Page 66 of Pretty Threats

“Yes. She implied before the girls our age are allowed to be with real clients, they get tested, both medically and for their… tolerance. I guess for pain?”

“And she claimed I trained her?” What the fuck is Zenker playing at?

“No, she said you were at a club where girls get trained. I guess she assumed you were working. The people are on that app. WildSide.”

“For only talking to you for a minute, she managed to spew a lot of shit.” After I run my tongue over my lower lip, I shrug. “I’ve been to some sex clubs. Didn’t realize any of the girls in them were planning to go pro. Definitely have not trained anyone to do specialized sex work.”

With an audible exhalation, her shoulders relax. “Did you have sex in the clubs while people watched? Or did you just go to meet people to hookup later?”

“I had sex.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I see her grimace.

The Vette slides into a parking spot a couple houses down from the Lambda frat. Lights are on inside the house, but it looks quiet. Not much of an after party.

“You must have liked it if you went more than once?” Raine’s voice is soft, and she sounds troubled.

I turn my shoulders so I can look at her as we talk. “I went because it was better than anything else at the time. Random hookups weren’t intense enough. I wanted to see if I could get what I wanted by adding in wilder elements. For the record, it didn’t work. ”

She glances over, her eyes like liquid chocolate in the low light. “Right. Because you would rather have had me. I’m glad. But people are saying things about you that don’t match what you’re telling me. I’d like to know why.” Her tongue pushes out and licks her lips, which is a total distraction.

Why the fuck do I suddenly crave a kiss?

“Believe me or don’t,” I say coolly. Fuck Alicia and whatever other liars are trying to drive a wedge between Raine and me. It won’t work. I’ll kill them first.

“I know I’m asking a lot of questions, Killian. I’m trying to understand you.” Raine rests her temple against the headrest as she watches me. “Do you eventually want to take me to a sex club?”

“Haven’t thought about it.”

She rubs her hands together. Now that the engine’s off, so is the heat.

Her voice is soft as she speaks. “I don’t want you to be with anyone else while we’re together. Okay?”

As if I’d waste my time fucking anyone else while she’s living with me. “Yeah, agreed.”

“Right, okay.” Raine blows out a breath. “We’re good.”

I’m not sure if she’s trying to convince me or herself. If me, it’s a waste of time. I already know we’re good.

We get out, and as we walk up the sidewalk, I put an arm around her shoulders and kiss the top of her head. It feels more natural than I expect.

One of her hands reaches up to clasp my fingers. The sleeve of my jacket is way too long on her so the cuff hides her fingers, even with her arm raised.

“Let’s go around to the back of the house, Killian. Someone said they won’t admit people through the front because they don’t want it known they’re having a party.”

Glancing up at the place, I want to roll my eyes. There are only three or four guys left living in the house. It’s not like it’s gonna be a rager that neighbors will notice even if we do go through the front door.

We circle the property, and the walk is long enough that Raine’s shivering by the time we get to the back. My lips are probably fucking blue, too. It’s low forties out, and I’ve got nothing but a shirt and trousers on since I gave her my suit jacket.

At the back door, she turns to face me. “Will you help me with something?”

“What?”

“They won’t speak openly to me about their exploits. But if they learn you’ve done wild things at sex clubs, they might open up to you. Or invite you into areas that would be off-limits.”

“If they invite me, they’ll expect me to participate.”

“You could pretend you will and then back out at the last minute.” She tilts her head. “If there’s something sinister going on beneath the surface here, I’d like to uncover it.”

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