Read Online To Love and Trust (Boundaries) by Katy Swann - Free Book Online Page B

head and tattooed arms and was wearing black jeans and a Motörhead T-shirt. The other guy was the polar opposite of his friend, with a smart suit and neatly cut hair. They greeted Adam with jovial handshakes and warm man hugs. Once the birthday greetings were out of the way, Adam pulled her close, a proud smile beaming from him.
    “Rachel, these are my very good friends, Chris”—he pointed to the guy who looked like a biker—“and his partner, Josh.”
    “We’ve heard so much about you,” said Chris and took her hand, kissing the back of it.
    “It’s a pleasure to meet you at last,” said Josh, repeating Chris’ gesture.
    “Thank you.” Rachel smiled back at them, relaxing at their friendly manner.
    Josh turned back to Adam and grinned. “So, old man, only another five years till you’re forty.”
    “You can talk,” laughed Adam. “You’re a year older than me. Come on, let’s go through.”
    Rachel glanced questioningly at Adam, but he just put his arm around her and led her across the crowded, noisy room toward the far corner, with Josh and Chris following. She wondered if his friends noticed the awkward way she was walking, and silently cursed Adam for making her wear the damned bullet thing.
    As they pushed through the crowds, they approached a doorway right in the far corner of the room where a beefy doorman stood guard. The burly man nodded and smiled as soon as he saw Adam then stood aside for them to pass. “Good evening, Mr Stone.”
    Adam smiled, greeted the doorman and walked into another bar, quite different from the one they’d just left. Whereas the main bar was noisy and crowded with little seating, this was the opposite. Small round tables were scattered throughout the bar, with subdued lighting matching the equally subdued music.
    “This is a private members’ bar,” explained Adam. “Every year we meet up here on my birthday—it’s become a bit of a tradition.”
    They made their way to an empty table and, when they reached it, Josh held a chair out for Rachel.
    “Thank you.” She smiled, and tried to sit down as gracefully as she could. The bullet thing moved as she put her weight on her arse and she squirmed in discomfort. She scowled at Adam who just grinned back at her. He was clearly enjoying this and she made a mental note to come up with a fitting plan of revenge later.
    A waiter approached their table with a bottle of champagne and four glasses. Chris poured the sparkling drink, then they toasted Adam’s birthday, clinking their glasses in a chorus of good wishes. The conversation turned to old friends and acquaintances and Rachel was soon able to work out that Adam and Chris had gone to university together, and that Chris had met Josh on a working holiday in India nearly four years ago.
    Rachel listened happily to their lively talk, laughing at the jokes and enjoying the delicious champagne that never seemed to run out. But then, completely out of the blue, the bullet started vibrating violently.
    “Agh,” she screamed, unable to hold back her shock, and jumped slightly in her chair.
    The three men stopped talking and turned to look at her.
    “Whatever’s the matter?” asked Adam, with a look of complete innocence on his face. She saw the glint of laughter in his eyes, though, and glared furiously at him. Bastard !
    She smiled at Josh and Chris. “I’m sorry about that,” she said sweetly, “I thought I saw a mouse and it gave me a fright, that’s all.” She tried not to move, which was damned hard, as the vibrations were so strong.
    Adam raised an eyebrow at her and grinned. She should have known he was up to something and looked down at his hand, which was conveniently inside his jacket pocket where he was obviously operating a remote.
    “Ha, I thought Adam was up to his old tricks again,” laughed Chris, winking at Rachel, letting her know he knew about Adam’s kinks. She felt that horrible, familiar blush burn her cheeks again and looked away,