“The bathroom is at the end of the hall, and the towels are in the cabinet under the sink.”
I sit down on the edge of the bed, tired and confused. My attraction to him is even stronger than I imagined it could be after all these years, and I’m not sure what to make of that. This was supposed to be daring and fun. It wasn’t supposed conjure up a bunch of memories and what-ifs.
Reece gazes at me as if he’s cataloging all the ways I’ve changed over the years. Without saying a word, he stalks closer and takes my hand. My nails are polished jet black, my signature color lately, and he looks displeased somehow.
“This is new,” he says at last.
I pull my hand away and nod toward his tattooed arm that I’ve only caught glimpses of. “So is that.”
He nods. “So it is.”
As he studies me with those dark eyes again, I’m unnerved. Things have changed between us. We have changed. And I have no idea if we still fit together. It’s a thought that depresses me.
“Are you sure it’s okay that I’m here?” I ask.
“Of course. You’ll be safe here. I promise. The elevator only works with my key, and I’m the only one with a copy. And I’ll lock the dead bolt to the front door when I leave.”
“No, I just meant I don’t want to complicate things for you.” I hadn’t even thought to ask if he was dating someone.
“Just let me figure some things out, okay?”
I nod, understanding that he’s not going to sidestep Hale this time. We’re both adults now, and even if I’m annoyed, I appreciate that he’s acting like a grown man.
“Get some rest, okay?” He pulls the blankets down on the side of the bed, as if he’s going to tuck me in.
“You can’t stay?” I was kind of hoping we could talk, catch up more.
“It’s one of the busiest nights of the year for the club. I need to make sure everyone stays safe and has fun.”
How responsible of him. I’m not sure what I expected when I showed up here tonight. Part of me hoped we’d drop our pants and hump like bunnies, but to be honest, I like this grown-up, mature adult version of Reece. He’s going to make sure things are right first, pave the way for us before we begin. It already feels more serious than I counted on.
“Okay. I’ll see you later then.”
He leans in toward me and plants a soft kiss on my lips. “Happy New Year, Pancake.”
“Happy New Year.”
The air feels full of new beginnings and promises to explore. Only I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.
Chapter Three
Reece
I must have a death wish, because this lunch is likely to end with my homicide. Hale and I are sitting in our favorite bistro, our food growing cold in front of us.
When Macey strolled so casually back into my life, I was thrown. But only for a moment, because now I have a plan. She wants to play? Fine. I’ll play the game, but this time she’ll be playing by my rules.
Hale seems distracted; he keeps checking his phone for some reason.
“Do you have something going on?” I ask, taking a tentative bite of my sandwich.
He shakes his head. “No, just reading a message from Brielle.” His mouth forms into a silly grin. The bastard.
I sigh, setting my food aside. I never thought I’d see the day Cameron Hale fell in love. I can use this to my advantage. Maybe his softer side will triumph, and he won’t want to kill me when I tell him what I came here to say. Still, I decide to stall, like the pussy I am.
“How are things between you and Brielle? The other night was pretty intense.” I can’t help but remember the way her eyes followed him around the room, as if he was her answer to life’s every question.
“She’s it for me. I’ve been burned in the past, and I know you probably think I’m insane, but I’m going to ask her to marry me.”
Whoa. “Not insane at all. Even a blind man could have seen the love between you two. I’m happy for you. Besides, Brielle is nothing like that super-whore Tara.”
He grunts. He doesn’t like to talk about Tara, but he knows I’m right. They’re worlds apart. Brielle is sweet and thoughtful and kind. Tara only saw Hale as her personal bank account. I’m pretty sure she zeroed in on him when she found out about the trust his parents left him, like a cheetah stalking a gazelle.
“How was the rest of the night? The club was packed,” Hale remarks.
“Yeah, business was great. We made a killing, and new memberships have been pouring in since the event. My office staff is working overtime just to keep up with the demand.”
“Congratulations.” He lifts his water glass to mine.
“Thanks, man.” When I opened this club three years ago, I could have never imagined the success I’ve found. Apparently, sex sells. And well.
We eat in comfortable silence for a few minutes while I contemplate what I came here to talk to him about. Macey. Why am I going to bat for her? Because as much as I hate to admit it, we have unfinished business between us. She left me with the worst blue balls and a broken heart years ago. It’s time to settle the score.
“How’s Macey doing?” I ask, like I don’t know firsthand.
She’s been back for two days, already hunting for an apartment in the city. I think she planned to stay with her brother, but given that he has a roommate, and I’m guessing he’s going to be moving on to live with Brielle soon, it’s left Macey to fend for herself. Not that she minds. She’s a tough cookie.
“How did you know she was back?” he asks with a stunned look on his face.
Shit.
I definitely can’t tell him she’s been staying in my guest room for the past two nights. She left this morning to go look at apartments and secondhand furniture with her nana.
“She came by the club.”
“What? When?”
I take a deep breath, working up the courage for what I’m about to tell him. “New Year’s Eve.”
“Seriously? Why didn’t you tell me? How did she even know about the club?”
“She said when she got into town and you weren’t home, she Googled me, and that’s what came up. Remember when security called me that night to meet up with a woman who was asking for me?”
“Holy shit. That was when you were helping me with Brielle.”
I nod. “Yeah, I know.”
“So, what the fuck happened?”
My gut twists painfully. Dammit. Food was a bad idea. I should have thought this through. I’m about to tell her damn brother that she came in demanding sex. This is not my finest moment.
“She’s just come off a bad breakup, as you know, and she wants . . .” My voice cracks and I cough, clearing my throat.
“She wants what?” Hale’s eyes narrow on mine, etching lines across his forehead.
I force some confidence into my voice, standing my ground. She’s an adult now, I remind myself. “She wants to experience BDSM.”
“The fuck she does.” The vein in his neck throbs as realization crosses his features. “And what, I suppose you’re going to train her?” He barks out a laugh, but there’s no humor in his tone.
I say nothing, but I meet his eyes and tip my head.
Hale tenses, lowering his voice to a dangerous tone. “There’s no fucking way. She’s a good girl, Reece. She—just no. Absolutely no. My answer is no.”
“She wants to learn, Hale. She’s eager.”
“For the fuck of fuck. Don’t tell me how eager my little sister is. You realize I’m three seconds away from punching you in the crotch, yes?”
“What if I showed her . . . without sexual contact?”