“Thank you,” I say, then join Poppy, sitting beside her. It won’t be a long ride, but it’s plenty of time to remind her how badly she wants me.
“You ready to have some fun tonight?” I ask to kick things off noncombatively. Because God knows it doesn’t take much to provoke my little mouse.
“I’m excited to see the club. We don’t have places like that back home.”
“I’m glad I suggested it, then. You’re in for a treat.”
“I guess a thank you is in order. But I hope you’re not expecting anything in return.” She’s stubborn, but her conviction is lacking.
“Enlighten me, what is it that I’d be expecting, Little Mouse?”
“Don’t play dumb. You know what I mean. You have a one-track mind, and I’m sure you didn’t offer to take me out on the town from the goodness of your heart.”
“The club is full of ready and willing women to choose from. I certainly don’t need to put all my eggs in one basket. Don’t worry, Mouse. If you’re determined to fight your attraction to me, I’ll take my attention elsewhere.”
“Good, you should do that.” She sticks her nose in the air and turns her head to look out the window.
I stealthily move in close and grab her upper thigh, causing her to gasp. In a low voice, I growl into her ear. “I expect nothing from you other than honesty. And I highly doubt you canhonestlytell me you haven’t repeatedly thought of how good I make you feel.” My hand begins to slide up, as her breath begins to quicken. “How hard I make you come.”
She shoves me away and glares in my direction. “That might be all you think about, but I have better things to do with my time.”
She says it with such conviction that she almost has me convinced. Almost.
Justin and Lucy are already upstairs when we arrive. It’s fun to witness the awe written on Poppy’s face from the moment we enter, all the way through the club, to the table we end up at.
I reach out to shake Justin’s hand. “Hey, man, thanks for coming. Lucy, it’s good to see you.”
Justin returns the handshake. “Glad you asked. It’s been a while.”
“I’m so glad we’re hanging out,” Lucy says to Poppy, going in for a girl hug.
“Me too. I’m glad you’re here. Hi, Justin,” Poppy says, then takes a seat in an empty chair.
When we sit down, the waitress comes to take our drink orders. As one of the hottest clubs in the city, they don’t have high turnover, which means Crystal and I are familiar and have used a few of the hidden alcoves.
She immediately steps around the table and embraces me in a hug. To avoid being a jerk, I return the gesture as casually as possible while Poppy watches the encounter with interest.
“Hey, Braden. It’s been a while. Where’ve you been?”
“Work’s been busy, so I’m not out as much.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re here. You want your regular?”
I cringe internally. That could mean a couple of different things if Poppy wasn’t sitting next to me.
“Please. Poppy, what would you like to drink? It’s on the house.” I make a point of asking her, so Crystal takes the hint.
“I’ll have a lemon drop.”
That fits her perfectly.
“Are you guys still good?” Crystal asks Justin and Lucy.
“All good, thanks,” Justin replies.
“Great. I’ll have your drinks right up,” Crystal says, tossing me a wink and walking away.
“Wow…” comes from Poppy when the coast is clear.
