Page 157 of Thorns of Malice

"It's true. I've only been happy with you."

She tosses the wet wipe in the trash and then spins into me. She throws her arms around my shoulders and pushes my head toward her, sliding her tongue into my mouth.

I palm her ass, thrashing my tongue against hers, and my arousal makes a comeback.

"Dax," she mumbles between kisses.

"Hmm?" I hum, not wanting to end our kisses.

"I want to go home."

My pulse pounds between my ears. I fist her hair and tug it, ensuring she's saying what I want her to say, "You mean my bed?"

She studies me quietly.

"Tell me you want to stay with me in my bed," I demand.

"Yes, Dax. I want to go home to your bed."

Nothing has ever sounded better to me. I don't waste time. I whisk her out of the bathroom, through the restaurant, and into the SUV. My veins feel like they might explode with adrenaline and endorphins as I drive home, but I concentrate on the road, trying to get through the snow as quickly and safely as possible. The entire way, she keeps her hand on my thigh, and we don't say much.

We get through the gates of the estate and into the main house. I steer her toward my bedroom, and as soon as we stepinside, I shut the door and kiss her. I reach for her zipper, but she pushes against my chest.

"Dax, wait."

"What's wrong?"

She opens her mouth, then shuts it.

"Baby girl, what's wrong?" I ask again, the hairs on my neck rising, a chill running down my spine.

She releases an anxious breath. "Can I take CogniShift now?"

I blow out a breath of relief and stroke her cheek. "Of course. Let me go get it." I release her and go to the wall, removing a picture. I put the code in for my safe, then press my palm against it. It beeps and opens.

I grab the dose of CogniShift I've kept in there for her. There's also a dose of NeuroZap, but I don't want to use it on her, not until I can replace it with one without the side effects.

I grab a syringe, stab the needle in the vial, fill it, and set it on the table. I grab a rubbing alcohol pad, rip the packet open, and state, "It gets injected into your ass cheek."

Her lips twitch. She playfully wiggles her dress over her hips, spreads her legs, then leans over the bed, her arms wide.

"Jesus," I mutter, staring at her bare ass. My demon rises, and I rub my palm over her skin.

She whimpers.

I slap her ass.

"Dax," she yelps.

I slap it again several times and then lean over her, rubbing the sting. I murmur in her ear, "Did your pussy like that?"

The look she gives me is all the answer I need.

I kiss her neck, then down her spine. She shivers, and I get to the fading mark on her ass and press my lips against it.

She shivers harder.

I smack the spot again, wipe the alcohol pad on it, and quickly shove the needle in, injecting the medication. I pull the needle out and rub the spot with my hand. "Done."

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