Page 16 of Wild Fire

“That’s not a bad idea, actually,” I say thoughtfully as she relaxes. “Maybe I’ll check it out later tonight.”

She nods as her phone rings, breaking the awkward tension between us, and as she gets up to take the call, I decide that’s exactly what I’m going to do.

Tonight, I’m going to Shadows & Sin.

Chapter Six

Nate

This was a bad idea.

Quite possibly one of my worst.

No wonder Lacey blushed. This place’s like something straight out of Fifty Shades of Grey.

In fact, I think it might make Christian blush.

Though for twenty-four dollars an hour, I think I could handle just about anything at this point, and I’m running out of options. Which is why I’ll just have to suck it up and deal because there’s no way I’m not applying here.

The guys here are hot as fuck—and there’s a couple I’ve caught stealing glances at me since I got here.

Probably because they can tell this isn’t my scene. Either that or they’re judging my taste in fashion because they know I thrifted this outfit from the consignment store across the street from Lacey’s apartment.

Of course they can’t know that. That’s crazy.

I’m just freaking out because I haven’t been out in a long time, and it’s been even longer since I picked up a guy at a bar.

Not that I’m picking anyone up here, tonight. At least, I hadn’t planned on it, but I’m not opposed to the idea.

I move through the crowd of people on the dance floor; the heavy throbbing bass and haunting melody of “The Death Of Peace Of Mind” by Bad Omens echoing through the air, but whoever’s singing it isn’t them. It sounds sexy as hell, though, I won’t lie. Totally fitting for this place with all its gothic-y vibes.

Maybe if I grab a drink, it’ll calm my nerves enough to not feel like a total outsider. Which I am, and it’s not just because this is some sexy kink club or whatever.

I haven’t been to this town since I was nine. A lot has changed, and though I’ve seen a few things that still exist from my childhood—like the Twist-E-Treat down the road from Gram’s or the ball field I used to hang out in when I was little, there’s more I don’t know than I do. Which only makes me feel like I don’t belong here anymore. Maybe I never did.

But at least for now, I have to stay until I can get all this shit settled with Gram’s house. I still don’t know what I’m going to do once I get everything transferred in my name, but Lacey said not to jump ahead of myself, so…

I’m trying not to think about it. After all, the agent I talked to—Duncan or Dylan or whatever his name was, I can’t remember it right now—said it could take up to a month for everything to get approved and smoothed out.

Which means I’m going to be here at least until Thanksgiving if that’s the case, so I really need to start making some money and getting my shit together. My pitiful savings is only going to last me so long, probably a couple months at best.

I try to flag the bartender down, but he’s not even looking this way.

“Haven’t seen you around here before,” a smooth voice purrs from beside me. I turn to see a man dressed in a clean-cut black suit with a very shiny watch looking me up and down like I’m a piece of meat he wants to take a bite out of. The look is equal parts pleasing and kind of creepy.

“You must be new here.”

“Is it that obvious?” I ask, feeling my cheeks warm. If I had to guess, I’d say he’s probably in his early thirties, but I’ve never been the best at guessing people’s ages. Nor do I care.

Age is just a number. As long as we’re both consenting adults, who gives a shit?

At least, that’s what I tell myself because admitting I like men old enough to be my dad feels fucking pervy as shit. Even Evan—who was barely seven years older than me—thought it was weird when I told him I wanted to role play the whole student-teacher thing, even though I purely said professor-student. Mostly because my art history teacher was hot, and Evan looked sexy as hell in glasses. Of course, I didn’t think it was that weird until he made a big deal about it, and after that, I learned to keep my mouth shut about the things that turn me on. If I focus on my partners, make sure they are happy and satisfied, that’s all that matters right?

The guy chuckles darkly, sipping from his glass, and fuck if it isn’t making my dick all tingly at the moment.

“That’s not a bad thing, handsome," he says, draining the rest of what’s in his glass. “A first time can be quite… thrilling.”

I swallow hard. Something about his words make my skin prickle with goosebumps. Or that could just be me. I shouldn’t be so nervous, but I can’t help it.