skull, and I fear he’s about to have an aneurism. Boy, wouldn’t that be convenient? “You’re my fiancée.”
Saxon wraps his arm around my shoulder, and my traitorous body melts into his. “You heard Rora. She can do whatever she pleases.”
Calvin’s face twists into a horrifying mask of hatred. “You’re a filthy whore.”
Saxon is gone from my side in a split second. In the next, he has Calvin by his neck, holding him off the floor.
“You’re not going to disrespect Aurora in front of me, weasel. Apologize,” he growls.
Calvin doesn’t say a word for a few seconds, but his face is definitely turning red. Saxon is squeezing his windpipe.
“He can’t breathe, Saxon.”
Only when he eases off his hold does Calvin say with a whimper, “I’m sorry.”
To my surprise, Saxon doesn’t rip Calvin’s head off. He drops the asshole with an air of disgust and walks back to my side. I can sense the aggression coming off him in waves, though. He must be using all his willpower to not kill Calvin on the spot. Somehow, his restraint makes me want to jump in his arms even more, and the giddiness that’s now making my heart skip a beat feels different somehow. More real.
Calvin doesn’t say another word as he hurries out the door, but I catch the promise of retribution in his eyes. I just made a huge mistake, but it’s not his retaliation that I fear. It’s Elena Montenegro’s. If Calvin breaks off the engagement, what’s going to happen to me?
18
Saxon
The motherfucker is gone, but my rage still churns inside. The only thing that kept me from turning him into human pâté was Aurora’s presence. I close the distance between us, ready to pull her in my arms, but the hardness in her eyes makes me stop in my tracks.
“Why did you tell him about us?”
She doesn’t sound mad, but she looks worried.
“I couldn’t help it. You’re my mate, and my instinct is to claim you as mine. I know, it sounds barbaric. I’m sorry.”
With a shake of her head, she veers toward the kitchen sink, reminding me that she was throwing up when I barged into her apartment. She rinses her mouth with water, then plucks a leaf from a mint plant on the counter, shoving it in her mouth.
“It doesn’t matter now. The damage is done. Besides, Bloodstone is a gossip factory. Someone was bound to find out about us eventually.”
I’d believe her if her body language didn’t tell me a different story. Unable to control myself, I stop behind her, leaving barely any space between our bodies. Her spine becomes taut while she grabs the edge of the counter.
“Saxon, please. You’re making it worse.”
I lean down, bringing my nose closer to her neck. Her scent shoots straight to my head, making me dizzy for a moment. Needing her as an anchor, I hold her arms, creating the familiar crackling energy that surges every time we touch. The action has the opposite effect of keeping me grounded. I feel like I’m flying, soaring through the skies. Her back is suddenly flush against my chest, and I don’t know if it was me who pulled her closer or if she melted into me by herself.
One of my hands slides down her belly, and then disappears underneath the waistband of her leggings. Her pussy is hot and wet when I part her folds with my fingers. Letting out a kitten moan, she arches her back, and then reaches for the back of my head.
“Saxon, this is a terrible mistake. We can’t let the bond win.”
“Just this once, Rora. We’re hurting so badly.” I insert a finger inside of her while pressing my thumb against her clit.
She gasps loudly, shuddering in my arms. I push her long hair off her shoulder, and place soft, open kisses on her neck while I finger-fuck her. My cock is so damn hard, ready for action, but there’s another urge that’s winning. I need her blood. My mouth is watering already. I’m about to sink my fangs into her skin when I feel a change in her body. She tenses and not because she’s about to climax.
“Rora?”
“Step away, Saxon,” she grits out. “Now!”
I jump back, seconds before Aurora’s body becomes enveloped by an energy field. The occurrence only lasts a moment, and when it vanishes, she turns around, staring at me with eyes that are round with fear and regret.
“Did I hurt you?” she asks.
“No. What the hell was that?”
She drops her chin, staring at