“What do you think?” he said, not looking at me but over his shoulder as he turned his Aston Martin around on the drive.
“About you and Von, or about this project?” I teased. “She practically melted in front of you. I’ve never seen her like that.”
“Would it bother you to hear that I find her attractive?” he asked.
“No, not at all. As long as you know what you’re getting with her.”
“I think I do.” He laughed as we drove away. “Now, what do you think about thisbusiness?” He smiled, emphasising the word.
“I think she should snap your hand off. I’ve visited some of the clubs in London, frequently, I guess, and what she has on offer here is unique and desperately called for. If I had the cash, I’d have done the same as you.”
“You are more than welcome to come on board as a partner. We can arrange a share scheme and you can buy in whenever you want.”
“I’d like that,” I said.
My relationship with Mackenzie changed that day. We weren’t employee and employer anymore. We became more than that. We became friends, best friends, even. We were confidants and he learned to trust me more and more.
* * *
“You’ve done what?” Gabriella asked.
The three of us were sitting in a restaurant for dinner. She had likened us to the three musketeers, and I was glad to be included in their very tight circle.
“Bought a very high-end gentlemen’s club,” Mackenzie said, taking a sip of wine.
“That’s not what you just said, is it, Alex?” She looked at me.
“It’s going to be a high-end gentlemen’s facility that will also accommodate their sexual habits in a safe environment,” I said, pleased I might have come up with a description.
“Isn’t it rather sexist and old fashioned to call it agentlemen’sclub considering, I’m assuming, there will be women there?” she asked, pouting her lips and widening her eyes at us.
“Tax purposes, Gabriella. We can hardly call it a couple’s sex hotel. Gentlemen’s club is a more palatable title for the stuffy old gits at the tax office,” I replied.
Gabriella laughed. “Oh my, Alex, you must absolutely take me there when it’s all done. I saw that movie, I forget its name, and I want to try that cross thing.”
I screwed up my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose.
“Something you want to tell me?” Mackenzie said, slowly while smirking at my discomfort.
“I think your best friend should learn that not every thought needs to be verbalised,” I said.
“That’s not what I’m talking about,” he said, looking pointedly at her.
She raised her eyebrows. “We’re dating, there, I’ve told you. It’s new, we’re finding our feet, so no teasing.”
I hadn’t, until that point, realised we were actuallydating. We had been on a few dates, I had kissed her, and told her I wanted to fuck her, badly, but that was it.
“Dating huh?” Mackenzie said.
I shrugged my shoulders. “Yes, we’re…dating.” I stumbled over the word to Gabriella’s mirth.
“Don’t hurt her, Alex,” he said, his voice had lowered, and I perceived the threat concealed beneath the words.
“I can’t promise that, but I’ll do my best not to, intentionally,” I replied.
“Boys don’t do that alpha crap, please. I’m still here. You are my best friend, and you are soon to be my lover,” she said, just as a waiter poured more glasses of wine.
I slumped. “Jesus, Gabriella. Don’t you think before you speak?” I chuckled to let her know I was teasing.
