Page 14 of Tied

Which just makes him sexier than fuck.

Still out of range, but hot. Unfortunately, that little ring sitting on his hand makes him unattainable. I’ve promised myself after various failed relationships where my heart was trampled, my ass beat, my soul crushed, and my decision-making paradigm in jeopardy, I’m now uber selective in my partners. So I avoid that ‘are you gay’ conversation altogether.

As silence wins out for the next two blocks, and with the traffic finally moving, the taxi closes in on the club.

As it pulls up to the curb, Chris pulls out the cash faster than I can blink.

“You weren’t expected to pay after taking me out, were you?” he says with a smile.

Slightly shocked by the blatant hit-on comment, I respond with, “I’m not taking you out. Troy felt you could appreciate the club and that you needed an in. I can quite easily leave you on the street to head in on my own. Or go home and forget you, Mr. Rock.”

“Chris. It’s Chris, Tyler.” Taking the change from the driver, he pops the door open with an electric grin.

“Well, thank you. But I could’ve paid my own way.”

Stepping out and walking straight to the door with my spine straight and an air of fuck you, I head straight to the bouncer.

“Charlie,” I greet. “They in tonight?”

“Came in not long ago, Ty. He took his spar partner to the mat. He’s on a high.” Looking over my shoulder, Charlie narrows his eyes on the man behind me.

“He with you?”

Slumping slightly, I have an overwhelming urge to say no. Taking a deep breath, narrowing my gaze and sucking up those tiny man balls of mine, I look behind me. Instantly, I’m shocked by what I see. Grinning, wide—Cheshire wide—showcasing his perfect teeth with a smile that reaches every corner of his face, the Governor steps up to Charlie. “Hi, I’m Chris. Nice to meet you. Tyler was nice enough to direct me here.”

Quirking a brow at his schoolgirl giddiness, I find his attitude is light. Almost comically insane. Huffing out a sigh, I resign myself to the idea that he’s following me into Dangereux. “He’s with me. Thanks, Charlie.”

Charlie’s shocked and challenging look makes me think twice about what I’d said. Which it should. I come here alone, I have for years, and as I’m waiting for Charlie to break out of his trance, he finally pulls the door open for the club.

“Your funeral, his heart attack. Have fun, gentlemen,” Charlie says, grinning.

“Fuck me,” I mutter, standing to the side.

Stepping up the stairs with a lightness, Chris stops beside me. Training his sights, his eyes lock on mine. “If you’re up for it, Tyler,” he purrs before turning to hold the door. “After you.”

Releasing the door, he enters haughtily. I’m not sure how bad I’ll make my friend pay for this. Brunch won’t even cover it. Troy will pay dearly.

Damn, this was a bad idea.

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