Page 118 of Thorns of Malice

"You know what," she accuses.

"Trying to get you back as mine once and for all? Forever?" I question.

Another tear falls down her cheek. Her lips shake harder. She spouts, "It's just another one of your lies. And I'm so tired of those, Dax. I refuse to be your pawn anymore."

"You're not my pawn, baby girl," I declare.

She sniffles. "Sure, I'm not. Everyone's your pawn. Your own family members are."

I clench my jaw, grinding my molars, knowing I can't deny what she said about the others. All I can do is kiss her, so I close any space between us and slide my tongue against hers.

She resists momentarily, then utters, "This isn't fair."

I freeze, then retreat an inch from her face. "What's not fair?"

"You. Here. Doing this to me. You know I'm weak," she admits.

Guilt fills me, battling with my raging erection that's pushing against her stomach. I stay silent, fighting too many demons of my own because I want her so much.

Tension builds between us to the point it feels electric.

I order, "Tell me that you really do want me to go, and I will."

She stares at me and whispers, "Go."

"If you want me to go, you're going to have to tell me a little more convincingly than that," I declare, not moving, my blood pumping hotter through my veins.

"Why?" she questions.

I turn the tables on her. "If I leave, are you going back to him?"

She doesn't say anything, but her struggle is written on her face.

I hate Bobby and Avery even more. Jaxon and Ivy have a relationship—a history I'm not a part of—and it's all because they laced her drinks with Trance.

I insist, "You know you don't want him."

"How do you know what I want?"

"You don't. You would have gone with him," I state.

"That doesn't mean anything," she claims.

"Doesn't it?" I challenge.

She glances down at my lips, breathing harder.

I stay still except for my heart beating hard against her chest.

She finally caves. She pushes her head forward and kisses me.

I kiss her back until we're both breathless, but then guilt bubbles within me, and I retreat. "I don't want to take advantage of you, Ivy."

"I need to have sex. You don't understand. It…it hurts," she admits.

My erection throbs against her stomach.

She grips my shirt. "Don't make me beg."

---