“So,” he says. “That was kind of awkward, but at least we know your parents like me.”
I burst out laughing at the sheepish look on his face, and all of the awkwardness falls away. To my surprise, it stays that way for the rest of our evening. I tease Ash about my dad threatening him with bodily harm at their next meeting, and he makes a point of calling me “Bean” while we wait for our entrées. By the time the bill comes, we’ve developed an easy banter that feels nice to have with someone who isn’t Mal or Dominic—even though that lasted for all of two seconds.
Don’t think about him.
Ash takes care of the bill and then offers me his hand. I take it and try to ignore the glaring absence of electricity between us. His grip is firm and comfortable, and it’sniceto hold his hand, but it’s not exactly stimulating. There’s an attraction there but no real heat between us. No fire in my belly. No pinpricks of awareness skating across my skin. And when helets my hand go to give the ticket to the valet, I don’t mourn the loss of his warmth.
God, how I wish I did.
“Are you up for a nightcap?” Ash asks, his eyes slipping over my body.
It’s the third time I’ve caught him checking me out. I know I should feel flattered, but it feels a little awkward having his eyes on me. I mean, I appreciate his appreciation. After all, I bought this dress just for tonight, so it feels good to know he likes what he sees. But something is just…missing. Like the final piece of the puzzle that is my desire is lingering at the edges of my brain, waiting to be clicked into place.
Maybe it’s just the awkwardness of the first date, or the whole running into my parents thing, that’s holding it at bay. Maybe we just need a change of scenery, something more intimate and freeing than the stuffy scene of the restaurant.
Ash waits patiently for my answer, and fire or not, I can appreciate a man who knows when to talk and when to listen. That in and of itself wins him a little bit more of my time tonight. Time to get used to his eyes on me and maybe, just maybe, have the last piece of the puzzle click into place.
Please, God.
“A nightcap sounds good, and I know the perfect place.”
***
“This place is nice. How’d you hear about it again?”
Ash’s lips brush my ear ever so slightly as we look out at the packed dance floor of Reign. Being inside a nightclub after what happened a few weeks ago was a little off-putting at first, but I figured if I was facing my dating fears with Ash, I might as well kill two birds with one stone. Plus, being here with a date has me feeling marginally safer.
He’s standing close to me, one arm draped on the bar behind my back while I scan the crowd for Mal. I texted her to let her know Ash and I would be joining her, but she hasn’t responded yet. Searching for her is proving to be a pointless task because she could be anywhere in the thick crowd on the first floor, where Ash and I stand, or living it up in one of the private booths on the second.
I turn toward him and lean close. “Mal told me about it. She said she was coming here tonight with a few of our friends.”
That’s not exactly the truth. Mal didn’t say who she was coming out with, but I’m sure I’ll know whoever it is. It’s probably just a few girls from work or one of her many sorority sisters. Hopefully, she isn’t on a date.
“Ahh.” Ash nods like I’ve just cleared something up for him. “And you wanted to round out the evening by putting me on the chopping block for your friends. Got it.”
“What? No, I—”
“It’s fine.It’s fine.” He wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me to him. “This will be the first time I’ve ever met the parentsandthe friends all in the same night, but I’m game.” He smiles down at me, warmth and playfulness shining in his eyes, and I can’t help but smile back. My breasts are pressed into his chest, and he gives them a cursory glance before homing in on my lips.
Then he’s leaning forward, and I know he’s going to kiss me.
Maybe,my heart screams, hoping against all hope for sparks, fireworks, or something in between.Maybe,my soul whispers as my eyes fall shut, because that’s what they’re supposed to do when a handsome man is about to kiss you.
“Sloane.”
The voice comes from behind me, and I would know it anywhere—the raspy, dark lilt that hasn’t spoken my name in days but promises me pleasure and all-consuming desire every night in my dreams. Excepttonight it’s different somehow, laced with thinly veiled anger and the promise of danger.
Dominic.
I open my eyes and turn my head, trying to locate him in the group of patrons ordering drinks at the bar. It only takes a second. Our eyes meet at the exact moment that Ash’s lips collide with my cheek. His eyes are still closed, and they pop open suddenly, surprised at missing their mark. I catch all of this out the corner of my eye because the majority of attention is on Dominic, who’s now standing in front of us with murder in his eyes.
“Uh, Sloane. Do you know this guy?” Ash asks, clearly put out by the apparent stranger interrupting us.
“Dominic,” I murmur, still in shock at his sudden appearance. Both men look at me, probably wondering why I’m whispering in the middle of a loud-ass club, and I clear my throat before trying again. “Ash, this is Dominic Alexander. Dominic this is Ash Strickland.”
Shit.Why is introducing my date to Dominic more awkward than him meeting my parents? Ash steps forward and holds a hand out to Dominic. He’s a few inches shorter than him, so he has to tilt his head back a little look him in the eye.
“Nice to meet you, man.”
