FALL IN LOVE WITH A BAD BOY

THE WARNING

Chapter 2

The Warning

Emma hadn’t stopped thinking about Jaxon since that night at the club. His touch still burned on her skin, the taste of him still lingered on her lips. She told herself it was just lust, just a moment of reckless indulgence—but deep down, she knew it was more than that.

She wasn’t the type to crave danger. She wasn’t the type to throw caution to the wind. But Jaxon Wilder had ignited something inside her, something she couldn’t quite extinguish.

So when Sadie slid into the seat across from her at the café the next morning, arms crossed, expression sharp with concern, Emma knew what was coming.

"Tell me you didn’t do something stupid," Sadie said, narrowing her eyes.

Emma took a slow sip of her coffee, feigning innocence. "Define stupid."

Sadie groaned. "Jaxon Wilder, Emma? Do you have any idea who he is?"

Emma bristled. "He’s a guy I kissed at a bar."

"He’s more than that," Sadie insisted. "He’s reckless. Dangerous. The kind of man who doesn’t do relationships. Hell, he doesn’t even do second nights. He’s pure trouble, and if you get involved, you’re going to get hurt."

Emma knew Sadie meant well, but her words only stoked the fire inside her. Maybe she should have been scared. Maybe she should have taken the warning and run.

But she didn’t.

Because something about Jaxon called to her, lured her closer like a moth to a flame.

And when the café door swung open, and she saw him standing there, leather jacket hanging off his shoulders, that signature smirk playing on his lips, she knew she was already in too deep.

Jaxon’s eyes found her immediately. A slow, deliberate once-over, like he was remembering exactly how she had felt against him the night before.

Emma’s breath hitched.

Sadie turned in her seat and groaned. "Oh, you have got to be kidding me."

Jaxon ignored her, walking straight to Emma’s table. "Morning, sweetheart."

His voice was rich, laced with amusement. Emma forced herself to keep her cool. "Didn’t peg you as the café type."

His smirk widened. "I’m not. But I figured I’d come find you since you ran out on me last night."

Sadie scoffed. "Maybe she ran because she realized she has standards."

Jaxon chuckled, completely unfazed. He pulled a chair out and straddled it, resting his arms on the backrest. "I like you," he said to Sadie. "You’ve got bite."

Sadie glared. "And I don’t like you. Stay the hell away from her."

Jaxon turned back to Emma, ignoring the warning. "Come for a ride with me."

Emma hesitated. "A ride where?"

His grin was pure sin. "You’ll see."

Sadie shot her a look. Say no.

Emma knew she should. But when Jaxon reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face, her resolve crumbled.

"One ride," she murmured.

Sadie groaned. "You’re insane."

Jaxon smirked. "Oh, sweetheart, you have no idea."

The engine roared beneath them, the city lights blurring as Jaxon weaved through the streets. Emma held on tight, arms wrapped around his solid frame, adrenaline and something else entirely racing through her veins.

She had never felt like this before. Free. Wild. Reckless.

When he pulled up to a sleek high-rise building, she knew exactly where they were going.

His place.

A penthouse that screamed wealth and decadence. Dark leather, glass walls overlooking the city skyline, a bar stocked with top-shelf whiskey.

"Drink?" he offered, tossing his keys onto the counter.

Emma shook her head. She didn’t need liquid courage. Not tonight.

Jaxon studied her, eyes dark with intent. "You knew where this night was leading when you got on my bike."

Emma’s breath hitched. "Yeah. I did."

His smirk faded. "Are you sure?"

Her pulse pounded as she stepped closer. "I don’t want you to be gentle."

The words barely left her mouth before he moved.

One moment she was standing there, the next she was pressed against the wall, Jaxon’s mouth crushing against hers.

His kiss was rough, demanding, his hands gripping her hips like he couldn’t stand the space between them. Emma moaned into his mouth, arching against him, her body already burning.

"f**k," Jaxon growled, dragging his lips down her neck. "You taste even better than I remember."

His hands slid under her dress, pushing the fabric up as his fingers found the lace of her panties. A sharp gasp left her lips as he pressed against her, teasing, not quite giving her what she needed.

"Tell me what you want," he murmured against her skin.

Emma clenched her fingers in his hair, desperate. "You."

Jaxon let out a dark chuckle. "Then hold on tight, sweetheart."

In a swift motion, he lifted her, wrapping her legs around his waist as he carried her across the penthouse.

The next thing she knew, she was on his bed, his body covering hers, heat radiating between them.

He didn’t undress her gently. He tore her dress from her body, his eyes burning as he took her in.

"f**k, you’re perfect," he murmured, trailing kisses down her stomach, his hands spreading her thighs.

Emma gasped as his mouth followed, teasing, claiming, until she was arching off the bed, lost in a haze of pleasure.

And when he finally moved over her, skin to skin, his eyes locked onto hers.

"Last chance to stop me," he murmured.

Emma wrapped her legs around him, pulling him closer. "Don’t stop."

And he didn’t.

He took her with a fierce, unrelenting passion, each thrust leaving her breathless, each touch setting her on fire. He was rough, dominant, in control—and Emma had never wanted anything more.

By the time they collapsed together, tangled in sheets and sweat, Emma knew one thing for certain.

Jaxon Wilder was a bad idea.

But she was already his.