Page 40 of On The Edge

You’re out of your mind if that’s what you think I need right now.

Maddix’s words ring through my ears, but by the looks of her out on the dance floor right now—hips swaying, hands flung up, head thrown back, eyes closed—letting loose a little seems like just what the doctor ordered.

Good thing I persisted when she resisted.

The bass bumps a wicked beat as the techno music vibrates through my body. A little alcohol, some loud music, and a dark room with a crowd to get lost in always seems to do it for me when I need a break.

Seems Maddix and I might have that in common.

Call me a bastard, but it’s what I need right now, so whether she wanted it or not, this is where we were heading.

I tip my glass up and meet the eye of the brunette across the bar who has been giving come fuck-me eyes all night.

Doesn’t she know I’m trying to be on my best behavior? Doesn’t she know I have a “girlfriend” now? Because fuck if it doesn’t seem like the whole world found out in a matter of hours.

Look away, Navarro. Look away.

God, how I don’t want to, but I grit my teeth and do just that. Eyes back on Maddix. On the sway of her hips and the way her body moves to the rhythm. But no matter how much I see her in front of me like this now, I’m reminded of her expression from earlier. The shocked eyes and utter vulnerability. Shit that makes me uncomfortable.

Again, why I needed to come here and get lost for a bit.

I thought Kevin had prepped her for what to expect. Nope. He threw her to the wolves for the sake of a business deal he’s going to look like a fucking hero if he closes.

Why do I care?

Because I brought this upon her. I selected her. I rebelled so that no one else could make the choice for me and in doing so . . . here we are.

And now . . . fuck if I want to have this on my conscience, but again . . . here we are.

Let’s just hope Maddix and her family don’t have any skeletons in their closets because if they do, her life is about to be more real than she’ll ever know when the paparazzi dig anything and everything up about her.

Fuck me.

Just another damn thing to have to consider in regards to her when I usually only have to think about myself.

“Hey,” I say as someone reaches out to take the drink from my hand and then stutter a smile when I meet the eyes from the brunette who’d been eyeing me.

Her smile is slow and seductive, and she’s even more gorgeous up close as she tips my glass to her lips and takes a sip.

“I figured one of us needs to make a move,” she says in her subtle accent. “So I’m making it.”

I grit my teeth and fist my hand, the temptation at my fingertips to do what I’d normally do. Order some bottle service. Go get lost on one of the couches in the VIP section. Have a little fun with her.

Don’t do it.

I look up and over her shoulder and find Maddix looking at me. Her grin is goofy as she waves at me.

Would she even notice if I snuck out for a little bit? Most likely not.

I groan. Sinking into the woman in front of me? It owns my mind. It’s all I want. All I can think about. She smells phenomenal. Her tits are pushed up and on display. Tempting me.

Yeah. Let’s get this on.

I’m about to pull her into me, accept what she’s so blatantly offering, when I spot Maddix again. Dancing freely . . . like she did amongst the dahlias earlier.

Fuck me.

She wouldn’t notice if I took this woman and fucked her.