Page 53 of Shot to the Hart

“Nik, I guess. He’s the oldest and has the most game.” I shrug after a moment.

“Exactly. Look at them right now.” I don’t want to look but I think I need to. They are all standing in a circle, Dom is doing some weird little shimmy with Darcy and Sinclair. Collins and Harley are spinning in circles, hands entwined. When my eyes find Kodi’s, she shies away from me, but I don’t drop my glare. Nik has her facing away from him, face buried in her neck, hands on her waist while she moves her hips in time to the music. I see red and am grasping my glass so tight that I might shatter it. Nik catches my eyes and that asshole smiles at me then turns, giving me his back and taking my view of Kodi away, but I see her arms snake around his neck.

“I can’t do anything about it man. She works for me, if she wants to date or sleep with other people she can do that. I have no claim on her.” I sigh.

“Maverick, you’re such a fucking idiot sometimes. You know you can let yourself have a little fun, right?”

“Yeah, of course, I know that.” Logically, I know that I can have fun, but emotionally, I’m terrified. I have genuine feelings for Kodi, and I don’t want to mess this up for myself or for Bella.

“Then go get your girl. We all see the way you look at each other, the way you care for her and Bella. Give it a chance,” he urges.

“But what if it doesn’t work out?” I ask, my anxiety is starting to peak.The music feels louder and I have to adjust my collar because I’m losing control of my breathing again.

I go back to the technique Kodi used earlier to help me calm down. In. One, two, three.Out. One, two, three.

“What if it does? You never know, and she’s clearly trying to get your attention. If it all falls apart, you still have us. We won’t go anywhere even if she does.” Gesturing towards himself then towards the dance floor where our friends are.

“I want more than that man,” I finally admit. I haven’t let myself admit it because that makes this situation and these feelings that have been creeping in for Kodi real. And real means there's a possibility that I get hurt, that Kodi gets hurt, that maybe Bella gets hurt, but it also means there's an opportunity for real happiness. Happiness I haven’t experienced in almost three years.

“Then work for it, bro. You love and work too hard to be alone forever. I’m going to tell you one more time, go get your girl.”

With that final encouragement, I give Tatum a fist bump and head to the dance floor. It looks like Nik and Kodi have separated, giving me the opportunity to sneak up behind her. I snake my hands around her waist and lean down, nipping on her ear and speaking so only she can hear me, “What are you doing,baby? These hips are only supposed to be dancing on me. Now say goodbye to your friends, I’d like to take you home.”

She sucks in a breath, but instead of moving to say goodbye, she turns to face me, wraps her arms around my neck and continues dancing. “I’m not ready to go yet. Dance with me, Mav,” she says, smiling sweetly up at me.

How am I supposed to tell her no?

“Four songs and then we’re out. I’ve been dreaming about getting you alone for weeks and I’m not wasting any time.” She places a quick kiss on my cheek and then turns back to our circle of friends, guiding my hands to her hips. Sin ends up sandwiched between Nik and Dom somehow while Darcy went to sit with Tatum, while Harley and Collins are still spinning in circles. So much for my no touching rule, but since I’m breaking it, can I really get mad at them for breaking it too?

The next four songs feel like the longest eight-and-a-half minutes of my life. The only thing keeping me sane is the way that Kodi’s hips sway sensually against me as her body leans into mine. As soon as those songs are over, I basically drag Kodi out of the club towards my car after she says goodbye to her friends and I threaten mine to make sure they get home okay. I unlock and start it as we approach, quickly opening her door and getting her inside.

Leaning in, I buckle her seatbelt then jog around to my side of the car. She’s looking at me with a mischievous grin on her face that makes me feel on top of the world. I decide I can’t wait to kiss her until we get home, so I lean over and haul her by the back of the neck into my lips. She immediately opens up for me trying to get closer.

I need to get her home.Now.

Pulling away, I place my hand on her upper thigh, shifting the car into drive. Inching my hand up her thigh, she gasps when my finger finds her bare center. I tsk, “No panties and you letsomeone else touch you. Darlin’ what were you thinking?” I’ve begun rubbing small circles over her clit and I know it’s driving her crazy because she’s fidgeting.

“I just wanted to have fun with my friends tonight. It had nothing to do with you Maverick,” she breathily replies while trying to push her hips up.

“Don’t lie to me, baby.” I don’t stop touching her but she’s not going to come, not yet. Not until it’s on my tongue.

She mumbles something that I can’t hear so I stop touching her. “Maverick.” My name comes out as a whimper.

Holy hell, I’m hard as a rock right now.

“Kodi, what were you really doing tonight? If you tell me the truth, you'll be rewarded like the good girl I know you can be. Brats don’t get rewarded,” I respond as if I’m not at all affected by what’s happening in this car, like my cock isn’t thickening uncomfortably against my zipper. “We’re pulling into the neighborhood so you have about sixty seconds to tell me the truth.”

She heaves an exaggerated and annoyed sound, “Jealousy, Maverick. I was trying to make you jealous. I’m tired of the back and forth, the teasing, the barely-there kisses and touches. I want it all. I want you. I want to try. Okay, there. That’s the truth.”

She wants this and us as badly as I do. “I do too. I’m sorry that I haven’t been more straightforward, but seeing you with Nik tonight, it solidified that I don’t want you to be with anyone else. I want you to be with me. When we get inside, I want you in my bed. I’m going to show you who you belong to, baby.”

She whimpers and I see her rub her thighs together out of the corner of my eye. I put the car in park, walk around and help her out, sending her ahead of me. I slowly make my way down the hallway after making a detour for water that I know she’ll need when I’m done with her and find Kodi sitting on the edge ofmy bed, already having removed her jacket, she’s pulling on that hair tie she keeps on her wrist.

“Look at me,” I growl. She obeys and it makes my cock twitch in my pants. I slowly unbutton and remove my shirt then remove my dress pants and boxers.

She sucks in a breath at the sight of my erect cock. “Mav, there’s no way. . .You’re. . .It’s huge.”

“Baby, you’ll take every single inch so well. I know it. Stand up for me.” She does and I prowl towards her, my lips immediately finding hers. Her hands intertwining around my neck. “Are you sure you want this Darlin’? I need to know you want this because once I get a taste for you, I won’t be able to stop.”

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