Page 82 of Seduce

“A little,” she lied. “But I’m sure this will all blow over.” She hoped.

By Tuesday night, Tessa wasn’t so sure. Damn it, somehow the picture had been brought to her father’s attention.

“Dad, it’s nothing.”

“Who is this man with his arm around you?” her father demanded.

“He’s a friend, like the others in the picture are friends.” Oh, but he was so much more. Damon meant a lot to her, and they were in a relationship, but she wasn’t going to tell her father that. “Really, Dad,” she continued as he kept ranting. “It was a casual date, and I probably won’t see him again.”

She hated lying, but she didn’t want her father blowing any more of a gasket than he already was.

“Well, it’s a good thing your brother will be out there next week to check up on you.”

Damn, she’d forgotten that. “I don’t need to be checked up on. I’m fine.”

“Be nice to your brother, and no more pictures in the paper.” The line went dead.

Tessa huffed and flopped down on her sofa. Ouch. Damn it. Bruised tailbone, remember. How was she going to explain to Damon why she didn’t want to be seen in public with him?

* * * *

Damon had a spring in his step as he walked into Wicked Sanctuary Friday afternoon. They hadn’t been able to get together with Zeke and Colby until today, but that was okay. After going to the bank on Monday, and signing all the paperwork, progress was being made on buying the building next door.

The real estate agent was rushing everything through. The owners were happy to have a buyer, and Damon was happy to get the building as soon as possible. He walked down the hall to the classroom. Tessa would meet him there later.

Tessa. She’d been very quiet this week. She didn’t mind eating dinner at her apartment or his place. But she wouldn’t meet him for lunch. He’d been in town quite a bit, and each time, she had an excuse. He planned on asking her about it this weekend.

Max and Jordan were already in the room. “Zeke and Colby going to make it?”

“Yeah,” Max said. “I told them six to give us time to chat.”

“Has something happened?” Damon asked taking a seat.

“No. I wanted you to know Zeke hired an architect to draw up plans for the club. I’ll be meeting with the architect next week, and I wasn’t sure if you two wanted to be involved.”

“I’m fine with you handling it,” Jordan said.

“Me too. I’ve got enough on my plate.”

“So I hear. Congrats on buying the new storefront,” Max said.

“How did you know?” Damon shook his head.

“You know our women share everything,” Jordan said.

“Maybe I should talk to one of them about Tessa,” Damon mused.

“What’s going on? Tessa still mad at you for last weekend?” Max asked.

“No, she got over my protectiveness.” Could he talk to his friends about this? Why not? “She’s been very quiet this week. Won’t go to lunch with me but no problem with dinner at her place or mine.”

“She’s coming tonight, right? I reserved the bondage chair for you at nine,” Max said.

“She’ll be here. I’m wondering why it feels like she’s pulling back.”

Max looked up. “We’ll talk more later.”

Zeke and Colby walked in. “Come sit down,” Max said. “The reason I asked you here today is that we were wondering if you two would like to be dungeon monitors in the club.”

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