Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

The woman's lips twitched. Usually, lines like that were just clumsy pick-up

attempts—she'd been around long enough to know the type. But this reply? It was

a first.

Is this guy for real?

She sucked in a breath and walked away, her expression stormy.

Jackson, who'd watched the whole scene unfold, had to fight the urge to clap.

Nicholas still hadn't looked up from his phone, totally oblivious to Jackson sliding onto the barstool beside him.noveldrama

"You've got guts," Jackson said, grinning. "That girl was obviously interested, and you just shut her down like it was nothing."

Nicholas barely glanced up, his mood already sour. "Scarlette's ignoring my calls. Maybe she's off with Morgan again. Lately, it feels like her job's more important than anything else, including me."

Jackson flagged down the bartender and ordered a drink, half-listening to Nicholas's rant about Scarlette. For some reason, his mind drifted to Kaitlyn.

He'd always thought people who couldn't let go were pathetic, so when Kaitlyn ended things, he'd left her alone.

What stung was that she'd left him alone, too. No calls. No texts. Not even a hint of checking up on him.

He'd expected it, but it still left a bitter taste in his mouth.

And now she was married. Maybe she and her husband were so wrapped up in each other that she'd forgotten all about her little affair with Jackson.

Jackson stared into his drink, frustration simmering. He was about to say something when he glanced up-and there she was.

Kaitlyn was across the room, chatting with some guy, laughing at something he said.

Jackson's grip tightened around his glass. His jaw clenched as he stood and walked over.

Kaitlyn hadn't noticed him yet. She was still looking up at the guy, asking, "Is it cool if I get your number?"

The man she'd cornered had that fresh-faced, clean-cut look-definitely the type girls went for.

Kaitlyn hadn't been able to reach Clara, Eli, or Seth for weeks, so she'd spent every free moment scouting for new talent. She'd hit up every party, every event, hoping to find someone decent-and tonight, finally, she'd spotted someone worth chasing. No way was she letting him slip away.

He looked like a college kid: bright eyes, easy smile, the kind of guy who'd stand

out in a crowd. He reached out to take Kaitlyn's business card-

-but before he could grab it, someone else's long fingers snatched it away.

Kaitlyn frowned, following the hand up to see Jackson's face.

He flashed a lazy half-smile, twirling her card between his fingers. "On the hunt for new talent, Kaitlyn? I thought you and your husband were still in the honeymoon phase? Or is this your way of moving on already?"

His eyes flicked over the young guy, cool and sharp.

The poor guy blushed, stammered a quick apology, and hurried off.

Kaitlyn cursed under her breath-she'd been searching for weeks, and this was the first person who'd caught her eye. She moved to follow, but Jackson caught her wrist.

"Seriously, Kaitlyn? Picking up guys in a place like this? Not worried you'll bring home something extra?"

She glared at him, watching her prospect disappear into the crowd. "Let go."

Instead, Jackson pulled her closer, his arm tight around her waist.

"What, are you mad at me for messing up your little plan?"

She sighed, realizing he'd totally misunderstood. "The studio needs new talent. I've been looking everywhere. He's the first person I thought might actually work."

Jackson arched an eyebrow, finally letting her go and sliding her card back into her coat pocket. "That's all it is? Here I thought you and your husband were on the rocks and you were looking for some fun onthe side."

Kaitlyn didn't even bother to answer. She turned and walked away, refusing to look back.

Jackson watched her go, annoyed at how easily she brushed him off.

She'd barely made it around the corner before someone grabbed her by the waist. Her tone was cold. "Are you seriously not done yet?"

Jackson leaned in, resting his chin on her shoulder, voice dropping to a whisper. "You've got all those guys at your studio. So why'd you end up in my bed? Didn't any of them do it for you?"