Read Online Club X-Dare (Siren Publishing Allure) by Kat Barrett - Free Book Online Page B

things and make suggestions. He said that you have the oddest way of demanding something be changed without anyone knowing that you are demanding it. He adores you. I think his entire crew adores you,” he said with a pouting grin.
    “Yeah, especially when I wear short shorts and a cut-off shirt,” she said with a laugh.
    Condor sat down across from her. “Well, I know that. It was not what I meant. They are impressed with how well you handle things. That contract is signed, sealed, and delivered by me. All it needs is your signature on the empty lines.”
    “Again, I am speechless. You are giving me half of the club, Condor.”
    “I know I am. I was the one who made the arrangements. The X-Dare corporation has acknowledged the partnership, and you have been written into their books as a franchise owner. If you ever want to open up another club of your own, I have saved you all the application paperwork by making you my partner. Eat and then sign the papers.”
    “I don’t believe you. You keep surprising me. It is making my head spin.” She put a forkful of spaghetti in her mouth and shook her head. As she was chewing, she dumped out the box and set it up with one of the completed room arrangements. Aino turned the box for Condor to see it. “I know it is kind of loose, but it gives an idea of how the colors and decorations blend together.”
    “Hey, I like it. I can almost imagine being inside the room. Show me another one.”
    As they ate, Aino cleared out the box and showed him each design. Condor smiled at the rooms, getting a real idea of what the final product would look like. When she had shown him everything, she tucked the pieces back into their pocket holder and shrugged at him as she ate the last of the food.
    “I am really impressed. You have come up with all new designs so that this club will be totally different than mine. I love the room with the spiderwebs. It would be like making love in Dracula’s forest. That is so great. I also never thought of creating a dungeon to look like the inside of a cave. It makes sense, I just didn’t think of it. When are you going to use some of that creativeness to set up your condo?”
    “I know. I haven’t had much time to work on my own place. I have done the bedroom.”
    “Oh, really? Is this something I should see?”
    “Definitely,” she replied, pushing herself to her feet and taking the dishes into the kitchen.
    When she walked back out, Condor had an odd expression on his face. “I have to ask you two questions, and I want a serious answer.”
    “Try me.”
    “Do you want children?”
    “No. You know that I grew up feeling as if my love wasn’t good enough. I felt like I allowed my mother to die. I can’t risk ever submitting a child to those kinds of destructive feelings. I’m sorry.”
    “Don’t be. Second question. Have you been with anyone beside me since I put the charm on?”
    “No!” she replied indignantly. “Are you doubting me all of a sudden?”
    “That is not why I asked,” he replied, walking closer to her. “I had scarlet fever as a child, and it left me sterile. The last two tests we both took came back negative, and I am tired of wearing a condom. I was just wondering.”
    “Oh, fine with me.”
    Condor wrapped his arm around her and steered her into the bedroom. Aino flipped on the lights, and he stopped, staring around in awe. “Whoa, this is excellent. Where did you get this stuff?”
    “Flea market.”
    “I love the caldrons. They look like real flames.” He walked across to the corner of the room near the window and examined the small forest she had put together. “This is incredible. How did you do this?”
    “I picked up a fountain with a cracked base and took it apart. I used the motor and set it up inside a large brown glass bowl. Under the rocks are layers of those heavy black plastic take-out containers with pebbles over them. I built the base from a couple of used stacking tables and then put outside