Page 19 of Interview with a Sadist
Nolan glares at Ethan, shaking his head. “You’re doing too much. It’s not that serious.”
“Whatever bro, I was there,” Ethan fires back. “And I’m telling you now, if I wasn’t married and you were gay, I would've been all over you, too. That shit was like watching a god descend from the heavens to put on a show of true Dominance. We’ve known each other for years, and even I was shook.”
My eyebrows nearly rise to my hairline. “Wow. That’s quite the reputation.”
“What Ethan isn’t telling you, is that he and I have been best friends for a long time,” Nolan says. “I was his best man when he married Jackson, and I refused to open the club if he wasn't my partner. So, he’s obligated to think highly of me.”
“Bitch, please,” Ethan replies behind a scoff, and the two of them chuckle together before Ethan adds, “So, are you the new lady in his life?”
Nolan glares at Ethan again, but quickly says, “No. This is Bree Barrett. She’s a journalist from the Philly Inquirer. They’re running a story about me and the club, and I figured I better give them an interview so they don't crucify me in the story. So, she’s here to learn.”
Nolan looks at me, and I see Ethan staring at him with a combination of a smirk and frown on his face at the same time. Ethan’s eyes narrow as he tilts his head to the side, seeing something in Nolan only a best friend would notice.
“Is that right, Nolan?” Ethan asks, and Nolan cuts his eyes over to him.
“Of course,” he answers, and maybe I’m distracted by the colorful lights and loud music, but his words don't carry any weight. He barely even sounds serious, and the smile on Ethan’s face doesn't help.
“Okay,” Ethan replies, before erasing all traces of incredulousness from his face. “So, can I get you two something to drink?”
“Yeah, the usual for me, E,” Nolan says, gaining a nod from Ethan.
“What’s the usual?” I ask.
“Cristal,” Nolan answers. “Do you drink Cristal?”
“I’ve never had it before.”
“Hmm. Perfect night to try something new,” Nolan says, and the look in his eyes pins me to the seat. Is he talking about the drink?
Ethan pours two glasses of the expensive champagne, sliding them over to us before setting the rest of the bottle in an ice bucket. Nolan grabs his glass and holds it in front of me, waiting for me to lift mine.
“Oh, are we toasting?” I ask, picking my glass up.
“We have to,” Nolan answers. “To new friendships and experiences.”
We lock eyes as we clink our glasses together, and they remain locked as we sip at the same time. Nolan’s eyes simply call out to me and I have such a hard time ignoring them. Coupled with his natural charisma and the reverence he carries in this club, he’s the sun, forcing me into his orbit.
I shouldn't be drinking. This goes against the mantra I kept chanting in my head before I left my apartment, yet here I am with a full glass and a strong desire to do whatever Nolan asks. Even though I know I should stop, I don't. I keep looking at him, wondering what lies beneath the surface of this gorgeous human being, and my mind quickly veers off course, forgetting all about the story I’m supposed to be interviewing him for.
“So, Miss Barrett,” Nolan starts, and I cut him off, shaking my head.
“You have to stop calling me that,” I joke, before sipping the delicious champagne again.
“You don't like being called Miss Barrett?”
“My name is Bree. Seriously, just call me Bree. I know this is supposed to be business and all, but my first name will do just fine.”
“Understood,” Nolan says, and I nod my approval. “So, Bree, what all did Maddy show you before I found you?”
My mind quickly replays images of the rooms in the first hall, and I can feel the warmth in my cheeks making my blush.
“Oh, there was, umm … a few rooms by the entrance,” I start, trying not to give away the thoughts and emotions caused by seeing it all, but Nolan notices my hesitance and pounces.
“Did you look inside?” he asks.
“Umm, yeah. Sure,” I say, giving it everything I’ve got to sound aloof.
“What did you see?”
