Page 108 of The Trade

“I think she’s just jealous,” I mutter, more to myself than him.

“Sure, man,” he says, shaking his head. “Just keep torturing yourself.” With that, he gives me a harsh pat on my shoulder and makes his way back to our table.

As he walks away, I can’t help but look back at Jade. She’s whispering something into the guy’s ear. Then she pulls away, prying his greedy hands off her. She slips out of his grasp and makes a beeline toward the restroom.

For a moment, I contemplate the consequences of following her. Yes, it would be an absolute stalker move. But a nagging voice in the back of my mind tells me she wants me to follow her. She’s playing a game here, and I’m too far gone to not play along.

I take a deep breath, then set off after her, weaving through the crowd until I reach the empty corridor. Leaning against the wall, I try to look casual.

When Jade finally emerges from the restroom, her sigh tells me she isn’t surprised to see me waiting.

“Very creepy, West,” she says, her voice tinged with a mix of annoyance and something else I can’t quite decipher.

“What are you doing here?” I find myself asking. It’s not a great opener, I’ll admit it, but it’s the only thing that seems to make sense in this moment.

“Drinking, dancing,” she deadpans. “What does it look like I’m doing?”

“You know what I mean. Why here at Lucky’s? You know my boys are always here.”

I take a step closer to her. She doesn’t back away but raises a brow, clearly unimpressed. With a scoff, she says, “My bad. I didn’t realize you and yourboysowned the place.”

“You sure about that?”

“Sophie and Maya wanted to come here, okay?” she finally admits, her voice a notch quieter. “They’re on the prowl for athletes tonight.”

Her explanation barely registers. All I can focus on is how close we are. She’s wearing my favorite skirt, the one she wore the last time we were together—when I fucked her in the bathroom at the Cathouse. “And you definitely weren’t hoping I’d be here.”

“No,” she argues, eyes defiant. “In fact, I was hoping you wouldn’t be.”

Her denial does nothing to dampen the spark between us. I smirk, my gaze locked on hers. “And you also didn’t dance with that guy just ’cause you knew I was watching.”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“I know you, Jade,” I tell her, voice low and sincere. “And I know how you get when you’re jealous.”

“Jealous?” She gives me a dramatic eye roll. “Please, like I would be jealous of that ...girl. She can have you.”

“I don’t give a fuck about that girl,” I say, my gaze steady. “I’d never touch her, not when I have you.”

“You don’thaveme,” she says, her words firm, but I can see the conflict in her eyes.

I take another step closer, backing her up until she’s pressed against the wall, and her breath hitches in her throat. “I beg to differ.”

“You’re such an ass.”

“And yet, you still want me.” I barely register the words leaving my mouth, my fingers tugging at a loose curl. “Admit it.”

A shudder courses through her as I bend closer. Her eyes, heavy with longing, stay fixated on mine, as if willing me to read the desires she’s too guarded to voice.

“Maybe ...maybe physically,” she confesses, her voice catching in a way that suggests she’s lying, and that scrap is just enough to give me hope. “But that’s it.”

“Yeah?” My voice drops to a husky whisper, the question on my tongue drenched in anticipation. “I can work with that.”

She swallows hard, her eyes still half-lidded, staring up at me through a veil of longing and conflict. “I’m sure you can.”

My fingertips trace her jawline. “Jade.”

“I ...no.” She shakes her head gently, gaze still glued to my lips. “This is a bad idea.”

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