Dirty little Summer

Punch Drunk

Aurora's pov

Fuck.

The word echoed inside my head so loudly I could barely hear Anna talking.

"Dad, this is Aurora."

Damian Jordan stood up slowly.

Everything about him was exactly the same. The dark, piercing eyes. The flawless composure. The heavy, dominant confidence. Only now, he wasn't a stranger in a dark hotel room. He was my best friend's father. Jack's father. And my late father's best friend.

Though I had never met Damian before, my dad had always talked about him before he passed away. That connection was the exact reason Anna and I had met and become best friends in the first place. The irony of it was suffocating.

For one terrible second, neither of us spoke. Then Damian offered his hand.

"Aurora."

His voice was perfectly calm, like he hadn't spent graduation night breaking me apart, making me c*m multiple times on his massive c**k. Like he hadn't looked at me the way he was looking at me right now.

I stared at his large hand, then took it. The second our skin touched, something sharp flashed through his eyes before vanishing completely.

"Mr. Jordan."

A corner of his mouth twitched. "Damian is fine."

Victoria laughed loudly, breaking the silence. "Oh please. Nobody calls him Damian except people trying to marry him."

Nobody laughed. Victoria cleared her throat, her smile faltering. "I was joking."

Anna looked completely oblivious to the thick tension. "Rory and I have been best friends forever, Dad."

"Is that right?" Victoria asked, turning her sharp attention to me. "So, where are you from, dear?"

"Hartwell."

"Oh." The way she said it made my small hometown sound like a disease. "Must be quite an adjustment being here at the lake."

I smiled coolly. "Not really."

Victoria blinked, clearly not expecting me to stay so unbothered.

Damian took a slow sip of his whiskey, his gaze flicking down. He tried to control it, but his eyes dragged over my body, taking in the way my denim shorts clung tightly to my curves. The intensity of his stare made a sudden, wicked heat spike between my thighs, my p***y twitching at the memory of his touch.

He looked away fast, but his fingers tightened around his crystal glass so hard his knuckles turned white.

"Dad." Jack's voice cut through the air, and a wave of relief immediately flooded me.

Jack walked onto the deck, his blue eyes flicking toward me before landing on Damian. "I'm having a few guys from the team over later."

Damian nodded. "That's fine. Keep them away from my wine cellar."

"No promises."

The interaction lasted seconds, but as Damian spoke to his son, his dark eyes drifted right back to my bare legs.

Jack noticed. His blue eyes narrowed slightly, tracking his father's gaze before locking onto me.

By evening, the Jordan estate was packed. Upbeat music drifted from the patio, and drunk college kids moved between the pool and the outdoor bar.

I was halfway through a drink when Jack appeared right beside me. "You hiding?"

I snorted, and Jack grinned. God, that smile was dangerous.

"How many idiots are on your hockey team?" I asked.

"All of them."

His shoulder bumped mine—a tiny, casual gesture that made my stomach flip. Before either of us could say anything else, a black SUV pulled into the driveway. A group of guys climbed out.

My heart stopped.

Nick.

"What the f**k?" I whispered.

Jack followed my gaze, his entire expression hardening instantly. "What?"

"My ex."

Nick spotted me at the exact same moment. His face twisted with rage, and he started marching straight toward me, shoving people out of his way.

"What the f**k are you doing here?" Nick demanded, stepping onto the patio.

Jack stepped forward immediately, positioning his massive frame slightly between us.

"I was invited," I said flatly.

Nick laughed harshly, his eyes flicking from me to Jack. An ugly, bitter understanding hit his face. "Oh. So that's it? He's your next catch?"

Every bit of humiliation from graduation night came rushing back—the cheating, the lies, the complete lack of remorse.

"My next catch?" I repeated, my voice dropping dangerously.

Nick shrugged. "You move on fast."

"You cheated on me, Nick."

"You're making this a bigger deal than it was," he snapped, completely shifting the blame onto me like he always did.

I shook my head, disgusted. "You know what? Go to hell."

I turned to walk away, but Nick's hand shot out. He grabbed my arm, shoving me backward out of his face.

Everything happened in a blur.

Jack moved with terrifying speed, then his fist connected squarely with Nick's jaw. The force of the punch sent Nick crashing hard onto the stone floor. Gasps exploded across the crowded patio.

Blood appeared instantly on Nick's torn lip.

Jack stood over him, his fist clenched, his blue eyes absolutely lethal. "I wouldn't touch her again."

Nick stared up from the ground, his face pale with genuine fear.

Jack turned away from him, completely ignoring the shocked crowd, and stepped into my space. He reached down, his large hands gripping my waist to pull me back up to my feet. He lifted me effortlessly, bringing me so close that my breasts flattened against the hard muscle of his chest.

He was so tall I had to tilt my head back, my eyes locking onto his. I could smell his expensive, clean cologne mixed with the heat of the summer air. His chest was heaving against mine, his hands burning hot through my shirt.

He looked down at my lips, his jaw tight, looking like he couldn't decide whether he wanted to kill my ex or kiss me right here in front of everyone.

And somewhere across the patio, standing perfectly still beneath the neon lights, Damian Jordan watched us. His expression gave away nothing, but the whiskey glass in his hand shattered completely beneath the furious pressure of his grip.