Page 7

S adie had plans to meet with Travis at the local coffee shop near the Serpent Pit the following day. She was getting nervous and shuffled around in her seat a little while she took a sip from her second cup of coffee. He had texted her he would be late, but she didn't think he meant THIS late.

She spent the last hour in the corner, sitting on an uncomfortable wicker chair by the window, going over the events from the previous couple of days, wondering about the repercussions she would face. And then there was the 'Secret' stranger she had met online.

Sadie crossed her legs tightly to alleviate some of the tension her memories inflicted. She tried desperately not to recall Jagger's hard body pressed to hers the night before and the evidence of his lust barely concealed by his sweatpants at seeing her yesterday morning. Instead, she checked her phone to see what time it was. It was already 10:18am.

Shit, Sadie thought as she rested the side of her head against the glass of the window beside her and looked out at the main road leading towards the wrong part of town.

I wanted to get there early enough to talk to Jag before we opened.

As she had that thought, the roar of a motorcycle sounded in the distance. She picked her head up and turned slightly so her full attention was on the road, the view a little hazy as she looked past her own reflection in the window. In less than five seconds, Jagger was pulling into the coffee shop's parking lot on his all-black bike.

“Oh, my god," Sadie started to panic, smoothing her hands down her black jeans to wipe the sweat that had quickly begun to pull from her palms. She had on another black and neon Serpent Pit crop top that Camille insisted looked better on her than should be allowed and an old Renegade Rebels jacket that Jagger had given her in college when he got too built to wear it any longer swung over the back of her chair. She barely resisted the urge to throw it over her head and hide.

She sank into her seat and watched him from the window as he took off his helmet and looked up.

Holding her breath, Sadie watched him toss his hair out of his eyes as he lifted a hand in greeting. She exhaled shakily and lifted a slight wave in his direction, which was rewarded with a wide grin as he made his way to the front door. Once inside, he went to the counter and got a coffee and breakfast sandwich before sitting in the seat across from her.

"Hi," Sadie mumbled, taking another sip of her coffee, a super sweet concoction with milk and caramel flavoring. At least she was grateful that her hands had something to keep them busy other than reaching out and grabbing at him like a cat in heat.

"Hey, Sweets," Jagger said and took in her appearance.

She really shouldn't look that sexy this early , his internal self mused. Sadie's eyes flashed with something he couldn't quite place, but he hoped it was a realization.

She let out something between a cough and a laugh, thinking of how far gone she was when thinking about him last night with the stranger.

"What?" He asked, his fingertips grazing her knee under the table. She could feel the heat from his hand through her jeans instantly. "Are you okay? I thought you said you liked it when I called you that."

Sadie nodded quickly and looked away from him. "So, what are you doing here? You have coffee at your place."

Then, Jagger bit into his breakfast sandwich, and with an exaggerated moan, he said, "But I don't have this delicious food there." He took another bite, already halfway done with how quickly he inhaled his food. "I should have gone grocery shopping the other day, but this week has left me…" He paused, and his eyes were way too intense for this coffee shop setting when he looked at her. "Distracted."

One of the workers came by and asked if they needed anything, causing Sadie to almost jump out of her skin. "No, we're good!" she chirped, her tone friendly.

"So what are you doing here by yourself, Sweets? And how’d you get here this morning if your car is still parked at the bar?" He used her nickname again, but she was more prepared this time.

"I took an Uber since I was supposed to meet with Travis here before my shift, but I don't know where he is. I know he had some pre-game meeting with the others, but he said he needed to talk, so I dragged myself here when I could have stayed in bed a little longer," she said in a huff and folded her arms across her chest.

Jagger put down his coffee while she elaborated on her morning and grinned, "It's always nice staying in bed."

Sadie rolled her eyes. "That's what you took away from that, huh? And why are you so flirty lately?" She asked before she could help herself.

Jagger broke out into a laugh. "My best friend isn't giving me much of a chance to be anything but that. Did you forget it's Sunday? You're dressed like it's Saturday night and you're trying to make rent in one shift."

Sadie flipped him off, her powder pink nails contrasting her attire, and he laughed again.

“At least I showed up this morning so you don’t have to walk or take another Uber now,” he smirked.

“You’ll give me a ride?” She asked before her mind caught up with her mouth.

Jagger leaned forward, the sound of his leather jacket - a matching set with hers - creaking as his forearms rested on the table. He had given her that jacket as protection. So everyone knew she belonged to him. To the Renegade Rebels, anyway.

“You can take a ride anytime, darling.”

Sadie visibly gulped and Jagger winked at her as he sat back in his chair when suddenly her phone rang, and she was thankful for the interruption.

It was Travis. Finally.

She pressed the green accept button and said, "Travis? Where are you? It's been an hour now. Should—" Sadie paused, and her eyebrows shot together in concentration.

Jagger looked at her and mouthed, "Everything okay?"

Sadie nodded at Jagger and spoke into the phone again, "Hello?"

What is that? She thought, listening to the weird sounds against her ear. She looked at Jagger again and held her hand over the speaker part of the phone so as not to be heard.

"I think I hear voices," she whispered-shouted across from him.

Jagger reached over and grabbed the phone from Sadie's ear before she could protest what he would do. He hit the speakerphone button and placed it on the table between them, both leaning their ears towards it. There was shuffling and what sounded like crying. Then a loud bang, and what sounded like a woman giggling.

Jagger realized what was happening before Sadie did and reached for her phone to end the call. He wasn't fast enough, though, because she snatched it before he could touch it and listened intently.

She didn't realize he was trying to keep her from being hurt. But when Sadie heard the loud moaning of Travis's name by whoever was with him, and she gradually realized that they were having sex, she didn't have that reaction. No, not at all.

She started laughing.

When Jagger tilted his head to the side and stared at her like she had lost it, it only made her amusement flow harder. Relief flooded her body, and she realized that her and Travis were both interested in other people and that this breakup could happen easily.

"Have fun!" Sadie yelled at the phone, drawing the eyes of the other patrons in the shop.

Sadie didn't think he could hear her, but almost immediately, she heard the rustle of fabric and then, "Sadie? Sadie?! Oh, shit - "

Jagger finally succeeded in grabbing the phone a second time and ended the call as Travis realized he'd been caught.

"You okay?" He asked and slid her phone across the small table back to her.

She smiled and nodded her head. "Yeah, I am. Honestly, it's a good thing. We weren't working, and I've felt that way for a while."

Sadie slid the phone into her jacket pocket behind her as Travis's name began flashing on her screen. "Looks like he feels the same way now, too."

Jagger sat back in his chair and threaded his hands behind his head. Sadie dropped her eyes to the table so as not to look at his biceps flexing through his jacket. "At least you guys didn't move in together. Didn't he ask you a few months back?"

Sadie shuddered at the memory. "Yeah, but I could never be with him that much. He was so perfect and made me feel like I was always walking on eggshells."

"I remember you being pretty perfect when we met," Jagger snorted. "You still are to most people; I just know you better."

Sadie's face softened. "Yeah, you know me better than anyone else, Jag."

They stared at each other, the outside world fading away as they were filled with a multifaceted understanding.

Sadie was the one who broke the tension first, rising from her seat. "Well, that's it then. Glad I didn't have to continue sleeping with him," she said while slipping her jacket on. "Not that it was horrible, but it was… was…" She buried her face in her hands and groaned. "Ugh, I sound like such an asshole."

"Vanilla?" Jagger grinned, standing with her and picking their coffees off the table.

Sadie nodded. "Yeah, it was so boring. I'm not some delicate flower. Sometimes I just want it a little rough, you know?"

Sadie missed this.

Especially the way that they used to be open enough to talk about things like this.

A wicked smile played on Jagger's lips as he disposed of the garbage on their way out to the parking lot. "I'll keep that in mind, Sweets."

Sadie eyed Jagger's motorcycle hesitantly as they walked through the parking lot. She hadn't ridden on the back of it in years, not since they were in college together.

"Come on, it'll be fun," Jagger said, nudging her playfully. "Just like old times."

Sadie shook her head. "I don't know...I like my car. It's safe and reliable." She thought about her old white Porsche which was safely parked at The Serpent Pit waiting for her. Jagger had fixed it up for her when they first moved here since he knew she needed something to get around town in. The car had been abandoned in the back of the Serpent Pit, likely stolen at some point.

Or at least that's what Sadie always assumed but she knew better than to ask questions she didn't want the answers to.

"Yeah, but nothing beats the freedom of riding," Jagger argued. He took his helmet off the bike and turned to Sadie.

"Here, let me get this on you properly."

He stepped closer and gently guided the helmet onto her head. His fingers brushed against her neck as he adjusted the strap, sending a shiver down her spine. Sadie held her breath, suddenly very aware of his proximity and she failed not to think about the night before.

Jagger's hands lingered, playing with her long hair before draping it carefully over her shoulders.

"There. A perfect fit," he murmured, his voice low.

Sadie swallowed hard as his eyes bored into hers. He was so close she could feel the heat radiating off his body. Again. Fuck.

They were too close.

Jagger leaned in slightly, his breath tickling her ear. "Come on, Sweets. Live a little."

His words were both a dare and a plea. Sadie hesitated only a moment longer before nodding.

"Okay, fine. But go slow, okay?"

Jagger's face lit up in a dazzling smile. "You got it."

He straddled the bike and Sadie climbed on behind him, wrapping her arms around his muscular torso. Her heart pounded as she pressed against his back, flooded with memories.

Jagger revved the engine and sped out of the parking lot. Sadie clung to him tightly, equal parts exhilarated and terrified. She had forgotten how good this felt, how safe she always felt with him.

The roar of Jagger's motorcycle filled Sadie's ears as they sped down the winding road toward town. As they rounded a sharp bend, Jagger's hand instinctively reached back and gripped Sadie's thigh, his fingers digging into her flesh through her jeans.

A surprised moan escaped Sadie's lips at the sudden contact, her body tensing against his. Jagger's grip tightened in response, his hand remaining firmly in place as they continued their ride. Heat radiated from his touch, igniting a fire within Sadie that she couldn't ignore as it found a home for itself right in her core.

Embarrassment flooded through her as she realized the intimacy of their position was causing her body to react against her better morals. She tried to focus on the scenery rushing by, but her mind kept drifting back to the feel of Jagger's strong hand on her thigh. When the vibrations from the engine tickled the apex of her thighs and stimulated her clit, she couldn't help grinding herself on the seat behind him to relieve the tension.

Jagger's hand moved down to grasp her calf and pulled her further down the seat until her pelvis was pressed to his hips, eliciting another moan behind him. It took all the power in the world for him not to wipe out on the road with her so obviously trying to get off behind him.

Just as she was about to finish, she saw the lights of The Serpent Pit come into view and the bike slowed down along with its vibrations, leaving Sadie soaked and frustrated.

As they pulled into the parking lot, Jagger reluctantly released his hold on Sadie's leg. She immediately dismounted the bike, mumbling a quick "thank you" as she handed him the helmet. Jagger took it from her and opened his mouth to speak but she practically jumped backwards before rushing inside the bar, desperate to escape the intensity of the moment.

Jagger watched as Sadie disappeared through the door, his heart racing from more than just the ride. He stood alone in the parking lot, his mind replaying the feel of her body pressed against his, the sound of her moans still echoing in his ears. Glancing down at the leather seat where she was perched just a moment ago, he noticed a slight wetness glisten in the sunlight.

And he did what he never thought he'd be desperate enough to do.

He leaned down and ran his tongue along it.

They had made it to the bar with a mere five minutes to spare and opened it to the patrons. Jagger had just poured the first round of drinks out to the customers when someone grumbled about it being too quiet in there.

"I'll fix it! Sorry, guys!" Sadie apologized, went to the sound system and plugged her phone in. She normally used her phone to play music when she worked during the day and the DJ wasn't here, but she had forgotten about it while getting the bar opened a little late with Jagger.

She swiped through her phone until she settled on her favorite playlist instead of her typical "Snake Workplace" one. She smiled and pressed play, practically skipping over to Jagger, who was behind the bar. Hotter Than Hell by Dua Lipa was now playing, and the bar audibly groaned.

"You guys wanted music, so appreciate what you get," Jagger snapped at them, and Sadie blew a kiss to him for her thanks, making him wish he could make another move on her right then. The taste of her on his tongue was burned into his thoughts and he wouldn't stop until he had it straight from the source.

Oh, how he was starting to long for their times in college when it seemed they had all the time in the world to be around each other. Being functioning adults running a business was starting to damper their once carefree friendship. If he was honest, it had been hard to spend much time together since they moved back without work and Travis getting in the way.

Jagger was momentarily distracted by the lyrics and saw Sadie giving him a heated look, which he returned with a grin as he lit up a cigarette from the end of the bar. The sexual tension was high, and he was good at acting cocky when he needed to. He'd grown up surrounded by gang members, and his poker face was as good as anyone else's. He could not, however, pretend that he didn't have a nagging feeling that Sadie was the girl from the app. And now that Travis was out of the way, it made him want to investigate further.

The morning went by quickly, and by the time the lunch crowd was settling, Jagger realized they had been sneaking touches here and there all day. A lingering caress of their fingers when she handed him a beer after popping the top off to push down the bar top, his hand on her waist as he maneuvered behind her to take an order, her hand on his bicep when she needed to ask him to get another case of beer. They were both heated when Jagger excused himself to his office, mumbling about having to check something.

He grabbed the key to the hidden room he kept from inside his desk drawer and tried to think about what he was about to do. Would this be… too much for her? A joke? Destined for a life of friendship and not being able to bend her over this fucking desk after making schedules and sending out paystubs?

Jagger shook off his thoughts and let his dick think for him for a few minutes. He rushed into the room for a moment, coming back with a small black wireless bullet vibrator that had a remote control with 6 different functions on it: Cool, Wow, Amazing, Fuck Me, Holy Shit, and I'm Going To Die.

He slipped it into his back pocket along with the controller, and just as he closed the door behind him and turned the lock, Sadie came rushing in.

"Hey Jag! I need your help with-" she stopped to point at the back door. "What were you doing in the storage? I thought we weren’t using it."

"Not a thing," he said, tossing the key back into the drawer and moving towards her.

"Okay, um, anyways," she continued her original thought process with a small smile. "There's a guy that is insisting he gets to drink for free because he knows your dad and said you'd vouch for him."

Jagger nodded and started to usher them out of the office until Sadie put a hand on his chest. "Mind if I take two minutes? I just want to sit down for a second. Everyone else just got topped off, so you won't miss me, promise." She said and moved to sit on the new couch in his office—the one she insisted they needed to take out of their tips last month because the old one's leather was cracking all over the floor.

"I'll still miss you," he drawled as she offered a slow wink. He left her alone and closed the door behind him with a soft click.