Page 42 of Caged Heat

I shook my head when her words registered. “Wait… did you know?” I narrowed my eyes at her. Steph’s cheeks blushed, and she raised her hands in a peaceful gesture.

“Guilty. But to my credit, you liked them both. I don’t see what the problem is.”

My shoulders dropped because she wasn’t wrong. I did like them both. “Yeah, well. It was too weird for them. There’s fun taboo, and then there’s familial taboo. It was too much.”

“Hmm.” She sucked on her drink, lifting her brows and keeping her thoughts to herself. I eyed her, but before I could question her, one of her friends threw their arms around her shoulders, stealing her attention as they laughed about something.

While I never felt that old or out of place with Steph, I couldn’t say the same about her friends. They were friendly, but it was clear they didn’t understand why the “boring old lady” was hanging out with them. A song came on, and they all squealed, falling out of the booth over one another to get to the dance floor so they could dance.

There was a small part of me that envied their carefreeness. I’d never gotten to experience a Friday night out with my girlfriends, dancing until my feet hurt and going home with whoever I wanted.

But the mature and more significant part of myself could recognize that my feet always hurt, and all I wanted to do after working all week was soak in a tub, drink some wine, and spend time watching mindless TV or reading a smutty book.

I’d ignore the fact that the only men I wanted to go home with were Jackson and August.

Yawning, I debated sneaking out when a man approached the table, leaning against it as he looked me over. I’d felt comfortable with the black lace bodysuit, jeans, and heels earlier, but as he peered at me with hungry eyes, all I wanted was my coat to cover up.

“Want to dance, sugar mama?”

“Ew.” I shook my head, scrunching up my nose. “Pass.”

“Cold bitch,” he retorted as he stalked off. Rolling my eyes, the heaviness of sleep fell onto my shoulders, and I knew it was time to go.

I tried to get Steph’s attention, but when I noticed her tongue down a guy’s throat, I decided to text her instead. Laughing, I was happy at least one of us had found someone tonight. Tossing some cash onto the table for the server, I slid out of the booth and dodged bodies as I headed to the coat check room.

The urge to pee hit me as I moved, and I detoured to the restroom instead, shuffling my feet as I waited in line. I was amazed that a place this size only had two toilets, my past job knowledge filtering through as I distracted myself as I waited. When one opened, I bolted in and locked the door, ignoring how gross the floor was as I unzipped my pants.

The bodysuit had a slit in the crotch, so I crouched over the toilet, pulling the sides over as I attempted to pee without getting it all over myself.

“Seriously regretting this bodysuit,” I huffed as I stood awkwardly. When I was finished, I was pleased with my ability to not piss all over myself. At least I had that going for me.

Washing my hands, I hiked my jeans back up just as someone barged through the door. Shrieking, I paused with my jeans halfway up, staring in horror at the man blocking my way out.

“Occupied,” I said, lifting my jeans the rest of the way. My hands shook as I messed with the zipper and button, but I refused to take my eyes off him.

He sneered at me, licking his lips as he stepped forward, stumbling a little. “No, I think this one is just right.”

Panic spiked through me, freezing me to the spot as he neared. When his hand grabbed my arm, instinct took over, and I jolted into action, remembering the few moves that August had taught me.

“No!” I screamed, ramming my knee into his groin and lifting the arm he gripped, slipping under him as he covered his junk and groaned.

“Stupid bitch,” he hissed as I twisted his arm with both hands and then kicked him in the rear. As he crashed into the wall, I spun around and raced toward the door. It flew open again as I neared, and I screamed, my hands covering my face as I anticipated someone hitting me.

“Ella!” a familiar voice screamed, pulling me to them. The instant the aquatic fragrance hit my nose, my body immediately relaxed, and I fell into his arms. I didn’t care if things were awkward or unresolved between us right then; I just needed the comfort of his embrace.

“August, she’s here!” I heard him shout again, his voice a rumble against my ear. The loudness of the club infiltrated my ears, and I huddled more into Jackson’s arms as I tried to calm my breathing. “Shh, it’s okay. I got you,” he soothed.

“Fuck,” August’s voice said, and I tensed, expecting him to be mad I was in Jackson’s arms. “Where?” he gritted out. I kept my face hidden in Jackson’s chest, too worn out to deal with August’s disappointment.

“Inside still. I’ll get security. You have a minute,” Jackson said, confusing me.

“Plenty of time,” August responded, the sound of the door shutting behind me. Jackson moved us through the crowd confidently, making my body relax the further away we became from the bathrooms.

“Sir!” Jackson shouted, and I jumped. “Sorry, Ella. One second, and we’ll be out of here. I promise.”

I nodded, clutching tighter to him.

“My girlfriend was attacked in the far right bathroom. My friend is holding him until you can get there to escort him out.”

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