Chapter 1: Sparks at Midnight
Mia leaned against the sticky bar counter, nursing her third gin and tonic, her sharp eyes scanning the dimly lit room. The day had been a slog—endless client revisions on a logo that still looked like garbage. She needed a distraction, something to burn off the frustration simmering in her veins. That’s when she saw him. Jake. All rugged edges and quiet confidence, his flannel shirt rolled up to reveal forearms that could probably lift her with ease. He caught her stare from across the bar, a slow smirk curling his lips as he tipped his beer bottle in her direction.
She didn’t look away. Neither did he. Mia felt a heat coil low in her belly, a pulse of something dangerous and delicious. She straightened, pushing her dark hair over one shoulder, and sauntered over, her boots clicking on the worn wooden floor. ‘You look like trouble,’ she said, her voice low and teasing as she slid onto the stool next to him.
Jake’s eyes raked over her, lingering on the curve of her hips in her tight jeans. ‘And you look like you could handle it,’ he shot back, his voice a rough drawl that sent a shiver down her spine. ‘What’s a woman like you doing in a dive like this?’
‘Looking for something worth my time,’ Mia replied, her lips twitching into a smirk as she leaned closer, her breath brushing his ear. ‘Think you’re up for the challenge, big guy?’
He chuckled, a deep, gravelly sound that made her thighs clench. ‘Oh, darlin’, I’m more than up. Question is, can you keep up with me?’ His gaze dropped to her mouth, and she knew he wasn’t just talking about witty banter. The air between them crackled, electric and hungry.
‘Try me,’ she challenged, her voice dripping with defiance. She slid off the stool, brushing past him deliberately, her ass grazing his thigh as she headed toward the back door of the bar. ‘Unless you’re all talk.’
Jake was on his feet in a heartbeat, following her into the cool night air of the alley behind the bar. The door slammed shut, cutting off the noise of the crowd, leaving just the hum of distant traffic and the rapid beat of her own heart. Mia turned, backing against the brick wall, her eyes locked on his. ‘Well?’ she taunted, crossing her arms under her chest, pushing her curves into sharper relief. ‘Gonna stand there gawking, or are you gonna do something about it?’
He didn’t waste a second. Jake closed the distance, his hands bracing against the wall on either side of her head, caging her in without touching her. Yet. ‘You’ve got a mouth on you,’ he growled, his breath hot against her neck. ‘I’m gonna enjoy shutting it up.’
‘Big promises,’ Mia fired back, but her voice hitched as his lips grazed her jaw, sending a jolt straight to her core. She could feel herself getting wet, the ache between her legs growing with every second he teased her. She wasn’t about to let him have all the control, though. Her hands shot to his belt, yanking it open with a sharp tug. ‘Let’s see if you’ve got anything worth my attention.’
Jake grinned, a wicked flash of teeth in the dark, as her fingers brushed against the hard bulge straining his jeans. ‘Oh, I’ve got plenty,’ he murmured, his voice thick with lust. Mia’s pulse raced as she sank to her knees on the gritty pavement, her eyes never leaving his. The alley was theirs, the night was theirs, and she was ready to take everything she wanted.
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