Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 47597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 238(@200wpm)___ 190(@250wpm)___ 159(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 238(@200wpm)___ 190(@250wpm)___ 159(@300wpm)
"Definitely not," I say before he tries to swoop into the middle of something he doesn't understand. "Believe me, whatever is happening out there needs to happen. Do them a favor and let it."
He stares at me for a moment before jerking his chin in a nod. He slides onto Nadia's vacant barstool, his thigh bumping mine as he turns toward me. "So, he's the guy, huh?"
"Yeah, he's the guy," I say quietly, cocking my head to the side in curiosity. "You know about him?"
"Nah. She hasn't said anything about him, but it's not hard to see it if you know her. You don't write like that unless you've been there."
"Ah." I glance down at the bar, tracing a water spot. "So you've been there, huh?"
"Fuck no," he says, chuckling.
Why am I not surprised? Of course he's never been in love. Guys like him aren't even capable of it. They just sleep around until they're too old to do that anymore, and then they die alone.
Ugh. Why do I care?
"Are you okay?"
"Yes. Why?"
"Three jackasses threatened you," he says, his lips pulled down into a frown as if it should be obvious.
"Oh." I wave him off. "I'm fine."
His eyes lock on my face, searching. "Are you?"
"Yes," I huff at him. "Trust me, Jareth, this isn't the first time some idiot said something nasty to me. It probably won't be the last either. That's what it's like being a woman in this world."
And when you're a curvy woman? Well, let's just say that you get used to nasty, unsolicited comments quickly. The body positivity movement only works for those receptive. Guys like the three the bouncer is hauling out will never see us as equals. To them, we're something to use, and something to abuse, and that's it.
Jareth scowls like my comment pisses him off, reaching out to cup my cheek. His calloused fingers are gentle against my skin, his expression soft and warm. "It's still bullshit, princess. Fuck anyone who doesn't treat you like a queen."
"I…" I lick my lips, caught up in his gaze. My heart pounds an erratic rhythm. It's truly unfair how damn beautiful he is. And how much I like him.
"Jareth," I blurt, trying to think of anything but the way his body felt pressed to mine earlier. "Isn't that the Goblin King?"
He scans my face, his expression impressed. "You know your '80s movies."
"Uh, everyone knows Labyrinth. It's David Bowie in tights."
He chuckles, his eyes locked on my face and his hand still pressed to my cheek. "My mom is a die-hard fantasy lover. You should hear my siblings' names."
"Khalessi? Aragorn?" I guess.
"Close." His lips quirk into a grin, his fingers sliding across my cheek in a way that I do not hate. "Try Bastian, Arwen, and Hermione."
"You're shitting me."
"Nope."
"So you have the coolest mom ever," I say, impressed. "But I have a question."
"Shoot."
"Does she know the babe? You know, the one with the power?"
His deep laugh rumbles through me like a gong, striking something deep in my womb.
"Of course you went there," he mutters.
"You got the name. I got the jokes." I shrug, but there's nothing casual about the way my heart is thudding against my ribcage like it's trying to break free.
I think he feels the same thing between us because his eyes drop to my mouth, his expression sobering. "Fuck," he groans, his thumb sliding across my bottom lip. "I've been staring at this mouth all night, Zoya. The more you talk, the more I want to know what it tastes like."
I don't know why I do it because I'm still completely sober, but I catch the pad of his thumb between my teeth. The result is instantaneous. He growls, that same predatory sound from the dressing room, and hauls me halfway off my stool. His lips come down on mine in a dizzying kiss.
I gasp in shock, allowing him to slip his tongue into my mouth. It tangles with mine, tempting me into a moment of madness. Even though alarm bells scream that I shouldn't be doing this, I press up against him, kissing him like he's offering salvation.
He tastes like mint and beer. It's an intoxicating combination on his lips, especially with his hands in my hair and a hungry growl vibrating in his chest.
The only thing that saves me from climbing his body right in the middle of the club is the bartender clearing his throat behind us.
We spring apart, breathing hard.
Jareth looks pissed at the interruption; his eyes narrowed on the smaller man like he's considering pulling him across the bar to choke the life out of him.
"Sorry," the guy mutters. "But I need to know if you want Jett to hold the three of them for the police to get here."
"Let them go," I blurt, leaping to my feet. The last thing Teo needs is for the three of them to stick around long enough to press charges. He's been in enough trouble the last few years. "Nadia wouldn't want this all over the news."