Page 114 of The Renter
“Lower your voice,” I scold.
“She should be the one at home.”
“Geoff’s daughter could have derailed this whole dinner, and Dani handled it. She’s already been an asset.”
Greg runs a hand over his forehead, stressed. “The last thing we need right now is Declan feeling iced out.”
“I’m keeping him busy. It’ll be fine.”
97
The guys return soon enough, but they both look more stressed than when they left.
“M and A. It’s taking years off my life,” Adam says, scooting his chair in.
“Isn’t that the truth?” Geoff agrees, refilling Adam’s glass.
They launch right back into conversation, diving into a deep discussion about strategies, contingencies, and a lot of “if this, then that” scenarios. I’m taking it all in, but I feel lost. With Kate and Autumn gone, I feel out of place in this setting. Adam’s hand, however, is reassuring. Whether on my hand, my knee, behind my chair, or resting on my shoulder, his affection reminds me that he’s thinking of me during all this discussion.
Fortunately, the meal is amazing, and I chat with the server, learning everything I can about each course. After two long hours of essentially sitting there and looking pretty, the dinner finally comes to a close.
“Dani, I hope we weren’t too boring,” Geoff says as we all get up from the table.
“Tonight was like a masterclass in politics, so I found it fascinating,” I overstate my enthusiasm to be polite.
“Thank you for rolling with everything,” Adam whispers as we walk out of the dining room, reaching for my hand. “And for handling the Kate situation.”
I smile, and we stand outside, waiting for a car. I shiver, and Adam stands behind me, wrapping his arms around me. “You were a very good girl,” he teases. “How should I spoil you tonight?”
“Hmm. Let me think.” But there’s something I need to tell him. “Have you ever had a threesome?”
“No,” he growls in disbelief, and I giggle, realizing he thinks that’s what I want right now.
“Seriously, Adam. Have you ever had a threesome?”
“Never. Have you?”
I hesitate but then decide to go for it. “With Kate.”
“Kate!” He turns me around to see my face. “When?”
“It was with Sorin … it wasn’t that sexy. It was more completely messed up, but yeah, Kate has done things to me.”
We hold each other’s gaze, and I have no idea what he’s thinking.
“You have better boobs than her,” he says after a moment. “Natural is always better.” I swat his arm playfully. “And I’m never sharing you,” he adds, leaning down to kiss me.
“No threesomes, got it.”
The SUV arrives, and I smirk, already knowing what I want as my reward for tonight. “You should give the guy like two hundred dollars to not look back.”
“Dani.” Adam’s tone makes it clear he’s not loving this idea.
“I was a very good girl.” I smile sassily, and he huffs. Hopping in, I make my way to the third row.
“Drive around for a while,” Adam says, handing the driver a stack of cash that is definitely more than two hundred dollars.
I giggle, excited about what’s ahead. Sitting next to me, Adam’s fingers tease the skin along my cleavage. “What are yougoing to make me do to you?” he asks, low enough for only me to hear.
