Wrecked (Dirty Air 3)

I lean into him, needing support, both emotionally and physically. “We need to stop this before we do something we’ll regret.” I sound as breathless as I feel.

His tongue traces a mindless pattern down my neck. “I live every day with regrets. What’s one more?” His sad voice hits me right in the chest.

He nips at sensitive flesh, eliciting the smallest moan from me. One I hope he can’t hear over the music.

I shove at his chest, finally getting the distance I need. “And whose fault is that?”

“Mine. Always has been. Always will be.” He sighs as he stares at my lips with clouded eyes.

My heart beats in unison with the thump of the speakers—fast, irregular, and loud enough to hear in my ears. With little protest from Jax, I lead him back to the VIP table.

Liam and Sophie’s attention snaps to us. Sophie struggles to hide her smile while Liam shakes his head, rubbing his temple.

Mierda. I’d rather go back into the crowd and hide for the rest of the night than face these two.

“Well, you got him under control in under fifteen minutes. I’m impressed. I usually have to drag him out of the crowd.” Liam stands and grabs his friend, letting him lean against him. At least he has enough sympathy to save me from my embarrassment.

I’m grateful for the low lighting hiding how my face resembles the color of a brake light.

“Your secret is safe with me.” Sophie pinches her fingers together and makes an invisible zipper symbol across her lips before throwing the fake key behind her shoulder.

I let out a nervous laugh as Liam eyes me with pinched brows. He doesn’t say anything, choosing to focus his attention on Jax. Both of them remain normal as we make our way through the club. We exit through the back entrance to escape paparazzi. A rental car driver greets us, opening the rear door for us. Liam pushes Jax into the back seat.

Sophie looks at Liam. “You should talk to him. It’s not only about him anymore, you know, because Elena’s job depends on him, too.” She frowns at Jax as she shimmies into the center seat next to him, forcing me to sit on the other side of her. Probably best, seeing as Jax already mauled me by accident.

Right. Because his lips fell on mine. Who am I fooling?

This is fantastic. Really, my confidence in my work is at an all-time high.

Not.

I close the car door. “It’s fine, please don’t speak to him. I’ll handle it and talk to him about this not happening again.”

“Of course, she can talk to me. She always wants to talk to me. She won’t run away no matter how many times I tell her to go,” Jax mumbles.

“Ignore him. He says stupid shit when he’s wasted.” Liam enters the passenger seat, shooting Jax a look that tells me he wishes his friend would shut up and go to sleep.

“Sober words, honest thoughts.” Jax laughs to himself.

“No, asshole. Drunken words, sober thoughts,” Sophie corrects him.

“Oh, got it. So, does that mean it’s okay for me to tell Elena I think she’s pretty?”

Sophie throws her head back against the headrest and laughs. “Sure, go right ahead. Finally, the night is getting interesting. Why don’t you tell us how you truly feel?”

“Don’t encourage him,” Liam grumbles.

“Elena is so pretty it hurts to look at her.” Jax’s words cause a steady buzz to take up residence in my stomach like I chugged a two-liter bottle of soda in under two minutes. I’m seriously messed up.

“Then why are you a moody jerk around her?” Sophie taunts him.

“Because I can be.”

Liam groans. “That’s a bad reason.”

“Fine. Because I don’t have a choice.” He snarls.

“That’s an even worse reason. You’re not getting the point.” Sophie taps Jax’s temple.