Page 60 of The Power Play

I don’t even bother picking up the drink before storming toward Audrey. I have never been jealous because I’ve never had a reason to. Even watching her on cam, it never made me jealous because no one else was touching her. But this has me ready to lose my mind. We may not have a label on whatever we are doing, but I just know that seeing this asshole’s hands touching her and her body touching his has me ready to lose my fucking mind.

I’m standing in front of her, out of place since I’m not dancing, but nothing else matters right now.

“I need to talk to you,” I say, loud enough for her to hear.

She opens her eyes to glare at me. It reminds me of the first night we sort of met. She intimated me then, and still kind of does right now, but I’m also pissed off that she’s ignored me all night and is now dancing with this douche looking motherfucker.

“Back off, man, we are having a good time,” the guy replies, pulling Audrey even harder against him. I catch her annoyance at the possessive move by him.

“You don’t speak for her. Run along and find someone else to harass,” I stand my full height to look down at him. He’s not tall, but he’s bulky.

“Who the fuck do you–” Audrey cuts him off, turning around and placing her hand on his chest. I see red at the touch and want to burn his skin that has felt any part of her.

Jesus this is a weird feeling.

“Go get a drink,” she tells him. I notice that she doesn’t promise to wait here or meet up with him. He must too because he looks at me, sizing me up before turning away with a pissed off noise.

Audrey grabs my hand and drags me off the dance floor. I don’t have time to enjoy the feeling of her hand in mine because when we reach the dark, quiet corner in a hallway that leads to the bathrooms, she drops me instantly and is staring daggers at me.

“What is your deal?” she snaps.

“I should ask you the same thing. Why are you ignoring me?”

“I’m not?”

I raise my eyebrow at her as if to say,you sure about that?

“Look, I don’t,” she runs her hand through her hair, “I don’t do relationships, Charlie. And last night felt close to that so I…I freaked out a little bit. I don’t want to lead you on.”

I deflate slightly. She’s not saying anything I didn’t expect, but it still kind of hurts for some reason. I try to cover it up.

“I don’t remember telling you I wanted to be serious,” I attempt to sound nonchalant.

“I mean, no, you didn’t. It just felt that way I guess.”

“And if I tell you I’m fine with whatever we are doing? Just the way it is. Will you stop freaking out and ignoring me?”

She seems to think for a moment before sighing, “I guess, but you going all caveman out there does not feel like that.”

I scoff, “What? Like you were going to go home with that guy or something?”

“And if I was?”

“You weren’t.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I know that he couldn’t give you what you like. What youneed.”

Control.I don’t say it, and neither does she, but we both know it’s true. She likes telling me what to do just as much, if not more than she enjoys me telling her what to do sexually. And a guy like that would not be open to it and we both know that.

She straightens, leaning back against the wall behind her when a slow smile creeps across her face and she tilts her head, looking me up and down.

“And you can?”

I sense the challenge in her voice. I step forward, invading her space and she can’t back away from me like this. I cage her in with my hands resting on either side of her head. Leaning in, so our faces are only inches apart. Her eyes flare with desire and she can try to fight it, act like she wants someone else, but I know she wants me.

“I can give you everything you need, pretty girl.”

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