CHAPTER EIGHT
Jolt
Shiver looks me dead in the eye. "You can’t convince me nothin’ is goin’ on with you and Aggie."
Today, of all days, I can’t bullshit him.
We’re here at a strip club for his bachelor party, which Siren gave the all clear for by the way.
I sigh, running a hand through my hair. "Not gonna talk about that right now, brother."
Shiver's face splits into a wide grin. "You sly bastard, you like her!"
I roll my eyes. "Drop it, man."
Shiver cackles and calls to a passing dancer, "Sweetheart, how about a dance for my friend here? It's his first time."
What a load of shit.
I’ve been to plenty of strip clubs.
I shoot him a glare, but he just winks, leaning back in his seat.
The dancer, a tall brunette with legs for days, saunters over, her hips swaying to the beat.
"First time, huh?" she purrs, running a manicured hand down my arm. "Don't worry, honey. I'll be gentle."
As she starts to move, I can't help but laugh.
This isn't how I expected the night to go, but then again, nothing in my life has gone according to plan lately.
Hell, maybe that's not such a bad thing.
The dancer's routine is impressive, all fluid movements and teasing glances.
But as I watch her, my mind keeps drifting back to Aggie.
To her fiery spirit, her sharp wit, the way her eyes light up when she laughs.
I shake my head, trying to focus on the present.
This is Shiver's night, and I'm gonna make sure he enjoys it.
As the song ends, I slip the dancer a generous tip, mumbling my thanks.
Shiver's watching me with a knowing smirk, and I resist the urge to flip him off.
"Enjoyed the show?" he asks, his tone innocent but his eyes gleaming with mischief.
I shrug, trying for nonchalance. "She's good at her job."
Shiver laughs, shaking his head. "Brother, I've seen corpses with more enthusiasm. Your mind's somewhere else entirely."
I don't bother denying it. "Just thinking about the club, man. We've got a lot on our plate right now."
It's not entirely a lie.
The tension with the Kodiak MC has everyone on edge, and as a prospect, I'm feeling the pressure to prove myself more than ever.
Shiver's expression turns serious. "I hear you. But tonight's about celebrating, not worrying. Whatever's on the horizon, we’re gonna handle it. That's what the club is all about."
His words warm me more than the whiskey ever could.
"You're right," I agree, raising my beer in a toast. "To the club, and to your impending doom—I mean, marriage."
Shiver clinks his bottle against mine, grinning. "Careful there, brother. My ol’ lady might decide you need a lesson in respect."
I laugh, the tension easing from my shoulders. "Bring it on. Siren doesn't scare me."
The words are barely out of my mouth when I catch sight of a familiar figure across the room.
My heart skips a beat, and I blink, sure I must be seeing things.
But when I look again, she's still there.
Aggie.
She hasn't noticed us yet, her attention focused on the friend she's with.
But even from here, I can see the slight furrow in her brow, the tension in her shoulders.
She looks uncomfortable, out of place in the glitzy, neon-lit club.
"Shit," I mutter, my grip tightening on my beer bottle.
Shiver follows my gaze, his eyebrows shooting up. "Well, well. Look what the cat dragged in." He chuckles. "Didn't expect to see your little Scottish firecracker here tonight."
I can't tear my eyes away from Aggie.
She's wearing a tight black dress that hugs every curve, her bleached blonde hair falling in waves around her shoulders.
She looks stunning, and completely out of place among the dancers.
My mouth suddenly goes dry. "Neither did I."
Before I can decide whether to approach her or not, a curvaceous woman with jet black hair saunters up to our table.
She's wearing nothing but a sparkly thong and pasties, a seductive smile playing on her lips.
"How about a dance, handsome?" she purrs, her eyes locked on mine.
I hesitate, glancing back at Aggie.
She still hasn't seen me, engrossed in conversation with her friend.
What the hell, I think.
It's not like we're together or anything.
And, we’re at a fucking strip club.
"Sure," I say, forcing a grin. "Why not?"
The dancer leads me to a secluded booth, pushing me down onto the plush seat.
As she starts to move to the pulsing beat, gyrating her hips inches from my face, I catch a flash of movement from the corner of my eye.
Aggie.
Her emerald eyes lock with mine, widening in shock.
For a moment, she freezes, her friend tugging on her arm in confusion.
Then her jaw sets, a steely glint entering her gaze.
I watch, transfixed, as she marches over to the bar, orders a drink, and takes a long sip.
Her eyes never leave mine, even as the dancer in front of me continues her routine.
"You okay, honey?" the dancer asks, noticing my distraction.
I nod, not trusting myself to speak.
Because in Aggie's eyes, I can see it clear as day—the green-eyed monster of jealousy.
She hates seeing another woman this close to me, and a primal part of me revels in it.
The dancer finishes her routine with a sultry wink, and I fumble for my wallet, pulling out a generous tip.
As she sashays away, I catch Aggie's gaze again.
Her lips are pursed, a storm brewing behind those emerald eyes.
She stalks over, dropping into the seat next to me with fluid grace.
The scent of her perfume—a heady mix of jasmine and something uniquely Aggie—fills my senses.
"So," she drawls, "did ye enjoy yer wee dance, then?"
I lean back, trying to appear nonchalant despite the way my pulse is racing. "It was good."
Aggie scoffs, tossing her bleached blonde hair over her shoulder. "Good? Is that all? I bet I could give ye a better lapdance, ye ken."
My mouth goes dry at the thought.
I struggle to maintain my composure, meeting her challenging stare. "Didn't think you'd want to give me one."
She leans in close, her breath hot against my ear. "All ye had to do was ask, lad."
Then she pulls back, a wicked gleam in her eye. "Well, maybe beg me for it, and I might give it to ye."
My heart thunders in my chest.
I can't seem to stop myself from playing with fire. "Beg, huh? You know I don't beg for anything, Ghostie."
Aggie's lips curl into a smirk. "There's a first time for everything, Jolt."
I swallow hard, torn between desire and the need to maintain some semblance of control. "You're playing a dangerous game here, Aggie."
She shrugs, the movement drawing my attention to the curve of her neck. "Maybe I like danger. Ye should know that by now."
The tension between us crackles like electricity, making it hard to focus on anything else.
I force myself to turn toward the rest of the group, spotting a couple of the other guys on the other side of the club.
I catch snippets of their conversation about the upcoming run to Billings.
Aggie shifts beside me, her thigh brushing against mine, sending a jolt through my body.
"So, Jolt," Cobra calls out, his words slightly slurred. "You ready for this run or what?"
I clear my throat, trying to ignore the heat radiating from Aggie. "Yeah, man. Always ready."
Aggie leans forward, her emerald eyes sparkling with mischief. "Ye sure about that? Seems like ye might be a wee bit... distracted."
I shoot her a warning glance, but she just smirks, clearly enjoying the effect she's having on me.
The conversation continues around us, but I'm barely listening.
All I can focus on is Aggie—the way she laughs, her sexy as sin accent, the way her fingers trace patterns on her glass.
Suddenly, she stands up.
"I need some air," she announces, then saunters off toward the back of the club.
Without thinking, I follow her.
My body's on autopilot, drawn to her like a magnet.
I catch up to her in the hallway leading to the bathrooms, grabbing her arm and pulling her into the men's room.
She hisses, but there's a glint in her eye that tells me she's not really angry. "What the hell do ye think yer doing?"
I don't answer.
Instead, I push her against the wall, my lips crashing onto hers.
She responds immediately, her fingers tangling in my hair as she kisses me back with equal fervor.
Breaking the kiss, I growl, "On your knees, Ghost."
For a moment, I think she might refuse.
But then she slowly sinks down, those green eyes never leaving mine.
My cock is already rock hard as I unzip my jeans.
Aggie takes me in her mouth without hesitation, and I have to bite back a groan.
Her tongue swirls around the head before she takes me deeper, and I swear I see stars.
"Fuck, Aggie," I pant, my fingers threading through her hair. "That's it, baby."
She hums around me, the vibration sending shockwaves of pleasure through my body.
I tighten my grip on her hair, guiding her movements as I start to thrust.
The sight of her on her knees, taking me so deep, is almost too much.
I pull her off, hauling her to her feet and lifting her onto the sink.
"Jolt," she gasps as I push her skirt up around her waist. "We shouldn't?—"
I silence her with another searing kiss, positioning myself at her entrance.
"Tell me to stop," I challenge her.
She doesn't.
Instead, she wraps her legs around my waist, pulling me closer.
I slide into her in one swift movement, both of us groaning at the sensation.
I set a punishing pace, driven by days of pent-up desire and frustration.
Aggie matches me thrust for thrust, her nails digging into my shoulders.
"Ye feel so good," she moans, her accent thicker than ever. "Don't stop, please don't stop."
I have no intention of stopping.
I drive into her harder, faster, chasing the orgasms I know will come.
When I feel her start to tighten around me, I slip a hand between us, rubbing her clit in tight circles.
Aggie comes with a cry, her body shuddering against mine.
The feeling of her pulsing around me pushes me over the edge, and I follow her into bliss, spilling deep inside her.
As we both come down from our high, I lean in close, my lips brushing her ear. "You're mine whether you want to be or not, Ghost."
I pull out of her, my heart pounding like a jackhammer against my ribs.
The bathroom suddenly feels too small, too hot.
I tuck myself back into my jeans, hands shaking slightly as I zip up.
Aggie's still perched on the sink, her chest heaving, hair a mess from where I gripped it.
For a split second, I'm tempted to kiss her again, to claim her mouth the way I just claimed her body.
Instead, I turn and walk out, leaving her there without another word.
The club's noise hits me like a physical force as I emerge from the bathroom.
The thumping bass matches the frantic rhythm of my pulse.
I make my way back to my seat, threading through the crowd of half-naked bodies and drunken bikers.
I drop into my chair, running a hand through my hair.
Fuck.
What did I just do?
A waitress appears at my elbow, notepad in hand. "Can I get you another drink?" she asks, having to raise her voice over the music.
I nod, not trusting my voice just yet. Then I clear my throat. "Two doubles. Jameson," I manage to say.
She tilts her head, confusion evident on her face. "Two?"
"Yeah," I confirm, my eyes drifting towards the bathrooms. "One for me, and one for my lady."
The waitress follows my gaze, then looks back at me with a knowing smirk. "Coming right up," she says, disappearing into the crowd.
I lean back in my chair, my mind racing.
What happens now?
Will Aggie come back out?
Will she run off?
And why the hell did I just refer to her as 'my lady'?
The waitress returns, setting two glasses down on the table.
Her eyes flick between me and the bathrooms, a mix of curiosity and amusement on her face.
I reach into my pocket, pulling out a crisp fifty-dollar bill, and hand it to her.
"Keep the change," I say, my voice gruff.
Her eyes widen slightly, clearly not expecting such a generous tip.
"Thanks," she says, tucking the bill into her apron before disappearing back into the crowd.
I drum my fingers on the table, my eyes locked on the bathroom door.
The minutes stretch on, feeling like hours. Just as I'm about to go check on her, the door swings open.
Aggie emerges, her eyes immediately finding mine across the room.
Her cheeks are flushed, her hair slightly mussed.
She looks thoroughly fucked and utterly beautiful.
My cock twitches at the sight, already wanting her again.
She makes her way over, her stride confident despite what just happened between us.
As she slides into the seat next to me, I can smell my scent on her, mixed with her own intoxicating fragrance.
It takes every ounce of self-control not to pull her onto my lap and claim her mouth right here in front of everyone.
I pick up one of the glasses and hand it to Aggie.
Her eyes widen slightly as she recognizes the amber liquid.
"Ye remembered," she says softly.
I take a sip of my own drink, savoring the burn. "I don't forget things about the people who are important to me," I reply, my eyes locked on hers.
Aggie's emerald eyes sparkle with mischief as she leans in closer, her breath tickling my ear.
"Look at you, you charmer," she purrs, sending a shiver down my spine.
I can't help but snicker, the sound rumbling deep in my chest.
"Just stating facts, Ghost," I shoot back, using the nickname that's become second nature.
My fingers brush against hers as we both reach for our drinks, and the electricity between us is palpable.
"Oh, aye? And what other facts do you have stored away about me, Jolt?" Aggie challenges, arching an eyebrow.
Her tongue darts out to catch a stray drop of whiskey on her lower lip, and I'm mesmerized.
"Wouldn't you like to know," I tease, leaning back in my chair with a smirk.
My eyes never leave hers as I take another sip of my drink. "I might be persuaded to share... for the right price."
Aggie lets out a melodious laugh, tossing her bleached blonde hair over her shoulder. "And what price might that be, you cheeky bastard?"
I pretend to consider for a moment, tapping my chin thoughtfully. "How about one of those world-class lap dances you were bragging about earlier?"
Her eyes narrow playfully, but I can see the heat building behind them. "In your dreams, mister," she retorts, but there's no real bite to her words.
"Every night, Ghost," I murmur, my voice dropping low enough that only she can hear. "Every damn night."
Our playful banter continues for a while, but as the night wears on, I notice Aggie's mood shifting.
Her laughs become more forced, her smiles tighter.
I'm not sure what's triggered it, but I can feel the tension building.
It finally snaps when one of the dancers saunters over, clearly eyeing me. "Want another dance, handsome?" she purrs, running a manicured hand down my arm.
Before I can respond, Aggie's on her feet, eyes flashing. "He's good, love. Why don't you find someone else to entertain?"
The dancer backs off, hands raised in surrender, but the damage is done.
Aggie's jaw is clenched, her earlier playfulness completely evaporated.
"What the hell was that about?" I demand, rising to face her.
"Nothing," she spits. "I need a bloody breather."
She storms toward the exit, and I follow, my own temper rising.
Once outside, the cool night air hits us both, but does little to calm the storm brewing between us.
"Go home, Aggie," I growl, frustration evident in my voice. "Go back to your little college house and cool off."
Her eyes narrow dangerously, but I step closer, unable to resist the magnetic pull between us.
My fingertips graze her cheek, a contrast to the harshness of my words. "Calm down, Ghost. You're mine, and I got you."
For a moment, I think she might melt into my touch.
But then her emerald eyes harden, and she looks me dead in the eye. "If I'm your lass, I'm part of the discussion. I'm not a bloody dog you can just take ownership of, you twat."
With that, she turns on her heel and struts off into the night, leaving me standing there, frustrated and turned on.
Christ, this woman is a force of nature.
Her fiery spirit, that sharp tongue—it drives me wild.
I watch her retreating form, admiring the sway of her hips and the way she holds her head high, even in anger.
A low chuckle escapes me as I shake my head.
Aggie thinks she's walking away, but all she's doing is proving how perfect she is for me.
That attitude of hers?
It's a damn turn on, and she doesn't even realize it.
I light up a cigarette, inhaling deeply as I contemplate my next move.
One thing's for certain—this isn't over.
Not by a long shot.
Aggie can run all she wants, but sooner or later, she'll have to face the truth.
We're inevitable, her and I.
And I'm more than ready for the challenge of proving it to her.