Page 46 of Venomous Throne

Probably the stupidest response a person could have after discovering a man in their room, but it was the only thing my brain was capable of forming.

A rough sound vibrated deep in the beast’s chest. If I had any doubts about who my midnight visitor was, that sound confirmed it. The darkness shifted, and then Jaxon stepped into the shaft of moonlight. It cut across his fierce features, giving him an eerie glow.

I never felt safer, more at ease.

I should probably have my head checked.

“I thought you were leaving town,” I breathed, pushing out from the covers and stretching.

His intense gaze tracked the movements. “Circumstances have changed.”

“Have they?” Hope lifted in my chest.

“Mhmm.” He crept closer.

I inched to the edge of the bed. “Well, I’m happy to hear that.”

Jaxon crouched in front of me. “Tell me who upset you, bella? I’ll make sure they never bother you again.” His large hand swept a lock of my hair over my shoulder.

“They’re already gone,” I whispered.

A growl rumbled in his chest. “Pity.”

Gently, slowly, I rested my hands on his shoulders. It didn’t matter how he was here. Or why. Only that he was. I didn’t want to make any sudden movements, make him run away.

“What would you do if they weren’t?” I breathed.

In the moonlight, his eyes bled liquid silver. “Shred them to pieces.”

I shivered. “I’m glad you’re here.”

He cocked his head. The small motion was canine, completely animalistic. It had me reach for his face. I trailed my fingertips up his neck and brushed them through his beard.

“How long can you stay?” I whispered, hating the tension that might drive him away.

“Long enough.”

With a lightning-fast movement, he grasped my jaw and crushed his mouth to mine.

The kiss was pure madness.

I caught the back of his head, holding him in place. Jaxon leaned forward, pushing against me with his body. His tongue swept across my lips, and I opened to him. It darted in, exploring and tasting. I leaned up into the kiss, my nipples brushing against his chest.

Liquid heat pooled between my legs.

My body screamed for more.

Jaxon caught my wrist, wrapping my arm behind my body and snatching the other. He kissed me hard, holding me in place with his free hand spread through my hair.

It was a hot, dominant kiss. There was a roughness about him, the one I sensed, and now I silently begged him to unleash it on me.

I moaned into his mouth.

Jaxon pulled back and looked down at me. His gaze was blistering, burning me with the icy intensity.

“Tell me, bella, where do you want my mouth?”

Oh, sweet saints.