Ross settled beside me and held out his hand. They shook, and Ross smiled in a way I could only describe as shy, which was not the man I’m sure Eli was used to seeing on the television screen. “Nice to meet you. I’m a huge fan, Elijah.”
Eli smiled as he released Ross’s hand. “Please, call me Eli. I’ve heard a lot of good things about you.”
I glanced around the club but was relieved to see no one had noticed Ross, or if they did, they were too drunk and involved in their own distractions to care. That’s what I liked about Sinful and Black Out—you could be yourself.
“Definitely not from the media,” Ross said with a teasing lilt to his voice.
Eli laughed. “Well, the media loves drama. I’ve been on the receiving end of their attention, too, you know. Last year I hooked up with an actor’s son at a red-carpet premiere of a Slade Oakley movie. I was a bit character in it as a chef. The paparazzi decreed me a slut who preys on boys.” He rolled his eyes. “Themanin question was twenty-three.”
Ross’s entire body relaxed, and it was the first time recently I’d seen him act this way outside of the house. We’d gone on little excursions during the time he’d been living with me, from having coffee at a café to doing the grocery shopping, and every time he went out he was strung tight. I hated seeing him that way. “They like to paint you with their own brush dipped in shit.”
Eli nodded, his lips pursed. “A bunch of assholes, all of them.” He turned his body toward Ross and took the time to give him a slow once-over.
I froze, a weird sense of jealousy sliding through me even though I knew Eli and Ross weren’t compatible. The simple fact was that Ross was hot, and anyone who didn’t see that was blind. He was gorgeous in his own skin with nothing but an apron on, but in club clothes? He was irresistible. The jeans I’d put him in melded against his strong leg muscles, and the shirt clung to his abs and trim waist. His hair was soft without product, but he never needed any to have those extra gazes pointed in his direction.
“So, you applied for my job,” Eli said. “I got it today.” He sent me wide, innocent eyes, and I had to laugh at the sub solidarity.
Ross winced and glanced at me. I snorted and replied, “You know he didn’t do it when he was supposed to, and you also know he’s in trouble for it.”
“I thought you said he wasn’t allowed out tonight,” Eli said with a smug grin. The bastard knew I couldn’t stay angry at Ross for long. I was a sucker when it came to puppy-dog eyes, and one discussion with Eli about Ross had given away my feelings for him.
“Oh, he’ll still be punished for that.” I curled my arm around Ross’s waist and dragged him against me, almost knocking him off his chair. He smiled and kissed my cheek, and I melted—just a bit.
Eli leaned forward. “I heard Stormy talked to you about what you and he are doing. Domestic discipline.”
Ross sent me a look of betrayal.
I shook my head. “Eli understands, Pookie. He’s into it as well.”
Eli nodded as a confirmation. “I’m a housebitch, Ross. I enjoy taking care of my Dom… if I had one, which at the moment I don’t.”
“Fuck. Really?” He relaxed again and sighed.
“How about I go get us a drink, and you can talk to Eli for a few minutes about it?” I kissed Ross’s cheek. Curiosity was in his face as he shifted closer to Eli. Even though I understood his need to talk to someone else who played like we did, my jealousy etched itself a bit deeper, and I realized I was afraid of losing him. Right now he relied on me for a place to stay and money, but what happened when he got his job? Would he need me?
I shook my head. It was a silly thought. I was Lane Kennedy, also known as the Courtesan Stormy. I had no reason to worry about him leaving me. Ignoring the demonic voice in the back of my head, I sashayed my way to the bar and wedged out a spot for myself to get the bartender’s attention through the crowd. It took longer than it might usually have, but Sinful was packed tonight and there were more people at the bar than normal.
Someone nudged themselves next to me, and I blinked at the guy with a charming smile. “Hi.”
“Hello,” I said shortly, before I turned back to wave at the bartender, who I noticed was Josh, with his bright purple hair and tight mesh shirt. He was such a cutie, and I was glad he was back working here. He’d been gone from Sinful for a while.
“Be with you in a second, Stormy,” Josh yelled with a thumbs-up.
“Stormy. That’s an interesting name,” the stranger said from beside me.
I heaved a sigh and gave him a tight smile. He wasn’t bad-looking, quite the opposite, but he wasn’t my type right now. He might have been once, with that baby face, deep blue eyes, and dimpled cheeks, but no one had snagged my attention since Ross. “Listen, I’m sure you’re a nice guy, but I’m not interested.”
“Not even for some dough?” He reached into his pocket and yanked out a wad of cash, dropping it on the bar.
I stared at the money, past-me peeking his head out for a short moment, before I snorted and pushed the cash back toward him. “I’m not a whore, buddy.”
“He called you Stormy,” the guy said, nodding at Josh, who’d finally made his way toward me. Josh glared at him and leaned over the bar, pointing at the stranger.
“Hey you, you’re not causing trouble, are you? Don’t make me kick you out again.”
Curiosity had me cocking my head at Josh, who held up a hand in a way that signaled he’d tell me all about it later. The flashing lights from the dance floor made his purple hair and young face flicker in the same colors.
“Can I get a gin martini and a scotch on the rocks, please, smoochums?” I said loudly so Josh could hear me over the thumping music.
