Page 12 of Midnight Dissonance

Never. Not even with a gun to her head.

“That’s not a good idea. If you don’t mind, I just need to grab some tea before our set.” She was rabidly obsessed with protecting her voice. She drank hot tea with lemon before a show. And the morning after, she drank hot tea with lemon and honey to soothe her throat.

“Oh, come on. You know how good it was between us, Lex. Have a drink with me after your set. You know you want to.” He backed her against the wall, blocking her exit. And since he was the boss, no one would stop him.

“First off, it wasn’t that great between us. You were controlling, manipulative, and have no sense of loyalty, preferring to fuck any woman who gave you the time of day.”

The guy didn’t even flinch. He gave what she was sure he thought was a remorseful smile. “I know I messed up. But I swear if you give me another chance, you’ll see I’ve changed. Remember how hot it was between us? You know you want me.”

Arching a brow, she shoved at his chest, her anger rising that he wouldn’t take no for an answer. They had to find another venue to play. Because she was over his smarmy shit. “I want nothing of the sort. Take your goddamn hands off me before I lose my mind.”

Her refusal didn’t faze him. If anything, it added fuel to his delusion. “Oh, come on, baby.”

Fed up with his bullshit, she snarled, “I’m not your baby. Nor do I want to be ever again. I would rather fuck a prison gang than let you touch me ever again. Now back the fuck off, you slimy piece of shit!”

Lexi struggled to push him away. He had almost a hundred pounds of muscle on her. And given he was a foot taller, he dwarfed her. The bar was loud enough that no one would hear her. But she was seconds from calling for help.

She shoved and fought against his hold.

“Calm down.” Travis snapped, his face twisted into an angry snarl.

One moment, she was shoving against the wall of his chest. And the next, she almost fell because Travis was yanked away.

Lexi righted herself and stared, dumbfounded. What the hell was Josh doing here? Was he stalking her? Out to cause her more trouble than she was already in at the club?

But then Josh shoved Travis against the wall like the guy weighed nothing—without even wrinkling his suit—and got in his face. “I believe the lady told you to release her.”

“This doesn’t concern you, asshole. You need to leave my club immediately before I call security and have them bust your fucking kneecaps.”

Josh didn’t bat an eye at his threat. “Fine. But I’ll be contacting the police and will report this assault. I’m sure Lexi will want to press charges.” He shot me a furious glare to agree with him.

She didn’t want to press charges. It would cause more of a headache than the guy was worth. But she bet he was bluffing Travis. “Yes, I will. I will explain everything you did tonight and have done in the past. My bandmates have caught you harassing me. And I know they’d be happy to testify on my behalf.”

“Fucking bitch. And to think I let you play your shitty music here,” Travis spat with hatred blazing in his eyes.

Josh shoved him again, hard enough that Travis looked scared for a moment. Because he knew in a fight, he would lose against Josh. “That’s no way to speak to a woman. Apologize. Now.”

Lust slammed into her at Josh’s dominance. At the way he handled Travis as if he was a misbehaving toddler instead of a grown man. It was akin to dousing her body in lighter fluid and tossing a lit match her way.

Her entire body throbbed. Her nipples hardened into beaded points. And moisture slicked her sex.

It was another reason she refused to scene with him. Because his dominance struck a chord deep inside her body and soul.

Lexi ached to submit to him. Every submissive instinct clamored for her to kneel at his large feet and bask in his dominance.

But if she caved, she would become nothing more than another notch on his bedpost. It would leave her heartbroken. Because she would have been found lacking once again. When she craved a strong, supportive Dom who had her back against all of life’s turmoil and wanted to keep her.

Travis glowered, his face contorted in rage. But Josh didn’t back down. He didn’t display any fear. He projected a calm, cool, and collected alpha-ness that she found deeply sexy.

Travis finally sighed and relented. The angry starch left his shoulders. He mumbled, “I’m sorry, Lexi. It won’t happen again.”

Josh nodded curtly. “Good. And from here on out, if she continues to be harassed, I’ll help her file a restraining order against you. And with my influence, I’ll let it be known to local authorities the owner of this fine establishment harasses women. I’m sure I could find some other musicians you’ve accosted through the years who would be happy to talk to detectives about what they experienced. Do we understand each other?”

“Yes,” Travis seethed, but didn’t fight back.

Josh released him and took a few steps back. His entire being was ready to go on the defensive, like he was waiting for Travis to attack. But Travis slunk away with a thunderous expression and a bad attitude.

“Are you all right?” Josh asked the moment he was on the other side of the club.

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