Page 73 of Obey

Paige accepts the hoodie from the man, who seems to sense something’s off and nods, turning to leave without another word. “Thanks, Archer!” Paige calls to his retreating back.

Everyone laughs, except Jagger, whose hand tightens around my waist. “I hate my friends.”

“I don’t. I like them all already. Maybe even more than I like you, Grandmaster Thunderpants. Let’s go sit with them so I can hear all the dirt on you.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

JAGGER

The urge to follow Archer down to the dungeon, and rip his arms off his body is strong. I know he has nothing to do with any of this, from how quickly his face paled it was clear it was Paige’s idea of a joke. But still.

Talia slips into the hoodie as she walks, which somehow, she pulls off. Why an accident-prone woman would compromise her vision by putting a sweater on while in movement is anyone’s guess, but I supposed that’s just Talia.

We all sit around a table, except Slade who disappears behind the bar and comes back with non-alcoholic champagne. As far as I know the girls all plan to play downstairs later, so we’re sticking to the safe stuff.

Half-Pint pulls her legs up under the hoodie on the chair. She looks like she’s ready for a movie and chill, not to sit and sip expensive non-alcoholic champagne in a kink club, but she makes it work. Though the strain on her face, and how she keeps flicking her eyes around the space suggests she’s not comfortable.

It’s probably less to do with what she’s wearing and more to do with the fact she’s in an open kink club.

Taking the spare seat next to Paige, Slade offers Talia a glass. “You want to share where you two met?”

Paige gets up from her chair, circles the table, and grabs a seat from another table to sit as far away from Slade as she can.

“Don’t mind her,” He says to Talia with a charming smile. “She loves me, she just won’t admit it to herself.”

Talia glances at Paige’s eat-glass-and-die facial expression and giggles. “I can totally see that. That’s how I look at people I love all the time.” She tips her glass to him before she takes a sip, her nose wrinkling at the bubbles. “The girls already know how we met. It’ll be boring for them to hear it a second time.”

Addison, Paige, and Kenzie object and encourage her to share our story with Slade. She recalls it in vivid detail and her hands move expressively as she speaks. The bar only has a couple of people dotted around, downstairs is probably busier, but we’ve been talking about bringing in some demonstrations for Tuesday nights to liven the place up a little.

I can’t take my eyes off my girl, though. She has captivated my friends. They’re leaning forward, asking probing questions, and laughing like she’s been here for years. Fuck, she fits in with my social circle even better than I do.

I shouldn’t be surprised, she is clearly a witch. She manages to bring people under her spell before they even realize she’s trying.

Slade being Slade, asks Talia about her kink experience. If the lighting wasn’t bar-dim level, they’d see the blush I know is creeping up her neck and into her cheeks.

Paige attempts to kick him under the table even though she moved. “Don’t.” She holds up her hand. “You don’t have to answer that, Talia. He should know better.”

If dirty looks could light shit on fire, we’d need the fire extinguisher in here.

Slade holds his hands up, palms facing Talia. “She’s right, you don’t have to. I was just making conversation.”

Paige tuts. “Being a nosy fucker you mean.”

Slade leans forward. “If you wanted to share though, we’re a safe space.” He gestures to the women around the table.

“Weare a safe space.” Paige points to Addison and Kenzie. “You’re a dick.”

“I could be your dick if you stopped fighting me, Paige.”

Talia’s head bounces between Paige and Slade as they throw shade at each other. I’d forgotten this is her first rodeo with them because of how comfortable she is here.

Deciding she’s too far away, I pick her up and plant her on my lap. I expected a fight, and warmth blossoms in my chest when she snuggles in.

“I feel like you need context here, Half-Pint.”

Paige and Slade are spitting venom at each other across the table. Addison and Kenzie are sipping their drinks and chattering like nothing’s happening.

“They love to hate each other.”

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