Page 31 of Ignite

Jazz’s shaking got worse, and she felt cold inside. She noticed when Wolf placed his arm around her shoulders and tucked her into his side. His heat was welcoming, and she burrowed into him, seeking whatever shelter he offered as he continued to converse with Camshaft. “Show’s over for tonight. Everyone goes home. Now. Get Crossman out here and take Liz home.”

“What about Candie?”

“I’ll deal with her later.”

He turned to Jazz. “I need some time to get everyone out and lock up. You’re staying with me.”

It wasn’t a request or an order. It was a statement of fact, or at least that’s the way she heard it. He brought her into the club and sat her down on a barstool with a questionable sticky coating.

I’m gonna need a shower.

She watched as Wolf made all the people leave. Only a few protested, but one glance at Wolf’s stony face was enough to convince them not to argue.

A tall, voluptuous, near-naked blonde tottered up on glittering heels.

“Hey, Wolf. You okay?”

He gave her such an angry glare that Jazz was sure the woman would be burned. “What the fuck, Candie? You fucking know better than to bring clients or boyfriends into the club.”

Her head reared back. “What’s the big deal? It’s a private room and a private dance.”

“Not that private. You want to do a side gig, that’s your business, but you take it to the hourly motel down the street. You don’t give out blow jobs here in the club.”

Candie fluffed her hair indignantly. “Why should I rent a room? He’s my new man, so he doesn’t have to pay for a room too.”

“There are rules for a reason, Candie. If you fuck up the business, we get problems. We don’t want problems.”

The adrenaline that had kept Jazz up so far was waning, and her whole body was losing momentum. Sleep beckoned, and she hoped this night would be over soon. Her eyes blinked, unfocused, at the arguers, and it was getting harder to keep them open.

“If it’s all the same to you, I’d like to go home now,” she said.

“Just a few more minutes, babe,” Wolf replied, then turned back to the blonde. “Candie, get your ass dressed and get out.”

“What about my tips?”

“You’ll cash out tomorrow. Now go!”

Candie made a throaty protest sound and strolled through the back of the club.

Wolf hurried to Jazz. “Think you can stay on my bike long enough to get home?”

She nodded sleepily. “I’ll try.”

The ride was eerily quiet as they made their way over the bridge and through the streets to Jazz’s neighborhood. Perhaps she would remember and appreciate the significance of being on the back of his bike one day, but at the moment, she was too damn tired. The helmet prevented her from resting completely against his body, but he insisted she put the heavy thing on. Wolf put on safety glasses but went bareheaded, as he only had the one with him tonight. Pennsylvania laws allowed for that with his experience and age.

Freya greeted them at the door with mews and demands for cuddles and treats. Jazz picked her up and took her downstairs into the kitchen area to dump dry food into a bowl. She dragged herself back upstairs to find Wolf had taken off his jacket and boots.

“You’ve been avoiding me all week. Why?” His voice didn’t rise in pitch or volume, but there was a command behind it that meant he wouldn’t give up without an answer.

She took a breath. I don’t want to be trouble. I like you. I don’t know how you feel about me. I’m scared.“I like trouble.”Dammit!“I scare you.”Just shut up, Jazz, before you make it worse!

“I’m staying the night,” he announced.

Jazz’s stomach went all squishy, and she wrapped her arms around herself to keep it together. “Okay.”

He frowned. “I don’t think you understand, babe. I’m not leaving. I’m gonna be in your bed. With you. For the rest of the night. Is that a problem?”

Realization dawned on her. “Oh. Um… no… I’m okay with you here?”

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