“Fine,” I huff, keeping my eyes on the hot redhead across the room. “Got most of the vendors lined up. Just finalizing the layout. We wanted to change things up, but it looks like we’re gonna keep things the same as we do every year.”
“I’ve found another business from the next town over that might want to sponsor.”
I barely hear her, too focused on the way the new guy is leaning in to whisper something in Sasha’s ear, making her laugh and playfully swat his arm.
I grip my glass tighter.
“Jax?”
“Sorry, what?” I drag my attention back to the table.
“Isaid, I found another business that might want to sponsor a spot,” she repeats, eyebrows raised knowingly.
“Yeah, sure. That’d be great.”
We make small talk while I casually keep Sasha in my periphery. After a while, she takes a seat at the bar next to Brex, one of our local firefighters.
Jealously coils in my stomach like poison ivy, seeping into my veins, making my palms itch. I flex my fingers around my glass and chuckle to myself. No way in hell is she going home with that asshole. You think my fuckboy ways are bad? Brexton Saint has got me beat by a mile.
I down the rest of my whiskey. “I’m gonna get another drink.”
Noia flashes me a gleeful grin, and Ryder hikes a brow as I push away from the table, ignoring Claire’s snicker.
Making my way across the room, I position myself a few feetbehind Sasha and Brex—close enough to hear their conversation but not so close she’ll notice me.
“Can I get you another drink?” he asks, his voice a low rumble.
Yeah, yeah. Give her all the sexy tone you want buddy, it’s not gonna happen.
“I’d love that.”
After signaling the bartender, Brex leans in close. “I bet all that yoga makes you pretty limber, huh?”
She giggles. “It sure does.”
That’s it.
Seconds later, I’m grabbing Sasha’s arm and pulling her out of her seat.
fifteen
“Goddamn it, Jax! Let me go,”I whisper-hiss, trying to wrench my arm free. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
Brex stands up, looking concerned. “Hey! There a problem?”
“No problem,” Jax growls. He doesn’t even look at Brex, just keeps glaring at me. “Just need to borrow this one for a minute.”
This one? What the fuck?
Next thing I know, he’s dragging me through the crowd and down the hallway toward the restrooms.
“Jax, I swear to God?—”
Pushing open a familiar door markedExit Only, he pulls me outside and into the alley. The door slams shut behind us, and suddenly we’re all alone.
“What is your problem?” I yank my arm free and step back, putting some distance between us. “You can’t just manhandle me like that!”
“Myproblem?” He steps into me, prowling me until my back hits brick. This is starting to feel awfully familiar. “Myproblemis having to sit by and watch while you throw yourself at every Tom, Dick and Harry in the bar!”
