Page 37 of Employing Patience

“Oh, we will.”

Joey’s tone isn’t concerning at all. He’s up to something, and him being here cannot be a coincidence, but at the end of the night, I’m going home with someone, and he’ll be leaving here solo. If he wants to waste his night on … whatever he’s doing, that’s his problem.

Mack follows me onto the dance floor, looking bewildered and staring at everyone we pass. “It’s been so long since I’ve been out like this,” he says. “Did we used to wear next to nothing at these places?”

“Nope.” I pull him close enough to dance. “We could hardly find a safe place like this, especially not around Kilborough. And we were scared in our twenties. Cautious. We have a lot to be grateful for.”

“I’ll say.”

It takes Mack some time to loosen up and not look like he’s one of those bobblehead dogs people put in cars. Though I’m not convinced the arm-flailing inflatable tube man impression is any better. Hey, if you can’t caution them, join them. Who cares if I look like an idiot if it means saving Mack the embarrassment. It’s his first night out, and I want it to go well. He’s got singledom ahead of him, and he’s not going to meet men sitting in his living room.

To my complete fucking surprise, a man around our age cuts between me and Mack. He’s cute, hair receding a bit, and his sights are set on my friend. My friend who blushes right to his hairline the second this guy sets his hands on Mack’s hips.

That was a thousand times easier than I thought it would be.

I turn and start dancing with a twinkish-looking guy, who leaves to get us drinks and never comes back. I’m approached by a shy man in his twenties, but he’s too innocent-seeming for me. The next guy I walk up to abruptly turns his back on me and leaves, and then a hottie silver fox—after grinding against my leg for a good twenty minutes—mimes he needs the bathroom, then returns with a glass of water that he promptly throws in my face.

“Pig.”

He leaves me standing there, a little damp and a lot confused.

Something strange is going on.

I swipe the water from my face and glance around at some of the amused looks I’m getting. Then I shrug.

“What can I say?” I shout over the music. “My cock wrecked him for other men. Consider this a public service announcement.”

“I like those kinds of announcements,” a gorgeous guy says, stepping close and brushing off the damp spot on my chest.

My interest immediately clicks in. He’s about my height, slightly younger, with the same jaw-length brown hair as Joey, only his is brushed neat rather than looking like an electrified mess. This man is clean-shaven and wearing gold contacts, but … I can work with this.

“Art,” I say.

“I know.” He winds his free hand around my waist. “I’ve seen you around.”

“Not hard when I’ve been around. A lot.”

“So I’ve heard.” He leans in. “Your so-called public service announcement.”

“Just want people to know what they’re getting themselves into.”

“You trying to convince me you’re packing?”

“Nope. My length and girth is a dream, but the thing that will wreck you is that I know how to use them.”

“Oh, really?”

“I’m a master of my tools.”

“I can’t wait to—”

We’re knocked from the side, and I stumble into the people dancing beside me. The guy I was with releases his grip as he spins around, looking pissed as hell and gearing up for a fight. And the split second his attention is off me, arms close around me from behind.

Cheap spray deodorant and bergamot fill my senses as lips press close to my ear.

“Feisty guy you’ve got there.”

“Can’t say I much appreciate being pushed either.”

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