Choosing Theo: The Clecanian Series Book 1 Victoria Aveline (the giving tree read aloud TXT) 📖

his shirt, his mind had reeled. Her intoxicating scent had mixed with his own, made him wonder if she would smell that way after a good fucking.

When he’d seen her bare legs and thought about how easy it would be to slip his hand under his loose shirt, he’d completely lost it and shattered his glass.

Whoever had hired her had chosen well. Her mannerism and reactions looked genuine.

“Why didn’t you speak before?” she snapped, regaining her composure.

“You did enough talking for the both of us,” he lied. “And I was intrigued by what you were saying.” He grabbed her backside and scooted her forward on the counter so quickly that her legs were forced apart. Swiftly, he positioned himself between them.

She sputtered and tried to move away. He pulled her closer, grinding his hips against her. He was sad to say that she wasn’t completely nude under his shirt.

“What’s the matter, pet?” he crooned in her ear. “Isn’t this what you wanted?”

Her voiced faltered when she said, “I, uh, didn’t say I… Um, no, I don’t.”

His shaft was aching now as he rubbed against her more fervently. A divine smell was coming from her, but he couldn’t identify the cause. Was this the smell of her fear again?

She squirmed harder, trying to get away. He shot her a wicked grin. “If you wiggle any harder, I’m going to come right here.”

She froze at that. “You can’t do this. Not if I say no.”

He told himself he was continuing to hold her in order to rattle her and hear her confession of guilt. He didn’t want to admit this weakness to himself but, in truth, moving away from her after feeling her this way wasn’t something he felt entirely sure he could do.

“A minute ago, you were wishing you could lick my scars,” he said scowling at her. “What’s changed?”

“Your scars? You mean your tattoos?” Again, she tried to pull away, and this time he allowed it. “I didn’t know you could understand me!” she squeaked. She hopped off the counter and moved away from him. “I was just blabbering. I do that when I’m nervous.”

“I think,” he began as he stalked toward her, “that you knew I could understand you and wanted me to think you were attracted to me.”

“What? Why would I do that?” Jade continued to back away.

“Part of whatever game you’re playing, I’m sure.” Rage boiled in him, knowing that this persona she’d donned worked on him like a charm. “Who sent you?” he barked, making her jump. A bittersweet scent radiated from her, confusing him further. Was this what her fear smelled like?

“Sent me?” she asked, reaching her hand in front of her protectively.

“What are you trying to do here? Kill me? Steal something from me?”

Jade was backing herself into a corner without realizing it. “No one sent me. I was abducted from my planet, you psycho!”

“Lie!” he roared as he lunged at her.

She tried to sidestep him, but he boxed her in. She attempted to scratch his face with those little nails, but he easily caught her hands and placed them above her head. Holding her wrists steady with one palm, he pressed her into the wall.

“Whoever sent you must be stupid, and you along with them.” She glared at him as he spoke. “I’d never, for one instant, believe you just happened to pick me because you thought I was sexy.” He said the word with a snarl.

She let out an exasperated breath, her eyes growing glassy. Was she going to cry? His gut clenched, and he had to squash the urge to release her and console her. “Well, I did! I regret my decision now. I should’ve trusted the other women. They all looked terrified of you, and now I know why!”

“Just tell me who you’re working for, and I’ll let you go.”

“No one sent me!” Her voice broke, and she wrenched her wrists downward forcefully. If she didn’t stop, she’d hurt herself.

Theo released a frustrated bellow then threw Jade over his shoulder and bounded down the hall to her room. Once inside, he flung her on the bed.

She scrambled away.

In a tone dripping with venom, he said, “Fine. I’ll play your game. Treat you like a wife. We’ll see how long you last.” He stalked toward the door and before leaving, added, “I own miles of land in every direction. If you run, I’ll chase you. I like a good hunt, but you won’t like what happens if I catch you.”

He slammed the door as he left.

Chapter 17

What. The. Fuck!

Who the hell did he think he was? Now that he’d left, Jade had time to replay their conversation in her mind. She’d been so taken aback and confused when he’d accused her of being a spy that she hadn’t defended herself. Now that she had her wits about her, she was livid.

She scoffed, recalling Zikas’ earlier comment. “There are very few better males than Theo,” my ass! He’s a paranoid psychopath!

When he’d grabbed her and pulled her close on the counter, the logical part of her mind had rebelled. He was an alien, and she didn’t know him at all. She’d also been incredibly embarrassed that he’d understood what she’d said.

Jade’s body, however, had responded to him in a way she’d never responded to a man before. At first, he’d been seductive. Aggressive, but seductive. Calling her pet and whispering in her ear. When he’d rubbed himself against her like he had, she’d grown wet and had almost given up fighting him.

Then he’d changed. She’d seen it in his eyes. Whatever she’d said had made him drop his act and lash out.

In what world could I ever be a spy? she thought, fuming. Jade had always been a terrible liar. Hotheaded too. Many times, she’d said things in the heat of the moment that she’d later regretted.

She couldn’t even fake an orgasm properly. One boyfriend she’d had on Earth had dumped her because of her lack of “enthusiasm”