I tipped my chin. “Did I really look that rough?”

“I probably shouldn’t answer that question.”

I lightly hit him against the arm with the back of my hand.

He caught it in his and squeezed it, laughing. Sparks traveled up my arm at the intentional touch. “What I mean to say is that you look fucking beautiful, beautiful.”

“Thank you.”

“Look at you, already being so good at accepting a compliment.”

“Be quiet.” I laughed, shaking my head. “Where are you taking me, anyway?”

Cal looked out the front car window to where there was a bit of a line hanging out of the shop doorway. “I heard about this new club downtown. It’s kind of exclusive and there is supposed to be a great band playing later. Everyone has been raving about it. I know it’s a bit louder than our usual spots.”

“But we’re celebrating,” I finished for him.

He flashed a bright smile. “Exactly. Ready to go in?”

I nodded, pushing my door open and stepping out onto the cool sidewalk.

A light breeze kicked up, ruffling the leaves on the trees and my skirt as we headed towards the front. A few people scoffed as Cal flashed a card for the door, getting right in while everyone else stood outside.

My eyes widened. “How did you do that?”

He shrugged, a little sheepish.

“Pack perks,” he admitted. “Prestford Enterprises doesn’t just own the university around here, but a few hotel chains and clubs in the area.”

“You’re kidding.”

Cal shook his head as we went farther inside.

The club was dark and illuminated by metallic lights. Music already pulsed through speakers by the time we made it past a crowd trying to check their purses. I was glad I thought ahead and didn’t bring mine. Instead, I held my cell phone, which Cal took notice of, offering to slip it into his own pants pocket for me.

“Nope,” said Cal. "I figure to take you out, it wouldn't be such a bad thing to show off a bit."

“And he– your alpha–”

Cal grinned as I stumbled over my words, not jumping in to help. “Yes?”

“He doesn’t mind that you use his name for things like this?” I asked.

Cal thought for a moment. “Nah, not really. So long as it’s nothing really stupid that will come back to haunt us, we take what we can get. Trust me, Daddy Prestford, Demetri’s father, owes us that much after putting us through hell with all the busy work he left for us to take over for the past how many years. Do you want to get a drink first?”

“Sure!” I had to raise my voice over the noise.

Cal led me towards the sparkling bar where people were crowded if they weren’t dancing in the center of the floor, surrounded by other booths pressed into the side walls and corners. The whole place was like a cave with its alcoves.

“What would you like?” Cal waved for the bartender’s attention.

“Um.” I wasn’t much of a drinker. I never really had the opportunity to be. “I’m not sure.”

“Want to try mine first?”

I quickly nodded. After a moment, murmuring too low for me to hear over the music, Cal pulled back over what looked like a soda.

He took a sip before nodding and turning the glass towards me. “Taste.”