Page 82 of Tame Me

I raised my eyebrows. “Really? Hmmm. Well, of course, I want children.”

“Okay. If you say so. But just because you’re a woman doesn’t mean you have to be a mother. It’s hard work. It changes your life. They cost a bloody fortune, and it’s not all wonderful.”

“Wow, you know how to make it sound amazing.”

“Just giving you a dose of reality.”

“Can I buy you ladies a drink?” The young man who arrived at the end of our table had to be at least five years younger than us.

Lolly giggled. “You can, but . . .” She flashed her hand, making a point of showing off the enormous rock on her wedding finger.

“She’d love one, though.” She pointed her blue talon at me, and I attempted to kick her under the table.

I smiled up at the blond-haired spunk with the husky voice and dazzling smile. “Thank you, but not today.”

His mouth drooped, and he shrugged. “Okay, but if you change your mind, I’ll be over there.” He pointed at a group of guys who were all looking our way.

Lolita waved, and several of them waved back.

The second the young man left, we started giggling, and as we sipped our Prosecco and the minutes ticked lazily along, I realized just how wonderful it was to have my weekend nights free.

A lovely sense of contentment flowed through me, and it wasn’t just from the alcohol.

When we stood to go, I positioned my bag diagonally across my chest so it sat at my hip. We left the restaurant just after nine-thirty, walked to the main road, and five minutes later caught the tram to Surfers Paradise.

The tram stopped at the Cavill Avenue mall, and when the doors opened our senses were slapped by the buzzing street. We stepped out with the crowd. People were everywhere. Sights, sounds, and smells were all amplified.

It was fantastic, and I felt so alive.

Walking up the mall with my tits hanging out was weird, though, and I was certain every person got a look down my top. Lolita, however, strutted up the mall like she owned the place, and I tried to ease in behind her slipstream, but she hooked her arm into mine, which only opened my top farther.

The entrance to Elsewhere Nightclub was protected by a bouncer who could have given Corben a challenge in the muscle stakes. We paid ten dollars each to the scantily clad brunette behind the counter, Muscle Man stamped our wrists, and we entered through the heavy black curtains.

The nightclub had a trendy, colorful vibe, with concrete pylons and exposed steel beams giving it an industrial feel. The DJ’s music was loud, and the people were louder. Flashing lights aimed at the large wooden dance floor were as vibrant as they were erratic.

Lolita worked her magic and found us a bar table at the side of the dance floor. She instructed me to sit, and then she sashayed her way through the crowd to the bar. I flipped my bag from my hip to rest it on my lap and turned my attention to the people setting up equipment on stage.

My breath caught when I spied Mason. It was like I was destined to see him.

He was in black skinny jeans and a white T-shirt printed with a simple yet striking black and grey picture of a woman with wild flowing hair and parted lips that were contrasted in bright red.

Mason’s hair was styled to give height at the front, and his dark eyeliner matched all the other band members who were setting up with him.

When he picked up his guitar and strummed the strings, I was mesmerized by his concentration. The nightclub was a writhing concoction of rowdy people, flashing lights, and blaring music, yet he looked like he was the only person in the room.

Lolita returned with martini glasses filled with a red liquid, each decorated with a sliver of orange peel. I recognized the drinks as Cosmopolitans, one of the drinks Corben had introduced me to.

We grinned at each other and chinked our glasses, and I sipped the sweet, potent nectar.

I pointed to the stage. “There he is.”

“Oooh, he’s hot.”

“I know.” We had to yell over the noise, yet it was perfect.

The lights dimmed, the music stopped, but the crowd noise didn’t. “This is so cool.” Lolita’s green eyes were wide, showing her enjoyment.

“I know.”

---