Page 112 of Thorns of Malice

I sigh. "I told you I'm not dealing with lawyers. I know what I'm doing. I will get it back, but you don't use legal methods against the Carringtons."

He huffs. "It's a perfect time to hit them with my legal team. From what I can see on the news, their entire world's falling apart."

"That's because of Dax," I admit, then squeeze my eyes shut.

Why did I admit that to Jaxon?

He lowers his voice. He drags his fingers over my thigh, and tingles explode underneath it. "Ivy, what are you talking about?"

I open my eyes. "Nothing. I don't know what I'm talking about. Just forget I said that."

"No, I won't forget it, and stop lying to me. I've never known you to be a liar," he asserts.

My mouth is dry as dust. I swallow hard, declaring, "Things are complicated."

He grunts. "Of course they are. They're going to hurt you again."

Silence turns into thick tension.

He moves his hand higher up my thigh, and I shift in my seat.

"Jaxon, we can't do this," I mutter, but it's weak.

"Can't do what, Ivy?" he says, his thumb caressing my thigh an inch from my pussy.

Everything in me that needs what it needs lights up. But I fight it. "We can't." I put my hand on his to move it, but he flips his and traps my fingers.

He murmurs, "It's been too long for you, Ivy. Me too."

"I knew that's why you came."

"I didn't come here for that," he insists.

"Didn't you?" I accuse.

Guilt flashes in his eyes, but I also know he's my friend. I understand his demons as much as he does.

"No. I've been worried about you. And then when I saw that video... Jesus, Ivy, these people are horrible. It's way worse than I ever could have imagined. You don't belong anywhere near them."

I don't say anything. Part of me feels like he's right, but the other side still wants to be with Dax.

I'm fucked-up.

"Don't fall for him again," Jaxon warns.

"You don't know him," I say, realizing how stupid it sounds as it comes out of my mouth.

Jaxon's gaze darkens. He pins it on me. "Have you already slept with him?"

I turn my head, staring out the window. My heart beats so hard I feel like it'll explode out of my chest.

Jaxon leans close to my ear. "Whatever you've done, it's okay. Let's go back to my room." He puts his hand back on my thigh.

I take several breaths, fighting every part of me that wants to go fuck and forget about the world, even if it's for only a few minutes.

"Let's go," he repeats.

"We can't do this, Jaxon," I force out, meeting his gaze and moving his hand off my thigh.

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