He gritted his teeth, a muscle feathered his jaw. “You’re a good dancer.”
“Bull.” I shook my head. “At least give me the chance to expl—”
“Explain?” Reese finally looked at me, his eyes fire red. “I know what your explanation is, Dez. Jace kissed you, you didn’t see it coming, you panicked.”
“Yes. I panicked.” I sucked in a deep breath. “I didn’t know what to do.”
“So you kissed him back?” he said, his eyes glowing fiercely. “I saw the way you kissed him. No matter what, I knew Jace was my competition. I just thought we had something.” He turned his head away from me, his lips pressed in a hard line.
I opened and closed my mouth, my words dying on my tongue. I had kissed Jace back. I still didn’t understand why, other than I’d been caught off guard and I had panicked. But I couldn’t repeat Reese’s excuse back to him.
He stopped dancing and took a step away from me. “This was a bad idea.” He turned to go, but before he left, he added, “You and Jace make a cute couple.” Then he stormed off the dance floor, leaving me speechless and shaken.
So that was it. One mess up from me and everything between us was over. I hugged my waist as I inched through the horde of dancers. I pressed my back to the mirrored wall, hiding behind the filter of steam. Being raised by the Narcos, Reese’s pride had won out. He really was one of them, after all.
I slipped off the dance floor and out of the club. I wanted to run back to the Academy, but I knew Jace would freak if I disappeared. God, I hated that I could never do what I wanted, when I wanted.
Anger burned in my chest, replacing my guilt. I hadn’t meant to hurt Reese, but he wouldn’t give me the chance to redeem myself. His stubbornness infuriated me, boiling deep in the pit of my stomach. I marched back into the club and searched for him.
Reese was talking with his Narco buddies along the far wall. He wanted to play cruel and callous guy…fine. He had that Narco act down. But I was part Narco, too.
I took off toward him, ready to tell him off right in the middle of Cogs. He’d hear my side whether he wanted to or not. I was halfway across the club when a hand clasped my arm and halted my determined march.
“Hey,” Jace said, stepping in front of me. “What’s wrong?”
I closed my eyes, urging the anger burning in my chest to calm. My body shook, and I knew I had to get a grip. “Nothing,” I said and opened my eyes.
Jace’s forehead furrowed, and his eyes searched mine. “Bullshit. I know when you’re upset. What happened?”
I huffed out a long breath. He knew me too well and wouldn’t believe I wasn’t mad. “I’ll take care of it, Jace.” I glanced around his shoulder. Reese’s eyes caught mine, and flames ignited my blood.
Calm down. I was scared my eyes would shift red.
Whipping around, Jace followed my gaze. He turned back toward me. “Did he do something to you?” His nostrils flared, and his eyes lit with blue fury. “I’ll kill him.”
He released me and started in Reese’s direction.
Shit!
Panicking, I latched onto his arm. “Jace, no.” I pulled against him as he forged forward. “It’s not what you think.” I couldn’t get him to stop. I’d messed up. I shouldn’t have looked at Reese. Crap. I shouldn’t have come back in the club at all with my emotions running high.
Jace was almost to the other side of the room, and I had to do something before he attacked Reese. My mind reeled. I jumped in front of his path, and he stopped. Then I grabbed his face and planted my lips on his. His lips were firm, unyielding to mine at first, as if I’d shocked him. Then I felt him give in. He cradled my face between his palms, and his lips parted against mine.
As we kissed, I maneuvered his back toward Reese, hoping he’d forget about him if he didn’t see him. After a several seconds, I pulled away. Jace’s eyes shone bright blue, and he smiled. I smiled back and quickly slid my eyes in Reese’s direction.
Reese leaned against the wall, his eyes and hands blazing red. The beer bottle he held heated, taking on the red glow…then shattered.
Chapter Sixteen
REESE PUSHED OFF THE WALL, fuming. He took one step toward me, then halted. He stared at me, and his eyes flashed violet. He quickly shut them, blinking the purple away, and headed out the exit.
I sunk against Jace. Reese had let his control to slip. It had only been a split second, but I’d seen it. My chest felt hollow, numb. I’d allowed my emotions to control me, acted on my anger. And Reese had almost given himself away. I buried my head in Jace’s shoulder.
This is wrong.
“Hey,” Jace said into my ear. “You all right?”
I nodded against his shoulder. “Yeah.” I drew back and looked into his eyes. “Want to get out of here? I think I’m ready to go back to the Academy.”