Page 12 of Icing the Cougar
“Yo,” I call after him. “Remember me?”
He turns, and his eyes narrow. It’s all there. Recognition. Fear. Guilt. He knows exactly who I am. Exactly what this is about. “I don’t want any trouble,” he says. He’s all talk now, but I saw him with Trinity. Saw her stumbling, barely conscious, and him pretending to play the fucking hero. It still makes my blood boil.
“You got a hell of a memory then,” I say. “We haven’t even gotten started.”
The guys hang back, but I feel them watching, holding their breath. “You’re the friend of that lady from the hotel bar?” He tries to act smooth, but I see his hands shaking. I’m almost close enough to grab him.
“You’re a real fucking genius,” I say. “What gave it away? The stick up your ass?”
His face is all angles and panic. “Listen, man, I didn’t know she was yours.”
“Mine? Fuck you. She wasn’t anyone’s. Just a girl you thought you could drug.”
He steps back, looking around for someone to save his sorry hide. I shove him hard, slam him into the brick. The sound’s solid. Satisfying. “Hey, hey, no need for this,” he sputters. “I didn’t do anything.”
“Not what she remembers.”
“I just wanted to show her a good time.” His voice shakes, but there’s defiance under it. That pisses me off even more.
“Yeah?” I grab him by the collar. “Wanna see how good it feels?”
“Jazz, man, come on,” Riley says from behind me. “He’s not worth it.”
“Let him go,” Alfie says, calm but firm. “He gets the message.”
Zach is just staring. Like he doesn’t know if he’s supposed to stop me or cheer me on.
“That’s not what you think,” the suit pleads, sounding desperate. “You got it all wrong.”
“Try again,” I say. I yank him off the wall and throw him to the ground. “You’re gonna get lost and leave town. You’re not coming nearanyoneI know. Not pulling that shit onanyoneever again.”
He scrambles to his feet, brushing himself off. “You’re insane, man.”
“Wanna find out?” I take a step towards him, and he backs away, fear written all over him now.
“You won’t get away with this,” he yells as he retreats. It’s all show. I can smell the bullshit from here.
I watch until he disappears around the corner, then let out a breath and unclench my fists. The cold rain sinks in, and I start to feel it.
The guys come up behind me, quiet. We’re still outside, still in the rain. “That was intense,” Zach says, looking like he’s not sure what the hell just happened.
“Felt good,” I say and wipe the wet off my face.
“Little excessive,” Alfie says. “Thought you were gonna beat him bloody.”
“Considered it,” I admit.
Riley gives a low whistle. “Who knew Jazz had such a soft spot? Protective boyfriend, huh?”
“I don’t know about boyfriend,” I say. “Protective’s right, though.” He’s not wrong, but I don’t like how it sounds.
“You and this Trinity serious?” Alfie asks. First time I’ve seen him look shocked. He’s the kind of guy who keeps his cool through just about everything. Nice to know I can still surprise him.
“She worth the fight?” Zach adds, leaning in.
“Hell yes,” I say. “She’s amazing. Smart. Got more patience than anyone I know.” They’re waiting for more, so I give it to them. “Plus, she’s hot, and she’s my Yoga instructor.”
Zach’s eyebrows raise. “You’re shitting me. Didn’t think you were the meditative type.”
