Page 90 of The Toy Maker

My stomach twisted. I liked Ethan. He was kind, funny, normal. But he wasn’t Jason.

I glanced over my shoulder and saw the girls conspicuously watching from across the room. “I should really hang around here. As you know, we have a big show coming up.”

His face was hopeful. “I promise to have you back within the hour.”

I was tempted to throw caution to the wind and go out with a guy whose main goal wasn’t to tie me to my headboard, but then again,he wouldn’t tie me to a headboard.

And nice guys deserved nice girls, and I wasn’t sure I was one anymore. Not to mention I had sworn myself to Jason; I was his Sub, he was my Dom. Technically, I belonged to him.

Ethan sensed my hesitation. “I have no expectations, Tara. I just want to talk.” His usual laid-back demeanor stiffened.

That caught my attention.

I tilted my head, curiosity prickling my skin. “Is everything alright?”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “There are some things you need to know.”

I watched his gaze flicker behind me and followed his eyes.

Jason stood at the end of the room, arms crossed, his eyes locked on Ethan with a sharp, almost accusatory glare.

“Please,” Ethan added quickly. “Just hear me out.”

I agreed to listen to whatever he had to say, but before we could leave, Jason intervened.

“What are you doing here?” he demanded.

With one on my left and the other on the right, I had front row seats to their bickering.

Ethan tried to seem unfazed by Jason’s calloused greeting. “Stopping by to see a friend. You have a problem with that?” he said smoothly.

Jason leaned closer to him and frowned. “Maybe I do.”

“That’s alright, because Tara and I were just leaving.”

“Like hell you are,” he scoffed.

My lower back was pressed against the front desk. I scanned the room for Jade. The one time I needed her to ride in on a white horse armed with a strong right hook and she was nowhere to be found.

“Jason, it’s fine,” I tried to insist. Jason’s eyes flickered to mine, and I nearly dove behind the counter when they met. “I already said I would go.”

He scowled. “That’s not a good idea.”

“She said she wants to go,” Ethan snapped.

I glanced at him, silently warning him not to make this worse. “Thanks, but I can take it from here, Ethan.”

“I think like Mr. Sexy better.”

Blood rushed to my cheeks. I was sure he said that just to see if he could make steam come out of Jason’s ears.

Jason’s expression darkened. “Mr. what?” he growled. Ah, shit…

“I’m sorry you disagree, but I’ve already made my decision.” I turned my attention back to Ethan before Jason could break my resolve.

Ethan opened the door and waited for me to exit before casting one last look to Jason. I had no idea what had happened to make them behave this way, but something told me I was right in the middle of it.

We walked two blocks before I worked up the nerve to ask. “What was that?”