Confusion rolled over her. She had no clue where to go from here.
His hand slowly slid down her skin until it rested against the soft flesh that pulsed at the base. The beat was fast, hard, and Jaden was desperately trying to keep the jaguar at bay.
Her skin was on fire, aching, and it felt as if she was being ripped in two.
“You’re a DaCosta. Convince me why I shouldn’t just snap your neck and be done with it.”
Something in the air changed, darkness slithered around them and she began to shiver as it clung to him and bled into her. It rippled along her skin until she felt nauseated.
Could she trust him? Did she have a choice?
“You didn’t seem to care about that three years ago.” Jaden winced as her thoughts slipped from between her lips, a whisper, yes, but vocalized nonetheless.
He stilled and she tried to ignore the hard planes of his body as he gripped her even tighter.
“Three years ago doesn’t count anymore.” His voice was soft at her ear, in total contrast to the tense feel of his body. “If I’d known then you were DaCosta I’d never have touched you.”
Small ripples of pain and humiliation scorched her cheeks with heat and Jaden sought a place of calm. His words ripped into her harder than she’d liked. The man had been an invisible part of her life for longer than she cared to admit, and she’d been nothing more than the biggest mistake he’d ever made.
His hand slid from her neck, trailing a line of fire downward until he rested his large palm against her heaving chest. Her nipples were hard, erect, and she flinched as his fingers passed over them.
Julian’s mouth was near her ear and his breath sent tingles of heat across her skin as he spoke, his voice low and sensual. “But it’s a different world today, and right now you could be the devil’s sidekick, for all I care.” The air thickened, changed into something dangerous.
Jaden’s pulse quickened even more and her eyes widened as his left hand traveled down to her hip. The unmistakable feel of his hard cock dug into her back and liquid heat began to pool between her legs.
What the hell was wrong with her? She should be kicking his ass but good instead of dancing on the edge. This game would not end well for her.
“It’s been too long, Jaden.”
Her tongue caught between her teeth as her name fell from his lips. The way he said it sent waves of pleasure rolling through her. It wasn’t fair. She wanted to hang her head in shame at the betrayal of her body.
He tipped her head up until it rested against his chest and their eyes met. Long moments passed, and the only sound that was heard was their heavy breathing.
Then he smiled, but there was a cruelty in the depths of his eyes that gave her pause and put her instantly on edge.
“Yeah, way too long.” He paused, and in that moment nothing existed but the two of them. “You’ll do,” he said roughly.
Then his mouth was upon hers, open, hot, and demanding.
And even though it was all wrong and dark and humiliating, deep inside, the cat began to purr.