Page 10 of Crave: A Reverse Harem Romance

“I agree. As I saw it, I immediately instructed my head of security to alert our guys downstairs. But I rushed down personally in an attempt to grab the drink before you did. I’m just glad I got to you in time.”

“So am I,” I said, meaning it. “You really saved me. Seriously, I cannot emphasize enough how grateful I am to you. I’m so lucky you happened to be watching.”

He smiled. “Well, it’s not luck. We take safety very seriously here at Crave, and we also have eyes on the cameras and out on the floor to look out for this kind of thing. Still, it only takes a moment for something to go wrong. Thankfully, this was not one of those moments.”

“That must have been the guy we saw back there?” I asked, though I already knew the answer.

“The one who was surrounded by my security detail, yes.” He glanced down at his phone. “It looks like the police will be here any moment. The bartender held onto the drink so it could be tested as well. The situation is completely under control, but I wanted to make sure that if you had drank any of it, that you were in a safe place away from the commotion of the club.”

“Right, of course. Thank you.” I nodded to him.

“I’m very sorry you got caught up in such a horrifying situation, Miss Grey. But I want to assure you that Crave is a very safe club. These kinds of incidents don’t happen often, and when they do, we catch them. I understand you may not want to return after experiencing such a difficult moment, but I hope you do come back to Crave.”

“Well, I definitely do get the vibe that it’s safe, so thank you,” I told him. “Though, if I’m being honest, I probably wouldn’t have returned here anyway. Sex clubs aren’t exactly my, uh, scene.”

He smiled. “Ah, so that’s why you appeared so uncomfortable?” he asked.

I was a little surprised by the question. “Did I?”

“Very much so, yes. May I ask… what exactly is your scene?”

I didn’t have to think on this long. “I usually spend my weekend nights at home with a cup of tea, curled up with my laptop. I’m a writer, and I spend a lot of time working on my latest book.”

He looked surprised. “A writer? Of what kind of books?”

“Right now, romance.”

He arched a brow. “Romance? You don’t strike me as a hopeless romantic, Miss Grey, if you don’t mind me saying.”

I laughed. “I’m not sure if that’s a compliment, but it is the truth. I’m the last person you’d call a hopeless romantic. I don’t even date.”

Then I looked at him skeptically for a moment.

“What?” he asked.

“Nothing, it’s just… if we’re talking about looks being deceiving, and all… I mean, you’re not what I imagined when I pictured the owner of a sex club.”

It was his turn to laugh. “No? And what did you imagine?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. Someone… shadier? Definitely older. Okay, that probably sounds rude. That’s not what I mean, just… you seem very polite and… serious.”

“I am. I take a lot of pride in Crave. And you never know… maybe this club isn’t quite what you had imagined, either.”

That much was clear. This night wasn’t going at all like I expected.

Ryker’s phone buzzed on the table, and he looked down at it.

“I’m sorry, can you excuse me for a moment? It seems the police are here, and they’d like to talk to me. I’m sure this won’t take long.” He walked over to a mini-fridge in the corner of the office.

He opened it, pulled out a water, and handed it to me.

“Here, just relax a moment and drink some water. I won’t be long.”

I nodded my thanks, but he had already turned to go.

Tall, Dark, Lickable Ryker.

Sex club owner.

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