Page 106 of Wicked Lord

“Youareimportant to me, Ax, whether we’re friends or something more.” She shrugged one shoulder. “I just need you to know that.”

My brow furrowed as I got the feeling that she’d wanted to say something else, but I didn’t press her.

“AndIneed you not to fucking ghost me again.” The worst scenarios had played through my mind, and they all involved Brock Haversham harming her. “Promise me you won’t do that.”

“I promise, Axel.”

As an ache throbbed deep in my chest, I couldn’t stop from pressing my lips to hers. Lorelei instantly opened to me, allowing my tongue to dip into her mouth, savoring her addictive flavor. Chills skated down my spine, and a moan tumbled out as I devoured her. She felt so small and soft against me, a perfect fit.

Lorelei’s hands roamed over my chest, burning through the material of my t-shirt, and her sweet little whimpers sent electric jolts right to my cock. She no doubt could feel it hardening against her stomach.

We weren’t faking or kidding ourselves with this kiss, and it wasn’t about sexual pleasure either. I craved her companyandher body. She had me so twisted and turned around that I couldn’t tell which way was up or down anymore.

I reluctantly pulled back before I got carried away and threw her on the bed. The desire swimming in her half-lidded gazereally tested my control. So did that damn dress. It deserved to be torn from her tight little body.

“I may be confused about a lot of things right now.” My fingers, still tangled in the silky hair at her nape, gently massaged her scalp. “But one thing I’m certain about is Haversham will never get the chance to touch you again.”

Worry flickered over her expression, and some of the rosy coloring in her cheeks faded. “Ax, you can’t put yourself in harm’s way?—”

I pressed my finger to her swollen lips. “You can’t talk me out of this.” My forehead lowered to hers. “Iwillprotect you.”

For the next few hours, Lorelei and I hung out in her room, watching trash reality shows. I should win a medal for keeping my hands to myself when all I’d wanted to do was pin her to the bed and bury my dick inside her. But we were both confused, and having sex tonight could fuck us up even more.

Of course, as soon as I left the Zeta house, I wanted to run back in, shove her down, and make her scream my name while I turned her body into my personal playground.

It would happen sooner or later.

My steps faltered, and I was on the verge of returning to Lorelei’s room to do just that when something stuck beneath my Jeep’s windshield wiper caught my attention. I snatched the large yellow envelope, tore it open, and pulled out a glossy sheet of paper.

Ice crystallized over my flesh as a smiling picture of Peter Dupont greeted me. Two little words written in red marker beneath his face had the air stalling in my lungs.

I know.

My head whipped around as I searched the darkening street for any movement, tingles crackling over my scalp.

Who the fuck left this? Was Vaughn screwing with me? Or could it have been?—

“I see you got my note.”

Brock stepped from the shadows of an oak tree and strolled over as if he didn’t have a care in the world, the streetlights glinting on his perfectly styled golden locks.

Fury crashed over me, giving the picturesque street a crimson haze. Instead of waiting for him to close the gap between us, I bolted forward, snatched his designer dress shirt, and slammed him against my car. His head thudded on the glass.

“You really have a death wish, don’t you, Haversham?”

His chilling laugh spread goosebumps along my nape.

“Do you think it’s a good idea to allow nosy neighbors to witness your violent tendencies?” He gave a twisted smile, perfect rows of unnaturally white teeth gleaming like a predator poised to attack. “You should see someone about your issues. Pushing that poor kid to his death should have been a wake-up call.”

The blood drained from my limbs, and my grip fell away. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Peter’s death was ruled an accident.”

As panic descended over me, my mind raced. How did Brock find out? Did Vaughn tell him, or did Haversham do his own digging to arrive at this conclusion?

He scoffed. “We all know how things can change to benefit the wealthy and well-connected.”

“You have no proof.” I folded my arms and widened my stance to take up more space, an intimidation tactic I learned from football. “Go back to Texas and play your games there. You don’t belong in Copper Cove.”

His lips curled in disdain. “I’ll gladly leave this pathetic seaside town once I’ve secured a certain asset.”