Page 50 of Thorns of Malice

Don't let him win this time.

I study him as the tension builds.

"You have to give me another chance," he demands.

I pretend to give in. "Okay."

"Okay? What does that mean?" he cautiously asks.

I lean over to him and put my hand on his head, pulling him closer to me. I brush his lips with mine while ordering, "You'll start proving it to me tonight."

His breathing picks up. He reaches for my head and pulls me into him, kissing me and sliding his tongue against mine.

It only takes seconds before I'm back into the bliss that I remember, the world of Dax Carrington and me, his tongue thrashing against mine, his palm holding me firmly, making me feel alive.

It's the first time I've really felt it in ten years. No matter what I've done to find it again, I never could.

A high hits me, but it also intensifies my cravings for everything else the demons deep inside me need.

I force myself to retreat. "We have an after-party to get to."

The color drains from his face. "Ivy?—"

"You told me you'd do anything for me. I did everything for you. Then you stole the only thing my father had. The only thing that wasn't taken from him, you took," I accuse, unable to stop myself from spewing my thoughts.

"I told you, things will soon come to light about that," he argues.

"I don't know how to follow the labyrinth you're creating about my father's work, but I'm not interested in figuring it out. There's only one thing I'm interested in right now."

His eyes turn to slits. He questions, "What's that?"

I sit back in my seat and point out the window. "Drive. We have an after-party to get to."

He warns, "Ivy, you can't trust the others."

I almost laugh out loud, but I hold it in. I turn to him. "I'm supposed to trust you, but not them?"

"Yes," he insists.

"And what did you do that was any better than what they did?" I ask.

He squeezes his eyes shut and slowly shakes his head. "Ivy, you don't understand."

I can't help it, I laugh. "Well, fill me in."

He opens his eyes and leans his head back against the headrest, continuing to shake it, staring at the ceiling.

I put my hand on his erection and lean back toward him.

He rolls his head toward me.

"Dax, you just told me you love me. Is it really true?"

His eyes glisten. He blinks hard. "Yes."

I smile. "Then let's go to the after-party. It's time you prove it to me."

He stares at me in confusion.

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