“It’s okay,” I say, holding her tight. “It’s okay.” But it’s not. Because as I’m holding my sister, I see it. Tucked into her back pocket, a thick wad of cash. More money than we’ve seen in months. It’s a dirty, grimy secret, and it’s burning a hole in her pocket.
“Millie… who were they?” I ask.
“Nobodies,” she says, wiping her eyes, dismissive. She forces a smile, “Now, let me see. Yes! That’s a dress for a soon-to-be-out-of-here-girl,” she says, her voice too bright, too cheerful.
I think of all the ways to push and press for answers, to demand the truth, but if I know Millie at all—and I do—there’s no way she’s telling me anything if she thinks it’ll make mereconsider leaving.If I want to know more about this, about the cash and the creeps and the fear in her eyes, it won’t be from her.
She’ll tear herself apart trying to handle it alone before she lets me get tangled in her mess. There’s nothing she wouldn’t sacrifice to make sure I get out of Tar City,including the truth. Including herself.
Twenty-Three
NOW | JAX
My mouth crashes into hers and everything in me fucking shatters. All I want is her skin on mine—no barriers, no bullshit, just her. Her tongue finds mine and she moans as I drag my mouth down her throat, leaving a trail.
I haven’t even touched her right and I know—nothing’s stopping me from taking her tonight. Nothing.This isn’t hunger, it’s fucking survival.
“I’m not hurting you tonight,” I grind out, a promise I don’t fucking trust myself to keep as I peel her shirt off. Inch by inch. Every second is a goddamn war between my power and my desire.
My mouth latches onto her nipple and I almost lose my fucking mind—buried in her, sucking hard while she gasps my name. I pull back just long enough to breathe.I gotta slow down. I gotta get control.
“I won’t hurt you tonight,” I say again, voice rougher now, mostly for me.
She kisses me again, frantic, desperate, refusing to let this moment go soft. “I’m not,” she breathes against my mouth. “Scared,” she adds, nipping at my lip. “Of you,” she finishes, her hand moving to my cock.
Her words stop me cold. The lights flicker and then the whole room goes black. I don’t move or breathe. I’m standing there in the sudden darkness, listening to her soft, confused gasp, wondering if I can do this.
“Jax?” she whispers, voice trembling slightly. “What are you doing?”
I don’t answer because I’m still deciding how to handle this.
“Come back here,” she whispers.
I grab the pillows and stack them in the center of the bed.Control where I can get it.I take her gently and guide her there without a word.
“Jax,” she whispers, her voice shaky as she settles against the pillows. “Whatever you’re about to do… just do it. Don’t hold back because of me.”
I slide her shorts down slow, careful around that fucking brace—careful even though every instinct in me is screaming to rip everything off and damn the consequences.
She’s wearing gray lace panties, and I can see how they’re soaked through right in the center, a perfect fucking dark circle showing me exactly what I do to her. My mouth waters as I stare, my eyes glued to the spot. I don’t even try to look away.
“Fucking perfect,” I breathe, tracing the edge of the wet spot with my thumb. “Look at this. You’re already dripping for me and I’ve barely touched you.”
My face finds her underwear and I inhale deep, pressing my nose right against that damp fabric.
Full moon or not, her scent alone will always bring me to my fucking knees. I peel the fabric away, resisting the urge to tear it apart just because I can. The lace sticks to her before releasing, revealing her glistening cunt.
“Beautiful,” I growl, wadding the soaked lace in my fist. I bring them to my nose one more time, inhaling deep, getting myfill before I shove them into my back pocket. “Think I’ll keep these.”
She smiles as I lift her legs—one at a time—and open her as far as she’ll go. A split only her body could ever hold.
I step back to look at her. Naked. Fucking open. Waiting for me.
She reaches for herself and I snatch her wrist instantly. “Don’t you fucking dare touch what’s mine.”
She stills at once and moves her hand away. She tilts her head back—surrendering to the moment. To me.
I move in again, breathing her in like I’m starving. My tongue tastes her slowly—like this is the only thing in the world worth savoring.
