Chapter 15

Selena let the music take over, moving her hips to the bass-heavy track as Ray and Nique hyped her up. The liquor had warmed her body just enough to loosen her up, and for the first time since stepping into Club Pressure, she wasn't thinking about Von.

Or at least, she was trying not to.

But she felt him.

Somewhere behind her, his eyes were still on her, watching like he had something to say but wasn't in a rush to say it. It was almost like he was waiting—testing to see what she would do.

And she wasn't the type to fold.

So she danced.

Selena wasn't overly extra with it, but she knew how to move. She let her body flow to the beat, letting the music guide her. At some point, a guy stepped behind her, hands hovering close, waiting for permission to touch.

She wasn't interested, though. Especially not with him watching.

Instead of acknowledging the guy, she spun back toward Ray and laughed, playing it off like she was just vibing. He got the message quick, backing off without a word.

"You see who watching, huh?" Ray leaned in, amusement in her voice.

Selena took a sip of her drink, acting unbothered. "Who?"

Ray gave her a knowing look. "Girl, don't play. Von ain't took his eyes off you since we walked in."

Selena rolled her eyes, but a small smirk tugged at her lips. "And?"

"And he don't watch girls like that." Ray raised a brow. "Not unless he want something."

Selena's stomach flipped at that. But before she could say anything, she felt a shift in the air—an energy change that made her heart skip.

She didn't have to turn around to know Von was walking up.

Ray grinned. "Oh yeah. You got his attention frfr."

A slow chill ran up Selena's spine as she felt Von's presence get closer. Then, finally, a deep, familiar voice sounded right behind her.

"You having fun?"

Selena turned her head slightly, looking up just enough to meet his gaze. Von was standing close—too close—his usual unreadable expression in place. His dark eyes flickered over her face, then dipped slightly lower before returning to her eyes.

She swallowed. "Why? You tryna stop me?"

Von's lips twitched, like he was fighting a smirk. "Nah." He glanced around. "Who you came with?"

Selena lifted a brow. "Ray."

Von's eyes cut to Ray, then back to Selena. "And who you leaving with?"

Selena's breath caught, heat rushing to her cheeks.

Ray snickered. "Oop—let me mind my business." She grabbed Nique's hand. "We getting drinks. Y'all talk."

Selena barely noticed them walking off. Her focus was on Von, on the weight of his stare and the way his deep voice sent chills down her spine.

"I don't know," she said finally, tilting her head. "Who tryna take me home?"

Von huffed a low chuckle, stepping even closer. "What you think?"

Selena knew exactly what he was saying. But she wasn't about to make this too easy.

She smirked. "I think you should buy me a drink first."

Von let out a quiet hum, like he was considering. Then, with a slow nod, he motioned for her to follow.

"Come on, then."

And just like that, she found herself walking away from the dance floor, following Von through the crowd.

Her heart was racing, but she wasn't backing down.

Whatever game he was playing, she was more than ready to play, too.

Selena took a slow sip of her drink, trying to steady the rush of heat flooding her body. Von was playing a dangerous game—one she was more than willing to lose herself in.

He sat back in his seat, watching her with that same unreadable expression, but she could feel the weight of his attention. Every move she made, every slow shift of her body, he caught it all.

The club buzzed around them—music loud, people laughing, bottles popping—but for her, everything else faded.

It was just him.

Von tapped his ring against his glass, eyes still on her. "You ready to leave yet?"

Selena smirked. "That depends."

Von leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees. "On what?"

She dragged her nails along the rim of her glass, pretending to think. "Where you tryna take me?"

Von exhaled a low chuckle, shaking his head. "You ask too many questions."

Selena raised a brow. "And you don't answer enough."

Von watched her for a second longer, then stood up, holding out a hand. "Come on."

Selena hesitated only for a second before placing her hand in his. His grip was firm, warm, sending a jolt up her spine. He led her through the crowd with ease, people moving out of his way without him saying a word.

The air outside was thick and warm, the scent of the city mixing with the lingering smoke from the club. Von's black Camaro was parked right in front, engine still rumbling like it had been waiting for him.

He opened the passenger door for her, and she slid in without a word.

The second Von got behind the wheel, the tension in the car thickened.

Selena shifted slightly, crossing her legs. "So, where we going?"

Von licked his lips, gripping the wheel. "Somewhere quiet."

Selena felt her stomach tighten at the sound of his voice. Low, rough, promising.

And as he pulled off, she had a feeling she wouldn't be getting much sleep tonight.

The Next Morning

Selena stretched, her body sore in the best way possible. The sheets were soft against her skin, the scent of cologne and faint traces of smoke still lingering around her.

She turned her head slightly, eyes landing on Von. He was sitting at the edge of the bed, shirtless, scrolling through his phone with a deep-set frown. His tattoos stretched across his back, his muscles tense.

Selena bit her lip, admiring the view before propping herself up on one elbow.

"You always wake up looking mad?" she teased, her voice raspy from sleep.

Von didn't respond immediately. He just turned his phone toward her, his expression unreadable.

Selena blinked, focusing on the screen.

And then her heart dropped.

A picture of her and Von from last night—her standing too close, his hand gripping her waist, his lips near her ear—was plastered on a local shade page.

"Club Pressure owner Von caught up with mystery girl last night. Who is she? 👀"

The comments were already insane.

— Ain't he still dealing with his ex?

— This girl look familiar...

— She better be ready for the heat. These Baton Rouge girls don't play.

— Damn, Von really don't be in the mix like that. Who is she?

Selena sat up fully, gripping the sheet. "What the hell..."

Von was still looking at her, his face unreadable. "You good?"

Selena exhaled sharply, scrolling through the comments, the overwhelming attention making her stomach tighten.

"This is crazy," she muttered.

Von reached over, taking the phone from her hand and tossing it onto the nightstand. "You knew what you was doing last night."

Selena looked at him, brows raised. "And what's that supposed to mean?"

Von smirked slightly, leaning back against the headboard. "You wanted my attention."

Selena huffed. "That don't mean I wanted to end up on a damn shade page."

Von shrugged. "This what come with me."

She knew he was right. Von wasn't just some random dude—he was known. People watched him, talked about him, kept his name in their mouths whether he liked it or not.

And now, her name was about to be dragged into it too.

She sighed, running a hand down her face. "This gon' be a mess, isn't it?"

Von smirked, grabbing her wrist and pulling her into his lap. "Only if you let it be."

Selena swallowed as his fingers trailed up her thigh, his touch enough to make her forget about the outside world.

For now, at least.