Page 23 of Safe and Sound

Tilting his head, Dare surmised me. “From the looks of it, our conversation has you needing a drink even more than before.”

“That’s very perceptive of you.”

“Turned on or off?”

“Excuse me?”

“By the sex club talk? I mean, I’m pretty sure hearing my brothers were banging their wives was a buzzkill.”

Waving my hand dismissively, I replied, “I’m not one to judge.”

“So you wouldn’t judge me if I said I’d been to Inferno many, many times.”

I shook my head. “What you, or anyone else for that matter, does in their private life is only their business. If you enjoy getting freaky in a sex club, more power to you.”

Dare’s eyes rolled back in exaggerated bliss. “Man, I am so glad I rescued you tonight.”

“Once again, I had it covered.”

“I know. I just love to see you all riled up. Especially the way your tits bounce in your dress when you heave out your frustrations.”

“You are impossible.”

“Impossible sexy.”

“Impossible infuriating,” I shot back!

“I’ve heard that one before.”

Placing my hand on his shoulder, I said, “Come on. I think your impossible ego needs a drink to cool off.”

Once I had a mojito and Dare had an Irish whiskey I’d never heard of, we made our way to find somewhere to sit. As we started into a dimly lit corner, a couple immediately vacated their chairs and snatched up their drinks at the sight of Dare.

“Intimidating.”

“Excuse me?”

“I’m going to add that to my repertoire of words to describe you. Intimidating.”

“What makes you say that?”

“Um, did you just miss that couple practically running away from this table because you were coming?”

He shrugged. “Must’ve missed it.”

“Or you’re so used to people cowering in your presence because you’re the big, bad club owner.”

Dare snickered. “Now there’s one I haven’t been called before.”

“I’m serious.”

“Fine. I suppose I am used to special treatment.”

“I’m glad you could admit it.”

“I’ve got Pretty Privilege too,” he joked.

“Of course you do.”

---