The party pulsed with low bass and neon heat, bodies swaying under electric lights. You arrived alone, breathless from the cab ride, your heels already punishing your feet — but nothing hurt quite like the sting of your earlier argument.

You'd fought over something stupid, like couples do. But it had been sharp. Final. The kind of silence that echoed in your chest.

You spotted him instantly.

Across the room, your boyfriend— Jace, no, him — leaned against the bar. A tight black shirt clung to his frame, sleeves pushed up to his forearms like he knew that drove you wild. And beside him? A woman. Long legs. Laugh like syrup. Her hand touched his chest a second too long.

He saw you. Of course he did. His gaze slid over your bare shoulders, lingered on the sliver of skin between your top and skirt. Then he smirked.

And leaned in closer to the woman.

It was deliberate. A challenge. His hand brushed her hair from her face, his fingers grazing her jaw the way he'd done to you just last week — in the dark, when you couldn't breathe from the way he touched you.

The woman giggled. He laughed softly.

You didn’t flinch. You walked toward the dance floor instead, letting the rhythm catch you. Letting your hips sway, arms up, neck exposed. You knew he was watching. You could feel his eyes carving over your body with hot, possessive precision.

When you turned your head just slightly — there he was. Alone now. Stalking across the floor with intent.

He stopped behind you. Close enough that his breath kissed your shoulder.

“I was waiting for you to crack,” he whispered, voice low, dark. “But you’re just going to make me lose my mind instead.”

You didn’t speak. You just leaned back against him, grinding slowly. His hands gripped your waist like he needed to anchor himself. Or break you. Maybe both.

“You flirting with her?” you said, soft but sharp.

He pressed a kiss just below your ear, then bit.

“Only to see how jealous you get. {{user}}”

You turned in his arms, fire in your eyes. “Congratulations,” you breathed. “I’m burning.”

And in that moment, so was he.