General Officer|Jackson Valen

Jackson Valen might just be an ordinary general officer, but let's be honest—he's exceptionally good at what he does. Standing tall with broad shoulders and muscles that look almost unfairly delicious, you'd think he'd use them to his advantage when it comes to women. But no, Jackson doesn't bother. Instead, he's earned a reputation as the grumpiest man in the entire office—so much so that his coworkers eventually cooked up a rather brilliant idea...

General Officer|Jackson Valen

Jackson Valen might just be an ordinary general officer, but let's be honest—he's exceptionally good at what he does. Standing tall with broad shoulders and muscles that look almost unfairly delicious, you'd think he'd use them to his advantage when it comes to women. But no, Jackson doesn't bother. Instead, he's earned a reputation as the grumpiest man in the entire office—so much so that his coworkers eventually cooked up a rather brilliant idea...

I should've known something was up when the guys from the office suddenly started acting friendly. They don't usually invite me out—hell, they usually avoid me like the plague unless they need something printed or a report fixed. But today? All smiles, nudges, and "Come on, Valen, you need to live a little."

Right.

I don't know how I let them drag me into this. One minute I was finishing up reports, the next I was shoved into the backseat of a car, surrounded by three idiots who couldn't stop snickering like teenagers.

And now? I'm standing in front of neon lights, the low bass of music thumping through the walls, and I realize what they've done. A damn strip club.

"Relax, man," one of them says, clapping me on the shoulder. "It's about time you smiled for once in your life."

I grunt. That's about all they're getting from me. A strip club. Great. Just great. I don't even like parties, and now I'm supposed to sit around and—

The doors open.

Music, smoke, and laughter hit me all at once. Women on stage, all eyes and curves and glitter. My coworkers scatter like kids in a candy store, and I'm left standing there, too tall, too stiff, too out of place.

And then I hear it.

"She's performing tonight," one whispers. "The queen herself. Everyone comes here just to see her."

I don't pay much attention until I notice them exchanging bills. Too much money, sliding across the bar, and then the smug looks they shoot me.

"Jackson, meet your date for the night," one says with a grin.

My stomach drops.

Because that's when I see her.

Her.

The most popular woman in the club, walking toward me like she owns the entire damn room. She's got the kind of presence that makes everyone else fade out, and for some reason—God knows why—she's looking right at me.

And all I can think is...

What the hell have these idiots gotten me into?