Read Online The Club by Tara Brown writing as Sophie Starr - Free Book Online Page B

it seems as if the man at the bar, the
candid and sort of sweet one, is here to stay. He doesn't seem like the masked
ass-avenger at all.
    I cringe,
realizing when he said he and his wife were separated before. He meant by
death. I never would have guessed that.
    He sighs,
continuing. “I came on too strong, thinking you liked schmoozer guys. That's
not me. I like being upfront and honest. I don't write songs. I don't wear
cords. I can’t grow a decent beard to save my life. My chest hair is even a
little patchy, not cool and urban chic at all.”
    I chuckle,
feeling my guard coming down.
    “I asked you
out and followed you to the bar and I feel like a dick. You told me no and I’m
bad at no. I don't handle the word well at all.” He leans in as he sits across
from me. “I want you to know, I like you. I want to date you. So if you want to
date me too, I will fire your company and blame your bosses.”
    I sit back in
the chair. “You would not work with me to date me?”
    He nods.
    “But I’m the
best at what I do; you might lose a lot of money.”
    He smiles
wide. “And that is why I like you. There was no ego in that statement. You are
the best. You are better than the best. Your ability to predict market
fluctuations and a company’s demise is uncanny.” He sighs, folding his arms
across his chest. “But I want to ask you out for dinner in the worst way.”
    I honestly
don't know what to say. “What’s your view on multiple partners in bed?”
    He cocks an
eyebrow? “What?”
    I nod,
completely baffled but desperate to know if the man in the black mask was him.
    “I guess I am
against it. I tend to be territorial and competitive. Is this a test or do you
enjoy more people in bed than can truly fit?” His tone makes me smile. “Don’t
get me wrong, I’m excited this is where the conversation has gone. I thought
for sure you’d tell me to stick it up my ass.”
    I gulp but he
doesn't even flinch. There is no way I will ever know if he’s the man in the
mask or not, but he certainly doesn’t seem like he is. “I will go out for
dinner with you. You don't have to fire me.”
    He grins. “The
best of both worlds, my favorite outcome. Write your number here for me and
I’ll message you.” He slides a business card across the table at me. His hands
mesmerize me. “I will pick you up or we can meet. Dinner here at seven
tonight?”
    I nod. At
least my body won’t be in the mood for anything too serious. Maybe a handshake.
He’ll think I’m playing hard to get but it’s better than him knowing about the
masquerade parties. “I’ll meet you.” I write my number on the back of the
business card.
    “Why do you
look so stricken?”
    I clear my
throat to buy myself a second. “I was sick over the weekend. Really nauseated.”
    He winces.
“Something has been going around. My brother was in a terrible way the other
day. He’s been just beside himself. Mopey and not feeling well.” He winks.
“He’s a bit of a pussy though.” He stands abruptly. “I will see you tonight.
Take a nap. You’ll feel better.” He kisses the side of my face again, lingering
there long enough for me to be certain they are not the same man.
    I leave work
that afternoon, dialing Bec to answer her ridiculous number of texts.
    “Okay, I was
just about to call the National Guard,” she snaps her greeting into the phone.
“If you ever drop off the face of the earth like that again, so help me God.”
She purrs the next sentence. “How were drinks with Logan? I sort of assumed
maybe he rocked your world all weekend long.”
    I frown,
walking down the road to my apartment. “No. It was whatever. I didn't feel
good. I stayed in and watched a movie.” I am a terrible liar.
    “YOU WENT
CLUBBING AGAIN!” she screams. I have to hold the phone away from my ear.
    “Yeah, God,
shut it.”
    “Oh my God, oh
my God, oh my God! I need details. What happened?”
    I shake my
head. “Non—”
    “You say
non-disclosure form and