Free Vex by Addison Moore Page A

I should say, out of it.”
    “Don’t be mad at yourself.” I can’t bear looking at Logan in his constant state of affliction.
    A half smile slinks up his cheek and dents his face where I cut him.
    “You kissed Dudley to hurt me,” his eyes widen with pleasure.
    “Maybe I did.”
    He takes up my hand and glides it over his cheek before kissing it. “Then I’m still in the game.”

    ***
      

    Trying to get rid of Logan and his scent is like trying to scrub lighter fluid off your body with matches. He seals himself like oil, coating me from the inside like a layer of toxic sludge. I wish I’d never invited him here. He makes me miserable. It’s hard to believe he once ignited my world with passion, and now the thought of him sends me into an angry tirade. Worse, he still has the ability to elicit those familiar urges in me that I find impossible to extinguish.  
    Gage appears at the closet door as a horrific thought comes to me. Dear God, what if I do still have feelings for Logan? What if no matter how psychotic he turns out to be, a part of me refuses to let him go? I’ll go insane if that’s true. You can’t love someone you can’t trust—someone who wishes they could have cut your flesh for sport while pledging allegiance to the enemy. Can you?
    I pat Gage over to the bed and he comes to me with his eager smile, taking off his jacket, his shoes, his jeans.
    Holy crap!
    “What’s gotten into you?” Usually I wouldn’t mind Gage’s hypersexual behavior but, in truth, I’m emotionally all over the place tonight and that just happens to be the one place I’m not.
    “OK,” he presses in a soft kiss, darts over me with those cerulean blue sirens and dimples out a smile.
    God, I love Gage.
    I lean my head back and let him circle my neck with kisses. Marshall and Logan melt off my shoulders one by one.
    “I’ve got an idea,” he gives a husky whisper. As a rule, Gage tends to ruin the moment with his ideas when we’re in the throes of passion. “We do whatever it takes to get dirt on Chloe, and fast.”
    My eyes spring open. “Fast? Did something happen?”
    “Let’s say fast is an understatement.”
    “Did she touch you?”
    “No, and I won’t let her, but apparently it’s not going to stop her from trying. I’ll protect you, Skyla but I’m not going as far as Chloe would like me to.”
    For the first time I feel the very real danger that I’m in.
    “OK, we’ll do whatever it takes.” I have a feeling it’s going take a lot more than I’m willing to give.
    “We can mine Holden for everything he knows.”
    “Oh, right, Holden.” My mind went straight to Marshall. I’m actually relieved it’s Holden. I’ve already killed him once, so I can’t help but feel like I’ve got the upper hand.
    “You don’t have to be afraid. I’ll be there with you.”
    “Thank you,” I run my fingers through his soft, fine hair.
    Gage purges the problems of the world by way of his tempered kisses—the way his hands offer a light massage to my shoulders as he does it. If only we could freeze time and live in this moment forever—just Gage and me and his magical kisses. There’s no better feeling in the world than being alone with Gage.  
    “I love you so much,” I say.
    “You do?” Dark shadows emit in place of his dimples.
    “Oh, I do.” I bite down gently on his lip.
    “Perfect.” His warm hands slide up my shirt.
    “Perfect?” I bite down on my lip seductively.
    “I’m ready to share everything with you.” Gage pulls in close with his knees on either side of me.
    A tight lump gets caught in my throat. It’s the shower scene all over.
    “But we’re not in a hotel room.” It speeds out me like the excuse it is. I want to have this experience with Gage, just not here, not like this. Besides, he prophesied our first time would specifically be in a hotel.
    He leans in and gives one hot breath into my ear. “We will be.”

Chapter Fourteen
    Nevermore

     
    The morning fog