Page 77 of Taken By the Pack

It’s a blur of touches—Jake’s hands guiding her hips, my fingers tracing her spine, Ash leaning in, murmuring something low enough that she shivers.

And damn if she doesn’t take all of it, soaking it up like she was made for this.

By the time the song ends, her legs are probably jelly. But she just laughs, throwing her arms around Jake’s neck.

People are watching. She doesn’t care. None of us does.

Another drink. Anotherdance. Another long, lingering look that promises a hell of a lot more to come.

She’s laughing as we push our way back to the bar, her cheeks flushed, eyes bright. She tilts her head back, breathing heavily like she’s been running—like we’ve been chasing her.

Jake leans into her side, grinning. “You good, sweetheart?”

She nods, still breathless. “You always ask that. I’m great.”

Ash smirks. “We make sure.”

The shots arrive. She reaches for the salt, then pauses, looking between us. Something flickers in her gaze—mischief. Heat.

“Your turn,” she murmurs, and before I can process what she means, she’s tilting her head back, exposing her throat.

Jake’s already moving, running his thumb over her pulse before dragging the salt shaker over her skin. “Hold still,” he says, voice low.

She shivers.

I watch as his tongue swipes over the salted patch of skin, following it with the sharp burn of tequila.

Ash is next, going lower, licking the dip of her collarbone before handing her the lime.

Her eyes go hazy. She exhales slow, dazed, then shakes herself out of it. “What time is it?”

I glance at my watch. “Midnight.”

She laughs like that’s the best thing she’s heard all night. “I’m starving.”

Jake grins. “I know a place by the beach.”

She claps her hands together. “That’s the plan, then.”

Ash knocks back the rest of his drink and stands. “Let’s go.”

Outside, the air is thick, warm, carrying the scent of salt from the ocean.

“We took Ash’s car,” Jake says.

I jerk my head toward my truck. “We’ll all fit.”

They don’t argue. She slides into the backseat, sandwiched between Jake and Ash, while I take the wheel. As I start driving, she exhales, head tipping back against the seat.

“I had fun,” she declares.

Jake chuckles, draping an arm over her shoulders. “We’re just getting started.”

She hums, turning toward him, her lips grazing his jaw. His hand tightens on her thigh, and she shifts, pressing closer, her chin up.

Jake doesn’t hesitate—his mouth is on hers, deep, lazy, like he’s got all the time in the world.

Ash watches quietly, eyes dark.

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