Chapter 1: Midnight Rescue
Luke leaned against the bar, nursing a beer, his sharp eyes scanning the crowded room. The bass thumped through his chest, but his focus wasn’t on the music or the sea of bodies grinding together. It was on Avery—his teammate’s little sister—swaying dangerously near the edge of the dance floor. Her usually fierce, confident demeanor was off, her movements sluggish, her hazel eyes glassy as she clutched a half-empty cocktail.
'Fuck,' Luke muttered under his breath, setting his bottle down with a clink. He knew that look. Someone had slipped something into her drink.
He pushed through the crowd, ignoring the protests, until he reached her. 'Avery, hey, you okay?' His voice was low, urgent, as he gripped her elbow to steady her.
She blinked up at him, her lips parting in a slow, dazed smile. 'Luke? What’re you... doing here? I’m fine. Just... floaty.' Her words slurred, and she leaned into him, her body heat searing through his shirt.
'Yeah, real fine,' he shot back, his tone dripping with sarcasm. 'You’re about to face-plant into some creep’s lap. Come on, I’m getting you out of here.'
Avery’s brow furrowed, but she didn’t fight him as he half-carried her out of the bar into the cool night air. 'You’re such a buzzkill, Luke. I was having fun,' she mumbled, though her voice lacked its usual bite.
'Fun’s over when some asshole drugs your drink,' he snapped, guiding her to his truck. 'Get in. I’m taking you home.'
The drive was tense, Avery fidgeting in the passenger seat, her breathing uneven. 'Something’s wrong,' she whispered, her voice suddenly sharp with panic. 'I feel... hot. Like I’m burning up inside. Luke, what the hell is happening to me?'
He gripped the steering wheel tighter, his jaw clenching. He’d seen this before—a teammate’s girlfriend had been dosed with an aphrodisiac at a party last year. The symptoms were unmistakable: the flushed cheeks, the restless squirming, the way her thighs pressed together as if she could contain the fire building inside her. 'Shit, Avery. I think it’s a fucking aphrodisiac. Someone wanted to mess with you bad.'
Her eyes widened, a mix of fear and fury flashing through the haze. 'You’re kidding. Tell me you’re kidding.'
'I wish I was,' he growled, pulling into her apartment complex. 'We need to get you inside. Now.'
Inside her small, dimly lit apartment, Avery paced, her hands raking through her dark hair. 'This is insane. I can’t—I feel like I’m gonna crawl out of my skin. Luke, you have to help me. I’m not some damsel, but I don’t know what to do.' Her voice was raw, commanding even in her desperation.
Luke swallowed hard, his own pulse racing as he watched her. The air between them crackled, charged with something dangerous. 'There’s one way to flush it out of your system,' he said, his voice rough. 'You need release. It’s the only thing that’ll bring you down.'
Avery stopped pacing, her gaze locking onto his. A smirk curled her lips, sharp and defiant despite the heat in her eyes. 'Are you seriously suggesting what I think you’re suggesting? Because I’m not about to beg, Luke. But I’m also not stupid enough to ignore a solution.'
He stepped closer, the space between them shrinking. 'I’m not asking you to beg. I’m offering to help. You’re in control here, Avery. Tell me what you need.' His words were a challenge, his dark eyes burning into hers.
Her breath hitched, but her chin tilted up, her strength unshaken. 'Fine. Then get on your knees, Luke. If you’re so eager to play hero, let’s see how good you are with that mouth.' Her tone was biting, laced with a raw, hungry edge that sent a jolt straight through him.
Luke’s smirk matched hers as he dropped to his knees, his hands hovering at her hips, waiting for her signal. The tension was electric, her scent intoxicating as she stood over him, powerful even in her need. 'Your call, Avery,' he murmured, his voice a low rumble. 'But I promise, I’ll make you forget everything but this.'
Her fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer as her eyes darkened with desire. 'Then don’t waste my time. Make me feel something worth remembering.'
The heat between them was about to ignite, her command pushing them both to the edge of something explosive.
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