Page 116 of Thorns of Malice

"Please just go," I plead.

He hesitates another moment, then turns and leaves.

Dax doesn't say anything as he leads me out of the coffee shop and to his Hennessey Venom F5. He pushes me against it, leaning in close. "What do you think you're doing, Ivy? Did you think you were going to get your fix from him?"

My lips quiver. I lift my chin and square my shoulders. "You have nothing to say about it."

His eyes narrow. He presses his body to mine and pins me with a hot look.

It's the one I could never resist—the one that's haunted my dreams.

He seethes, "Oh, but I do. And if you need to use someone, there's only one person you use. Me."

20

Dax

The ride to the estate is quiet. I barely feel the sting in my face or the swelling. I'm too enraged.How dare he come here.

Would she have had sex with him?

My gut churns at the thought. I knew from the moment I first saw him on the PI report there was more than friendship between them. But now that I know for sure, my jealousy flares out of control.

I pull through the gate and race to the cottage. I park and get out.

Ivy follows. "You don't need to stay."

"Yes, I do. Besides, we're going to dinner."

"I didn't say I would. In fact, I remember telling you I was having a bad day," she claims.

I put my arm around her waist, guide her up the steps, then open the door to the cottage. I wait for her to go first.

She glares at me, spouting, "You don't have any right to make decisions for me."

"Step inside, Ivy," I order.

She doesn't move.

"Okay, we'll stand here all night. If you want to do this out here so all the employees on the estate can hear, then fine."

She caves, sighing and shaking her head. She brushes past me.

I follow, then shut and lock the door.

She turns to me. "You can go now."

"Why? So you can run off to him?"

She glares at me, but there's guilt on her face.

I step forward, my insides shaking, asking the question I shouldn't, unsure I want to hear the answer. "How badly did you want to sleep with him?"

Her expression doesn't change, but her lip quivers.

My jealousy expands, making me feel crazy. I close the distance between us.

She takes a step back.

---