Keane’s lips curled up.“We’ve always had the same taste inwomen.”
“Which is why all of this makes sense.Let’s grab a drinkand see if we can get close to her.”Garrett stood.
Keane did not.“Garrett, she has a boyfriend.She’s beenholding his hand all night.”
Garrett had gotten good at reading body language.If hewanted to, he likely could have specialized in jury management.He wanted tosay it came from his legal studies and being in courtrooms.It was far morecomplicated than that.It was a skill that helped him survive his childhood.“Iwill bet you two hundred that they’re just friends.”
“How would you know that?”
“If I tell you, I won’t get two hundred dollars.”
Keane’s eyes rolled but he stood up.“I’m not betting twohundred dollars.”
Garrett wouldn’t have taken it anyway.“All right.Watchthem carefully.They are very affectionate, but he hasn’t kissed her once.Noteven come close.I think their affection is actually comfort.Also, if he isher boyfriend, she should probably be told he’s gay.He’s watched every man whowalks in the room, and not merely to see who was here.His eyes linger on thetall, muscular ones.He has a type, and it is not that curvy redhead.”
“He’s attractive,” Keane said and then flushed.
He could see it in an aesthetic way.“I suppose, but he’sstill not into her.Not physically.Let’s get another drink and talk about howto approach her.”
Keane followed him.“What if she’s not into guys?”
“Then I’m going to go cry somewhere because that is the mostgorgeous woman I’ve ever seen.Nicole has excellent taste in friends.”They’dmet Nicole for the first time earlier this evening.He’d met JoshuaBarnes-Fleetwood once in Dallas, but they’d been all about business, and Lucashad done most of the talking.He wondered where the daughter was but hadn’tbeen introduced to her.He could go and ask Lucas, but the man was dancing withhis wife and having a lovely time.He didn’t need to worry about business.
“She really is something,” Keane said as they walked by hertable.She and her friend had been joined by two other ladies who would havedefinitely caught his interest had they not been sitting next to that gloriouswoman.“Hey, she looks like she’s got money.She probably wouldn’t want to hangout with a ranch hand.”
“I wasn’t going to ask her to take us to social events,Keane.I was going to offer her a crazy night in bed with two men who know whatthey’re doing.”He walked up to the bar.“Rye on the rocks, and he’ll have abeer.”
Keane didn’t touch the hard stuff.Just a beer, and nevermore than two or three if the evening was going long.He stayed in control.Always.Garrett understood why, but he also thought it was good to let go everynow and then.
“You’re right.”Keane gave him a sheepish grin.“We leaveFort Worth in the morning and she likely goes home, too.It’s not like we’llsee her again, so she doesn’t need my whole sad story.”
“It’s not sad.”Sometimes his friend couldn’t see thepositive side of things.“It’s a survival story, and you’re still here sothere’s a happy ending.”
“Hasn’t ended yet.”He straightened up.“Oh, her friend iscoming our way, and he looks like a man on a mission.Do you think he’s aboutto hit on you?”
“No idea.”The evening was looking up.He was unashamed toadmit he liked a little drama.As long as no one got hurt.People were weirdand he was here for it.He took the drinks from the bartender and slid a tipinto the jar before turning and handing Keane his beer.His timing was perfect,but then it always was.
Maybe her friend was getting drinks.Maybe he should askabout her.
He didn’t have to.
“Hey, I’m Bobby Farley.I’m good friends with…” He huffed.“Sorry, she asked me not to tell you her name.I think she wants to do thiswhole secretive undercover thing.I don’t understand it entirely, but she’sdefinitely not looking for anything more than a night, and now I realize Ishould have eased into the conversation.”
Oh, he liked the sound of this.Lucas told him that most ofthe people he would meet at the wedding would be in the lifestyle.“No need.Are you here to negotiate a scene?”
Bobby’s eyes widened and then he shrugged slightly.“Well, Ishould have known.I am not her top.I’m a friend.A good friend who will huntyou down and kill you if you hurt her.She needs a wild night, and she knowsmost of the people here.It’s been a rough couple of weeks for her, and shecould use a scene.Are you members of a club?”
“Yes,” Garrett replied with confidence.“We belong toSubversion.We’ve completed all the courses and have Master rights.We’reallowed to attend the Dallas club when we’re there.”
The Austin club had become a second home for them.Theyspent weekends there when they had the time, indulging in D/s and simply beingin a place where it felt like they belonged.
Bobby stared for a moment as though his brain was makingconnections.Or he was nervous about leaving his gorgeous friend with them.
“I was sponsored by Lucas O’Malley if you want to talk tohim,” Garrett offered.
“Well, that makes it weirder.”Bobby shook his head.“Nope.I’m going with it.All right.Yes, let’s talk this out, but again, no names.”
“We are talking about the redhead, right?”Keane asked.“Sorry.I only want to make sure.You could be talking about anyone, and I’llbe honest after seeing her, I don’t want someone else.”
