“Scott, baby,” my body dragged against his as hesetme down. “Don’t call me Red.” I nipped his nose.
Laughing, he threwan arm over my shoulder,giving me an unobstructed view of everyone looking all spiffy. Ashley smiled at me and got a little misty-eyed. That tiny softy.
“So, what’s the plan?”
“First dinner, then drinks and dancing. Maybe if you’re lucky, a little action.” Ashley wiggled her eyebrows and shoulders.
The idea of sleeping with someone else turned my stomach. It had been weeks, but I was holding on to the remnants of Luca and I’s last time. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” Her smile fell, and I felt like an asshole. “Unless you’re dolling out more spankings.”
That did it. Ashley laughed and motioned for us to leave.
* * *
Mostly empty plates littered our table. Only wasabi and ginger remained from the epic sushi pig out.
“I’m just saying you shouldn’t have banged our tile guy. No dick is worth the headache of taking all those vendor meetings.” Ashley tossed her used napkin at Axel.
Catching the napkin out of the air, Axel shrugged. “How was I supposed to know that he was, and I quote, ‘in love with me’? We can find a new source. Tile is tile. Right?”
Ashrolled her eyes. “Yeah,Axel, beautiful, designer, handcrafted tile is super easy to find.” She took a sip of sake. “Jackass.”
Axel laughed, the potent drink clearly knocking the lumberjack on his ass.
“Alright, I’m sorry. Dick move, I get it.” Axel took a deep breath,trying to calm down. “No more vendors. I’ve learned my lesson.” He threw his arm over Ashley’s shoulder,and she pushed him away, snuggling intoMalcolm’sside.
Malcolm’s smile was blinding. That dude had it bad. If only Ashley would realize how she felt about him.
“Don’t hate a man for being attracted to talent. I’ve landed my fair share of companions because of what these hands can do.” Scott wiggled his fingers in my direction.
“Thank you! He gets me.” Axel sipped his warm sake while eyeing our waitress. The sway of her hips entranced our whole side of the table. My money was on Scott getting her number. Every time she came to the table,she made a point of bumping his shoulder.
“As fun as all this is, is it time to go home?” I wanted to get into some pajamas and sleep until Monday morning.
“No!” My friends glared at me.
“Per our tiny dictator,” Scott winked at Ashley,and she stuck her tongue out at him. Maybe we all had too much sake. “We’re going dancing and scouting for your next warm body.”
Downing the rest of my drink, I stood up. “If we must.” Sighing, I gestured to the door. “Please lead the way.”
The five of us stumbled into our ride and headed to the club.
* * *
A thin sheen of sweat covered us as we danced to the top forty hitsI’d never heard. Malcolm and Ashley were damn near fucking, while two handsy cuties sandwiched Axel, and Scott was MIA.
I stood the lone dancer, and that was fine. Moving without restriction, I twirled, rolled,and wiggled in the goofiest ways. I dared someone to try and match that energy.
“I need a drink,” I yelled to no one in particular, since my entire crew was busy.
The bar was packed, so it was a real bitch to flag down the bartender.
“Gin and tonic?” A deep voice shouted in my ear.
Startled, I turned around and found Dimitri grinning down at me. Unease turned my stomach.
“Uh yeah.” I wasn’t sure if he heard me over the pounding bass, but I wasn’t too worried about that drink anymore. I was too busy thinking about that unanswered invitation sitting on my kitchen counter.
Somehow Dimitri got the bartender’s attention and ordered our drinks plus an extra. I tried to look anywhere but at him while we waited.