Page 54 of Savage Bosses

“It seems we have a winner,” my boyfriend cheered.

A rollercoaster of emotions bombarded me. I wanted to contradict Dax’s claim, but he knew me too well and I hadn’t mastered lying.

“He looks like a Den member,” he said with a note of delight in his tone.

What did that matter? I frowned. I expected his first reaction would be about my comfort or even to verify that the man sparked my interest. But Dax’s only interest was in stroking his ego and possibly finding an ‘in’ to visit the establishment again.

I watched as the newcomer bid farewell to his friend, pressing his black card into his friend’s hand before turning towards the minibar by himself.

“Go ahead, Zo.” Dax squeezed my waist.

I’d rehearsed this moment before the mirror so many times, but approaching a man… approaching him for sex so Dax could watch was a different matter. Sweat prickled my palms and my tongue was suddenly heavy in my mouth. I swallowed against the dryness. “Don’t you think it’s best to find someone or a couple that’s just visiting?”

“Getting an invitation wasn’t easy, Zo.”

“I’m just—”

“You know how long we had to wait for the fucking testing to come back clean before tonight was even a possibility.”

“I’m just saying—”

“I thought you wanted this?”

I exhaled. “I do.” Tonight wasn’t just about me, I repeated. It was an opportunity to get closer to the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I turned in Dax’s lap, brushing my lips against his. I wanted this intimacy before I left. But Dax didn’t lean into me. He didn't return my kiss.

“If we kiss, Zo, you’ll smear your lipstick and I want you perfect for him.”

I nodded hesitantly before I righted myself. As the night went on, it became harder to ignore the space widening between Dax and me and the adventure we were supposed to share. He wouldn’t let me touch him and he wouldn't accept my kiss. A kiss I desperately needed before leaping into the unknown.

“Don’t forget my requirements, Zo.”

“No anal, and you want to watch.”

Dax nodded.

“What if — if he’s a member like you say, what if he already has a partner?” That was the question I voiced, but being rejected was a possibility that didn't occur to me until now.

Everyone had a type they were attracted to.

I liked the person I saw in the mirror, even on days I was not confident. After all, my mother always said confidence could be gained. At ten, I didn’t know what she meant, but I remembered her being put together. Lord knew I’d hyped myself up enough to feel spectacular. What I knew of makeup, and how to pair clothing and shoes, came from online tutorials and my best friend.

Still, my confidence wavered. I hadn’t chosen these shoes or my outfit. While the dress was revealing and sexy, it lacked class and the elegance I adored in my clothing.

“He’d be a fool to ignore you.” Dax kissed my knuckles. “Now go before another woman catches his eye.”

I stood on shaky legs, gripping my clutch, and ran my palm down the side of my dress before taking the first steps in the newcomer’s direction.

CHAPTER 2

Anik

“I

didn’t think you’d come to me.”

From the time I spotted this woman, I wondered what type of seductress she’d be. Distant flirter, shy, or bold. I knew bloody well, her approaching the bar didn’t make her bold just as her death grip on her purse didn’t mean she was shy.

I set my drink on the bar and faced the woman who’d snared my attention the moment I entered the basement. Now that she was standing, I let my eyes appreciate her beauty. Her white fishnet glided across her curves, from her breasts—they were the perfect size to fill and overflow my hands—to her waist and the generous flare of her hips. The dress stopped at her knees and a split over her right thigh revealed more of her tantalizing brown skin. Her red shoes elevated her height so we were almost toe to toe. She was still shorter than my six feet two inches, but I’d be a fool not to appreciate her long legs in heels. And I was no fool.

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