Page 43 of Captured Heart

“...and she introduced Katelyn to one of her jock friends yesterday. They all went out to that stupid celebration party tonight...Booker, you’re supposed to be manning the east side...So, anyway, if you wanna ask her out, John, now would be the best time because Karmani convinced her to stop being a prude and indulge in a few casual hookups. She says—”

I don’t even hear the rest of it. I’m already grabbing my jacket and heading out the door.

Even though my GPS says it’s a twenty-five-minute drive to the bar, I get there in less than ten. One, because I generally drive any vehicle like it’s a getaway car. Old habits die hard. And two, the thought of her hooking up with another guy was enough incentive to get my ass down here at lightning speed.

Is it absurd that I’m here? Yes.

Is it crazy that I’m behaving so irrationally over a girl I’ve only known for nine days? Also, yes.

But right now, I don’t care about being logical or rational. Whatever this feeling is that’s churning in the pit of my stomach and turning me into a seething, jealous maniac—I’m going toanalyze that tomorrow. I’m sure I’ll be very receptive to some self-reflection then.

Tonight, though, my only goal is to make sure she doesn’tindulgein anything with anyone who isn’tme.

When I walk into the bar, it’s packed, a sea of students cheering and dancing. The air is thick with sweat, alcohol, and the rhythmic thump of bass-heavy music.

It doesn’t take long to find her. She’s very easy to spot because this is another sudden change I didn’t expect. She usually dresses very modestly, barely showing any skin. Tonight, she grabbed modesty with both hands and flung it out the fucking window.

Even in this dimly lit bar, the vision of her is enough to make my breath hitch. She’s a walking temptation wrapped in crimson. The unnecessarily short dress clings to her curves like a second skin, her long, lean legs on full display. The deep wine-red fabric catches the low light and accentuates the golden hue of her complexion.

My eyes trace the delicate chains running down her back, shimmering against her skin, daring me to imagine how soft it would feel under my hands. Her dark hair frames her face in waves, her earrings glinting as they sway with every slight movement of her head. It draws my eyes to the elegant curve of her neck before they move lower.

The dip of her back, revealed by the daring cut of the dress, is a tease in itself, a seductive path that’s beckoning to be explored. It’s like a map, begging me to trace it with my fingertips, my mouth. Her sexiness is captivating, and I can’t escape the allure.

Fuck, this girl is beautiful, easily the most stunning woman in the room.

And I’m not the only one here who can see that.

She’s with the same guy I saw her with earlier, and I know he’s noticing the same things I am. And just like me, he’s eating it up, every sultry smile, every flick of her thick lashes.

My jaw tightens as I watch him lean in to whisper something in her ear, his hand hovering way too close to her thigh. She tilts her head back, laughing at whatever he said, and I reason with myself to remain calm.

I push my way through the crowd, stopping right behind her. “Katie.”

Her smile fades as she turns to me, her expression caught somewhere between surprise and irritation. “Alex?”

“Hey.”

She narrows her eyes at me, and I notice she’s a little tipsy. “You know, I’ve been studying here for almost three years, and I’ve never seen you around.” She lethargically throws her hand up to gesturearound. Okay, not a little tipsy. She’s wasted. “Yet now, you keep popping up everywhere I go. It’s like I can’t get rid of you.”

“Do you want to get rid of me?”

Her hand moves up to her neck, clasping the locket as if it has the answer to my question.

“I’m sensing some indecision,” I say when she doesn’t answer.

She lets out an irritable groan. “What are you doing here, anyway?”

My eyes flick to the guy beside her. “I could ask you the same thing.”

He straightens, his hand dropping from the stool as he sizes me up. “She’s out having a good time.” His tone is casual but with an edge I don’t like. “Not that it’s any of your business.”

I ignore him, focusing on her instead. “You’ve had a few drinks. Let me take you home.”

She half-rolls her eyes, her lips curling into a defiant smile. “I’m fine, Alex. I’m quite capable of looking after myself and making my own decisions. I don’t need a babysitter.”

“Yeah, she’s with me,” the guy says. “I’ll take her home.”

“The fuck you will.” I take a step forward, closing the space between us. “Just back off, alright?”

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