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MADISON

I ’m not entirely sure how Ashlynn convinced me to come to this club, nor how she convinced me to get on the dance floor. Yet here I am.

Normally, I’m self-conscious when I dance, especially without any alcohol fueling me. But tonight, I’m leaving it all on the dance floor. My skin is sweaty as I roll my hips to the beat of the music.

As I’m dancing, I feel eyes boring into my skin.

Searching around the room, I don’t see Jagger, but I’m positive he’s there. His gaze is so intense, it’s as though my clothes are being stripped from my body.

And after the other night, I know what he feels like between my legs. The sensations he pulled from me were unlike anything I’d ever felt before.

Closing my eyes, I lose myself in the music, imagining him behind me, pressing his muscular body against mine, his hard length against my ass as we grind to the beat of the music. Swirling my hips seductively, I try to draw him over to me, wanting him. Needing him.

Suddenly, hands grip my hips, a hard body pressing to my backside. I smile, breathing him in, but it quickly fades when it’s not cinnamon, leather, and cigarettes I smell.

It’s an expensive cologne.

My eyes fly open and I twist my head, looking up into Ben’s sapphire eyes.

“Ben. What the hell?” Fury erupts inside me as our last conversation plays inside my head like a broken record. Pushing away from him, I spin around, my hands going to my hips. “Why are you here?”

“I came to see—”

He stops, looking over my shoulder. Before I can turn around, his large hands slide around my hips, pressing me against his muscular body. Taut muscles relax, recognizing the feel of his hands and hard body. Cinnamon, leather, and cigarette smoke permeate my senses.

Jagger.

Glancing up at him, our gazes lock. He smiles down at me, his dimple popping. “Hey, baby girl.”

I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face. My panties are wet from his voice alone. “Hey, stalker.” I wink at him, causing his smile to widen.

Jagger breaks eye contact, his gaze moving to Ben. They stare at one another, chests heaving, black versus blue orbs locking and clashing.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing, touching my girlfriend?” Ben seethes.

I look up at Jagger, who cocks an eyebrow. “Funny. It doesn’t seem like she’s your girlfriend right now, does it?”

Oh fuck. I can’t deny, this is hot .

The raw energy that floats between the two of them is like two equally matched predators about to fight.

“Get. Your. Hands. Off. Her.” Ben glares at us, fuming.

“Fuck. You.” Jagger grins, his hands tightening on me. “I’m not letting her go.” His gaze drops to mine, possessiveness drawing me in. “Ever.” Then his gaze slides to Ben, eyes narrowed, jaw clenching.

I take in Jagger’s expression, my heart thumping wildly. He looks like he’s ready to go to war for me. Like he’d burn down this motherfucking club without hesitation.

My gaze darts around, meeting Ashlynn’s. She’s standing beside us, paralyzed and wide-eyed by what’s happening. She looks as titillated as I feel.

Ben’s murderous gaze flicks from Jagger to me. He crosses his arms over his chest, a smug smile on his face. “Well, well, well. For someone so worried about me and Chloe, it seems like maybe I should have been questioning what you were doing.”

“ Fuck you ,” I spit.

He has no idea.

Sure, I may have been in the wrong for the things I’ve done with Jagger, but after the way things went down with Ben, I thought we were done. He didn’t make any effort to contact me until he randomly showed up here, uninvited. And before that, he left me alone.

A lot.

Ben snorts. “My girlfriend accuses me of cheating, but it seems she’s the one who cheated.”

My eyes flash from anger, my hands clenching into fists. “How dare you. You have no fucking idea what you’re talking about.”

Leaning closer, Jagger’s hands still firmly planted on my hips, I cock an eyebrow. “Ironic how you fault me for everything but can’t admit you fucked up. You kept stuff from me, then dropped it like bombs around me, before wishing me well.” I pause, my breathing ragged. “Was I really supposed to believe I was still your girlfriend after that?”

Ben glares at me with disgust. “I believe you had a tantrum, then ran out. Get your facts straight.”

My mouth drops open, but it’s Jagger who speaks.

“Funny. You let go of her so easily.” I glance up at him as he stares contemptuously at Ben.

“You don’t know a damn thing about her and me,” Ben spits.

Jagger smirks. “On the contrary. I know more than you think. A lot more.”

Jagger’s words seem to hit a mark. For the first time since I’ve known Ben, his calm facade shatters. His breathing is heavy as he glares at Jagger.

Then Jagger shoves me toward Ashlynn before taking a step forward. Ben does the same, the two angry men colliding on the dance floor. Chest to chest, they stare one another down.

Jagger is bigger than Ben, taller and more muscular.

But Ben looks equally imposing as he says something to Jagger that I can’t hear, spittle flying from his lips.

Jagger’s hands ball into fists, his muscles taut beneath his clothing.

I cringe as Ashlynn and I stand there, our arms around one another, waiting for one of them to throw the first punch.

Suddenly, Ben steps back, an arrogant smile on his face. Holding up his hands, he shakes his head, eyes menacing. “This isn’t over.” Backing up a few steps, his gaze moves from Jagger to me.

Then he turns, disappearing through the crowd.

What the fuck just happened?

Jagger stares after Ben, muscles taut, poised for a fight, watching as Ben disappears through the crowd and out the door.

Then his gaze flicks to me.

A smile spreads across his lips, his muscles relaxing. Wrapping his hand around my arm, he tugs me toward him. “Are you okay, baby girl?”

Rather than answer, I wrap my arms around his neck, my lips meeting his, and kiss him like my life depends on it.

Cheers erupt around us, bringing me back to reality.

Fuck. We are in the middle of the dance club.

Red-faced and breathing heavily, I pull away. “How about we get out of here?”

He winks. “I like the way you think.”