“At least I won’t have to worry about the bank calling.”
“I haven’t even agreed to hire you yet.” I was going to pretend his confidence wasn’t sexy, but I refused to adjust my erection and make it that obvious.
He grinned. “You will.”
“This is a very bad idea.” I shook my head, but I must not have looked very stern because he let out a dirty chuckle.
“It’s going to be a great idea.” Then he winked at me. “And I’ll even sign a waiver not to sue for sexual harassment as long as we have a thorough discussion about your fascination with being spanked over your desk.”
Shit.
“That is not appropriate.” I was attempting to find another response when Austin’s head popped in the door.
“Why are you in here?” He looked around like it was the first time he was seeing the room.
I said the first thing that came to mind. “Work.”
Tristan replied just as earnestly. “Flirting.”
We spoke at the same time, but we clearly had different ideas about what was going on. I cleared my throat. “Did you need me?”
Austin’s gaze danced between us. “I’m not sure anymore.”
Rolling my eyes, I looked at Tristan and straightened. “I’ll see you later.”
He snorted. “I know where you live, Dakota. Email me back.”
Austin’s head cocked as I walked out of the kitchen. “Good stalker or bad? I’m not sure if I’m congratulating you or calling some friends who owe me a favor.”
For the love of… “Who would you call?”
He snorted then batted his eyelashes, giving me a sweet wide-eyed expression. “I love good home-cooked Italian food, don’t you?”
Had he just threatened to call the mob to kill my new assistant?
“Good, probably.” I rolled my eyes and stopped before we got too deep into the crowd again. “I need another assistant. I’m taking up too much of Jonah’s time as it is, and with the club opening up, we’re going to have to lean even more on him. So I started looking around. Unfortunately, the assistant I was in discussions with ended up here and recognized me.”
Austin giggled. “I want an assistant that hot.”
“You’re insane.” I looked back toward the kitchen door where Tristan passed through, heading toward a group of people. “And I might be too.”
Chapter 2
Tristan
“So I’ve been sent to confirm if you’re a good stalker or a bad one.” The rough-looking guy who was staring at me with his arms crossed was familiar, but I couldn’t remember if I’d heard his name.
He was one of Dakota’s friends who were putting together the BDSM club, but there were so many of them the names were difficult.
Refusing to look worried, I raised one eyebrow. “Is that like asking me if I’m a good witch or a bad one?”
The movie reference had one side of his mouth quirking up. “I’m pretty sure you’re not a beta with a concussion.”
I snorted. “You’re no fun. It was real.”
“Clearly, we need a new category.” He rolled his eyes. “Delusional stalker.”
I grinned. “I like that one much better.”
He just stared like it was supposed to be intimidating.
It wasn’t.
I didn’t scare easily anymore. After being screamed at by a basket case that hadn’t slept in two days because he couldn’t figure out how to get the couple back together after the wrench he’d thrown in their relationship, nothing scared me.
“Everyone is so friendly here. The club sounds like it's going to be great and I think the best part is seeing people that I haven’t hung out with in a while. I haven’t gotten a chance to look at the plans you laid out, but there’s a large lounge area, right?” I was being a smart-ass, but a truthful one.
I hadn’t thought about how many familiar faces I’d see at the party. Everyone had such busy lives that even knowing people in the community didn’t guarantee getting to spend time with them. Even if a lot of us never played in public, I’d pay the dues just to have a chance to talk with everyone in a safe space.
He blinked several times then nodded. “An unexpected bonus.”
I just kept smiling back, and eventually, he huffed. “They’re not going to back down. You can answer me or they can continue sending emissaries until Austin decides you’re dangerous, then I play dumb and just let him have fun with you.”
That should have sounded dirty considering the company we had, but instead, it felt ominous.
“Good stalker.” No point in testing the genius headcase.
No matter what everyone said, he was not an idiot attention-whore