Page 11 of Pucked In Vegas

Thirty minutes later, I step out of my Uber, the Las Vegas Strip a kaleidoscope of neon around me. Club Nova pulses loudly, its entrance flanked by velvet ropes and mountains disguised as security guards. The bass reverberates through the sidewalk, vibrating up through my heels.

I spot Jax immediately, standing with two other guys. They're all tall, all built like brick houses. Like hockey players, except…different.

As I approach, everything else fades into the background. Jax is taller than I remember, his handsome face kissed by flashing neon lights, that big, burly chest stretching a black button-down shirt.

I feel my stomach flutter as his smile lights up his face. It'slethal. He turns on the spot and those bright eyes lock on me like I’m the only thing worth watching.

I smile and then his jaw drops. Like, full-on cartoon-style drops.

His eyes travel slowly from my silver heels up my bare legs, lingering on the hem that barely covers my ass, then continuing their journey north. When he finally meets my gaze, his eyes have darkened enough to make my entire body heat.

"Holy shit," one of his friends—the taller one with dark hair—exclaims. "Is that your date?!"

Jax doesn't answer. He's too busy staring.

I approach with what I hope is feline grace, but of course, as is my luck… the universe bitch-slaps me mid-strut.

My heel snags on the edge of the last step up to the VIP entrance. My ankle wobbles, my knee buckles and the next thing I know, gravity is dragging me down.

I lurch forward with a panicked squeak audible even over the loud bass coming from the entrance of the club. My arms flail, my clutch slips from my hand and my fucking boobs bounce around like a complete disaster in motion.

But just as I'm about to complete the stunning dismount, Jax lunges, catching me before I face-plant. His arms wrap around my waist in a blur of muscle and reflex, yanking me upright just inches before my face could intimately meet the concrete.

I freeze, palms splayed across his chest, heart hammering like I just survived a mugging.

“Nope, we’re good,” I announce to no one in particular, breathless and slurring slightly. “Just… testing gravity. What do you know… it works!”

His hands are warm against my bare skin, steadying me as I find my balance. The contact sends electricity zipping up my spine.

"Cassie… You look..." Jax shakes his head, apparently lost for words despite my less than graceful arrival.

I grin up at him, feeling powerful, my near-tumble forgotten already. "Well, the fact that you're speechless is a good start."

He takes my hand, his fingers intertwining with mine. "Come on, trouble. Let's disappear."

The club explodes around me the second we step inside. Bass vibrates through my bones as Jax guides me past the velvet rope, his hand warm against my lower back.

"VIP," he mouths to the bouncer, who nods like they've met before.

Inside, the air tastes like sweat and expensive perfume. Laser lights slice through artificial smoke, catching on mirrored columns and sequined dresses. All around us, bodies move in slow, hypnotic waves. Dancing, grinding, glowing under blue neon and champagne mist.

I pause at the edge of the chaos, clutching Jax’s hand like it’s the only solid thing in the room.

He leans in close, lips grazing the shell of my ear. “You okay?”

“Are you kidding?” I yell over the music. “This is totally my vibe.”

Except it's not. Not even a little bit.

My vibe is rooftop lounges with acoustic music and cocktails that don't glow in the dark. My vibe is private events with celebrities who sign NDAs and drink fancy champagne with gold flecks floating around in the bubbles.

But I have six rejection emails in my inbox, way-too-many martinis in my bloodstream, and this gorgeous man is looking at me like I'm the only woman in Vegas worth seeing.

So no, this thumping bass that's making my teeth rattle isn't my vibe, but his fingers are laced through mine, and right now that's enough.

The floor tilts slightly beneath my heels, and I grip Jax's hand tighter.

"Drink?" Jax asks, lips brushing my ear.

---