Claimed By the Bad Boy

Chapter 5: Crossing the Line

Chapter 5: Crossing the Line

The sun had long since set, and the night was in full swing at the Steel Wolves’ clubhouse. The air was thick with smoke and the scent of spilled beer, mingling with the faint traces of sweat and perfume. The music thumped steadily, a low, rhythmic beat that seemed to pulse through the very walls. Emma sat at a small table in the corner, nursing a glass of water as she watched the scene unfold around her.

She had thought about going to bed, shutting herself away in the small room she’d been given. But something kept her rooted to her seat, her eyes drawn to the activity around her—the laughter, the music, the teasing touches and lingering glances. This world was so foreign to her, so raw and unapologetic, and she couldn’t help but feel a mix of fascination and trepidation.

Her gaze drifted to Jax, who stood at the bar with a group of men, his expression serious as he listened to whatever they were discussing. He seemed different tonight—tense, his posture more rigid than usual. She couldn’t help but wonder what was going through his mind, what he thought of her being here.

As if sensing her thoughts, Jax glanced over at her, his piercing blue eyes locking onto hers. For a moment, the room seemed to fade away, and all she could see was him—his strong jaw, the hard set of his mouth, the intensity in his gaze. Her heart skipped a beat, and she felt a warmth spread through her, a mixture of desire and uncertainty that she wasn’t sure how to handle.

She quickly looked away, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. She had no right to feel this way, no reason to care what Jax thought or did. But she couldn’t deny the growing attraction she felt, the pull toward him that seemed to grow stronger with each passing day.

Suddenly, she felt a hand on her shoulder, and she turned to see Cherry standing beside her, a sly smile on her lips. “You’re still here,” Cherry said, her tone teasing. “I thought you’d have run off by now.”

Emma forced a small smile. “I guess I’m tougher than I look,” she replied, trying to keep her tone light.

Cherry laughed, a low, throaty sound that seemed to ripple through the air. “I like you, Emma,” she said, sliding into the seat across from her. “You’ve got guts. Not many girls would stick around, especially not after seeing what goes on here.”

Emma shrugged, trying to hide her discomfort. “I’m just trying to understand,” she said softly. “This world… it’s all new to me.”

Cherry nodded, her gaze turning thoughtful. “It’s not an easy life,” she admitted. “But once you’re in, it’s hard to walk away.”

Emma nodded, absorbing her words. She had already begun to feel that pull, that strange sense of belonging she hadn’t expected. There was something about this place, about the people, that made her want to stay, to see where this path might lead.

“So,” Cherry said, leaning forward with a conspiratorial grin. “What do you think of Jax?”

Emma’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of his name. She glanced over at the bar, where Jax was still talking with the other men. “He’s… complicated,” she said carefully.

Cherry chuckled. “That’s one way to put it,” she agreed. “Jax is a tough nut to crack. He’s been with the club for years, and he’s seen a lot. But he’s a good guy, even if he doesn’t always show it.”

Emma nodded, her gaze lingering on Jax. She wanted to believe that, wanted to believe that there was more to him than the rough exterior he showed the world. But she wasn’t sure she was ready to find out.

As they talked, the atmosphere in the clubhouse began to shift. The music grew louder, the laughter more raucous. Emma watched as a few of the men began to drift toward the back rooms, their hands on the hips of the women beside them, their intentions clear. She felt a flush of heat rise in her cheeks, a mix of embarrassment and curiosity swirling inside her.

Cherry noticed her gaze and smiled. “Not used to seeing this, huh?” she said, her tone playful.

Emma shook her head, feeling a bit out of her depth. “No,” she admitted. “I’ve never… I mean, I don’t….”

Cherry laughed again, softer this time. “Don’t worry,” she said gently. “We were all new once. But you learn fast around here. You have to.”

Emma nodded, her mind racing with thoughts she wasn’t sure how to process. She knew what she was seeing, what was happening around her, but it was still hard to wrap her head around it. This world was so different from anything she had ever known—so much more intense, more raw.

She turned her attention back to Cherry, who was watching her with a knowing smile. “And you?” Emma asked hesitantly. “Do you… I mean, are you with…?”

Cherry’s smile widened, a twinkle in her eye. “I’m with whoever I want to be with,” she said simply. “That’s the beauty of it, Emma. Here, you make your own rules.”

Emma nodded, trying to understand. She wanted to ask more, to understand how Cherry could be so confident, so at ease with everything. But before she could find the words, Jax approached, his expression unreadable.

“Cherry,” he said in a low, firm tone. “Give us a minute.”

Cherry winked at Emma and stood, giving Jax a playful pat on the chest as she passed. “Play nice,” she teased before heading back toward the bar.

Jax watched her go, then turned his attention to Emma. “You okay?” he asked, his voice softer now.

Emma nodded, feeling a strange flutter in her chest. “Yeah,” she replied. “Just… trying to take it all in.”

Jax studied her for a moment, his eyes searching hers. “I know this place can be… overwhelming,” he said quietly. “But you don’t have to stay out here if you don’t want to.”

Emma shook her head, her gaze steady. “I want to stay,” she said softly. “I want to understand.”

Jax nodded, a flicker of something unreadable passing over his face. “Alright,” he said. “But if it gets to be too much, just say the word. I don’t want you getting hurt.”

Emma felt a warmth spread through her at his words, a strange sense of comfort in his concern. “I’m tougher than I look,” she said, echoing her earlier words to Cherry.

Jax’s lips twitched in a small smile. “Yeah, I’m starting to see that,” he said, his tone light but his eyes serious.

They stood there for a moment, the air between them thick with unspoken tension. Emma could feel her heart racing, a mix of fear and excitement coursing through her veins. She wasn’t sure what she wanted, but she knew she wasn’t ready to walk away.

Before she could say anything else, Jax reached out, his hand brushing against her arm. The touch was light, almost hesitant, but it sent a jolt through her, a spark of electricity that seemed to ignite something deep inside her.

“Come with me,” he said softly, his voice low and rough.

Emma hesitated for only a moment before nodding. She didn’t know where he was taking her, but she trusted him. She followed him through the crowded room, her heart pounding in her chest as they made their way to a set of stairs leading to the second floor.

The upstairs was quieter, the noise of the party below muted by the thick walls. Jax led her down a narrow hallway to a door at the end, pushing it open and gesturing for her to enter.

Emma stepped inside, her breath catching in her throat as she took in the room. It was small but cozy, with a large bed in the center, a dresser against the wall, and a single window overlooking the lot outside. The moonlight streamed through the window, casting a soft glow over everything.

Jax closed the door behind them, the sound echoing in the quiet space. Emma turned to face him, her heart racing, her mind spinning with questions she wasn’t sure how to ask.

“Why did you bring me here?” she asked softly, her voice barely more than a whisper.

Jax stepped closer, his gaze intense. “Because I wanted to be alone with you,” he said simply. “Because I wanted to know if you felt what I’m feeling.”

Emma’s breath hitched at his words, a mix of fear and desire swirling inside her. She wasn’t sure what she felt—wasn’t sure if she was ready for this. But she couldn’t deny the attraction, the pull that seemed to draw her closer to him with every passing moment.

“I… I don’t know,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “I’ve never… I mean, I’m not….”

Jax’s expression softened, and he reached out, his hand cupping her cheek. “I know,” he said gently. “And I’m not asking for anything you’re not ready to give. But I can’t pretend I don’t want you, Emma. I’ve wanted you since the moment I saw you.”

Emma felt a surge of warmth at his words, a mix of fear and excitement coursing through her veins. She wasn’t sure what she wanted, wasn’t sure if she was ready for this. But she knew one thing—she didn’t want to walk away.

“I’m scared,” she admitted, her voice barely more than a breath.

Jax nodded, his thumb brushing against her skin. “It’s okay to be scared,” he said softly. “But you don’t have to be afraid of me. I’ll take care of you. I promise.”

Emma felt a tear slip down her cheek, and she quickly wiped it away, embarrassed by her own emotions. She wasn’t used to feeling this way—so vulnerable, so exposed. But there was something about Jax, something that made her want to trust him, to take a chance on whatever this was.

“Okay,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “Okay.”

Jax’s gaze softened, and he leaned in, his lips brushing against hers in a gentle, tentative kiss. Emma felt her heart skip a beat, a rush of heat flooding through her as she leaned into him, her hands finding their way to his chest.

The kiss deepened, growing more urgent, more intense. Jax’s hands slid down her back, pulling her closer, his body warm and solid against hers. Emma felt herself melting into him, her mind spinning with a mix of fear and desire, uncertainty and need.

She didn’t know where this would lead, didn’t know what the future held. But in this moment, with Jax’s arms around her and his lips on hers, she felt something she hadn’t felt in a long time—safe, wanted, alive.