Page 6 of Dakota


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“Good, probably.” I rolled my eyes andstopped 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 andrecognized me.”

Austin giggled. “I want an assistant thathot.”

“You’re insane.” I looked back toward thekitchen 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 agood stalker or a bad one.” The rough-looking guy who was staring at me withhis arms crossed was familiar, but I couldn’t remember if I’d heard his name.

He was one of Dakota’s friends who wereputting together the BDSM club, but there were so many of them the names weredifficult.

Refusing to look worried, I raised oneeyebrow. “Is that like asking me if I’m a good witch or a bad one?”

The movie reference had one side of hismouth 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.” Herolled his eyes. “Delusional stalker.”

I grinned. “I like that one much better.”

He just stared like it was supposed to beintimidating.

It wasn’t.

I didn’t scare easily anymore. After beingscreamed at by a basket case that hadn’t slept in two days because he couldn’tfigure out how to get the couple back together after the wrench he’d thrown intheir relationship, nothing scared me.

“Everyone is so friendly here. The clubsounds like it's going to be great and I think the best part is seeing peoplethat I haven’t hung out with in a while. I haven’t gotten a chance to look atthe 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 familiarfaces I’d see at the party. Everyone had such busy lives that even knowingpeople in the community didn’t guarantee getting to spend time with them. Evenif a lot of us never played in public, I’d pay the dues just to have a chanceto talk with everyone in a safe space.

He blinked several times then nodded. “Anunexpected bonus.”

I just kept smiling back, and eventually,he huffed. “They’re not going to back down. You can answer me or they cancontinue sending emissaries until Austin decides you’re dangerous, then I playdumb and just let him have fun with you.”

That should have sounded dirty consideringthe company we had, but instead, it felt ominous.

“Good stalker.” No point in testing thegenius headcase.

No matter what everyone said, he was not anidiot attention-whore like most celebrities. It only took meeting the guy onetime to realize that. Just seeing how he’d manipulated everyone on televisionwas proof.

I wasn’t sure how much Dakota had told them,so I decided to be somewhat careful. “He needs more help than Jonah has time togive. With the club opening, you guys are all going to get busier and I canstep in and take a lot off Dakota’s plate.”

The big guy nodded. “And the sexualchemistry?”

“A fun bonus?” I raised an eyebrow andshrugged. “I’m not going to pretend I’m not interested in him. Shit. I had athing for him before I even met him. The chemistry between us and the fact thathe thinks I’m hot is a bonus.”

“And if he says he wants to work with youbut not have anything personal going on?” The guy was still staring at me likea thug, but the wording made me grin.

“So I’ve got the job?” That just made himroll his eyes. “No, I get it. I’m not going to be a dick if he doesn’t want toexplore anything personal with me. But I’m also not going to lie and say itwon’t be difficult. There’s a spark there, but it’s going to depend on him.”

Backing down from what I wanted had neverbeen my style, but I also wasn’t a creepy asshole.

“If he starts to offer me the job, we’lltalk and lay everything out on the table. If I think I’ll make himuncomfortable, or if it just feels weird, I’ll turn it down.” Chemistry was notthe be-all and end-all. We had to be on the same page or it would make itimpossible for Dakota to work.

“Fine.” With that, my talkative, stillunnamed new friend walked off.