"So it will be a nice payday."
He nods. "Even as the opening act." His expression shifts to a playful challenge. "Maybe I'll count as rich then."
I have to laugh. "You're hot and rich."
"And talented."
And good in bed.
Joel chuckles. "If you keep looking at me like that, I'll have no choice but to bring out Dirty Bella."
"She's not going to come out when I'm sober."
"She's going to come." He chuckles. "Fuck, that was bad. But you know, my dad, when he taught me to play basketball, every time I missed a shot, he'd look me in the eyes and say, 'son, you miss one hundred percent of the shots you don't take.'"
"He sounds wise."
"In some ways." He gives me a long once over, his gaze settling on my chest. "You keep distracting me."
"Don't blame my boobs."
"It's a compliment."
"Still."
He brings his gaze back to my eyes. "What the fuck were we talking about?"
"You're good in bed."
He laughs. "True." His eyes pass over me, slowly. It's like he's deciding if he wants to talk to me or fuck me. "You don't dance."
I nod.
"You don't party."
Again, I nod.
"What the fuck were you doing at a Vegas club?"
"It was a spur of the moment."
"Bullshit."
"No, it was."
He stares into my eyes, examining my expression. "With all due respect, I don't believe, for a second, that you do things unless you have a reason."
r /> "I was upset about something. I wanted to blow off steam." I wanted to blow off steam without cutting. That's the truth. But I can't tell him that. Not now. He'll think I'm a damaged freak. I swallow hard. "Why were you in Vegas?"
"To have a one-night stand."
"You fucked that up."
He laughs. "You too."
"I want to remember more about last night, Joel. After dinner, help fill me in on what you remember. Please?"
"Yeah, but you have to promise not to ask me to fill you in that tone of voice unless you're talking about sex."