That had him looking almost pained. “Don’ttell me that.”
My grin was probably ear-to-ear. “So youdon’t want to know about all the fun things you said while I was driving overor about what Wade said regarding your feelings for me? Oh, or about the sizeof my…endowment? You like big words when you’re drunk. Did you know that?”
His head fell back. “Why do I feel likeswearing off alcohol forever?”
“You can’t do that. I had fun.” I’d neverdated anyone quite this interesting. He couldn’t take my amusement away thissoon.
He straightened, giving me a skepticallook. “Really? It wasn’t…childish or stupid? I keep waiting for one of the Domsto…I don’t know…call a halt to it and say we have to grow up.”
I shook my head. “That wasn’t theimpression I got from them and you guys are plenty grown up when you’re notletting off a little steam. Yes, Silas was a bit frustrated at Austin becauseof the magic thing and then being worried that they’d actually lost you, but noone said anything about wanting to stop you guys or even hinting about it.Shit. Simon gave me a whole lecture on it and seemed…I guess he made it soundlike it was just part of being a member of your family.”
Dakota snorted. “We really have the best ofintentions…most of the time. I’m fairly sure the only time any of us drink iswhen we’re together.”
“I’d let you know if I thought it was aproblem. If you did it every night or were a violent drunk, I’d say something.”Reaching across the table, I took his hand. “You were funny and chatty andready for some space from everyone by the time I got there, but other thanscaring me for a few seconds when you fell, it was fine.”
Now we were going to get to the interestingpart of the discussion. “But I want you guys to think about maybe having yourparties where at least one of the other guys is closer? Austin’s going to killhimself on those shoes one of these days.”
“Yeah…” He sighed and took a sip of hisdrink. “I think that might be something we need to bring up when everyone issober and thinking straight.”
I hadn’t been sure how the topic would go,but as Dakota continued, I started to relax. “It was fine when all we did wascrash at Wade’s place, but now we can’t seem to stop from calling you guys, andeven when we don’t call you guys, someone shows up to check on us. So yes,there has to be a compromise in there somewhere.”
Grateful that the subject hadn’t goneterribly, I changed it. “So am I ever going to find out how the conversationabout my dick went?”
And that was when our waiter walked rightup to the table.
Yep, he was kinky in some fashion becausehe didn’t even blink. The barest pause was the only giveaway that he’d evenregistered what I’d said. “I just wanted to apologize for how long the kitchenis taking. It should only be another moment.”
He gestured to our drinks. “Would either ofyou like a refill?”
Dakota was faintly pink and staring up atthe ceiling, so I answered for both of us. “No, we’re good at entertainingourselves.”
My suddenly shy boyfriend groaned, but thewaiter only made the slightest cough that had to be covering the laughter thatwanted to escape. “Yes, sir. I’m sure you can find endless ways to pass thetime.”
Then he winked. “I’ll do my best not tostartle you since you’ll be having such…stimulating conversations.”
Dakota actually snickered as the waiterwalked away. “Tell me you know him. There’s no way he’s that relaxed and flirtywith everyone.”
I shrugged. “I think I saw him on a datingapp I joined before I met you. I’m not on the site any longer so I can’t look,but he’s really familiar looking.”
“Ah.” Dakota’s gaze started to get thatunfocused look. “I bet that would be a hard way to meet someone since you can’treally be honest.”
I couldn’t remember him doing any books basedaround a dating site, so I nodded as I leaned back in my seat. “If I’mremembering correctly, he was vague but mentioned something about being curiousabout life and had the words open-minded entirely too often in his profile. Icouldn’t decide if he was saying he was a Dom or sub or just generally curious,so I didn’t take the chance.”
I’d never craved the spotlight. That justwasn’t who I was. But my goals and family would always put me a little tooclose to the public and to curious minds for me to be careless with my needsand desires.
“Yeah, that’s going to be the hardest partof the series…finding ways for people to take that chance…what’s pushing them…”His voice trailed off as he started to pat down his pockets.
I smiled as a frown crept over his face.
He’d been so focused on our date he hadn’teven grabbed a notebook.
Luckily, his Dom was more prepared thanthat.
Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out thetiny notebook and pen I’d found at a stationery supply store. I was pretty sureit was meant for cops or something like that because of the boring, utilitarianlook, but it worked perfectly for me.
“Here you go.” Dakota’s eyes lit up as Ipassed the goodies across the table.
“Oh, you’re wonderful.” He grabbed themgreedily but paused and looked up. “But this is our date. I—”
