Page 12 of Double or Nothing

“It’s not like that. I just…” Mac shakes his head.

Does he really expect me to buy that? Even an idiot can see how into her he is. The way he clams up when she’s around. How he’s staring like a lost puppy right now. “Come on, man. She’s hot, she’s fun. Go for it.”

“No.” The stern tone, the stoic expression is his way of ending the conversation.

When I look back out onto the dancefloor, it’s not Kat that catches my eye, but rather the two douchebags approaching her and Liz. They keep maneuvering closer until they’re practically dancing with them. The girls are a little tipsy and completely oblivious.

I’m not. And the temper I usually keep under control is tempted to emerge. This is Kat’s night though, and the last thing I need is to draw attention to us, especially considering we’re all underage.

I’m doing just that until I see the guy nearest to Kat set his hand on her waist. My girl, she pushes it off though. That’s my girl. Douchebag numero uno, he doesn’t seem to be getting the hint because he just moves right back in.

Mac says my name, my facial expression clearly giving away just how furious I am and that I fully intend on doing something about it. “Let me handle it.”

I appreciate the offer, but no one touches what’s mine. And I will be damned if I’m not the one to inform them of that.

“Don’t do anything stupid,” Mac pleads with me as I shove away from the bar and out onto the dance floor.

“Hands off,” I tell the guy. This time, it’s me removing his hand from her. And if he touches her again, I’m going to start swinging.

“Who the fuck are you?” the douche asks.

“I’m her boyfriend.” I pause. “And the guy who’s going to kick your ass if you touch her again.”

The prick looks me up and down and laughs. “Why the fuck would she want you when she could have a real man?”

“Where is he?” I ask, glancing around the club looking for the guy he’s talking about. There is no way this dick is a real man. A real man would never put his hands on a woman without permission. A real man knows when a woman says no, you step back. This loser is not a real man. Not even close.

“Fuck you, bitch. I’ll pound you in the ground.” The douche takes a step forward toward me, but Kat forces me back. She pulls on my arm, begging me to let it go. “Sutton, don’t. Let’s just go. Please.”

Everything in me is screaming to punch this guy. To fucking teach him some manners as Grandma Virginia would say. One look at Kat though, and I’m over it. I can’t ruin this for her. I can’t let my jealous rage ruin our night.

I can’t just walk away without doing something, though. The guy needs to learn a lesson. But, what? I contemplate my options as I stare the guy down for a moment. That’s when it hits me. I grab Kat, my mouth covering hers hard and hungry. She stills for a moment, shocked by the abrupt, possessive nature of the kiss. But I’ll be damned if she doesn’t look completely turned on by it when I pull back.

Her eyes are dark, filled with desire, and her full, kissed lips are parted and begging for more.

With a smirk, I turn to the douchebag and say, “Like I said, she’s mine.”

With her hand in mine, I lead us out of the club and back onto the strip.

The lights shine brightly, illuminating everything around us.

“Well, that was fun,” Liz says. “Now what?”

“Now, we go back to the hotel,” Kat replies. Her voice sounds stern, almost like she’s pissed.

I turn to her, ready to explain why I had to do what I did and that I didn’t mean to ruin her night. It’s not anger I find in her eyes, though. It’s hunger. One that I am more than willing to sate for her.

“Yeah, I’m exhausted.” I follow the words up with a fake yawn.

“You two just want to go have sex.” Liz rolls her eyes.

“What’s the matter, Lizzie? Jealous?” I tease.

The smartass reply earns me a swat on the arm, one that I’m certain she thinks stung at least a little, but in reality, I barely felt. However, I do begin to run down the sidewalk to avoid any further bodily harm. Much to my surprise, the girl runs at marathon speed in illegally high heels after me.

Kat and Mac rush to keep up and once we’ve finally made our way into the elevator, I make the drunken decision to escalate things even further. The moment the elevator dings for our floor, I toss Kat over my shoulder and say to Liz, “I’m sure Mac here won’t mind helping you out.”

I take off, running down the hallway until we get to our room.

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