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“Jake, what’re we doing?”

My question went unanswered. Anger rolled off of Jake in waves, and it finally hit me that he wasn’t just pissed at Blake Green.

But that’s just crazy. Well… okay, I didn’t exactly listen to his Mr. Bossy Pants order, but why would I? And, yeah, he ended up kicking ass at his meticulously planned party because of it. But how was I supposed to know that would happen?

I braced when he stopped us near the end of the hall, boxes and miscellaneous buildup around us.

“I asked you to stay with the guys,” Jake growled.

I shuffled backwards as he advanced. When my back hit the wall, his hands went to the wall on either side of my head.

“I had to use the bathroom.”

“You should’ve had one of them go with you.”

“I can’t go to the bathroom alone? What, worried I’ll get lost?” My voice dripped with sarcasm.

Don’t poke the bear, Piper.

“No, I don’t want you talkin’ to anyone.”

“God, Jake, I wasn’t gonna embarrass you. I don’t need a sitter, especially not to go to the freakin’ bathroom.”

“Is that what you thought this was?”

“Isn’t it?”

“No. Actually, fuck no.”

“Then why?”

Jake ignored my question. “Who was that first guy you were talkin’ to?”

“James. You met him at my house before.”

“Why were you talkin’ to him?”

“He stopped me to say hi. Why?”

“He touched you.”

“He tucked my hair behind my ear. It isn’t like it was obscene.”

“Not like what Green wanted to do to you. Why the fuck were you talkin’ to him?” His jaw clenched as his body tensed further.

“He stopped me. I was politely excusing myself and trying to get away from him.”

“That didn’t seem to be workin’, did it? You like what he was sayin’ to you, babe? Like hearin’ him talk about your sweet cunt? Were you thinkin’ about how it would be?” Jake asked crudely, his voice low and rough.

“No, what? How what would be?”

“Fuckin’ a rock star. Slummin’ it with the lowly mechanic not doin’ it for you anymore?”

I stared up at him in wide-eyed disbelief.

Fuck it.

Poke the bear.