Page 122 of Exposed

“Is there a lion in here somewhere?” I whispered. “I overheard Tanner talking to his animal guy earlier.”

“Honestly? Probably. He’d never heard of prom before. Can you believe that?”

“No promandno TV growing up? Is he really religious or something?”

“I don’t think so. One time Nigel mentioned that Tanner was at worship. But Nigel confessed that he was lying about the whole thing.”

There was another roaring noise as we made our way up the stairs.

“Huh,” I said. “Well, we should have brought Jacob then, he loves the zoo.”

“But it’s a sex club.”

I laughed. “I wasn’t sure if everyone was joking or not. So like…what do you think normally happens here on Fridays?”

Matt smiled down at me. “Why do you ask? Do you want to find out?”

“Doyouwant to find out?”

“I asked you first, baby.”

I focused on the velvety red carpet on the staircase before looking up at him. “I really liked what we did in the shower the other night,” I whispered. I liked when he told me what to do. When he told me exactly what he wanted. When he was rough with me. “And after we walked in on Bee and Mason tonight, she kind of eluded to the fact that it was a Caldwell thing.”

He raised his eyebrow at me.

“Is that true?” I asked. “Would you like tying me up?”

We stopped at the top of the staircase and he leaned forward to whisper in my ear. His breath was hot and my heart was still racing from being scared.

“I would love nothing more than to tie you up and have you completely at my mercy,” he whispered.

Jesus.

“If you wanted to try that, that is. And judging by the way you’re clinging to me…that’s a yes.”

I laughed and pressed my lips against his. “I think I’d like to give it a try.” I didn’t just think it. I wanted it right this second. The last time I’d seen Matt in a tux was at homecoming our sophomore year of high school. He’d looked handsome then. But he hadn’t filled out a tux the way he did now.

“I suddenly wish I’d just brought you here on a normal Friday night.”

I shoved his shoulder. “No. I wanted this. Maybe you’ll get lucky later.” I turned to see where the stairs had led. It seemed like we were in the heart of the club now. Everything was all gold, and leather, and wood, just like the foyer. It oozed wealth. And the balloons and streamers in Empire High blue and orange didn’t fit the atmosphere at all. But I loved it. All of it. Even the cages of lions in the corners somehow worked.

There was a squawking noise and I looked up. Were those eagles? I had no idea how Tanner had gotten those. I was pretty sure they were endangered, but extra props to him for getting our mascot.

The place was absolutely packed. I was pretty sure we were the last ones to arrive. Who were all these people? As far as I could see, everyone was wearing clothes. It was all fancy dresses and expensive tuxedos. There were numbered tables set up for a fancy dinner, but there also seemed to be some games and things set up in the corners. Wait, was that a ball pit back there? I smiled. It was kind of like if prom collided with the after prom party in the best way possible.

“This is amazing,” I said.

“Eh.” Rob shrugged. “He did okay.”

“Young Robert,” Tanner said. “I almost forgot that you were invited. But Daphne, you look amazing in the dress that I picked out to perfectly hug every single one of your curves. And you’re welcome here any time.”

Young Robert?I was pretty sure Tanner was the same age as us, if not a little younger.

“Thank you.” Daphne kissed his cheek.

Rob glared at Tanner. “Of course I’m here. Because I’m Matt’s best friend. I bet I was the first person he invited. And don’t hit on my wife, Tanner.”

That was very ironic the Rob was upset with Tanner about inappropriate flirting. Since he hit on pretty much every woman in his friend group.

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