Incandescent (4 page)

Shaking my head of thoughts that won’t change the past, I realize Braydon and Ben are still talking about the latest football game playing on the overhead screens. Great.

Looking over at Holly, I watch as she scans the club checking out the talent for the night. That’s Holly, on a date and still scoping her options. I’m about to tell her to quit when she kicks me under the table.

“What?” I whisper-yell to her as I lean forward and rub the shin where she just planted her stiletto.

“Check out the hot piece of ass that keeps looking over here,” she whisper-yells back, and I turn my head to see the man who’s been the center of my thoughts since the first day I met him, Nix Knight. Jesus, the man looks better each time I see him. I groan out loud when my eyes connect to his, and he gives me a wink.
What an ass.

“Who the hell is that?” she questions, and I motion her to the ladies' room to talk.

Having escaped our table without even a glance from our dates, we push through the bathroom door when Holly starts firing out questions on who the sexy guy in leather is.

I’ve known Holly since college, meeting during first-day orientation. We realized we had a few classes together and so our friendship began. Her crazy personality brings out the fun in me, and she’s been my best friend for over ten years; not a day goes by I’m not thankful for her. When I lost my house, she welcomed me in with open arms. I survived and fought my way through recovery with her help. She came to every appointment with me, sat with me after every surgery and setback. If it wasn’t for Holly, her upbeat attitude and her crazy out-there moments, I don’t know where I'd be. Three years later, we still live together and haven’t killed each other,
yet.

Pounding at the door startles me mid-way through my explanation about the badass biker who I met in my classroom last week, and the sexy, smartass man I kissed last night. The door pushes open, revealing none other than Mr. Sex On Legs himself. My best friend, or should I say ex-best friend, looks to me, her smile in place as she wiggles her eyebrows.

“I’ll just wait outside.” She looks to Nix, then back to me, mouthing, HOT, before leaving me alone with the insufferable man.
Traitor
.

Facing Nix, I prepare to give him a piece of my mind when he steps into my space, close enough for me to smell his cologne.
Shit, don’t be swayed by the amazing smelling man, Kadence.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” I manage to get out while fighting the pull of his subtle cedar smell.

“I’ve come to ask you the same question, Kadence.” I ignore the fact he uses my first name. One kiss and he thinks he knows me? No, it’s more like he’s gloating that he learned it last night and now won’t stop calling me it. “What are you doing with the stick out there?” He moves closer as I step back into the counter.

“Who I date is none of your business, Mr. Knight.” I use his last name, trying to put an air of professionalism between us. Even though his assessment of Braydon is correct, I don’t need him to know my date is a bust.

“Well, you see, Kadence,” again with my name, but this time the sound comes smoothly off his tongue and sends a shiver down my spine. Hell, every single thing he says to me pulls me further into his spell. I want to slap my own face to snap me out of it. “That’s the problem, ‘cause I’m gonna make it my business. After that kiss last night, I’ve decided I need more.” His cocky attitude pulls me out of my stupidity and just pisses me off more.

“Step back,” I hiss, ignoring his line about me being his business. This guy is smooth. I’ll give him that, but I don’t fall for cheesy lines. Nix just shakes his head. “Mr. Knight, step the fuck back now,” I say again a little louder. His eyes flash with something that is unreadable, as he leans in closer.

“Oh, Miss Turner,” he rasps like he’s in pain. “My name and fuck coming out of those beautiful lips makes my cock rock hard.” The filthy words coming from his mouth should disgust me, should make me feel dirty that I find him unbelievably sexy as hell, but they don’t.
Jesus, what is wrong with me?

Yes, there is some fierce electricity between us, and yes, I kissed him, but nothing can happen. I should be offended, but I’m not. Instead, it sends a thrill straight through me and I fight the urge to clench my thighs to soothe the ache he has created.

“Do those lines work on all the girls, Nix?” I say his name this time, his lips dangerously close to mine. If he leaned in and kissed me, I wonder if it would be like last night’s: fierce and full of desperation.

His eyes narrow and a grin forms on his lips, lips that I know have the ability to make me come undone. “Tell me, Kadence, if I stuck my hand down these tight-as-sin jeans,” his finger trails along the tops of my pants, “and touched your pussy, would you be wet for me?” he purrs, and my body responds before my brain can catch up; the shudder runs through me. He doesn’t miss it, pushing further into me. Chest to chest. Nose to nose.

What the actual fuck is wrong with me? There are warning bells screaming at me to stay clear, but his words make me weak. I have never, ever, been so turned on in my life. Wetness pools in my lace panties and I can’t even deny he is wrong. This pull he has over me is terrifying. If he told me to drop to my knees and take him in my mouth, I’m not sure I could refuse him.

The thought appalls me, yet at the same time, I become even wetter. Shaking my head out of the lust-induced fog he puts me under, I gather some much-needed strength and push the hard muscles of his chest. “Step back,” I demand, and again he ignores me. Instead, he moves his mouth to my ear.

“Babe, I’m all for the struggle. Keep going. You’re just making me harder.” His breath caresses my skin.

My knee comes up connecting with his balls, and I cringe at the force I use. Stepping back and cupping himself, his face is a picture of agony. For a brief moment, I feel awful, hitting him where it hurts, but then I remember how much he provoked me, and subsequently, I don’t feel so sorry.

“Fuckin’ hell, woman,” he gasps, the pain knocking him breathless.

“I told you to step back,” I explain, fixing my top and ignoring the wetness between my legs. He has no right to keep teasing me with his dirty words that make me wet. Walking past him, I ignore his grunts of pain and push through the door, leaving him standing there as I make my way back to the table.

I find Holly sitting at the now empty table, a smirk on her face, but I just roll my eyes. If she only knew.

“Where are Ben and Braydon?” I ask, looking around the bar.

“Oh, your hot biker dude scared them off,” she replies on a shrug. I turn to watch Nix slowly walk back to his table. Cheers and laughter fill the air as he looks over to give me one of his fucking winks again.

“That bastard,” I grind out. I don’t know what it is about him, but he knows how to get to me.

“I need to up my game,” I say to myself more than to Holly. She laughs and declares I should just fuck him.
Maybe I should just sleep with him.
It wouldn’t be a hardship, that’s for sure. I’m not shy when it comes to sex, but a one-night stand with Nix? God, the thought alone leaves me craving it but I don’t know if that would be a smart move. What I do know is that I’m ready to tell him what a shitty move it was getting rid of my date. Hit a man while he’s down I say. Standing, shoulders squared, I decide I’m ready for round two. Thinking about round one, I shudder and realize I’ll need a second pair of panties.

Nix

R
esting the cold beer between my legs to soothe the ache, the boys give me shit for striking out. I feel the same way: the woman is a tough nut to crack.

“You ready for round two, Prez?” Beau smirks behind his beer. Turning my head, I watch as Kadence storms over. I groan as my broken dick comes to life, apparently not caught up with the news that she doesn’t like him. She stands at the end of the table, arms crossed over her chest, unaware that her position puts her sexy tits up on display.

Fuck, this woman is a tease.

“Hey, sweetheart,” I say before taking a sip of my beer.

“Don’t sweetheart me. What did you say to my date?” she snaps, anger clear on her face, and I’ve never seen a more beautiful look on her. Her eyes blaze with fire and the need to push her more fills me. I can’t wait to have her under me.

“Oh, the stiff?” I ask nonchalantly. “Just told him to run along; he didn't have what it takes to play with the big boys,” I say as some of the brothers laugh into their drinks.

I’ve never pushed a woman this far before; chasing her and teasing her feels so damn good. Something about her pushes my buttons and leaves me wanting more. Most women fall at my feet begging to get in, but Kadence? No, this woman makes me want to do the begging. I’ve never wanted to fuck a woman so hard while spanking her ass at the same time. The way she reacts to me makes my dick hard and God help me, getting her riled up is a sight to see. I can see it in her eyes; she’s fighting it. She wants me and I intend to give the lady what she wants.

“What do you want, Phoenix?” she demands, uncrossing her arms and assuming a relaxed position, but I’m not stupid. The woman is crazy mad and I’ve got a throbbing dick to prove it.

“What do I want?” I repeat her question, pausing to take another pull on my beer. “Well, after your little stunt in the bathroom, I wanna pull you down on this table and spank your ass,” I tell her calmly. Even though my balls are aching, my cock is pulsing.

“You disgust me,” she hisses and turns to walk away. I grab onto her hand, turning her my way. She tries to pull out of my grasp, but my hold on her is strong.

“You don’t mean that. I’ve seen the way your eyes flash. You would love for me to spank that sexy ass right here for everyone to see. Wouldn’t you?” Embarrassment floods her cheeks, and for a beat, I think I might have pushed her too far.

“Come on, Prez. Give the girl a break,” Brooks says, smiling up at her. Brooks is the only bastard here married, and it doesn’t surprise me that he'd be feeling like a schmuck having to listen to my shit. Kadence looks around the table, realizing our conversation has an audience. Recognition flashes when her eyes land on Jesse.

“You know Jesse?” I ask. My question comes out fast and harsh.

She nods, and then mumbles, “Hi Jesse.”

What the fuck?

“Hey, sweetheart,” he replies, and I look over at him, shooting daggers. Fuck me, the little bastard’s calling her sweetheart? Hell the fuck no!

Kadence pulls back, breaking our connection, her expression guarded. “Well, I can’t say it’s been fun, Mr. Knight, but you chased my date away so I’m heading home.” She turns, retreating from her spot. Her fight abandoned as she heads back to her blonde friend.

Turing my attention to Jesse, I pin him with my don’t-fuck-with-me stare. The boys go quiet, and Jesse holds up his hands in mock surrender. “Calm down, boss man.”

“How do you know her?” I ignore his comment, hoping he hasn’t fucked her. I wouldn't put it past him. Jesse has fucked a hell of a lot of women.

“Whoa, nothing like that, Prez. I met Kadence a few years ago back in the burns center,” he replies, looking back down at his beer.

Before Jesse patched in, he was a firefighter. After 9/11 and following in his father’s footsteps, he enlisted and served his country. After two tours and an injury that required four surgeries over two years, he was medically discharged. With a messed up foot, his firefighting career was over. Unable to work, he came back to his hometown. It wasn’t long after that he patched in. He came in when shit turned good, his uncle one of the originals, one of the men who helped me pull us clean. I can’t imagine the goofy kid ever being okay with the fucked-up shit we used to be involved with. Not being able to have the career he’s always wanted, he was in a bad place for a long time, but with the help of the club and seeing what we were about, he finally got his head straight. Volunteering his time at the local burn unit was one of the things that pulled him out of it.

Nodding my head, I take in the information. With my mind going crazy and wanting to know the details, I push further, “Well, what happened?”

“Kadence had an accident a few years back,” he explains, looking uncomfortable with revealing what went down. Looking over I see Kadence and her friend getting ready to move.

“How bad of an accident?” I push, still watching her closely.

“Yeah, not going there, Nix,” Jesse replies, shaking his head no. Fuck, I could push him for it, but I don’t have the time. Nodding my head, I stand and drop a Benjamin on the table leaving them to follow Kadence out.

I don’t know what I’m doing, but she is just too much of a temptation, one I can’t let go.

“Hey, Kadence,” I call out as I make my way out the front door. She stops and spins on her heel.

“Jesus, what now?” she snaps back. My cock stirs to life at her attitude. Fuck, I’m a goner.

“Listen, I’m sorry. I don’t know what it is about you. Shit,” I exhale, feeling like this shit is way over my head. “I swear I don’t usually act this way. You push all my buttons.” I run my hand through my hair, frustrated I’m responding this way.

“It’s fine, Nix. I was inappropriate in there too. I don’t know what it is either, but you make it easy to fight with,” she confesses, letting out a shaky breath in defeat, and I smile, knowing I have the same effect on her. “But nothing can happen between us. Z is one of my students, and it’s frowned upon to date student’s parents,” she continues, letting me off the hook. Only I don’t want to be let off.

“Why not? If you’re feelin’ anything like I’m feelin’, then why not?” I question. “We’re both grown-ass adults. We can do what we want.”

“I don’t date,” she replies a little too quickly.

“Bullshit, I just ran your date off fifteen minutes ago,” I say smugly. The pansy prick high-tailed it out of there as soon as he got the hint.

“Yes, how could I forget?” Her eyes narrow, still pissed off at me.

“Let me take you out,” I blurt. What the fuck is wrong with me? She just told me she didn't date. When she kneed me in the balls, she must have made me lose some of my manhood because I don’t ask women out on dates. Sure, I love the chase, but that’s just to fuck, not what I’m asking of her now.