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“You know, if you were talking about another woman, I’d humor you, maybe even pretend to make you feel validated, but this isn’t just any woman. This one’s mine.”
His words hit me and the drunk idiot like a slap to the face. Our reactions almost mirror each other.
He gives a staggered scoff, his head wobbling.
Still behind Jett, I can’t breathe. Instead of bitterness, his protection feels like a promise. A vigilant vow to keep what’s his safe.
Even if it’s fake.
“Damn, man, I didn’t know,” the man mocks, taking a step back with his hands raised in surrender. “Maybe don’t let her off the leash next time.”
It happens fast, and before his slur can garner any vocal reaction. With a force meant to kill, Jett’s fist jerks forward, landing straight to his nose. His thick, sweaty body drops as the crowded dance floor opens up with a unified gasp.
Jett hovers above him, his jaw ticking. I don’t see anything but him. My surroundings all blur except for me and the man who just saved me.
For the whole dance floor to hear, Jett places both feet on each side of the man’s face, and bends at the hips just slightly.
“Funny, I was thinking the same thing. Dogs like you should never be let out of their cages.”
With a racing pulse, I take a poll of who’s around, praying no one from my crew saw what just happened, or that security isn’t on their way to haul us out of here.
“Let’s go.”
Jett turns to me, nothing but adrenaline and darkness flowing between our palms as they latch. Weaving our way through the crowd, we rush down a secret hallway that looks like the same one we’d shook hands in an hour ago.
“You didn’t have to do that.” I’m breathless as Jett pulls me farther away.
His fury covers the walls as we brush past them. With no answer, his pace quickens, and my blood finally begins to pump again.
“Do you hear me?” I ask, getting agitated.
No answer.
“I’m fucking talking to you!”
We reach the end of the hallway, and Jett pushes a back door labeled EXIT, leading us outside into the breezy Miami night.
“I heard you loud and clear,” he says gruffly, pinning my back to a brick wall. His strong, masculine body presses flush against mine. “You can boss me around all you like. Fuck, please don’t ever stop. But you will not order me on how to protect you, especially as long as you’re mine.”
My breath hitches. The usual unserious man I’m used to playing word volley with is gone. No, this man is dead serious.
About me.
I nod, unable to produce a worthy response, but that’s not good enough.
“Use your words. I need to hear that you understand me.”
His large hand comes up to grip the side of my hip, and the second he touches me over the thin material of my dress, my whole body erupts in untamable flames.
“I understand,” I whisper and pray all in the same breath.
I need his hands off me.
I need the searing sensation of his skin and words to move so far away from me that my mind won’t think about the potential of not having to survive alone.
He removes his hands, but his tender stare remains.
“That’s what I like to hear. Now get in the car. I’m taking you back to the hotel.”
