Page 63 of Tempt

“Good.”

“Okay.” He shrugs. “I’ll set it up. Zeke’s a good guy. His wife is one of my favourite people in this world, but she doesn’t care for my mixed-company parties. Zeke doesn’t usually come, either, but I wanted him to meet someone.”

“Who?”

Alex shakes his head. “That’s not for me to share.” He crosses to an oversized apothecary chest against the far wall, unlocks it, and pulls a business card from a drawer. “Here. This is a pass for two to a VIP night. Each weekend, one night is open to the public, and one night is reserved for people with that card. It’s a different vibe. Zeke and Caro are committed to being public facing and educating people on doing kink safely, responsibly, but it’s better when you know nobody is there to gawk.”

I take it and thank him. “Hazel wanted to go to the public night.”

“They’re fun, too. But these nights are better.”

“Do you…go to them?”

“Rarely. You won’t see me there, don’t worry. I put the silent in silent partner. I only show up when summoned by Caro.”

I nod. “Hey, another question. For research purposes. Do you have any preferred websites or books about rope stuff?”

The next nightI’m on the phone with Hazel when there’s a knock at my apartment door. Since only a handful of people can get past the doorman without a call up to me, I open it while I’m still talking.

It’s Grace, and I wave her in.Hazel, I mouth as I point to the phone. She has a takeout bag in her hand, and she waves it toward the kitchen.

Belatedly, I realize I left the VIP card for The Wheelhouse on the counter in there, and I race after her.

In my ear, Hazel is talking about other home improvement projects we could do together, and I have to cut her off. “Sweetheart, I need to go. I’ll call you right back.”

“Sure. Is everything okay?”

I look at Grace, holding the card, and groan. “Yep, totally fine. It’s just Grace nosing in my private business. Give me five minutes to kick her out and then I’m all yours again.”

Grace is laughing at me as I put the phone on the counter where the card just was. “You didn’t need to end the call on my account.”

“What are you doing here?”

“Feeding you.”

“I have food.”

“Feeding myself in your presence because Luke is working late, and I was lonely, then.”

“Ah.” I glance at the phone.

“Call her back. I don’t care if you’re busy, I just like the hum of another person in my space.”

I frown.

Grace doesn’t notice. She’s still chuckling at the card. “The Wheelhouse, eh? I wouldn’t have pegged you for the type.”

“You can’t do this,” I burst out.

She drops the card, startled.

“I know you mean well, and I love you for it, but…I was talking to my girlfriend. That card…is because I want to go there with my girlfriend. You can’t just waltz into my house and make this awkward for me!”

She takes a step back, then nods. “Of course.”

“Grace…”

“No, I get it. I’ll take my food and go to the studio instead. There are usually people there all night.”

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