Black

“I think I need to hear more about these books of yours.”

Her tongue darts out to wet her bottom lip. “Maybe if you’re good,” she whispers, “we can act a few scenes out.”

Oh, sweet Shae, you have no idea what I have planned for you.

She runs a finger down the front of my shirt, and her touch lingers at the waistband of my slacks. “Maybe after dinner tonight?”

“About dinner… There’s been a small change of plans.”

“What? No.” She pouts, jutting her bottom lip out, and I bend down, sucking the soft flesh into my mouth.

“Don’t worry, you’re not getting rid of me that easily,” I tell her. “I’ve just switched up our plans a bit.”

“Well, are you going to tell me what we’re going to do?”

“No, it’s a surprise.”

Her smile falters. “Rex, you don’t have to keep doing this.”

I pull her in for a hug. “You don’t even know what I’m going to do. Go home, put on something comfortable, and I’ll get in touch with you a little bit later.”

“Will you at least give me a hint?”

“No.” I tap her nose, turn her toward the door, and smack her ass. “Now get going. I’ve got a few things to finish up here, but I’ll see you soon.”

Dante walks out of his office as Shae is leaving. Once she’s out the door, he turns to me, lips set in a firm line.

“We need to talk.”

“I’m busy.” I’ve already set my plans for tonight in motion, but there are still a few things I have to get ready, so I make a beeline for my office.

“Rex. Dude, wait up.” Dante falls in step beside me. “What the hell is going on with you?”

“Nothing.” Pulling out my keys, I unlock my office door. Dante follows me inside.

“Nothing,” he repeats. “What are you thinking, dating someone like Shae?”

My good mood dissipates as fast as the words leave his mouth. “Watch your fucking mouth, Dante,” I warn, taking a step forward.

He holds up his hands. “See? This is what I’m talking about. I’m not looking to fight with you. I like Shae. I really do, but you’ve never been like this with a woman before, let alone with a woman who—”

I give him a look, and he sighs.

“I was going to say a woman who doesn’t run in our circle. She doesn’t know where we come from, what we’re made of, and I don’t need to explain to you how dangerous that is.”

Rolling my eyes, I open the bottom drawer of my desk and pull out two glasses and a bottle of scotch. I pour each of us a drink and hand a glass to Dante.

“I don’t give a fuck if she runs in our circle; I like her,” I tell him. “I can’t remember the last time I was this happy.”

“I can see that. But you barely know her.”

I take a sip of my scotch. “I know enough, and isn’t that the whole point of dating? To get to know someone? You didn’t seem to have any reservations about her when we talked before.”

“That’s because I didn’t think it would last.” Dante stares into his glass, swirling the scotch around. “She’s not like the women we’re used to.”

“Trust me,” I laugh. “I know. That’s what I like about her.”

“So you’re not just fucking around with her? This isn’t a game to you? Because her being a part of this life—our life—is a big fucking deal.”