Page 2 of Training His Pet

“I’m not avoiding anything,” Dax countered, swinging his eyes over the crowd toward the entrance.

Robert, the bouncer, was shaking his head and pointing back at the door. Dax leaned closer to the glass to see who he was rejecting entrance.

“It’s been years. Come on back up here. You’ll have a good time,” Trevor pushed.

“I’m sure I would, man, but I’m not looking for a good time right now.” Dax watched the woman being denied entrance pointing toward the bar, but Robert blocked her way when she tried to step inside. “How’s the wife?”

“You could see for yourself if you came up here,” Trevor pressed.

Dax laughed. “Man, you’re like a teenage girl. What’s so important about me coming up there? You bored?”

“With Addison around? Never. It’s just, well, I know this time of year is, well, shitty for you.”

Dax pulled away from the window, satisfied Robert had the trouble under control.

“It’s just another summer day, Trevor.” Dax rounded the desk and flipped the security system into view on the desktop.

“Yeah. Right. Well, if you change your mind, invite’s open. Any cabin you want.” Trevor’s voice flattened. He’d finally realized it was a losing battle.

Dax put a lot of energy into ignoring the dates on the calendar during this time of year. Running up to Michigan wasn’t any better than burying himself with work in Chicago. But at least when he kept busy with the club there came a sense of accomplishment and not a longing for something he would never have. And going up to the resort would show him what he’d lost, and what he wouldn’t find again.

“Got it, man. Thanks.” Dax sank into the chair and pulled up the feed from the front door. The woman who’d been arguing with Robert a few minutes ago stood outside the club watching the door.

Calculating. She wasn’t done attempting entrance.

Chapter Two

Erika slammed her apartmentdoor and threw her purse on the couch. The evening had been a complete waste of time.

Velvet was locked down tight to outsiders, and until she had a contact to help her, she’d never see the inside. Joey Persuccio had walked in minutes before she’d gotten to the front of the line, and she only wanted to watch him in his habitat. But the damn bouncer wouldn’t let her through. She wasn’t on the list.

Erika had gotten into more exclusive clubs than Velvet, and she’d get into this one as well. Her story depended on it.

Flicking on her computer, she popped open a bottle of beer and sipped while reading the first email. Her cousin had sent another list of apartments for rent in her town.

“Delete.” Erika clicked the mouse. Living in the burbs wasn’t for her. She liked the city. The rough edges, the corruption, the crime running amok—it all made for great headlines. And that’s what she needed. A solid headline. Something to get her off page fifteen and into a permanent column.

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