Page 2 of Bad Love

“You make it look so appealing,” Nelliedrawls.

But I’m caught on Tanner’s words. “What do youmean?”

“This room has played out the same scene since college. Now Nellie's milking the trust fund from his parents’ hotel business, but his contribution is drinking Patrón and pissing in the pool. And you, Hunt. You take off jet-setting, then come back to work in your family’s business. For your best friend.” The look of challenge on his face tells me it’s not a compliment. “The family must lovethat.”

It’s nearly impossible to score a point off me, but this diglands.

Tanner’s sitting in for Montgomery “Monty” Axelrod, who begged off poker tonight. He’s probably reviewing financial statements or rescuing puppies or whatever Monty does on Monty'stime.

The guy’s the Pippin to my MJ, the J to my PB, the Bey to my Jay-Z…

Okay, maybe not the lastone.

But he’s been my best friend since freshman year. I don’t begrudge that Monty’s the head executive at my family’s brewery. He’s good at the things I’m not, including running a growing business. Which is why my grandmother put him incharge.

“Real estate’s how old men get their kicks between doses of Viagra.” Nellie sits up straighter, reaching for his Yankees cap. “I bought something better. An online sex toystore."

That brings the conversation to a screechinghalt.

"You're going to run it?" Iask.

"Nah. Sell it for parts in ninety days. It’s a tax write-off."

I snort, and they look at me. “It’s impossible to fail at sellingsex.”

“You think you can do better?” Tanner grins. "Neither of you can keep a womanaround."

I lift a brow. "Spoiler alert: it's not a ring they're lookingfor."

Nellie chortles, and Tanner shakes hishead.

I lovewomen.

Not just because I enjoy sex like any red-blooded, twenty-nine-year-old guyshould.

Women see things men don't. They're curious and subtle and fascinating. When I’m with a woman, I show up and make it worth her time. Great meals, reservations at the best restaurants and the hottest clubs. And in bed? That's where shit getsreal.

It's not only a point of pride. It's “Being a Dude 101.” Any straight man worth his salt better figure out what women like and how to give it tothem.

I grew up with strong women. My grandmother started her own company forty years ago and still runs the board. My mother left her corporate gig to shake down execs for donations to a nationalnonprofit.

I respect women. I take pride in giving them what they want. For an hour, a night, aweek.

Guys like Tanner can take care of the long game. Anniversaries, Valentine’s Days, rings,kids.

Because those things come with hard times. I’m not good at hardtimes.

"Fuck Genghis Khan,” I declare, thinking back to our earlier conversation. “I could please ten thousand womentoday."

Tanner shakes his head, incredulous. “That’s logisticallyimpossible.”

But Nellie's eyes narrow. "We could put something onit."

“I haven’t lost a bet in five years.” I count off my fingers. “Thanks to you, I’ve got an eight-foot antique bronze elephant sculpture, a champagne-colored limited edition 4x4, and a named twenty-grand donation to a charitable cause of mychoice.”

“That’s history. My luck’s about to change." Nellie’s expression turns smug. "I’ve got it. Hunter has to sell ten thousand vibrators. From my new company. Hell, I’ll even let you pick whatkind."

I can’t turn down a bet. Call it a weakness, but it’s been in me since I was akid.

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