Seeds of Malice: Wilted Kingdom Book One by Maggie Cole

Author:Maggie Cole [Cole, Maggie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pulse Press Inc
Published: 2024-02-02T00:00:00+00:00

18

Ivy

Avery steps forward and softens her expression. She drags her fingers over my collarbone and studies me the same lustful way Dax usually does. The scent of her floral perfume flares around us, intoxicating me. She lowers her voice and says, "One kiss. We can be friends, Ivy. Don't you want to be my friend?"

My insides quiver. I open my mouth, but nothing comes out.

She moves closer, leaning into my ear. Her fingers dip lower, grazing my top. She slinks her other hand behind my back and caresses my spine. Tingles explode under her hot breath. She murmurs, "Let's be friends. Don't you think that's best?"

I inhale sharply, unsure why my body's tingling and what to do.

I'm drunk. That's what's happening.

"Ivy, please," she breathlessly begs, pinning her gaze on my mouth.

Dax yanks me away and quickly maneuvers me out of the room.

I can barely stay on my feet. My head buzzes.

What just happened?

Why did I take those shots?

Was I actually considering kissing Avery?

Dax continues moving me through the crowded room, and I grab him tighter, crying out, "Dax, slow down."

He doesn't. Rage flares around him.

I don't know why.

I kissed Bobby.

No, he kissed me.

Dax pulls me into another bedroom and slams the door. He spins me against it. He snarls, "Is that who you want? Bobby?"

There's something other than anger in his tone. Is it vulnerability?

Maybe I'm making it up since I've been drinking.

No, it's there.

"Well?" he questions, and it sounds a tad desperate, making me feel guilty and horrible.

But I've never wanted Bobby's lips on mine, so I object. "I didn't kiss him. He kissed me. I tried to push him away, but he wouldn't stop. You saw it!"

"Didn't look that way to me," Dax claims.

"No." I shake my head and then I wince. It's painful and makes me dizzy, and I curse myself for letting Bobby pressure me into the shots and then downing his.

"You kissed him back," Dax states.

"I didn't."

"You did. Marcey saw the same thing I did. Your fingers relaxed on his chest."

"What? No," I deny, but Dax keeps his narrow gaze pinned on me in disapproval.

I cry out, "It's Avery's fault. She wouldn't stop. I just want to be good enough to fit in here. But every time I turn around, everybody's out to get me. I don't understand why."

"Didn't look like you were that mad at Avery a minute ago," he accuses.

"That's not true!"

"Isn't it? Pretty sure you would have played tongue tag with Avery had I not interfered," he claims.

"Not true," I declare, as tears fall down my cheeks. And I can't stop them.

Dax stares at me a moment, then takes several slow breaths. My waterworks continue, and the fire in his eyes doesn't cease.

I'm scared I'm going to lose him. "Please. I love you. I don't want Bobby or your sister. I want you."

He doesn't reply.

My silent tears turn into a sob. I'm so confused and frustrated. Dax is the only person who's been kind to me and welcomed me. Now he thinks I don't want him.

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