped a foot closer, he’d be flush against my side. A shiver worked its way up my back.

My heart thundered at the thought.

If Jax and Asher tasted me . . .

I licked my lips and clenched my fists.

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