Page 121 of Burn of Obsidian

Thea.

His first thought, the panic spiking until he looked down, and found that she was fast asleep. She snored, a gentle vibration that made him want to bury his nose against her and just inhale.

But instead, Jax kept himself still, his breathing even. It took a second for him to become accustomed to his own body, to fully appreciate that he’d survived. He felt… good. Healed.

There wasn’t a single twinge, or even ache. Which meant there’d been some kind of miracle, because he’d felt his heart stop.

He was resilient, but he wasn’t immortal.

His last memory was of him using his last ounce of strength to force Thunder out to protect her, but that shouldn’t have been enough to stop death. But there he was, with a heartbeat. Alive.

Thea smiled in her sleep.

Mine.

Their mating bond was strong, a possessive brand across his heart. It was as if he was sat by a fire, her presence bathing him in warmth. He couldn’t believe that even after years of watching his brothers find theirs, he’d never cared for a mate. At least, until he’d set his eyes on her. Once was enough, and now she was everything he never knew he wanted.

And she was finally his.

A few bruises decorated her face, but nothing compared to what they should be. Her hair was its natural glittering silver, knotted on top of her head and tickling his nose. She wore one of his T-shirts, long enough it would cover her arse if it hadn’t ridden up in her sleep, showing she wore nothing beneath. But it also showed the marks along her back, the initial wounds healed to leave yellow bruises.

Fuck. How long was he out?

Thunder refused to share his memories of when he was in control, already relaxing into his own rest. But he still remained present, as enamoured by Thea as Jax was.

Not wanting to disturb her, Jax gently brushed a strand from her face.

She frowned, wrinkling her nose as she reached up to scratch her cheek, only for her hands to be covered in a pair of socks to protect his skin from her palms. Black, to be exact. Large enough to reach up to her elbows, which meant they were also his.

“Stop it,” she mumbled, still half asleep. With a sigh, she wiggled closer, which brought her flush against his erection.

Biting back a groan, Jax stroked over her creamy thighs, tugging the T-shirt up even further. She wasn’t wearing a bra, his fingers brushing beneath the swells of her breasts.

Her eyes snapped open, but before she could move he pulled her beneath him.

“Jax?”

He answered her with a kiss edged with desperation, crushing her mouth like a man possessed. He was aware he was acting like a savage, primal desire searing through his veins. But he didn’t seem to care, not when his hands ached with the need to touch her. He wasn’t sure how long he’d been gone, but waking with her curled beside him was too much for him to deny.

Thea moaned against his lips, encouraging him with little throaty sounds of impatience.

He gave her a second to catch her breath, enough time for her to lose the socks and for her fingers to wrap into his hair and pull. He let her take control, feeling everything in her kiss. Her anger. Her fear.

She was his last thought before death, and then when he’d woken, his first.

Soft hands brushed across his shoulders, only to push against him far gentler than she should if she really wanted him to move.

“Be careful,” she said, lips swollen and face flushed. “You were really hurt.”

Careful? he thought, letting out a laugh, the sound lighting up her face. He went for another kiss, nibbling along her lips and the side of her neck while pressing his hips into hers, only for her to wince.

Jax froze, realising he’d put pressure on her bruises. Flipping over, he pulled her to straddle him. His cock strained, wanting attention. But he knew his mate, and her fingers immediately brushed across his chest in reassurance. His skin was smooth, whole. There was no gaping hole in his shoulder, or deep wound directly above his heart. There wasn’t even a scar.

“You’re really okay?” She frowned, as if she couldn’t quite believe he was there.

In answer, he tugged off her shirt, leaving her entirely bare for him.

“Jax,” she growled, but there was a smile there, hidden beneath her worry for him. No one but his brothers had ever worried for him. “You don’t get to do the intimidating silence thing right now.”

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