The bass thumped through the floor of Neon Vibe, a labyrinth of sweat and sin in the heart of the city. Matthew pushed through the crowd, the restless itch under his skin growing with every passing hour since Lila had left town for the weekend. A conference, she’d said. Work, she’d said. But the empty apartment had clawed at him until he’d thrown on a leather jacket and headed out for a distraction. The club was a chaotic blur of flashing crimson and violet lights, bodies grinding against each other in a haze of lust and liquor. The air was thick with the sharp tang of cheap cologne, spilled beer, and something primal that hung heavy between strangers.
Matthew elbowed his way to the bar, ordering a whiskey neat with a curt nod to the bartender. He leaned against the sticky counter, glass in hand, and scanned the crowd with a mix of curiosity and boredom. Same old faces, same old moves. He was halfway through his drink when his gaze snagged on something—someone—different. Out on the dance floor, under a spotlight of scarlet neon, swayed a figure that damn near stopped his heart.
Jasper. He didn’t know their name yet, but the name would fit, he’d decide later. A striking redhead femboy with hair like a wildfire, cascading in loose waves over bare shoulders. Their emerald-green eyes caught the light, sharp and piercing, framed by a smattering of freckles that dusted their nose and cheeks like constellations. But it wasn’t just the face that drew him in—it was the body. Curvy in all the right places, with a juicy bum barely contained by skintight leather pants that hugged every sinful inch. Jasper moved with a confidence that bordered on arrogance, hips rolling to the beat, commanding the space around them like they owned the damn club.
Matthew couldn’t tear his eyes away. And then, as if sensing the weight of his stare, Jasper’s head turned. Their gaze locked with his, and a wicked, knowing smirk curled their full lips. They didn’t look away. Instead, they sauntered off the dance floor with the predatory grace of a panther, weaving through the crowd straight toward him. Matthew’s grip tightened on his glass, his pulse kicking up a notch.
“Well, well,” Jasper drawled as they slid up beside him, their voice a teasing lilt that dripped with playful challenge. They leaned in close, the scent of citrus and something darker—maybe bourbon—wrapping around him. “You’ve got the look of a lost puppy, sweetheart. Did someone leave you off your leash tonight?”
Matthew blinked, caught off guard, but a grin tugged at his lips despite himself. “And you’ve got the look of trouble. Should I be worried?”
Jasper laughed, a low, throaty sound that sent a shiver down his spine. They plucked a neon-green cocktail from the bar, taking a slow sip, their eyes never leaving his. “Oh, honey, you should be terrified. But something tells me you’re not the type to run from a little danger. Am I wrong?”
He chuckled, leaning closer, the heat of their proximity already messing with his head. “Guess I’m more of a ‘stick around and find out’ kind of guy.”
“Good boy,” Jasper purred, their tone laced with mockery as they patted his chest with a manicured hand, nails painted a deep crimson. “I’m Jasper, by the way. And you’re... what, tall, dark, and desperate? Spill it, pup.”
“Matthew,” he said, ignoring the jab but smirking at the nickname. “And I’m not desperate. Just... looking for something to kill the time.”
Jasper arched a perfectly sculpted brow, their smirk widening. “Oh, I’m sure I can help with that. But I don’t play nice, Matthew. Think you can keep up?”
Before he could answer, Jasper grabbed his wrist with a grip that was firm, unyielding, and tugged him away from the bar. “Come on, lost boy. Let’s get cozy.” They led him through the throng of bodies to a secluded booth in the corner, the crimson glow of the lights casting shadows over their sharp features. Matthew slid in beside them, hyper-aware of the way Jasper’s thigh pressed against his, deliberate and unapologetic.
“You don’t waste time, do you?” he said, his voice rougher than he intended as he took a sip of his whiskey, trying to play it cool.
Jasper grinned, leaning in so their lips were inches from his ear. “Life’s too short for games, sweetheart. Unless they’re the fun kind.” Their hand slid under the table, fingers brushing against his thigh with a boldness that made his breath catch. The touch was light at first, teasing, but then their hand moved higher, stroking him through his jeans with a slow, deliberate pressure that sent heat pooling in his gut.
“Fuck,” he muttered under his breath, his grip on the glass tightening as he fought the urge to groan. Guilt flickered in the back of his mind—Lila, the empty apartment, the promises—but it was drowned out by the raw desire coursing through him.
Jasper’s lips curved into a devilish smile, their voice dropping to a husky whisper. “Look at you, already falling apart. I haven’t even started yet. Imagine what I could do if I really tried.” Their fingers tightened, a possessive edge to their touch that made his head spin. “I bet I could have you begging in under five minutes. Want to test that theory?”
Matthew swallowed hard, torn between the heat of Jasper’s words and the nagging voice in his head. “You’re... trouble,” he managed, his voice strained.
“Told you,” Jasper shot back with a wink, their green eyes glinting with mischief. “How about we get some air? I’ve got a few ideas for how to... cool you down.” Their tone left no room for argument, a command wrapped in velvet as they stood, tugging him out of the booth with that same unyielding grip.
He followed—hell, he didn’t have a choice, not with the way Jasper’s presence pulled at him like gravity. They slipped through the back exit of the club, the cool night air hitting his skin like a slap after the suffocating heat inside. The alley was dimly lit, the faint hum of the city buzzing around them, but all he could focus on was Jasper. They backed him against the rough brick wall, their hands on his hips, pinning him there with a strength that surprised him.
“Relax, pup,” Jasper murmured, their voice a dangerous purr as they sank to their knees, the concrete scraping under them. Their emerald eyes locked with his, glinting with wicked intent. “I’m gonna take real good care of you.”
Matthew’s breath hitched, his hands clenching into fists at his sides as Jasper’s fingers tugged at the waistband of his jeans, their lips hovering teasingly close to where he ached most. The world narrowed to the heat of their breath, the promise in their gaze, and the pounding of his own heart.
And then—
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