“Jaxon,” I breathed in protest, wanting to see him come undone the way I had just done for him. I shifted slightly, pushing my ass against his hard length. He moaned softly, but he only tightened his grip around me.
“You need rest,” he murmured, his voice thick with lingering desire. His husky command only made me squirm again in his hold, a soft chuckle escaping him. “I’m not going anywhere, princess. And you need sleep,” he whispered into my hair, hisvoice softening as the heat of the moment began to fade and the steady rhythm of his breathing slowed.
I wanted to argue, to tell him I was in no way tired after what we had just done but the overwhelming exhaustion from the past few days weighed heavily in my bones. After everything that had happened, he was right. I needed sleep. I sagged in defeat against him, and he seemed to relax behind me. The warmth of his body wrapped around mine was comforting, and a small smile tugged at my lips. I let myself melt against him, the steady beat of his heart calming the frantic pace of mine.
Exhaustion finally overcame me, and with each breath I took, sleep slowly began to claim me.
Chapter 14
Zara
Jaxon shifted behind me, the movement stirring me from sleep. A lazy smile tugged at my lips as his large, callused hand slid up my body, leaving a trail of heat in its wake. My skin prickled under his touch, my mind already drifting to the thought of continuing what we had started last night.
But the moment was shattered when I felt the unmistakable cool press of a blade against my throat. My entire body went rigid, the joy I’d felt moments ago replaced by a rush of icy dread.
“Tell me, little stalker,” a voice purred, silky yet rough, sending a shiver down my spine. “Do you make it a habit of shadowing into other people’s beds?”
Xavier.
The realization hit me like a punch to the gut, and I instinctively jerked back at the sound of his voice, only to find myself pressed even closer against him—his hard, unyielding chest at my back and something else… something unmistakably solid pressing into me.
He hissed at the sudden contact, his breath hot against my ear. “Apologies,” he drawled, the edge of his voice dark and amused. “I’m not used to beautiful women appearing in my bed unannounced.”
A nearby lamp flickered to life with a soft click, casting a low, dim glow over the room. I had to blink my eyes to adjust them to the new light. How did that turn on? And why was it so bright?
We were on an exceptionally large bed, soft black silk sheets beneath me.
I could see a door directly ahead of me on the adjacent wall, stone walls peeking between heavy tapestries, and books scattered haphazardly across various pieces of furniture, most spilling onto the floor.
I had disappeared again—tohim.
Panic overtook me, and I swallowed against the blade. I hated that these men kept holding daggers to my throat.
“Seeing as I clearly didn’t mean to end up here,” I hissed, my voice sharp and laced with annoyance, “you can let go of me now.”
His grip didn’t loosen, though I could feel the weight of his amusement behind me. “You’re a spy who somehow slips past my wards and ends up near me whenever you please. I don’t think so, little stalker,” he growled, his voice low and dangerous in my ear. The heat of his breath sent an involuntary shiver down my spine.
“Do you see any weapons on me?” I snapped, my heart pounding in my chest, but I kept my voice sharp, refusing to let fear show.
“Weapons mean nothing when someone has magic,” he snapped back.
“I was asleep! And I don’t have magic—I didn’t even know I was here!” I tried to shift in his hold, twisting enough to throwan elbow toward his ribs. He grunted and chuckled softly at my attempt.
He removed his dagger and pushed me violently away with his other arm. The force of his push made me go flying, and I almost went off the edge of the bed. I quickly righted myself, anger and embarrassment flooding my veins.
I turned to him with a scowl, but it quickly turned to surprise as my eyes landed on him in the bed.
Xavier was now seated, the black silk sheets haphazardly bunched in his lap, barely covering his very naked body. His muscular chest gleamed in the dim light, the hard lines of his body catching every shadow. I quickly averted my eyes, heat crawling up my neck.
He smirked, clearly enjoying my discomfort. His dagger wasstill held defensively at his side as if I were a threat.
“Tell me, Zara, was it?” His voice was a dangerous whisper. “How long have you been fucking my brother?” he hissed, his tone demanding, tinged with a raw edge I couldn’t quite place.
My mouth fell open in shock, and I met his emerald gaze again. “I am not sleeping with your brother,” I managed to retort, my cheeks flushing crimson.
Xavier’s gaze hardened, his eyes narrowing as he barred his teeth at me, “Your scent was all over him the other night, and his scent lingers on you now.”
“People need to stop smelling me!” I snapped, swinging my legs off the bed and standing. My hands flew to my hips, and I glared down at him, trying to reclaim some semblance of control.
