Incandescent

“Just leave it alone, Jesse, okay? It was nothing,” I tell him, my tone leaving no room to argue.

“If you say so, sweetheart,” he smirks, shaking his head.

“So how long you been a part of the MC?” I ask, curious to know. I would never have guessed Jesse was part of the MC.

“I patched in when I came back from my last tour.” He smiles. The man never stops smiling, always so happy.

“And you like it?” I ask, wondering what he gets out of being in a club like the Knights Rebels. I know Nix talked about brotherhood, but I wonder if Jesse feels the same way.

“It’s the closest thing to a family I’ve had in a long time. Nix saved me from a dark place, Kadence. I would do anything for that man.”

Of course he did. Another tick in the Nix-is-amazing column, and I remember what an idiot I am. A redhead walks over, whispers into Jesse’s ear, and plants her ski

Are you serious?

Rolling my eyes, I stand from the table not interested in watching Jesse pick up, and I’m over speaking about Nix. I’ve thought about him enough over the last six days, and I’m trying my best to leave it at what it was. I make my way through the crowd to the dance floor, leaving Jesse behind. He calls out, but I don’t turn back. The last thing I want to do is show him how much I’m struggling with my argument with Nix.

Bodies push into me as the tempo of the music slowly rises. Holly is dancing with a new guy, his hands roaming her body as she sways in time with the song. I move to her, ready to dance and forget about the shit week I’ve had. The alcohol ru

My body moves to the beat of the music. Swaying my hips, I let the song wash over me. My arms take on a life of their own. Embracing the beat, I feel it resonate in my soul.

When was the last time I danced freely?

Hands come around me, settling on my waist. I freeze up for a second before forcing myself not to be tense. I push up against the person at my back, moving my body further into him. His hard chest is plastered to my back. The song changes, taking the tempo slower. The guy behind me grinds his hips into my ass, and I push back, molding my back to his front.

“Wa

“Give me one good reason I shouldn’t take you over my fuckin’ knee right now?” His breath comes to my ear. My body is instantly turned on by his dirty words.

“Nix—” I begin, but he cuts me off.

“Don’t, Kadence. It’s bad enough that you’re in my arms wearin’ this dress with those sexy fuckin’ heels after not havin’ you for five fuckin’ days, but that you let that guy touch you, touch what’s mine?” The gravelly sound of his voice sends a thrill down my spine. The breath of his voice brings goose bumps to my skin. For a moment, I forget I don’t like him anymore, forget that he has ignored me all week, and just enjoy that he called me his woman.

“You didn’t call,” I accuse him, trying to get out of his embrace, but he holds me steady, pulling me closer. God, even to my own ears I sound whiney. You didn’t call? Jesus, Kadence, grow a pair would you.

“I was waiting,” he replies as an explanation. “Thought I would give you some space. Though seeing your reaction to seeing me, I’m thinkin’ that was the wrong move.”

I’m pissed my body feels more alive than it has all week; my heart finally has that extra beat in it, my stomach full of butterflies that he’s here, touching me. My body begins moving to the music and my mind is unable to tell it to stop. I grind my backside into his hard length as his hands loosen their hold to move down to rest on my hips. Our bodies are swaying in a sensual rhythm.

“Babe, you gotta stop rubbin’ that sweet ass up against me,” he gripes, spi

Shit, all that hard work ruined by one sniff.

“What are you doing here?” I ask his chest. I can’t bring myself to look up at him.

“I fucked up, Kadence,” he admits, bringing his hand to my chin and lifting my face to look at him. His forehead creased in concern as he waits for me to respond.

“Nix, I was a bitch. Seeing Zane again... I don’t know, seeing him again brought up all these memories,” I immediately apologize, feeling like a brat. During the week, Holly and I did some digging and found out not only was Nix right about Zane, but also he was telling the truth about his mom. I felt like a real bitch.

“I get it, babe. I do. I was an ass, and I shouldn’t have said what I did,” he counter-apologizes. We both stand, watching each other. I didn’t see my night ending up like this, and now that he’s here in my arms, I don’t even know why I was ever so angry. Okay, I still remember what he said, but knowing what I know of Nix, it was a natural reaction to anger, like me slapping him. His eyes sparkle with mischief like he’s thinking something dirty and I can’t help the smile I give him. He leans down, and I come to my toes, his lips to mine. The roughness of his tongue pushes through like the last time he was on my lips, but this time, I don’t fight it.

So much for me holding my own.

I grant him access, his taste covering my tongue, our mouths co

I scowl over at him letting him know I know that he is the one that ratted me out. He just laughs and gives me a wink. Nix pulls me around the corner and pushes me against the wall.

“Fuck, Kadence, I don’t know if I’m go

“On one hand, I wa

“Take me home and fuck me,” I tell him. The dampness in my panties becomes uncomfortable after each word he grunts out. Anticipation builds, and all thoughts of my shitty week have left. His harsh words about Zane and the fire replaced by the dirty words he now speaks.

All that anger directed at him the last five days is now forgotten, because I know whatever he has pla

Chapter Twenty

Nix

Pulling up into my drive and helping Kadence off my bike takes all the self-control I possess. I’m working hard at reining it in. The overpowering need to take her right here on my bike is almost too much. Seeing her move her ass up against some asshole snapped something in me. I really fucked up on this one. I didn’t want to ignore her all week but after what went down, I just wasn't sure she was ready to hear what I had to say about Zane Edwards.