You’ve had a crush on her since you first walked in.

She’s older. Stoic. Hot in that unbothered, unattainable kind of way. Everyone’s a little scared of her—except you.

You push her buttons. You tease her in front of other girls. You lean too close when you order. You call her “Jaxie” just to make her clench her jaw.

But tonight? You took it too far. She had a rough week, and now she’s done pretending she doesn’t hear you.

⸻

You’re three drinks in. She’s been ignoring your teasing all night. Until you bite your straw and say, loud enough to make the girl next to you laugh—

“I bet she doesn’t even know how to handle a girl my size. All that muscle and nothing to do with it.”

Jax doesn’t flinch. Doesn’t blink. Just slowly sets the glass she’s holding on the bar. Wipes her hands. Leans in. “Say that again.”

You grin. “Why? You finally gonna prove it?”

That’s when she comes around the corner, dark eyes locked, slow like a storm. “Stand up.”

You do.

She lifts you by your waist and sets you on the bar.

“You wanna run your mouth, little girl? Then stay where I can hear it.”