Page 9 of Protecting Salvation

“Meet us at the Tipple Lounge at eight and wear something sexy. We’re getting you laid.”

“Fine. I’ll come out. I’ll dress up but I’m going home alone. One-night stands aren’t safe.”

“Oh, behave. We can run a background check on him before he even gets his hand up your skirt.”

Peyton snorted. “Weirdo.”

“Yep, but you love me. See you later.”

“Bye.”

Peyton hung up and turned to Bertie. “Sorry, bud, looks like a doggie dinner for one for you.”

He cocked his head and yipped and she grinned.

Lookingaround the Tipple Lounge which was already packed, Peyton clutched her bag and considered turning around and heading home and firing up that new Turkish drama.

“Pey, hey, over here.”

Peyton twisted to her left and saw Aoife waving at her from a table in the corner.

Peyton smiled and made her way over to her on her stupidly high heels.

“Here, I saved you a seat.”

Aoife moved over so Peyton could squeeze in between her and Duchess. “Thanks.”

Aoife shoved a strawberry daiquiri towards her and Peyton took a long sip before smiling and setting the drink back down.

“You look hot. I love that skirt on you.”

Peyton looked down at the teal blue faux leather skirt that was barely covering her hoo-ha now she was sitting and wondered if it was a bit much.

“I feel like an old woman trying to be young surrounded by all these young, nubile teens.”

Lotus laughed and pointed at her. “Nubile, I like that.” Her eyes moved over Peyton and if she hadn’t almost died and been saved by Lotus, she’d be mildly alarmed by the woman. She was direct as hell, but Peyton knew it was a safety mechanism. “Aoife’s right, you look hot.”

“Thanks, so do you.” She wasn’t lying, Lotus was wearing a black skin-tight one-piece that showcased every sexy curve she had.

“Okay, so catch me up on the gossip.”

Peyton slurped down more of the sweet cocktail and felt her body begin to relax. The music was loud dance music but not loud enough that they couldn’t talk. It was more of a cocktail bar vibe than a club, despite the small dance floor at the back.

“Well, Snow and Charlie are over there, trying to resist the temptation to check on their husbands and hoping like hell the babies aren’t running them ragged in case they get horny and want drunk sex.”

“Oh, I love drunk sex.” Duchess grinned, her lips tipping up into a smile that said she was currently running through a very pleasant memory.

“Me too, but angry sex is the best,” Val piped up.

Aoife pointed at her pretending her fingers were mini guns and firing. “Yes, angry sex is the hottest. All that angst and adrenalin and you don’t know whether you want to punch them or ride them until they collapse.”

“Yeah, Bás loves it when I dig my nails into his back.”

“No!” Lotus put her hand in the air and then pointed at Val. “We are not talking about Mum and Dad having sex.”

“You know I’m only a few years older than you, right?” Val smirked at Lotus, her eyes twinkling.

“I don’t care. You put yourself in that role and now you have to suffer the consequences.”