Page 8 of Covet (The Red #3)

Chapter Eight

Elle

Listen to Heatstroke

by Khalid

I threw myself into Daisy’s arms and gave her a hard squeeze. “Missed you, babe!” I shouted above the music.

Daisy laughed and hugged me back. “You’ve been saying that every half hour,” she teased. “How drunk are you?”

“Not even close.” I gave a wide grin, linked my arm with hers, and began to grind my hips to the bass. “I need you to catch up.”

Daisy lifted her espresso martini. “Working on it,” she yelled back, matching my movements.

She looked adorable in flared denim jeans, a black crop top, and stacked denim platforms with a wooden heel.

Her hair was twisted into two braids. Her glasses were oversize with blue frames.

Daisy loved changing out her frames to match each outfit rather than contacts that dried her eyes out.

Her inventory was more expansive than my shoes.

I’d fallen in love with Daisy immediately. She knew exactly who she was, hated conflict, and owned a pure heart. Her looks only added to her appeal, giving her a hot girl-next-door vibe.

We’d squeezed into a coveted table right in line of Noah, who’d just started his set.

The club was packed, especially since Noah was beginning to make a name for himself.

Being linked with Adam and Unison sparked some attention, but I think it was old-fashioned perseverance that eventually got him noticed.

He’d paid his dues. For years, he played anywhere they hired him, worked social media, and made important contacts.

He filled in for anyone, so clubs knew they could grab him if disaster hit, and Noah knew how to pack a room.

“Where’s Gabby?” I asked, craning my neck around. “I haven’t seen her in too long.”

“Right here, bitches.” I was wrapped up in an embrace and a cloud of sexy perfume as Gabby gave us both half hugs, holding her martini high. “God, I had to get my own drink! The guys are huddled up in some big convo I didn’t want to interrupt.”

I frowned and wondered what Max was talking to Coop about. I didn’t trust him. A part of me wondered if he wanted Coop and I to break up now that he was no longer with Landon. I pushed the thought out of my mind. All I wanted to do tonight was get jacked up and be with my girls.

“It’s been too long since we’ve gotten together,” Daisy said with a frown. “I know a lot of crap went down but we need to take care of one another.”

Gabby sipped her drink and nodded. “Agreed. Between my shifts at Red and my new business, I’ve been MIA.”

I jumped up and down with excitement. “I cannot wait to hear the latest on The Drip! Tell us everything. Are you getting a shitload of clients? How do you do the consults? Can I book one?”

“I need one, too,” Daisy said.

Gabby laughed. “Neither of you need my advice. You’re both badass.

” A smile curved her red lips. Her green barely there romper and boots demanded attention.

I would’ve never put them together but she had such a talent.

I loved that she was building her own business rather than chasing projects like the rest of our group.

“It’s amazing, except that I’m always on call.

One of my fashionistas texted at midnight to ask which outfit to wear.

She was headed to a club and trying to get this guy to pay attention to her. ”

“What did you advise her?” Daisy asked.

“After I found out where she was going, and what impression she wanted to make, I made her go back to the closet and pick out something flirty. She was going with straight sexy, but this guy screamed jeans and a t-shirt. She’ll stand out more than if she wore a bodycon dress that barely covered her ass. ”

“Wait—do you call your clients fashionistas?”

“Yep. I needed a more personal term that empowered them.”

I blinked, fascinated. “Gabby, you’re too cool for us. You’re going to be so rich one day.”

Gabby flashed her signature smile, took a large sip of her drink, and grabbed our hands. “Yes, I am. But right now, I want to dance off some of this stress. Let’s help Noah kick it into high gear.”

I gave a loud whoop and we pushed onto the dance floor, making our way up to the DJ platform.

Noah was on fire. Transfixed by the music, large headphones covered his ears as he moved to the beat as if transcending what he heard to his body.

Since he was usually performing, I hadn’t seen him dance much, but when he did, he put the other guys to shame.

Daisy waved her hands in the air and called out his name, even though he couldn’t hear.

Gabby and I did the same, until Noah’s gaze snagged on us and he gave a big grin and wave.

The song ended. He grabbed the mic. That velvety, sexy voice poured into the speakers and boomed through the club.

“I got a special mix I’ve been working on for all my ladies tonight.”

The females roared in approval.

“This one’s dedicated to Daisy, Elle, and Gabby.”

Daisy squealed with excitement and the first blast of sound exploded in tune to a burst of flashing lights.

The three of us squeezed together and jumped up and down, not caring about spilling our drinks.

My senses were overtaken by the earthy scents of sweat, perfume, and liquor; by the push of bodies and brushes of naked skin against mine.

I sang at the top of my lungs as a combo of well-known classic songs mixed with fresh hits; twisting Beyonce with Olivia Rodrigo, Madonna with Tate McRae, Taylor Swift with Rhianna, until the energy poured through me, pushing me harder.

I flung my head back and let myself go, free and unbound for a few precious moments, because Noah knew exactly how to make me come alive.

I lost track of the time as one song blended into another. Finally, dripping sweat and panting hard, we moved back to the table where the guys waited. “He’s fire tonight,” Max said, smiling. “Did you get him revved up beforehand, Dais?”

Her cheeks pinkened. “Stop!”

Everyone laughed. I gulped a half glass of water before turning to Coop.

He was looking at me like he didn’t know if I was mad or not.

The resentment I’d been carrying around faded under the adrenalin rush of moving my body.

I was tired of fighting. I just wanted to get back to the way things were between us, before Landon ran away with Adam and I began questioning Coop’s own actions.

Before I began to wonder if we were really meant to be.

He reached out and tucked a damp strand of hair behind my ear. “Still pissed?”

I blew out a breath. “No. I shook off my anger on the dance floor.”

He leaned in and nuzzled my cheek. “Shook your ass, too. A perfect, juicy ass.”

“Even if I don’t do squats?”

His chuckle sounded in my ear. Coop was always giving me shit about not exercising enough and could lecture on the importance of squats until I fell asleep.

He pulled me in tight and ran his hands over my body with a confident practice.

“Even if. Your body is slamming. In fact, I want to slam my hard cock into your right now, baby girl. Would you like that?”

I pulled back and gave him the side eye. “Depends. You’ll have to convince me you’re very, very sorry.”

Arousal stirred. I knew this game well. When things went south, Coop was always able to bring me back.

Once, I imagined we’d be the type of couple to fall into deep, passionate conversations.

I pictured us sleeping in late, cuddling, and sharing the same interests.

I dreamed of romance, and the giddiness of being with someone who was your soul-mate.

Of an obsessive, soul-mate type of love I probably romanticized my whole life from seeing too many movies and reading romance.

Coop was none of those things. We had great sex.

Mind shattering sex. By the time we began to notice we weren’t as compatible as I’d hoped, it was easier to fall back on sex to fix the breaks.

Over the past six months, we’d been raising the stakes, and adding a bit of danger to our sex life.

It seemed to take more edge to satisfy me now.

Not like the beginning, where all Coop had to do was kiss and touch me and I’d go off like a rocket.

Being part of a tight group helped. It kept us bonded and in check.

It was easy to shove down the doubts and move forward because I always imagined a future for us.

Moving in together. Getting engaged. He’d be a great photographer.

I’d be a great actress. We’d travel together for our careers and live a big life.

But things weren’t working out that way. The cracks were deeper now that Landon and Adam had left and shown everyone there were no rules. Who would’ve thought I’d be dependent on other people to maintain a healthy relationship?

I fell back on my usual mantras. I loved Coop. He loved me. Shouldn’t that be enough to work things out if we tried hard? Everyone had flaws and there was no perfect relationship.

Except Daisy and Noah. I watched Daisy dance while she beamed at Noah, pride etched into her delicate features. A strange longing clawed at my gut. They seemed to be the healthiest of the group, without any fucked-up sex dynamics. Even Landon admitted to dark tendencies that Adam satisfied.

Maybe they were the only normal ones.

Coop smirked, one hand cupping my hip. Blue eyes darkened.

He didn’t whisper, letting me know we were going into role playing.

Anyone around us could hear his words if they focused in.

“How about I drag you into a dirty back alley, hike up that tight little skirt, and get on my knees? I’ll lick your pretty little pussy until you pull at my hair and come hard on my tongue. How’s that for my apology tour?”

Satisfaction flickered over his hard features.

I grew wet and achy between my thighs at the graphic description.

My breath came in tiny gasps at the thought of him carrying out his threat; of him pleasuring me while anyone could walk by.

Role play was becoming part of our regular sex life.

Landon said it was healthy, but there was a darker edge I was drifting close to with Coop that scared me.

But not enough to stop.

Not yet.

“You like that, huh?” he taunted. His fingers moved to my tight nipple, giving it a slight pinch that made my jerk.

I wouldn’t let him be lazy. Not with this.

My lips curved in a welcoming smile as I leaned in, but when he reached to pull me closer, I twisted away.

“Not as much as you believe,” I sang out, wiggling my fingers in dismissal.

I returned to the others, feeling his gaze on me.

My body responded to the chase, but I refused to look back and let him see I was turned on.

Gabby handed me another cocktail. Time blurred with the music until I stumbled off with Daisy to the bathroom, giggling in line and chatting with the other girls. When I came back out, a hand gripped my upper arm and spun me around. “Hey!”

Coop’s face was tight as he spoke in my ear. “Meet me outside. We need to talk.”

My jaw unhinged at his obvious fury but he already stomped away, not even waiting for me.

WTF?

My brain scrambled as I told Daisy I was getting some air, and kept going over what could have happened within the past hour to piss him off. Probably something Max said. Well, I wasn’t going to take his shit. I’d had enough.

I headed out the rear door. Smokers surrounded me, with the mix of cigarettes, vapor, and weed. Tight groups chatted and laughed. Glancing around, I still couldn’t find Coop so I walked deeper into the crowd and peeked around the corner.

Then it happened.

Someone grabbed me, shoved me against the wall, and covered his hand over my mouth before I could scream.