Page 55 of Entice

She was startled by Sage’s words but didn’t say a thing.

Sage chuckled. “No worries. There was a Dom eyeing you, and I didn’t want Jordan to rush over here.”

“Oh, but…” She lifted her arm to show Sage her wristband. “Jordan said this would show I was taken.”

“It would. Let’s say I didn’t want the Dom to step into our arena right now.”

Crystal tilted her head. There was something Sage wasn’t telling her. Maybe she’d find out later.

“Ah Sage, good to see you,” Jordan said, leaning down and kissing her cheek. “Are you playing tonight?”

“No. I needed to get out of my apartment and my head.”

Jordan nodded. “Would you mind staying with Crystal? She wants to watch the action and might need some explanations.”

“I sure can.” Sage smiled.

“Thank you.” Jordan moved to her and leaned down. “Ask Sage any questions you have. Enjoy.” He took her lips in a hard, fast kiss and was off.

Crystal sighed as she watched him walk away. Damn, the man could kiss, and he also had one fantastic backside.

“Come on, Cinderella, let’s continue your education.”

* * * *

Jordan bundled Crystal into his SUV at two in the morning. Damon volunteered to close, and Jordan took him up on the offer. There were a few diehards left in the club.

Crystal was out on her feet. Jordan draped a blanket he kept in his vehicle over her before he slipped her seatbelt on. Once he pulled out, it took a few minutes for the car to warm up, and he turned on the heater.

“That feels good,” she said softly.

“Let me know if you get too hot.” It was almost the end of January, and while it was cool, the weather didn’t bother him, but Crystal had complained when they walked out of the club.

He drove home quickly, occasionally glancing over at her. Her eyes were closed, and her breathing deep and even. He probably should have warned her it was going to be a long night.

Jordan yawned. He was used to having long nights on Friday and Saturday. He used Sunday as a catch up day. He pulled into his garage and smiled. Catching up with Crystal tomorrow would be fun.

After taking off her seatbelt, he pulled her into his arms and made his way into his house. She snuggled up to him. He couldn’t help thinking of the first time he’d put her in his bed.

With a grin playing around his lips, he took off her club clothes. Thank goodness she’d told him about the hidden zipper in her corset. He tucked her into bed and frowned when he noticed the bruise on her shoulder. He could see the faint outline of fingers. Johnson. He’d grabbed her by the shoulder. Jordan’s anger boiled up and threatened to spill out. There was only one way he was going to get to sleep tonight.

Straightening, he padded out of the room and down the hallway to his home gym. If one could call it a gym. There wasn’t much in it. A small dresser, punching bag, and a chair. Walking over to the dresser, he pulled out a pair of shorts and changed, then he wrapped his hands. He needed to let off some steam before he climbed into bed with Crystal.

Thirty minutes later, Jordan swept the sweat out of his eyes, took a swig of water from the bottle he had on the dresser, and went back to the bag. He pictured Johnson’s face each time he hit the bag.

He reflected back on high school when some boys were picking on another boy. Jordan had become so enraged he took four boys on. When he calmed down, the four boys were on the ground, and several teachers were staring at him. Luckily, no one was hurt, but it could have been worse.

Maybe Jordan was more like his father than he thought.

* * * *

Crystal turned onto her back and opened her eyes. Where was she? The last thing she remembered was being in Jordan’s vehicle and… She fell asleep. She glanced at her shoulder and frowned. When did she get a bruise? The memory of Johnson grabbing her filtered through her brain. Damn. Jordan wouldn’t have missed the bruise when he undressed her.

She turned again. The other side of the bed was empty. She glanced at the clock on the side table. Five. Maybe he was in the kitchen getting a snack. Lord, she hoped so. Standing, she shivered as cool air caressed her skin. She only had panties on. Grabbing her shawl from where it was draped on the chair, she threw it over her shoulders and went to find Jordan.

She crept toward the kitchen, but the lights were off. She turned. There were lights on down the hall, and she could hear faint repeated thuds. Curious, she made her way in the direction of the light.

The noise got louder as she approached the room. The door was half open. Not wanting to disturb Jordan, she peeked inside the room, and her breath locked in her throat.

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