"Shoot."
"Does she know the babe? You know, the one with the power?"
His deep laugh rumbles through me like a gong, striking something deep in my womb.
"Of course you went there," he mutters.
"You got the name. I got the jokes." I shrug, but there's nothing casual about the way my heart is thudding against my ribcage like it's trying to break free.
I think he feels the same thing between us because his eyes drop to my mouth, his expression sobering. "Fuck," he groans, his thumb sliding across my bottom lip. "I've been staring at this mouth all night, Zoya. The more you talk, the more I want to know what it tastes like."
I don't know why I do it because I'm still completely sober, but I catch the pad of his thumb between my teeth. The result is instantaneous. He growls, that same predatory sound from the dressing room, and hauls me halfway off my stool. His lips come down on mine in a dizzying kiss.
I gasp in shock, allowing him to slip his tongue into my mouth. It tangles with mine, tempting me into a moment of madness. Even though alarm bells scream that I shouldn't be doing this, I press up against him, kissing him like he's offering salvation.
He tastes like mint and beer. It's an intoxicating combination on his lips, especially with his hands in my hair and a hungry growl vibrating in his chest.
The only thing that saves me from climbing his body right in the middle of the club is the bartender clearing his throat behind us.
We spring apart, breathing hard.
Jareth looks pissed at the interruption; his eyes narrowed on the smaller man like he's considering pulling him across the bar to choke the life out of him.
"Sorry," the guy mutters. "But I need to know if you want Jett to hold the three of them for the police to get here."
"Let them go," I blurt, leaping to my feet. The last thing Teo needs is for the three of them to stick around long enough to press charges. He's been in enough trouble the last few years. "Nadia wouldn't want this all over the news."
I have a feeling it will be anyway. Teo was in a bar fight over her. That's going to make waves. People with their kind of fame don't get privacy during times like this.
The bartender nods before stepping away.
Jareth reaches for me, but I dodge him.
"I gotta go," I mumble.
"Zoya, wait."
I shake my head, backing away. "That shouldn't have happened."
"Why the fuck not?" he growls, rising to his feet.
"B-because…" I try to think of a good reason, but I highly doubt the panic beating at my chest is going to be enough to sway him. Not with that look in his eyes. And I really don't want to admit to a man like him that I'm a virgin, not when I'm simply one in a long line to him. "Because I'm seeing someone."
He rocks back on his heels like I slapped him. "You're seeing someone."
"Yes," I lie. "Back home. At school."
I'm going to hell for lying, but at least I'll go with my dignity…right?
He stares at me, not saying anything, and I feel like the biggest jerk on the planet. But I don't take it back, either. Jareth Grayson and I can't happen. We just…can't.
"I'm sorry," I whisper, turning on my heel and practically fleeing from the bar.
Chapter One
Jareth
Three Months Later
