Page 114 of Crushing Clover

“Be nice,” Lucky admonished.

“When, in the history of our relationship have I ever been nice? You don’t like me because I’m nice.”

“Whatever gave you the impression that I like you?” Lucky said, grinning.

“You better watch that mouth unless you want to get punished in front of the girl.”

Lucky flicked his gaze to me and away, as though he couldn’t handle the embarrassment, his cheeks turning a faint red.

“Leave him be, Saint. He’s excited.”

“He’s a grown man. He can be excited on the inside.”

“Lord, have you ever been excited before, Saint? Would we even know?” I asked, genuinely curious.

“Violence excites me, if that’s what you’re asking. Aside from that? I was excited about getting a puppy when I turned seven.”

“You had a puppy?” both Lucky and Rush asked simultaneously.

“No, I was excited aboutthe possibilityof getting a puppy. My father thought they were too much trouble, even with servants to take care of it.”

“Poor little rich boy,” I teased.

“He was right,” he mused. “If you’re going to have pets, it’s much more convenient to have a useful one that cleans your boots on command.”

When we got to the pool house, which was more like a huge shed, Lucky flung open the door like a gameshow host. “Ta-da!”

I peeked inside, not seeing what he was excited about. Everything seemed to be in its usual spot.

Lucky urged me further into the space. The air conditioner was already running full blast, so it was cool compared to the oppressive heat outside.

It wasn’t until I was all the way in the room that I spotted the pole.

“Nice!” I said, grinning at Lucky. “Which one of you am I teaching first?”

“I thought you might enjoy it, and that we would enjoy watching you. If you want to teach me, though, I’m game.”

“I don’t know if I’m good enough to teach anyone, to be honest, but I really do enjoy it.”

He tugged my hair and grinned. “Maybe we can set one up at Cygnet so you can entertain people while they eat.”

“Always trying to get out of working, huh, Luck?” Rush joked.

“What do you mean? What does her dancing have to do with me working?”

“I know you. As soon as you learn how to do it, you’re going to be out there dancing with her.”

“We could host burlesque events.”

“We’re not having burlesque events at the fucking restaurant,” Saint interrupted sourly. “You can spend your free time twirling around here if you want to, but this is for entertainment purposes only. No one is going to be pole dancing at Cygnet.”

“Such a buzzkill.”

“Someone has to think of the business end of things, and Rush can deny you nothing.”

Rush gaped at him. “I deny him things all the time.”

“You used to be such a hard-ass dominant, but you’ve gotten soft in your old age.”

---