Page 10

"You look like a mess, Sadira!" Karen Sweetwater screeched as she took in Sadie's appearance. Storming over to Sadie while she typed away at her laptop on the small desk in the corner, she raised an accusatory finger in her face.

"Did you even shower? Is that leftover makeup?" She immediately reached out to smooth the flyaways from Sadie's normally perfect ponytail.

Sadie batted her hand away, eyes still fixed on her computer screen. "I woke up late and only had time to freshen up and throw on new clothes," she explained and continued to type.

Karen was not placated. "I can't believe you're still working at that nasty bar. Isn't it time you grew up and focused on your career?"

Sadie paused while typing to glare at her mother.

"I can assure you that my career will still be there after the bar gets back on its feet." She turned her attention back to the computer before continuing, "Or you just acknowledge that I do most of the work here, too."

Karen gasped, "Sadira Sweetwater! That is no way to speak to me. Is this because of Travis?"

Sadie took a deep breath and resisted punching the computer screen. When did I get so violent?

" Travis is an amazing man, Sadira. You were lucky to be with him. He could have given you anything you wanted-"

Except for orgasms , Sadie's thoughts overlapped her mother's rantings. Or communication. Or chemistry .

"And furthermore, you need to start being more responsible."

"Duly noted, mom," Sadie grinds out. "But Travis and I haven't been working for a long time. And he's been seeing someone else, so I thought the responsible thing to do in that situation was to break up."

Karen opened her mouth to say something, but Sadie cut her off.

"Now, if you could let me focus, I want to have this article edited and ready for publication tomorrow."

With a huff, Karen turned and walked back to her desk.

The day dragged on, and Sadie wanted to text Jagger and tell him what a bitch her mom was being, but she knew he was alone at the bar on Mondays, and he was probably busy.

I can call him later, Sadie thought but still pouted about it.

Eventually, she glanced at her mother, who was conducting a phone interview in the other room, and slid her phone out from her purse.

Sadie opened up her SecretScape app and typed up a new post:

'After today, I think I need a good fuck.'

She quickly hid her phone under the desk as her mom breezed through the room to grab a folder from one of the filing cabinets. She felt a rush of excitement course through her when she felt the familiar buzzing that indicated that she had a new notification and peeked at her screen.

RebelsWearLeather:

I wish I could help with that.

Sadie bit her lip and responded quickly as Karen returned to the other room.

BookwormBarbie:

You might be able to help with something else.

RebelsWearLeather:

Sexting again? ;)

Sadie laughed out loud and then cleared her throat to cover it when her mother shot her a dark look.

BookwormBarbie:

That was great, but I'm in the middle of something right now. And hopefully, seeing someone. I was actually going to ask if you could answer some questions about BDSM.

RebelsWearLeather:

Seeing someone, huh? That was fast. Is it who you've been pining for?

Sadie hastily typed a response, understanding how quick it seemed to the stranger, and wanted to backtrack. Because, well, they weren't seeing each other, were they?

BookwormBarbie:

Yeah. Well, I guess I jumped the gun. We're not seeing each other … yet, but I want to.

RebelsWearLeather:

So, what's the problem?

BookwormBarbie:

He's in this whole lifestyle, and I'm worried I will mess up being his submissive.

There was a long pause. Sadie started to fidget nervously and pluck at a piece of tape stuck on her desk. The task caused her to barely notice Karen slipping out of the office, and as she glanced at the clock, she realized it was almost time to go home. Karen was probably running one last errand. Whatever the case, Sadie sat back in her chair to give her attention fully to her conversation with her internet James Dean to better understand her real-life leather-wearing bad boy.

RebelsWearLeather:

Gotcha. Hence the question about BDSM.

RebelsWearLeather:

Well, what would you like to know? I'm here to help in any way that I can.

BookwormBarbie:

How do I know what to do?

RebelsWearLeather:

He will tell you.

BookwormBarbie:

But what if I don't want to do it, or I don't listen?

RebelsWearLeather:

Then you don't have to do it. Unless you refuse to do something just to rile him up. Then you'll be punished. Or rewarded.

RebelsWearLeather:

Depends on how you look at it.

RebelsWearLeather:

And you need to figure out your safe word.

BookwormBarbie:

Okay…

There was another pause, and Sadie set her phone down and began to get her things together, stuffing papers in her bag and dreaming of a nice warm shower at home. It seemed like their conversation was over until her screen lit up again.

RebelsWearLeather:

How about this - why don't you tell me what you want him to do. Clearly, you're okay with some more intense acts. And per our other conversation, being tied up isn't out of the question either.

A flush swept across Sadie's cheek as she remembered how brazen she'd been all weekend.

BookwormBarbie:

Yeah, I'd like those. I've always had a fantasy of being tied up and eaten out while blindfolded.

RebelsWearLeather:

That's a great place to start.

BookwormBarbie:

And maybe nipple clamps.

RebelsWearLeather:

Now we're talking.

Sadie bit her lip and cursed out loud. She shouldn't be getting this turned on talking about this… should she? Grabbing her jacket and closing up the office behind her, she made her way to her car. Settling inside and turning it on, she sent another message.

BookwormBarbie:

Is this conversation weird?

BookwormBarbie:

Am I weird?

RebelsWearLeather:

Haha, no. If you can't ask a stranger online, who can you ask right?

RebelsWearLeather:

But you should talk to him about all this. I'm sure he would love to explore all of this with you.

RebelsWearLeather:

I'd relax and see what happens.

BookwormBarbie:

Thanks for your help! Sorry, this wasn't as exciting as last time ;)

RebelsWearLeather:

On the contrary. By the way, I heard a song you might like. I'll send you a link to it.

RebelsWearLeather:

Liar in a Red Dress / Adam Jensen / Listen Here

Sadie clicked the link and let the music flow through her stereo. It had an excellent beat, but she was more excited that such a sexy song made someone think of her.

BookwormBarbie:

I like it. A lot. I'll have to add it to my playlist :)

RebelsWearLeather:

You do that, darling.

Jagger planned to avoid being caught off guard by Jazlyn Evler on what was supposed to be a slow Monday night at the Pit.

He had just finished stocking the bar and was enjoying a smoke while watching some Rebels and North Siders enjoy each other's company over drinks, pool, and conversation. The dancer scheduled that evening hadn't shown up, but no one seemed to mind, so Jagger didn't try to get anyone else in to cover her shift.

He looked forward to a calm night where he could think about his little discussion with BookwormBarbie.

But fucking Jazlyn was in his face.

"I know it's here, Wilder," she growled. "Tell me where the merchandise is. You know the drill; this is my territory."

Jagger took a drag from his cigarette and purposefully blew the smoke in Jazlyn's face from across the bar top.

"The Rebels, especially me, don't run drugs anymore."

Jazlyn signaled behind her, and over a dozen Dregs started pouring in from the entrance.

"I don't believe you. Someone has been cutting into our clientele, and I know the reason is because you're selling some shit. I'm gonna find it and cut 'em off, so the town will have to come back to us for their fix." Jazlyn said, waving the smoke away.

Jagger shrugged his shoulders, the cigarette hanging from his lips as he braced both hands on the bar to lean closer to Jazlyn. "You're welcome to look around." He gestured to the floor of the room where the Dregs were already scouring, trying to question the customers and look for places he may have hidden his 'stock.' "But you might as well grab a drink. You'll be here a long time trying to find something that doesn't exist."

Jazlyn rolled her eyes.

"So what can I get you?"

Sadie had just finished drying her hair, thankful to finally have a shower to clean up after the last 24 hours. She threw on some black lingerie and checked herself out in the floor-length mirror at the corner of her room, wondering if this would be something Jagger would like to see her in someday. She had bought it on a whim and never bothered to wear it for Travis. He didn't really care about anything sexy like this. He was more into her white lace frilly outfits than her darker aesthetic.

She slipped a short red dress over the lingerie tucked away in her closet, waiting for a chance to come out and play, and smiled.

She looked good. Great, actually.

Sadie smoothed down the dress and continued to fantasize about Jagger seeing her like this, properly dressed up and enticing him with her curves. A far cry from the book smart girl he met and more like the woman she was blossoming into.

The ringing of her phone brought her back to reality from her thoughts and she snatched it from her purse, excited to see it was Jagger. She had called him when she got home but figured since she got his voicemail that he was still busy.

"Hi!" She chirped, a smile on her face already.

"Sadie!" Jagger shouted through the earpiece, and Sadie had to pull the phone away from her head, wincing at the loud music coursing through it. "I need a favor!"

Sadie sat on her bed, the dress riding up her thighs, and her smile faltered.

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah! Look, I don't have time to explain. Can you call the dancers to see if they can come in?"

She could hear static that sounded like Jagger was trying to cover the phone with his hand while he yelled at someone in the bar. "Scales! You alright? Get over here!"

"Are you sure everything is okay? It sounds crazy over there! I can come in-"

Jagger cut her off. " No ! I do not want you to come here. Do you understand? Just see if the girls can come in." There was a loud crash in the background. "You were right. They help distract these guys, and I need someone on the stage."

Sadie started to argue again, but Jagger insisted. "I'm serious; stay home ."

Click.

There was no way Sadie was listening to that when it sounded like the bar was being torn apart. She didn't bother changing and instead threw on her motorcycle boots, grabbed her purse, and flew out the door.

Sadie walked in through the back door of the Serpent Pit, deciding that trying the front entrance would be pointless from seeing all the gang members arguing in front of the doors. She had called the few girls they had hired to dance at the bar on her frantic drive over, but none of them could come in and cover tonight.

She barely registered what she was doing until she climbed the steps onto the dark stage. The sight before her a mess; Jagger and Scales desperately trying to separate Dregs and Renegades in the midst of flying limbs. As her eyes scanned the crowd she noticed a blonde woman in the middle of the bar, looking pleased with herself and narrowed her eyes.

This must be that bitch I've heard about. Sadie's mind growled, thinking back to when Jagger explained the rival gang of the Dregs and how much he had struggled to cut ties with their leader.

Jazlyn, wasn't it?

Sadie crouched next to the stereo system and grabbed the phone plugged into the speakers; Dreg gang signs were carved into the case. She tossed it to the ground and heard a satisfying crack while she hastily plugged her own phone in and hit play on the most recent song—the one RebelWearsLeather sent her.

Switching on the stage lights, she didn't even bother to take off her boots as she walked over to the pole.

It took a few moments before I'm a Sucker for a Liar in a Red Dress by Adam Jensen started blaring, but when it did, she took note of the yelling in the bar as it started to lessen. Eyes were beginning to drift over to her as she moved around the solid steel bar that had become a part of her these last few months.

Her eyes connected with Jagger's as she dipped around the pole and lifted her leg to assist in arching backward, awarding her onlookers with a sensual toss of her hair. She was pleased with the fact that his jaw was practically on the floor, and she made a subtle gesture of her head to get him back on task, signaling, 'Get them out of here!' .

Sadie grinned to herself as he tore his gaze away, but not after his eyes undressed her once or twice. She turned her back to him and her audience and began circling her hips in a figure-8 motion. When she faced the crowd again, she could see Jagger and Scales move around the bar of now distracted customers and start to clear out the Dregs one by one.

Sadie could feel everyone's eyes on her, thrilled her more than she'd ever admit. But still, nothing compared to the glances that Jagger was throwing at her as he moved around the floor while she spun around the pole. His eyes were darker than she'd ever seen before, and wetness already began gathering between her legs as she began to strip off her red dress, bringing it up over her head and tossing it to the side.

When the music swelled again, Sadie slid her back down the pole, the cold steel rubbing against her spine as she descended onto her knees in the middle of the stage. She crawled to the edge and pulled a cigarette from one of the Dreg member's mouth, dangling it between her slim fingers as she swung her legs over the side of the stage and wrapped them around his shoulders, her black panties barely keeping anything to the imagination this close to eye-level. She barely noticed the hoots and hollers of the crowd around her, encouraging her forward.

Fuck it.

She sucked deep from the cigarette and blew the smoke directly in the face of the shocked gangbanger before twisting, her thighs catching him around the neck and banging his head off the lip of the stage. The now unconscious Dreg slowly slipped from her legs and slumped to the ground.

Sadie dropped the cigarette onto the back of his jacket and stood on his back, using the stage as leverage as she braced herself for the descent. She looked into Jazlyn's eyes, who was staring at her, and stubbed the lit cigarette into the stitched Dreg emblem of a rat on a motorcycle on the jacket with her boot, looking sinister and sexy at the same time.

Sadie watched Jagger moving back from the entrance, trying to get through the now smaller crowd to get to her, looking every bit like he was going to either stop this whole show or fuck her in front of everyone.

Sadie smiled, filled with excitement. And she wasn't even done yet.

Jazlyn visibly gulped as Sadie walked straight towards her, running her hands over her chest and teasing her nipples through her see-through lace bralette.

Sadie vaguely heard the Dreg's body being picked off the ground and moved out of the building as she stood in front of Jazlyn, bringing her hand up to wrap around the back of her neck. Jazlyn's eyes were hooded, and she was drinking in the vision of the blonde goddess before her, completely hypnotized.

Sadie licked her bottom lip, and when Jazlyn's eyes landed on her moist mouth, she tightened her grip on her neck and crashed her lips against the Dreg leader's. Their tongues danced together, and Jazlyn's arms wrapped around Sadie's waist, clinging to her in a moment of recklessness.

"Holy, sweet shit! " Sadie heard Scales gasp from somewhere in the bar.

The grin spread along her face before she pulled back from Jazlyn, eyes locking onto hers as the other blonde woman panted, clearly disoriented.

The song had ended, and the bar was dead silent.

"Get. Out ." Sadie whispered against her lips and released her hold on her neck, laughing as Jazlyn stumbled backward right into Jagger's arms as he stood behind her.

He growled something in her ear, all the while staring at Sadie, and in an instant, she was scrambling for the door, the rest of the Dregs following after her.

Jagger didn't take his eyes off her, even when the roars of the Serpents erupted around them in triumph over getting the Dregs out of their safe haven. They stood looking at each other for what felt like an eternity until Jagger lifted his hand to quiet everyone down and spoke.

"Bar's closed!" He shouted. "Everyone out. Now."

The tone of his voice left no room to question him.

Sadie's eyes darted nervously as the rest of the customers approached them and outside. She offered a shaky smile to Scales, who mouthed 'good luck' to her on his way out.

And then, they were utterly alone in the bar.