With a helpless whimper, Alice kissed Jax back, breathing rapidly, and loving the hard feel of his muscles overpowering her body. Alice definitely wasn’t in charge of anything, totally controlled, yet at the same time she wasn’t afraid.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlw4etpl9Vy
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Just as she thought she might lose herself completely, Alice bit down on his bottom lip. Hard. Drawing blood. Jax hissed and pulled back, but Alice followed, running her tongue over his bruised lip. Jax looked down at her, with an almost feral glint in his eyes, as if she had just issued a challenge he was more than willing to accept.
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Alice suddenly pulled back, her eyes darting over Jax's shoulder. "Good evening, Sheriff," she said smoothly.
Jax laughed, tilting his head at her with a playful, skeptical look. "Really, Alice? You think I’m falling for that again?"
But then a voice came from behind him, cool and authoritative. "I’m afraid I’m quite real, Mr. Ryder."
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Jax stiffened and turned around to see the sheriff standing a few steps away, his hands casually resting on his belt. The man’s gaze flicked between the two of them, lingering just long enough to make Alice uncomfortable.
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"I’m here because Miss Carter dropped her location pin to her friend Susy during all that trouble at the drive-in," the sheriff explained, his voice calm but firm. "Susy called us after she tracked it to these woods."
Alice bit her lip, her face flushing. Jax shot her a surprised look, his eyebrows raised. "Really?"
The sheriff ignored the exchange and continued. "Also, it seems Mr. Ryder here called us himself—before he intervened with Cade in the lot."
Alice turned to Jax, her expression softening with surprise. "You called them?"
Jax shrugged, his tone nonchalant. "Figured someone needed to keep it clean."
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The sheriff cleared his throat, cutting through the moment. "I need your statements about what happened tonight, but first, I’ll be taking Miss Carter home. She’s been through enough for one evening."
Jax’s jaw tightened, and he stepped closer to Alice protectively. "I’ll take her home myself."
The sheriff raised a brow. "I parked up the road. You can follow us on your bike, Mr. Ryder. Afterward, I’ll need you at the station to sort this out." He paused, his gaze sharpening.
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Jax nodded reluctantly, his eyes lingering on her before stepping back.
The sheriff motioned toward his car, and Alice gave Jax one last look before following. As the taillights disappeared up the road, Jax swung onto his bike, revving the engine before tearing off into the night, the roar of the motor echoing loudly through the trees.
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After her police escort and a quick phone call to calm Susy down, Alice stepped out onto her back porch, needing air and space to think. The moonlight bathed the yard in a silvery glow, illuminating the tall trees that bordered the property. A warm breeze stirred the leaves, carrying with it the faint scent of pine and earth. The night was still, almost soothing, but Alice’s mind refused to settle.
She sank into an old wicker chair, her legs curled beneath her, staring out into the darkness. The events of the night churned in her head—Cade, Jax, the sheriff showing up. Her pulse still raced, adrenaline coursing through her veins, too rattled to even consider sleep.
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After a moment, she grabbed her laptop from inside and opened it. Writing had always been her way of processing, her method of untangling the chaos in her mind. The screen’s soft glow illuminated her face as her fingers flew across the keys. She didn’t stop to edit or analyze, letting the raw emotions pour out onto the digital page.
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An hour passed before her eyelids grew heavy and her energy finally faded. With a mix of impulse and adrenaline still coursing through her, Alice hit send, forwarding the draft to her editor without giving it a second thought. She snapped the laptop shut and exhaled deeply, her body finally surrendering to exhaustion.
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She shuffled back inside and climbed into bed, the weight of the night pressing down on her as her eyes closed. Somewhere between her last coherent thought and sleep, she wondered what her editor would think of the chaos she had just unleashed.
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The next morning, Alice woke to a notification that made her heart leap. Her editor had emailed her, raving about the draft. He loved it, he wanted more, and he even used the word publish. A spark of hope surged through her, and for the first time in days, she felt like maybe she was heading in the right direction.
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Bursting with excitement, Alice decided she couldn’t keep the news to herself. She grabbed her keys and headed straight to Susy’s house. She also wanted to spill every detail about the hot kiss with Jax, hoping Susy would help her process it—or at least scream with her.
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But when she knocked on Susy’s door, there was no answer. Strange. Undeterred, Alice went around to the back and found the door slightly ajar. A pang of unease hit her, but curiosity got the better of her. She stepped inside, calling out, "Susy? You home?"
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Footsteps shuffled, and suddenly a wet and flustered Susy appeared in the hallway, wrapped in nothing but a towel. "Alice! Uh—Hi! This isn’t a good time!"
Before Alice could respond, a very naked and equally wet Eddie stepped out from the bathroom behind her, running a hand through his dripping hair. Yes, that Eddie—the same Eddie who had fought them at the bar.
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Alice’s jaw dropped. "Oh my God. What the hell, Susy?"
Susy’s cheeks turned crimson. "This… This isn’t what it looks like!"
"It is exactly what it looks like," Eddie said with a smirk, clearly unbothered by the situation—or his lack of clothing.
Alice blinked at him, then at Susy.
Susy groaned under Alice's judgmental stare, tightening the towel around her "It’s not as bad as it seems!"
"Really?" Alice raised an eyebrow. "Because it looks like you’re hooking up with the guy who tried to kill us two days ago."
"That’s not fair!" Susy said, throwing her hands up. "After the whole Cade thing yesterday, Eddie found me in the parking lot. We started talking, and—well—"
"One thing led to another," Eddie finished with a smug grin.
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Alice looked between the two of them, utterly baffled. "Are we just… ignoring the part where he literally threw punches at us? This feels like the world’s weirdest rom-com!"
Susy sighed. "Look, I wasn’t planning for this to happen, okay? But Eddie’s actually kind of sweet when he’s not… you know… brawling in bars."
"Sweet," Alice echoed, shooting Eddie a skeptical glance.
Eddie shrugged. "What can I say? I’m actually just a pussycat."
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Alice groaned Just… put some clothes on before I end up in therapy, okay?"
Susy and Eddie exchanged a sheepish glance before disappearing into separate rooms. Alice sank into the nearest chair, muttering to herself, "I need new friends."
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As Susy reemerged from her bedroom, now in an oversized sweatshirt and leggings, she gave Alice a knowing smirk. "You know, you’re one to talk."
Alice blinked, still trying to erase the image of a naked Eddie from her brain. "Excuse me?"
Susy folded her arms, leaning against the doorframe. "Don’t think I haven’t noticed the way you’ve been looking at Jax."
Alice sputtered, her cheeks heating. "That’s… that’s different! Jax didn’t try to kill me!"
"Right," Susy said, raising an eyebrow. "Because getting tangled up with a motorcycle gang leader is the safer option."
Alice narrowed her eyes. "Okay, point taken. But at least I haven’t taken naked steps toward my bad decision."
Susy grinned. "Not yet, anyway."
Alice grabbed a couch pillow and launched it at her friend, who laughed and ducked out of the way.
"Just saying," Susy added, "you’re a total hypocrite, but I love you for it."
Alice groaned, shaking her head. "Why are we even friends?"
"Because you secretly enjoy my chaos," Susy quipped, flopping onto the couch beside her. "Now spill—what happened with you and Jax yesterday?"
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After breakfast at Susy’s, Alice needed to clear her head. The summer heat was stifling, and she craved the solitude of nature. She decided to revisit the lake where she and her friends used to swim as teenagers.
Though the weather was warm, the area was nearly deserted—a stroke of luck. Not that it mattered; Alice knew of a secluded spot, hidden by tall reeds and a canopy of trees.
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She waded into the water in her white bikini, the coolness a welcome relief against her sun-warmed skin. After a long soak, she rose slowly, eyes closed, as her hands smoothed back her damp hair. With a satisfied exhale, she opened her eyes and began to move toward the edge.
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That’s when she saw him.
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Jax stood at the water’s edge, his eyes locked on hers with an intensity that made Alice's pulse quicken. His smile was predatory, his dark eyes glinting with amusement as he casually tossed his shirt aside, revealing a broad chest and a body carved like stone. Every inch of him screamed raw strength and danger.
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"Let me guess," Alice said, arching a brow. "You thought it was the perfect time for a swim?"
"Mmhm," he mumbled, kicking off his boots. He stood there in his boxers, clearly not prepared for a dip but entirely prepared for something else.
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Alice folded her arms, her tone dry. "Well, the lake’s all yours." She began to move to the left, but Jax mirrored her movements, his grin widening.
She half-expected it. No, she anticipated it. Maybe even hoped for it.
Pausing, she smiled and cast her eyes downward, her fingers idly skimming the water’s surface. Then, without warning, she advanced toward him, slow and deliberate.
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"You’re definitely stronger than me…" she murmured, her voice low and teasing.
Her hand slid beneath the water, brushing her right hip. "But the real question is…"
She rose from the water, her movements smooth, revealing a small knife holstered around her upper right thigh. The blade gleamed in her hand as it emerged from its sheath, resting lightly between her fingers.
"Are you faster?"
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Jax’s laugh was deep and genuine, his expression equal parts amused and surprised. "You’ve got moves, I’ll give you that."
Alice smirked, twirling the blade once. "Please, make a move on me," she challenged, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I’d be happy to stick it anywhere."
His grin widened. "Your mouth is going to land you in so much trouble someday."
Her eyes narrowed. "You do realize you’re on the wrong side of the border, right?"
Jax stepped closer, his confidence unshaken. "I’m a Viper," he said with a shrug. "We don’t recognize borders."
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Alice watched as Jax stepped into the water, his strides slow and deliberate, the surface rippling around his powerful legs. Her breath hitched, though she tried to hide it, as he came closer, the space between them shrinking to nothing.
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He stopped just inches away, the water lapping at his hips. His gaze raked over her, lingering on the drops of water gliding down her neck and over the curve of her collarbone. He reached out, his fingers brushing lightly along her waist before settling firmly on her hip, pulling her closer.
"Now," he murmured, his voice a low growl, "where were we before the sheriff interrupted us?"
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Before she could answer, his lips captured hers, the kiss demanding and unapologetic. It wasn’t gentle; it was fire meeting fire, igniting every nerve in her body. His hand pressed against the small of her back, bringing her flush against him as his other hand tangled in her wet hair.
Alice melted into him despite herself, her knife falling forgotten into the water. The heat of his mouth made her head spin, his taste intoxicating and wild, like danger wrapped in temptation. Her hands instinctively gripped his shoulders, fingers digging into the hard muscle as his kiss deepened.
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The world around them faded—the lake, the sun, the troubles of the night before—all of it disappeared. There was only Jax, his body against hers, his lips claiming her in a way that made her feel like she might come undone.
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Jax moved with confident tenderness, his fingers tracing the outline of her bikini top, drawing a tremble from Alice. His hands glided over her, caressing her breasts through the delicate fabric, and a rush of warmth flooded her as her body arched into his touch.
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Abandoning her mouth, Jax trailed kisses down her neck, each one slow and deliberate. He moved lower, teasing her through the fabric of her top—licking, nibbling, his tongue flicking against her nipple until a soft moan escaped her lips.
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Emboldened, Jax reached behind Alice and unfastened her bikini, letting it slip away. His mouth returned to her bare skin, worshiping her with kisses and licks as Alice gasped, her back arching. His fingers found her hardened nipples, rolling and tugging gently, coaxing louder moans from her.
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His lips found hers once more as his right hand drifted lower, easing between her thighs. Alice’s breath hitched as he nudged her legs apart, her body instinctively shifting forward, craving more.
Jax deepened their kiss as his fingers traced the fabric of her bathing suit, teasing the heat beneath. A shudder ran through Alice, her legs parting further as she surrendered to the sensation.
He pressed against her, rubbing slow circles over her clothed entrance, the thin material growing slick with her arousal. Alice whimpered, her hips rocking against his hand, desperate for friction.
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With a boldness that sent a thrill through her, Jax hooked a finger under the edge of her bikini bottoms, sliding them aside. His fingers met warm, slick skin, gliding effortlessly over her swollen clit.
Alice gasped, her hips jerking as he stroked her, spreading her wetness in slow, maddening passes. A sharp cry tore from her throat when his thumb circled her clit, her body trembling.
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He traced a fingertip around her entrance, teasing, before pressing inside with a single smooth thrust. Alice’s back arched, a ragged moan spilling from her lips as he filled her, his thumb still working her clit in relentless circles.
Her movements grew frantic, her ass grinding against him, urging him deeper. Jax obliged, fucking her with his fingers in a steady rhythm, each stroke pushing her closer to the edge.
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When her climax hit, it crashed over her in waves—her body clenched around him, her cries muffled against his shoulder. She rode out every pulse, her hips stuttering until, at last, she collapsed against him, spent and breathless.
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Alice froze as the sound of her phone ringing shattered the charged silence between her and Jax. The device buzzed insistently on the edge of the sand, just out of reach. She grabbed her bikini top and slipped it back on, then turned to move toward the buzzing phone—but Jax’s hand shot out, gripping her wrist with just enough force to stop her in her tracks.
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"We’re not done," he said, his voice low and gravelly. His dark eyes bored into hers, full of unspoken promises. "The price hasn’t been paid in full."
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Alice raised an eyebrow, the corner of her lips curling into a playful smirk. "Oh, I think I’ve had enough excitement for one day," she teased, pulling her arm free as effortlessly as she could manage. "Besides, I have an appointment with the real estate agent to sell my aunt’s house."
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Jax’s jaw tightened—his eyes narrowing as if he were weighing his options. But then his gaze shifted to the growing number of people scattered along the shore—families setting up towels, teenagers laughing as they ran into the water. With a resigned sigh, he let her go, though not without a parting shot.
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"This isn’t over," he said, his voice tinged with both irritation and something far more dangerous.
"I never thought it was," Alice replied, turning to retrieve her phone. She felt his eyes on her as she grabbed the device and started toward her car, the tension between them leaving a crackling trail in her wake.
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By the time she reached her house, the sun was dipping low in the sky, casting long shadows across the lawn. Alice unlocked the door, stepping inside with a mix of relief and exhaustion. She dropped her bag on the floor, ready to collapse after the whirlwind of a day.
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The house felt quieter than usual. Alice hesitated at the doorway, the familiar hum of her home somehow feeling too still. And then—she felt it—the unmistakable prickle of being watched.
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"Hello, Alice," a voice drawled from the shadows.
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She spun around, her heart leaping into her throat. There, leaning casually against the doorway to her living room, was Cade. His smile was slow and predatory, his eyes gleaming with malice as he straightened to his full height.
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"Miss me?" he asked, his voice dripping with mockery.
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Alice took a step back, her hand instinctively reaching for her phone, but Cade was faster. He lunged forward, snatching it from her grasp and tossing it onto the couch behind him.
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"Let’s have a little chat, shall we?" Cade’s tone was deceptively calm as he advanced toward her.
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Alice’s pulse raced as she backed away, her mind scrambling for a way out. But her retreat was cut off by the sound of the door clicking shut behind her.
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"Don’t worry," Cade added, his smile twisting into something darker. "I’ll make sure Jax knows you’re in good hands."25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7by8LXfY5e
