Page 46 of Dark Bonds

“Any time.”

I climbed out of her car, grabbed my suitcase, and headed inside. I poured a very generous glass of wine and collapsed on my couch to contemplate my life choices.

* * *

After the spa weekend with Sasha and with Jason becoming such a big part of my life, I had decided that I’d had enough of keeping the two sides of my life separate. Raven was constantly asking why I was too busy to hang out and Sasha had been nagging me about meeting her. I decided that the open house night at the club would be a good intro for her to my world. I honestly believed that, somewhere down deep, there was a part of Raven that wasn’t buttoned into the quiet, boring life she was leading.

Tonight was the night. After getting her into the sexiest clothes I could find, we piled into an uber and headed to the club. We pulled up in front and I could see the uncertainty on her face. I was taking a huge risk bringing her here, but I truly believed she could have a fantastic time so long as she could get out of her own way.

“Are you sure we’re in the right place?” Raven asked.

“Yes, I’m sure. I’ve been here many times. Let’s go.”

I completely bypassed the line, handing two tickets to Thomas, the bouncer. Sasha had given me a spare ticket to avoid raising Raven’s suspicions. He moved the rope aside and motioned us inside. She stopped dead as soon as we got through the doors, causing me to walk right into her. I grabbed her arms to steady her so she didn’t end up falling on her ass. She turned quickly and pulled me aside, pissed as fuck.

“Leah Elizabeth Samson!! I can’t believe you brought me to a sex club,” she hissed.

“Would you have come if I told you?”

“Fuck no, I wouldn’t have.”

“And that’s exactly why I didn’t tell you. Listen, give it an hour. We’ll have a couple of drinks, dance a little, and if you’re still hating it, we’ll leave.”

She scanned the room and, for a moment, I worried that I’d made a serious error in judgment.

“Fine, but you’re buying,” she sighed, rolling her eyes.

I dragged her to the bar and ordered her an apple martini and a Jameson for myself. Her cheeks were on fire as she took in everything going on around us. I was glad I’d brought her on a night where there were limits on nudity, though, with some of the outfits the women were wearing, they were damn close to it anyway.

“What’s going through that head of yours?” I asked cautiously.

“I’m wondering how you found this place for one.”

“Tad brought me here a couple of months ago. As you probably recall, he didn’t last past the first date, but this place intrigued me.”

“Oh my God, this is the club that pretentious asshole brought you to? The one he managed to get himself thrown out of?”

“Yup, this is the one.”

“Have you…”

“Played? Yes, but that’s probably a story for another time. I also dance and watch others play.”

“I don’t think this is for me, Leah.”

“You agreed on an hour and it’s been twenty minutes. Come on, let’s go dance.”

We drained our drinks and I took her hand in mine, pulling her toward the crowded dance floor. After a few minutes, she leaned over to yell in my ear.

“I’m gonna go. Call me tomorrow?”

“Are you sure I can’t convince you to stay?”

“Yeah, you stay and have fun though.”

She kissed me on the cheek and turned to leave. I headed to the bar and ordered myself another drink. I grinned when an arm wrapped around my waist and the familiar scent of leather and sandalwood filled my senses. I tipped my head back and kissed Jason softly.

“Well? How did she react?” he smirked.

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