Page 72 of Emergence and Ascendance

He started filling his plate. "I didn't want to interrupt the performance."

"It wasn't a performance."

"It was definitely a performance and I enjoyed it.”

I took a bite from one of the dishes I didn’t recognize and my stomach did a happy dance. I hadn’t realized how hungry I was. "This is delicious."

“It’s from Elias’ restaurant. I’m still trying to figure out how the two things connect but he makes it work.”

“What do you mean?”

“He’s not the restaurant type but when you meet him, you’ll understand.”

“That’s your sister’s husband, right?”

He nodded. “You did a full background on me.”

I paused the skewer I was about to devour and my eyes shot over to his. He chuckled and let me off the hook. “I wouldn’t expect anything less. I know a little bit about your family too.”

“I’m not sure if that’s good or bad.”

“Neither, just expected on both sides. How was the rest of your day? Looks like you’re getting settled."

"Getting there. Pretty much boring. Reviewed some contracts, unpacked, spoke with Giselle."

His eyes locked on mine. "About?"

"The amendments. She wanted to make sure I was okay with them. She sounded concerned."

"Giselle takes her responsibilities at the club seriously."

"She also talked about you like the two of you are really close."

Christian's expression didn’t give anything away, which bothered me a little. "We've done business together."

"Just business?"

"Mostly but she also helped me navigate Erogenous when I first joined."

That explained his comfort level with the place. He was close to the owner…

“Are you friends?”

He smiled smugly. “Yes, but a little more than friends considering I’ve seen her naked, she’s seen me naked, but we’ve never gone beyond that.”

“I wasn’t…”

“You were and that’s okay. A release for me hasn’t been intimate in years. I know it’s hard to process that but she and I have no feelings for each other and won’t. I will never have feelings for any of the women I spend time with at the club. You don’t have to worry about that.”

Any of the women meant me too. How could I not worry about that?

Because this is an exchange, Scot. How many times does he have to tell you that…

Once again I couldn’t read him, so I moved on.

"I also called my friend."

"Checking in?"

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