Page 6 of Dark Seduction

“I’m sorry, but I have a date.”

“Anyone I know? This is a small town when it comes to gay men. Somewhere I probably crossed dicks with your man.” I twisted my mouth and huffed a large breath, and before I said something I knew I’d be sorry for, there came a slight knock, and in sauntered Abbey with a polite lingering smile.

Chapter 5

Daniel

My life was quiet,somewhat reserved, not to mentioned happy. Gone were those anxiety-ridden annoying days where I felt I couldn’t get a hold of my life and my business. It had been a traumatic two years trying to hold everything together, including my sanity, and dealing with Ryan, my manager, and his irrational partner, Jay, who thought life was one big party and he could rack up party favors without paying the bills.

Finally things had settled down with my home life and at my business where I could spend lost time with Cole. I hadn’t been under any illusions because I knew Cole coming home to a new position would take up a lot of his days and nights, but I’d been prepared for that. I just wanted to have the freedom to be available when he needed me.

I sucked in a deep breath, and exhaled because I was thankful I’d survived all the trauma of losing Cole, thinking I’d never make a living again, and having to deal with an out-of-control puppy who grew up overnight when I wasn’t paying attention because I’d been in survival mode, and sometimes that was no place to find yourself.

Dropping off Sam and the small dog Ryan and Jay had given me as a peace offering, I still hadn’t named him. He came running when I called himbaby, therefore, I continued with the name for now. Lately it had been easier for me to procrastinate after working to keep on top of everything in my life.

We pulled up to a brownstone and my driver stopped. Ryan and Jay managed to cobble together enough to purchase an apartment in this tree lined well-kept neighborhood, and I stepped out with the dogs, pressed the buzzer and Jay answered the door.

“Where’s Ryan?” I asked Jay, forgetting Ryan had taken on my duties for the last few weeks, because I’d needed to get my life together and find time for Cole before he had to show for work.

“He’s at the club, of course. And I’m here waiting for you and those dogs. It wasn’t bad enough I had to watch Sam, but now I have another dog to take care of. Hand him here,” Jay said, with an annoyed voice. I’d raised the baby to give him to Jay, and as grumpy as Jay appeared to be, the puppy seemed not to mind his surly demeanor, and acted as if he loved him. Maybe Jay had bonded with the puppy.

“You know I was the one who got up at night with him because he was whining for his mother. I told Ryan it was too soon to take him from her, but he was trying to appease you because he said you’d threatened him.” Maybe I had, but I didn’t want him to buy a puppy to replace Sam, because no other dog could take Sam’s place in my heart. Sam was Cole’s dog and he wanted me to have him. He’d trusted me withhisbaby.

“I also trained him.” I narrowed my eyes and furrowed my brow. “Well, I tried before I brought him to you. After taking care of him, I didn’t want to give him to you. I really loved that puppy, but I couldn’t take care of him and Ryan, and work part time at the bar. That’s why you have him now.” He twisted his mouth when he glared at me, still holding Baby like a protective mother.

“Think of it like this, when you and Ryan get a family you will have had lots of training on how to care for a baby.”

Jay rolled his eyes. “Never again, you fall in love with them because they are so helpless and depend on you, and it breaks your heart when they leave you.” I thought I heard a break in his voice. I didn’t know Jay was that sensitive. I thought I saw tears pool in his eyes after that speech. “I’d rather have a child grow up who can fend for himself.” I didn’t have time to give Jay a lecture on the joys of parenthood because I wasn’t a parent, but I knew how difficult it had been for my parents when I became a teenager.

Jay wasn’t at all what he’d shown everyone to be. Callous, selfish, and uncaring. He behaved as if he didn’t like people and animals, but he loved being around them, and so too was his behavior now with Baby. I was seeing him for the first time as he revealed the softer caring side of his personality.

“You know you can’t keep calling him Baby,” Jay said, passing his palm over the top of his head and kissing him. “And how long will I have to babysit? I enjoy being at the club with Ryan. It keeps all the men from flirting with him.” He brought the puppy to face him and kissed the dog.

I wanted to scream,“Stop that!”

Everyone knew who the flirt had been when he had full rein of my club, and had cost me financially because of his open and unhinged behavior around men.

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