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

“You’re pushing too far.” He scowled. “If your plan is to distract me so you can rifle through my things, it won’t work.”

Instead of getting as far from him as possible, like she should have, she bit her bottom lip and continued forward until only a foot separated them. “I don’t want to look through your things. We can move to my room if you prefer.”

Why wasn’t she scared of him? Most females wouldn’t even walk near him in the markets. This one had seen him in a rage just a few days ago and yet he scented no fear on her.

She should be afraid of him right now. Every instinct he had was telling him to drag her to the bed, pin her arms above her head, and sink his shaft deep within her core until she screamed his name.

Her gaze roamed down his body. When it reached the evidence of his arousal, her eyes widened and her breaths quickened.

Goddess help him, he could scent that she was becoming aroused.

Jade’s face shot back up to his when he began to growl low in his throat. His erection throbbed painfully.

Last night when he’d captured her on the beach, he’d barely stopped himself from taking her. The only thing that had stayed him was her whimper of fear.

Theo didn’t think he had the strength to stop himself again, especially if she needed release as well. He wanted to give her what she needed. She may be slightly different than Clecanian females anatomically, but he was sure he could learn how to please her.

Theo wasn’t known for being a gentle lover. His mother’s ancestors were a dominating, brutal people, more predator than evolved civilized beings. The urge to chase, capture and possess a female were all urges that flowed through his Traxian blood. No Clecanian female had ever called to that side of him the way this stunning human was.

She seemed to admire his power and brutality. Wasn’t aghast by his appearance like others were. She may even enjoy his aggression in bed. Come to crave it. A shiver ran down his spine at the thought.

But…she’s so small. So delicate. If he lost control with her, he may inadvertently hurt her.

Mine to protect. He didn’t know where that thought had come from, but he immediately pushed it down. She wasn’t his. Never would be.

Something in him warned that if they had sex now, he’d never be the same. She’d leave him and he’d stay behind with a hole no other female would ever be able to fill. His possessive instincts might even force him to try and steal her away, which would earn him a death sentence.

“You need to leave,” he bit out. “Or you’ll regret it.”

“What about my leg?” she asked quietly.

He held the device out to her, even as he worried that the merest brush of her hand might send him over the edge.

She glanced at the device then looked up at him with a half grin. In an innocent voice, she asked, “Shall I lift my dress?”

Chapter 27

With a snarl, Theo’s hand shot out and locked around her throat, the healing device forgotten on the floor. His muscles were taut, and his immense chest rose and fell rapidly.

She’d pushed him too far. His dark stare bore into her. But then…his eyes changed. The soft green flashed to black and then back again. Had she imagined it?

He turned them both, guiding her with the massive hand at her throat and forcing her to back up until her shoulders hit a bedpost.

When her brain caught up to her present circumstances, she began clawing at his hands and struggling to break free. He bared his teeth and squeezed. He didn’t apply enough pressure to hurt her or cut off her air. His hold was just firm enough to tell her she wasn’t going anywhere until he decided to let go.

She stopping scratching at him. Just let him calm down. He isn’t hurting you.

When she rested her hands on his forearm, she noticed his quick intake of breath. Keeping his hand in place, he stepped so close to her that she had to crane her neck to look at him.

He towered over her and, finally, Jade started to question her choice to seduce him, even as her treacherous core flooded with heat. He was so much stronger than her. She knew he could snap her neck like a twig in an instant if he wanted to. The logical side of her told her she should get far away from him.

Despite her fears, she couldn’t deny that she was very turned on. Her panties were soaked, and her breasts ached for his touch.

“Let me go,” she said, though her words lacked certainty. Did she really want him to?

He cocked his head down at her then moved his mouth over her neck, fanning her skin with his hot breath and grazing her throat with his lips. A soft moan escaped her at the contact.

Slowly he slid his free hand down her back and rumbled against her skin, “You need to come, little wife.”

She let out an involuntary whimper and arched her back to him in answer. He looked wild and powerful and was unmistakably aroused…by her. His hand was large enough to encompass her whole neck. She felt so small in comparison, and it thrilled her.

He squeezed her ass hard and nipped at her ear. “You must be aching now. Your scent is driving me mad.”

She shivered. “Scent?”

He moved to peer down at her with a predatory grin. “Your arousal.”

Jade eyes widened in surprise. “You…you can smell…smell when I…”

“I can,” he whispered hoarsely.

She flushed with embarrassment. Placing her hands on his chest, she tried to push him away, but she may as well have been attempting to move a brick wall. He didn’t so much as sway.

In a flash, the hand from her throat vanished, slipped under her dress and ripped her panties off her. “These mask the scent.” Tossing