Page 84 of Treasure of the Abyss

Jaxexploded.

He growled against her mouth, quickening his thrusts as his muscles tensed and his seed flowed into her. He didn’t stop until only the echoes of his climax remained; even then, he didn’t withdraw from her body, wanting to maintain their connection for as long aspossible.

Macy tilted her head to one side, eyes shut, and smiled. Jax leaned down and grazed his teeth along her throat, to hershoulder.

His interests had often been fleeting — he’d chase them until his curiosity was sated and move on. He’d left behind countless places, countless objects, but Macy… The more he had of her, the more he craved. The more heneeded.

“Mmm…I don’t know if I can move,” shemumbled.

“Do you want to?” He slid the tip of a tentacle along her innerthigh.

Releasing a soft moan, she lowered her arm, brushing her hand along his cheek before dropping it to caress the base of his shaft. Her light touch teased hisfeelers.

“Do you?” she asked, and there was laughter in hervoice.

“Very much.” Jax pulled back, withdrawing from her, and turned her to face him. His tentacles coiled around her legs, raising them to either side of his hips. He slipped back into her welcomingheat.

Macy looped her arms around his neck, and Jax lost himself in the passion of her half-lidded gaze and the ecstasy that was herbody.

Macy sleptin Jax’s embrace, their limbs entwined. He watched the steady rise and fall of her chest, marveled at the serenity upon her face. She’d used theshowerafter their joining. It was too small for them to fit in together, so he’d contented himself withobserving.

His eyes had repeatedly shifted to the bruises on herchest.

She had said they were from her fall — when Dracchus first tugged her toward the water. While Jax was grateful that the bruises seemed to be the full extent of her injuries, he was stillfurious.

He could no longer direct all his anger at Dracchus alone, and that only added to his rage. Macy didn’t deserve this — she didn’t deserve the pain, the anxiety, this imprisonment. Jax’s throat constricted when he recalled how she’d begged him for freedom, how she’d bargained for it. Though Dracchus had set into motion the events that ended with her freedom stolen way, he hadn’t been the one to ultimately takeit.

No, that decision belonged to theothers.

Jax lifted a strand of golden hair with the tip of his claw and wound it around his finger. He couldn’t understand why she seemed more beautiful to him with each passingday.

She lovesme.

He didn’t fully understand that, either, but he’d recognized the weight of her admission, the power of her words, their depth of feeling. Just asjoiningheld a different meaning for humans,lovelikely meant somethingmore.

Looking at her in that moment, he knew the truth in his hearts. He’d do everything and anything to keep her safe. He’d never tire of her, would never cast her aside, would never betray her. Jax couldn’t imagine his life without her anymore. Every taste of Macy, no matter how minor, made him want more. Now, he was sure — he would give upanythingfor her, his peopleincluded.

Macy sighed, brushing her hand over his chest and up to hisjaw.

“You okay?” Her voice was soft and slurred withgrogginess.

“I am fine, Macy. Rest. I will behere.”

She hummed. Her hand relaxed, and her breathingslowed.

He unwound her hair from his claw and held her, leaning his face close to take in her scent. After so many years of wandering, he’d finally found his place — not the Facility, but Macy. Anywhere she went would be hishome.

And he wouldn’t remain idle while she was forced to dwell in thisplace.

“I love you, too, Macy,” hewhispered.

Chapter 18

The days passed slowlyfor Macy. At first, she’d been content to linger in the housing area, using her time to search the accessible rooms. Apart from a few personal items scattered here and there — the most exciting of which was another music player — the rooms were identical. Even the clothes were the same — the sizes varied, but the cuts, colors, and fabrics were repeated in everychamber.

She’d attempted to enter the locked rooms, but every PIN she punched in was denied, and Jax hadn’t been wrong about the doors — they weren’t going tobudge.

Jax forbid her from venturing out of the cabin area on her own, and Macy had been too wary to disobey. Though the elder kraken had declared Macy one of them, she couldn’t forget the animosity they’d directed at her. The best way to avoid trouble was to stay out ofsight.

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