Total pages in book: 149
Estimated words: 140604 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 703(@200wpm)___ 562(@250wpm)___ 469(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 140604 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 703(@200wpm)___ 562(@250wpm)___ 469(@300wpm)
“It’s not sad.” Sometimes his friend couldn’t see the positive side of things. “It’s a survival story, and you’re still here so there’s a happy ending.”
“Hasn’t ended yet.” He straightened up. “Oh, her friend is coming our way, and he looks like a man on a mission. Do you think he’s about to hit on you?”
“No idea.” The evening was looking up. He was unashamed to admit he liked a little drama. As long as no one got hurt. People were weird and he was here for it. He took the drinks from the bartender and slid a tip into the jar before turning and handing Keane his beer. His timing was perfect, but then it always was.
Maybe her friend was getting drinks. Maybe he should ask about her.
He didn’t have to.
“Hey, I’m Bobby Farley. I’m good friends with…” He huffed. “Sorry, she asked me not to tell you her name. I think she wants to do this whole secretive undercover thing. I don’t understand it entirely, but she’s definitely not looking for anything more than a night, and now I realize I should have eased into the conversation.”
Oh, he liked the sound of this. Lucas told him that most of the people he would meet at the wedding would be in the lifestyle. “No need. Are you here to negotiate a scene?”
Bobby’s eyes widened and then he shrugged slightly. “Well, I should have known. I am not her top. I’m a friend. A good friend who will hunt you down and kill you if you hurt her. She needs a wild night, and she knows most of the people here. It’s been a rough couple of weeks for her, and she could use a scene. Are you members of a club?”
“Yes,” Garrett replied with confidence. “We belong to Subversion. We’ve completed all the courses and have Master rights. We’re allowed to attend the Dallas club when we’re there.”
The Austin club had become a second home for them. They spent weekends there when they had the time, indulging in D/s and simply being in a place where it felt like they belonged.
Bobby stared for a moment as though his brain was making connections. Or he was nervous about leaving his gorgeous friend with them.
“I was sponsored by Lucas O’Malley if you want to talk to him,” Garrett offered.
“Well, that makes it weirder.” Bobby shook his head. “Nope. I’m going with it. All right. Yes, let’s talk this out, but again, no names.”
“We are talking about the redhead, right?” Keane asked. “Sorry. I only want to make sure. You could be talking about anyone, and I’ll be honest after seeing her, I don’t want someone else.”
“That’s what I want to hear.” Bobby looked to the bartender. “I’ll take a gin and tonic.”
When Bobby had his drink, they took a seat.
It was time to negotiate. His evening was looking up.
Chapter Two
Keane Rollins was having the weirdest day. He did not fit into this glamourous world. He’d been to exactly two weddings before this one. One had been in his mom’s backyard where she married the man who murdered her. The second was a courthouse wedding between friends who got divorced and no longer spoke to any of their circle.
He didn’t have good luck with weddings.
He was worried his luck was going to hold.
“Are you nervous?” Garrett sat across the booth from him with the gorgeous girl in the middle. It was one of those round booths that made everything feel close and intimate.
It was awkward.
“A little, I suppose,” she replied. “Not because of you. You seem nice. Bobby told me you belong to a club.”
Garrett nodded. “There’s one in…”
She held up a hand. “I don’t need to know specifics. If Bobby is satisfied, then so am I.”
It had been roughly an hour since they had been introduced to the woman they were calling Red for now. She was every bit as gorgeous up close, and there was a sweetness to her that belied her obvious independent nature. They had each danced with her and made some small talk that meant nothing because she didn’t want names. Or real jobs. Apparently now no club names.
Garrett had proposed hitting the hotel bar since all eyes were on them in the ballroom. Red had hugged Nicole and the two grooms and then joined him and Garrett.
Now she had a glass of Cab in her hand and looked like she wanted to be anywhere else. If he hadn’t seen the way her eyes went from Garrett to him like she was a kid in a candy store, he would have found a way to gracefully let her go. But it was so clear she wanted them.
So why wasn’t it easy to simply go upstairs and get things started?
“I’m going to assume you belong to a club, too.” Garrett seemed determined to completely ignore the vibe, but that was kind of how he handled things. He was a great believer in faking it until making it.