Chapter 22 His Lust Returns
ARDEN
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The sensation was strange–like déjà vu laced with dread. Both familiarity and unfamiliarity crashed over me, rooting me in place. His old, empty promises echoed in my head, and my body refused to move.
“You’re the prettiest woman I’ve ever laid eyes on,” Jazon said gently, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. I laughed, not out of Mattery, but disbelief. It was easier to laugh than to accept.
He caught my tone. Wrapping his arms around my waist, he pulled me into his chest, his toned biceps forming a wall around me.
“I’m serious,” he murmured into the crook of my neck, his breath ghosting across my skin. I felt his gaze dip to my scent gland, lingering on the mark. Then, he kissed it. A shiver ran down my spine, and before I realized it, I leaned into him, surrendering to his warmth.
“Happy one–year anniversary,” he whispered, slipping out a ring that looked like it could buy all three of my brothers‘ cars.
I turned to him, stunned. “Jax, I can’t accept this
“Why not?” he asked, brow furrowed.
“Your family, “I said quietly. “Do they know about this?”
“Do they have to?” he replied just as sofily. “I bought it with my own money. Just take it, Arden. It would look beautiful on you.‘
My heart slammed against my chest. Was this love? I wasn’t sure–I’d never really known it. But if love felt like this… I wanted to hold on.
My arms found their way around his neck, his locked around my waist once more. We held each other like that, clinging to the illusion.
“I love you,” I whispered.
He tightened his hold before stepping back, carefully sliding the ring onto my index finger.
“Next time, I’m putting one here,” he said, lightly tapping my ring finger. Our eyes met. We laughed, nervous and giddy.
“Arden? You okay?” Tessa’s voice sliced through my memory. 1–blinked, and the illusion vanished. But Jaxon was still standing
there.
I turned to her. “Can you give me a second… please?”
She must’ve heard the edge in my voice because she nodded immediately. V’ll be in the garden. Call if you need me.”
I watched her retreat, worry still seen on her face. And then, I turned around to face the ghost of my past.
Jaxon stood there, a familiar smug smirk curling his lips as he drank me in from head to toe, a glint of appreciation flickering in his eyes.
“Su, you’re really here, he said, his eyes not once leaving the outline of my figure. Under his gaze, I suddenly felt exposed. I folded my arms across my waist, and something in his expression faltered.
“Why didn’t you tell me you got in?” he asked, stepping closer.
I scoffed. “Maybe I would’ve, if I hadn’t caught you screwing Sienna behind my back.”
Then again, thank goodness I did. Otherwise, I might’ve stayed blind for another few years.”
Abitter laugh escaped me
“I forgot how feisty you can get,” he said, twirling a strand of my hair between his fingers.
I slapped his hand away. He didn’t tinch–if anything, it only amused him more.
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10:43 AM
Chapter 22 His Lust Returns
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“I kind of miss it.”
I don’t.” I said flatly. I could lie and say my heart didit ille in this presence. But the love I had for Jaxon? That was long gone–burned to ash the day he threw me away.
“Now that we know we’ll be seeing each other here I continued. “let’s agresyou of each other’s paths. You’re obviousl doing well with Sienna. I’m here to graduate. Nothing else matters
“But how are you planning to do that without me?” he asked, voice dipped im something sickeningly sweet and seductive.
My brow twitched. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Sooner or later, you’ll need my help,” he said, flashing a grin. “I don’t see your mume anywhere near the top students list. An with the Silver Quill? That circle is ruthless. You won’t survive without badlup”
He leaned in. “With me by your side, you won’t just survive–you’ll thrive. Youll game with honors. I can even get you a room here in the Elite Mansions, make things easy.”
He tilted his head, studying me. “I heard what happened. Kieran told me everything. Why’d you away like that? Face n. you probably don’t even have anything left to go back to. No money. No place to stay. No sutin
He smirked. “I could fix all that for you!”
I looked him straight in the eyes, and whatever remnants of warmth once felt for him dissolved.
There was only one thing he wanted.
My virginity.
He reached up and cupped my cheek, thumb stroking the skin. “You’re still so soft,” he murmured, eyes darkening with liuxi.
Before he could do more, I shoved my palm against his chest. He didn’t move much–but it was enough to make my puut
“Arden,” he warned.
“I don’t need your help,” I said coldly. “You made it clear. You rejected me. Let’s leave it at that.”
His jaw tensed, and he bit his lip in frustration. “Why are you making this so difficult?” he growled. “This–this right here–is ecactly why we didn’t work out. You’re so damn stubborn.”
stepped back, neries prickling at the base of my neck. But he closed the distance faster than I could react. He grabbed a fustful of my hair, and panic surged through me. My fingers clawed at his chest.
“What thar birill are you doing?” I yelled.
“Let mat thaim you, he hissed. “We’ll rule this place together. No one would dare touch you. Isn’t that what you want, huh?”
“Dacurand, still struggling against his grip. “I’m not a virgin anymore!”
nd: “Lug We both know you’d never let anyone touch you. You didn’t let me two damn years, Arden. And now I’m supposed to theve you just gave it away?”
“Lat. Ir van
y wont gland, wisting in her hold. But he was too strong. In one quick motion, he yanked my hair aside and pond the a
His eyes darkened with womantiline deeper
The mark” he whipend
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10:43 AM D
Chapter 22 His Lust Returns.
With every ounce of strength I had left, I shoved him backward.
“I told you,” I said, breathing hard. “I don’t have it anymore.
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