Page 51 of Louder Than Words

His hips buck lightly, not enough to jam it down my throat, but enough to tell me he’s absolutely loving this.

Confidence boost.

My tongue lathers from his base, all the way to the tip, collecting every bit of his precum that I can. Then I take him as far as I can—

A loud crash explodes on the other side of the wall, followed by screaming.

I nearly choke, but thankfully don’t bite down. Jax goes rigid beneath me as I scramble to my feet, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand.

“What the hell was that?” I gasp, not really expecting an answer.

He glances at the wall. “It sounded like it came from—”

CRASH!

“Gareth, stop!” Nora screams from behind the wall.

We both freeze, eyes wide.

Then we’re up, and I’m already scrambling for the door.

So much for a good night without any drama.

23

Allie

I don’t even bother waiting for Jax to get his pants back on. I just fling the door wide open.

Of course, it just so happens to be the exact moment Ana opens hers—directly across the hall.

I step into the hallway, yanking my door halfway shut behind me to hide the chaos inside as Jax fumbles with his zipper.

“Did you hear that?” I ask, heart still pounding in my chest.

“Oh, I heard it.” She grins. “I just figuredyouwere the one screaming.”

My mouth drops open. “Why would you—”

But the words die in my throat when James pokes his head out from behind her, his hair even more disheveled than usual… and missing a shirt.

He glances between Ana and me. “What the bloody hell are you two doin’ over there?” He laughs. “Some wild roleplaying?”

I blink, trying to process what I’m seeing, but the confusion barely has time to settle before another scream pierces through the air. The door beside mine flies open and Nora bolts out—barefoot, but at least dressed. And, from what I can tell, unharmed.

She runs straight toward me, but before I can say anything, Jax opens our door wider and gently pulls her inside, one hand guiding her, the other braced on the doorframe. He closes it softly behind her, then steps out to stand beside me.

Right as Gareth charges into the hallway.

“Yeah, this is fucking typical, Nora! Run away and pretend to be the victim when it’smylife you ruined!” Gareth shouts.

His face is beet red, a vein bulging at his temple. And all my stomach does is twist.

Typical?

Before I even realize it, I’m already moving toward him, fists clenched at my sides. But something—or rathersomeone—stops me. I don’t even have to look to know it’s Jax. The way his hand closes around my arm perfectly, holding me gently in place, tells me.

Although, that clearly doesn’t stop me.