Page 19 of Judge’s Obsession

“Just testing a theory.”

His eyes aren’t even on me. They keep flicking to the side of the room, where I know a certain motorcycle club President has been keeping an eye on me all afternoon.

I focus on the collar of Tank’s T-shirt, so I don’t have to look into his eyes. Something feels wrong about this whole thing, but I’m not thinking clearly. Maybe I should just bow out and slip back to my room.

The thought barely crosses my mind before Tank is torn away from me.

He disappears in a blink, yanked backward by the scruff of his neck. He stumbles a few paces until he bumps against a table.

I swear I catch another wink.

Does he have a death wish?

My view of him is blocked by a much taller, broader specimen of a man.

I slowly lift my chin to meet Judge’s gaze. There’s fire in his eyes. I might not officially belong to him, but there’s no denying he’s laid claim to me now.

He leans down so only I can hear him. “I don’t think you understand what it means when I say you belong to me.”

Bristling, I fold my arms and mutter just as quietly, “You didn’t have to do that. We were just dancing.”

“His hand was practically grabbing your ass,” he seethes.

I gasp, my mouth falling open. “It was not. He wasn’t even touching my ass!”

The only way to describe the grin that forms on his lips is wicked. “Didn’t look like it from where I stood. And I don’t let anyone touch what belongs to me. That boy just lost his shot at being patched.”

I pale, my eyes darting to Tank.

He’s been sweet and kind, and sometimes he even makes me laugh. I might think he doesn’t belong in this world, but it’s clear he wants it.

I shake my head. “Don’t do that. He hasn’t done anything.”

I reach for Judge’s hand, silently pleading with him.

He studies me, his head tilted like the predator he is. His eyes narrow before he dips his chin and grazes his knuckle along my jaw.

It almost feels like he’s saying he’ll do anything for me. The realization weighs on me, even as relief washes through me at the thought that he might actually listen.

“His only warning. If he touches what’s mine again, I won’t be so merciful.”

I open my mouth to argue, but he grips my chin harder, squishing my cheeks together to stop me.

“You are mine, Kaylie.”

It’s both a warning and a claiming. I can argue all I want, but the decision is out of my hands.

“Make no mistake, there is nowhere you can go that I won’t find you.”

Then he crushes his mouth to mine.

Our tongues tangle, heat licks up my spine, and desire pools between my thighs. It’s like my body is no longer my own as I lean into the kiss.

But just as quickly as it starts, it ends.

He pulls away and drags his thumb along his lower lip before striding back to the group of men he’d been speaking to.

And I can’t keep my eyes off him.