Chapter 72

Jaxon's POV

The silence hangs between us, growing heavy. Melanie looks down, seemingly unsure if she overstepped. “It’s okay,” she says quietly. "I understand if you don't trust me enough-”

I lift her chin gently, caressing it in my calloused hand. The hurt in her eyes makes it impossible to say no. It's not that I don’t trust her; it’s just that I never planned to tell anyone, especially her, the extent of his abuse.

"It's not you, Mel. It's just hard to talk about," I admit.

"Well, I’m here for you, Jaxon." She climbs into my lap, straddling my waist. Before I can ask her what she's doing, her lips brush against my neck. "Does this make it easier to talk about it?" she whispers, her warm breath sending shivers down my spine.

"Not at all," I chuckle hoarsely. The effect she has on me should be a crime. I can’t focus on shit but my need to claim her, to show her that if she wants me, I’m all hers.

She plants a trail of kisses up my neck, her lips soft and teasing. When she reaches my e