Jealous!Denmark x Reader - I Dare You

Strong fingers tightened around the handle of a beer mug, white knuckled. The drink was raised, a steady gulp swallowed down, blue eyes narrowed over the rim. Raucous laughter filled the air, voices raised to exchange drunken conversation. The floor vibrated with the upbeat bass of DJ selected music, the mood set. Scantily clad cocktail waitresses mingled with the crowds, stopped by tables to offer drinks to the already-intoxicated patrons. Lone men watched with hungry eyes, primal desire evident within the darkness of their gazes.

Settled alone in a corner booth Mathias Køhler inhaled a deep breath, attempted to sooth the angry burn that flared to life within his abdomen, a viper coiled tight, ready to attack. He hated when you had to work, hated the outfits you were forced to adorn, hated that you had to entertain men with sinful wants.

If there was one thing he understood, it was lust.

Wiping froth from his top lip on the back of his arm, Mathias forced himself to remain seated. He could tell from a mile away when someone wanted you, could sense when they were about to try their luck and see if you’d be interested in sliding under their covers for the night.

They would start out by joking around; cheesy pickup lines were the specialty of nightclub patrons, it seemed. Hair slicked back and with confidence oozing from every pore of their being they would offer to buy you a drink. Always polite, you would decline. It was against policy, you would tease, offer an endearing laugh that made Mathias’ stomach flip over backward and his heartbeat quicken to a gallop. It was all an effort to retain customer business, part of your job to treat them with courtesy even when they didn’t offer you the same respect.

Low-cut dress offering a delicious view of cleavage, you were the object of every man’s affections, the sort of prize he wanted on his arm.

He understood that sort of desire, too. Mathias frequented the nightclub only because it meant he could order drinks from you, could exchange meagre words of conversation... it was the highlight of his week.

Brilliant blues followed you across the room, the stare of a guard dog, trained to kill.

A bold red-head rose from his table and swaggered over to you, blocked your path with his frame. The Dane watched with disgust as your most recent suitor leaned in close.

“Do you have a little Scottish in you?” His voice was thick with the lilt of a Scottish accent, green eyes alight with mischief. The scent of alcohol saturated his breath, mingled with the reek of cigarette smoke that rolled off of his clothing.

Mesmerised by the question, you shook your head and backed off a few paces to establish an appropriate distance between yourself and the daring male. Lifting his glass to his lips once more, Mathias drained the contents, relished the sensation of it prickling over his taste buds.

“No? Do you want some?”

From his table the blonde choked on his alcohol, eyes widening.

You were equally taken aback, mouth opening in a silent ‘oh’, words lost in the wave of your surprise. An expression of self-satisfaction swept over the Scot’s face, one hand lifting to cup your chin, thumb caressing the smooth line of your jaw. He stepped closer, leaned toward you…

Mathias jolted from his seat and crossed the room before he had time to think things over. Pushing between the two of you, jaw tense, he stood with shoulders squared and blonde hair wild, features contorted into a challenging scowl. Eyes wide, your gaze darted from one to the other, heart a wild thunder within the cage of your ribs.

Undeterred, the redhead flashed a grin, “Do you mind? You’re interrupting us.”

“Unless you want to leave here limping, you’ll keep your hands off of [Name].” Tone dripping with irritation, Mathias clenched his fists at his sides, offered the other man a warning glare. “Do it again, I dare you.”

The threat went unheeded, laughed off with the over-confidence of heavy drinking, and the Scot moved to brush past your newly established guard dog. Muscles flexing, broad knuckles made contact with his jaw, a thunderous crack filling the air, all eyes riveted upon the exchange. Mathias watched with grim satisfaction as the other male dropped like a stone, a cry of shock parted from your lips.

Nobody moved, no one dared to speak.

Turning, the blonde regarded you with a mischievous grin. “I warned him.”

In spite of yourself, you couldn’t help smiling.