I clear my throat and try to silence my cock. “These are for you,” I say, handing her the flowers.
“They’re beautiful, but you didn’t have to—”
“I wanted to,” I say.
Does she not realize how special she is? We don’t have to be in a real relationship for me to appreciate her.
After she handles the bouquet and puts the flowers in water, we head down to my vehicle. I open the passenger door, letting her enter before hurrying to the driver’s side.
“Thanks again for doing this,” I say. I pull out into traffic, and Sadie fixes her skirt. Her fingers drum over her legs.
“It’s no problem. Allie has plans to binge some new show tonight, so you’ve got me to yourself.”
I wish I had Sadie entirely to myself. It’d be far more enjoyable than pretending for the two of us to be a couple.
“We’re having dinner with Luka and Hannah,” I say, catching her up on tonight’s events. We haven’t concocted the story of how we met or anything relating to our relationship. I’m not too concerned. Luka isn’t likely to ask much, and if he’s right about Hannah’s mindset, she’ll be focused on the upcoming wedding, which should make tonight a breeze. “Luka is one of the men I work with, and he runs the club where I work.”
“What kind of club?” Sadie asks.
Her innocence is so serene and sweet. “It’s a strip club,” I say, and glance at her briefly before returning my attention to the road.
“Oh.” I must have left that out when I had texted her that I got my old job back. I’m sure I’ve told her I was security at a club. I’m less of a bouncer, but I watch the front door to ensure that no one uninvited steps foot inside, like the Italian Mafia or Columbian Cartel.
We’ve had trouble with them before. The Italians destroyed our club months ago, and Mikhail doesn’t want a repeat performance. My job is to make sure those who step foot inside are welcome guests.
“Club Sage,” I say. “I’m sure that I’ve mentioned it before.”
“Just that you work at a club,” she says, and shifts in the front seat, glancing at me. “Do you ever get dances from the girls at the club?”
“No, that would be highly inappropriate. Besides, I’m not paying for entertainment.” I pull up to a red light. Traffic is heavy. Rush hour never seems to end in New York City.
“What about for free?” Her voice is soft, tentative. “Do they ever give you a dance because they like you or want something from you?”
“I’m not interested in the girls at the club,” I say, and pin her with my stare.
She inhales a sharp breath, and I glance back at the road as traffic begins to inch forward.
I swear I hear a hint of jealousy in her question. And it shouldn’t matter because we’re not a couple, and this isn’t a real relationship. But I’ve never even fantasized about any of the girls at the club.
They’re cute, but most are too young and barely legal. I’m not into that. I prefer a lady with a bit more experience and luscious curves. A real woman, one who knows what she wants and doesn’t play games.
With my attention on the road, I reach out, interlocking our fingers together. “Is this okay?” I ask. It’s not like we haven’t held hands in front of Allie, but this is a little more intimate and less of friends holding hands.
“Yes,” she says. Her voice squeaks, and she clears her throat.
“Luka won’t believe we’re an item if there’s not some physical touching between us. I tend to be affectionate toward the women I date.”
“So, you’ve brought other women to meet your friends?” I swear there’s a hint of jealousy in her tone.
“No, but they’ve seen me with other women,” I say. While I don’t get involved with any of the dancers at the club, I’ve hooked up with a handful of women at a bar or in the club off-hours when I’m not working.
I glance briefly at her as we slowly drive past the restaurant. There’s no valet and no parking lot. This isn’t one of the restaurants that we own, or I’d have a place to park. I head for the nearest parking garage.
“There is one other thing that we haven’t discussed.”
“What’s that?” she asks.
I follow the other cars up through the parking garage until I locate a space. “I need you to ask Hannah if she likes the beach.”