The Strings Attached

Chapter 24 - Jace

The crowd in the bar goes wild as soon as she finishes and steps off the stage. I waste no time finding her at the other end of the bar.

"That was great," I say on a laugh as soon as I'm standing next to her.

She blinks up at me, wiping the sweat from her forehead. And to my surprise, she doesn't look angry to see me. In fact, she smiling. "Thanks." She takes a sip of water that the bartender hands her. "What are you doing here?" Her smile finally drops.

"I'm here with some friends."

"Oh, cool." She nods. Her mouth is in a taut line across her face. 

"What about you?"

"Oh... I'm uh—"

"Damn girl, that was fucking hot as hell," a guy says, shoving through the crowd and wrapping an arm around her waist.

Loni flashes me a quick glance and forces a smile.

Of course. She's on another "date." But, I don't care. She can do what she wants. I don't care.

He kisses her cheek.

Did I mention I don't care? Because I obviously don't. Even though my palms are starting to heat up and my neck is covered in a light sheen of sweat.

"Hey man," the guy says, releasing Loni and holding his hand out to me. "Ryan."

"Jace," I say, unenthusiastically shaking his hand.

"Damn, girl, that performance was so sexy, I'm sure every guy in this place is needing to adjust his junk."

Well, he's a pleasant one.

Loni's cheeks heat up, but definitely from embarrassment. "Thanks," she stammers out.

"Now, why don't we blow this joint so I can get what you promised me, eh?" Ryan reaches out his hand.

Loni lets out a harsh squeak when he grabs her crotch. She tries to back up, but he never removes his hand or that ugly grin on his lips.

"Hey," I shove his shoulder, pushing him back until he finally lets go. "Come on, don't touch her like that."

Ryan scoffs, still fucking grinning. "Shit, man, the girl has practically been begging for this all night." He lowers his voice and steps closer to me and I can smell the liquor on his breath. His eyes are extremely heavy. The guy is completely trashed. "She's a slut. Just like every girl in this bar. And that's how sluts need to be handled." He laughs, also taking a moment to see if anyone around us is going to join in on the laughter.

But, I don't find him funny.

"Now back the fuck off," he slurs.

My fist slams into his face. And then again. And again. I beat him until he's bleeding out of every orifice on his face.

I'm not a violent guy. I never have been. I don't like fighting. But seeing this piece of shit laying on the ground at the mercy of my fists feels fucking amazing.

Drunk or not, he disrespected Loni and every other girl in this bar tonight. And I won't stand for it.

I feel his nose crack under my fist. Blood splatters up onto my face. I can taste it on my tongue, but I don't stop. All I can see is his hands on her. This son of a bitch deserves this.

"Jace, stop!" Tyler yells. His arms wrap around me and pull me from Ryan's body.

"Touch her like that again and I will fucking kill you," I snarl as Ryan is lifted to his feet.

Tyler and Kaden drag me away from him. Asher has his arms wrapped around Loni. She's shaking and her mouth is hanging open in shock. But her eyes are telling me something totally different. She likes that I defended her.

"Take her and get out of here," Asher says, releasing Loni from his grip.

I take her frigid body and pull her into me.

"Get out of here, Jace. You are already in enough trouble. We will take care of this," Kaden says to me, slapping his hand on my shoulder.

I don't say anything. I just nod and lead Loni towards the exit. Fuck I have great friends. If they weren't here, I don't think I would have been able to stop.

"M-my car is over there," Loni says, reaching into her purse with a shaking hand.

"Did you drink tonight?"

She shakes her head. "No."

I follow Loni to her car and we drive back to the apartment complex in complete silence. When she parks the car in the lot, she doesn't move. Neither do I.

"Thanks," Loni finally mutters, breaking the silence. Her green eyes find mine through the darkness of the car. "That guy was a dick." She lets out a sharp breath. "Maybe you're right. This whole thing is stupid." She shifts in her seat and reaches for the door handle but I grab her arm. Her head snaps around.

"If you want to have a no strings attached, just sex, fling, then I can be that guy." For fuck's sake, am I really propositioning myself right now? Yes, I am.

"Jace--"

"Why not? We already know each other. You know I'm not crazy--"

"That's debatable," she laughs.

"Come on, you are willing to sleep with a bunch of random assholes you meet online. So why not me? We may not be friends. But I'd like to think we are acquaintances."

She stares at me with furrowed brows. Is she considering this? I can't read her and it's driving me crazy.

"Plus," I lean my head back on the headrest and shoot her a sly smirk. "From what I've been told, I'm pretty amazing in bed."

She laughs again and I can't help but fall in love with that sound. She pulls herself together quickly. "Why do you even want to do this?"

"Come on, no strings attached sex with a pretty girl, who wouldn't want that?"

She shrugs but in that moment when her guard is down, I move close to her. Close enough so she can feel my breath on her rosy cheeks.

"And that kiss that you gave me," I take a moment, trying not to groan, getting my hardening dick under control. "That was just a taste. Every time I look at you I want... I need more."

Her breath hitches and her lips part. Perfect, plump, ready to be kissed again. But I don't.

"So what do you say? This will benefit both of us. Two people that love sex and want nothing more than that." Well, maybe that last point can be discussed. But that can be saved for another night.

"Good night, Jace."

Before I can blink, Loni disappears from the car. Leaving me completely desperate for her.