Why did it bother me so much that Maddox and Hannah had had an intimate interaction? He wasn’t mine. I didn’t even want him. This kind of irrational jealousy was stupid high school shit, and I needed to snap out of it.
Staring at my reflection in the mirror above the sink, I took a cleansing breath, trying to clear my mind, but one thought still remained.
Why was I never jealous when I knew Nix was sleeping with other women?
I squeezed my eyes shut as my hands shook at the memory of the weak woman I had once been. I was stronger now, independent, and if there was one thing I’d learned from that chapter of my life, it was that I deserved to put myself first.
So that’s what I was going to do from here on out.Icalled the shots, not anyone else.Idecided what brought me happiness. And right now,that was my job. Even if a certain tall, dark, and handsome man was firmly attached to it. He wasn’t going to ruin this for me. I wouldn’t let him.
Emboldened, I smoothed both hands over my shirt and left the ladies’ room, ready to celebrate my bestie’s big night.
I made it all of two steps before a voice crooned from behind, “Coop, baby. Looking good.”
And just like that, all the confidence I’d gathered faded away.
There was only one man who had ever called me Coop. And he was the only man in the world I prayed that I would never set eyes on again. Why, tonight of all nights, did he have to make a reappearance?
Not turning around, I cursed myself for the way my voice wavered. “Whatever you’re selling, I’m not buying.”
He clicked his tongue, admonishing, “Aw, come on, baby. After all we’ve been through?”
How about all you’ve put me through, asshole?
The hairs on the back of my neck rose as I felt him draw closer. I physically recoiled when his arm brushed mine as he stepped in front of me. Nausea churned in my gut when my eyes met those of the one and only Levi Nixon, womanizer extraordinaire.
After months spent apart, I saw him in a completely different light. What I had once seen as a charming smile now gave me the creeps as he leered at me with a wolfish glint in his eyes. His cologne—which I had once sprayed on a T-shirt so I could smell him as I slept—was overpowering, giving me a headache.
Maybe it was because I now knew what he really was. A predator. He knew I was too weak to break away, so he’d used it to his advantage for years—years I would never get back.
And to think, I’d thought I was in love with him. What a stupid, silly girl I had been.
“Levi, leave me alone.” My voice was weak, lacking the necessary conviction to make him walk away. Not that he would, anyway. He was an entitled prick.
He raised an eyebrow. “Levi? What happened to Nix?” I shook like a leaf as he reached up a hand to brush my hair over my shoulder and leaned in to whisper in my ear, “I always loved our little nicknames. You were special.”
I wanted to scream, to beat on his chest, to push him away, but being near him again zapped me of all my strength. What kind of fucking dark magic did he possess?
Nix pressed his body into mine, pinning me against the wall, and all I could manage was a squeak.
How did I end up like this? Was no one worried that I was gone? Did they know he was here?
I couldn’t imagine he’d been an invited guest tonight. Braxton hated him.
“Can you feel how much I’ve missed you?” The words came out husky as he ground his erection against my belly.
Bile rose in my throat at the thought of ever sleeping with him again.
“No.” My voice was barely audible in my panicked state.
“Come on, tell me you don’t want one more night. For old time’s sake.” He pressed his forehead to mine.
“Please,” I begged. “Just leave.”
“The lady said no,” a voice boomed.
Both our heads turned to the side to find Maddox standing at the end of the corridor, his green eyes hardened as he took in the scene before him. And for the first time since I started my job reporting on the Speed, I was glad to see him.
Nix pushed off the wall, and I took a deep breath for the first time in what seemed like hours. He had a habit of sucking all the air from the room and leaving none for anyone else.
