Page 10 of Flirt Away

He inhaled sharply, trying to regain his composure.

Dixie slipped her hand from his and raised her fingers to her lips. Her tongue darted out of her mouth and licked.

“Good Lord, woman. You’re going to be the death of me.”

She jerked her head and stared at him with a slackened jaw. Her green eyes grew wide with the kind of shock that came with fear.

And maybe regret.

Fuck.

“I’ve got to go,” she said as she stumbled from the table. “Sorry.”

“Wait.” He went to stand up and then remembered that wouldn’t be a good idea. “Dixie. Don’t leave like this.” He fumbled with his pants as the beautiful redhead in the yellow dress raced out of the room. “Dixie,” he called as he jumped up from the table and made a beeline for the entrance.

But by the time he got to the parking lot, all he saw was brake lights.

Shit.

Not only would his boss have his head, but Crystal would probably give him an earful.

Worse, he’d just freaked out the woman of his dreams.

4

Zane opened the door and frowned. “Not that I don’t love spending time with Reid, but I thought you were coming alone.” He stepped to the side and let his cousin and her husband through the door.

“You said you needed relationship advice and he’s the expert on that. Not me.”

“That’s not what I said.” Zane shook his head as he made his way back to his kitchen and opened the fridge, pulling out a couple of beers. He handed one to Reid before offering Darcie water.

“Doesn’t matter. He’s better at matters of the heart.” Darcie climbed up on the stool at the island in the center of his kitchen. “Besides, it’s date night, and before we know it, we’re going to be tied to a baby. When we’re done here, we’re going out to eat.”

“You could have declined,” Zane said.

“That’s what I told her.” Reid held up his beverage and clanked it against Zane’s. “But she was insistent. Something about wanting to know what you fucked up so royally.”

Zane wished Crystal had been available, but she had plans. He’d texted with her a little bit about the situation, leaving out most of the details and all she had to say about it was:Ask her out. Just do it. Don’t stress over whatever happened at the club. I’m sure the two of you can have a nice dinner and work it out.

If Crystal only knew the dirty details.

Zane leaned against the counter by the sink. He needed advice and Darcie and Reid could provide some, even with limited knowledge. “What I’m about to share, you have to promise will stay between the three of us.”

“I won’t breathe a word to anyone,” Darcie said.

“We don’t know each other that well, but you can trust me.” Reid nodded.

Zane chugged his beer. He couldn’t mention Crystal because he had no idea if Reid knew she and her husband were members. Most likely, he did, but just in case, it was best if Zane kept names out of it. “So a friend offered to set me up on a date, only the girl in question decided on taking a tour of Club Allure instead of going out with me.”

“Maybe the girl in question wanted to know if you were into all the sex stuff at the club over being into a monogamous relationship.” Reid arched a brow.

That was a good point and one that Zane had considered over and over again. But if that were the case, he didn’t want to be involved with her. He’d had enough of women who were into games. He wasn’t a member of the club. He worked there. He didn’t play there.

Until the other day.

“I can’t be involved with any members or potential members. So, this lady is hands off, only her hands were all over me and I didn’t stop her,” Zane admitted, holding up a hand to keep Darcie from interrupting him. “It’s not what happened that I’m concerned about at this juncture, but the fact she’s not responding to my texts or calls. She ran out of the club right after and hasn’t spoken to me since.”

“Wow. That’s brutal,” Reid said.

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