Page 266 of Theirs to Desire (Club M: Boxed Set)

SHANE

W e drive back to the castle in silence. “Nine tonight?” I ask Addie when we pull up at the front. “Will that work for you?”

“Yes.” She looks nervous. “How should I dress?”

I don’t want her to be stressed about tonight. “It doesn’t matter.”

“Because my clothes won’t stay on for long?” she quips.

She’s not wrong. “Should I pretend otherwise?” I ask bluntly. “It seems better to be honest under the circumstances.”

Theo gives me an irritated look once Addie leaves. “What?” I ask, a defensive edge in my voice.

“Addie is a female version of you. You’re like two peas in a pod.”

I open my mouth to respond and then close it. Theo is right. Addie is pretty damn similar to me. She's tight-lipped about her life, she doesn't let people in, and she doesn’t trust easily. I might as well be looking in the mirror.

Theo looks at my face. “I didn't mean it as an insult. Right now, I could use a little of your emotional detachment.”

I know Theo. We’ve been friends for fifteen years. This is probably not what he wants from Addie. Yesterday, when he talked to her about her book, there were stars in his eyes. This situation must be difficult for him. Impossible.

It wouldn’t take much for him to fall in love with her. If Addie were at all interested in a relationship, I would withdraw and leave him to it. But she’s not. That makes my selfishness a little bit easier to swallow.

“Will you be okay tonight?”

A look of resolution flashes over his face. “I'll be fine.”

I’m not going to insult Theo by second-guessing him. “Okay. Did you see Catherine's email about the Larson account?”

We talk about work for a while, and then I head to my room. I’m thinking about Addie, about what Theo said. You’re like two peas in a pod.

She didn't want to eat with us. She didn't want to be seen. As someone who's been the reluctant subject of far too many tabloid hit pieces, her reticence makes perfect sense.

And she hasn't been to the club in a few years, not since Elliott Meyer got sick. I picture the elevator doors opening and Addie stepping out. Everyone at Club Ménage will respect her privacy, but they will still stare.

If I were Addie, I would hate the feeling of being exposed.

I pick up my phone and call Xavier. “I need something.”

“I've already introduced you to Adelaide Byard,” he responds coolly. “That’s all I said I’d do. If she’s not interested in you, then leave her the fuck alone.”

Xavier doesn’t know about tonight? We reserved a private room; I thought he’d know.

His attention must be somewhere else. “We’re doing a session tonight.

That’s not what I’m calling about.” I cross the room in restless strides.

“The private rooms have employee entrances, right?

Can you arrange for Addie to use them to get into the club tonight?

I don't think she'd want to walk through the main floor.”

“Yes, I can do that.” Xavier's voice thaws fractionally. “That's thoughtful of you.”

He doesn’t have to sound quite so surprised; I’m not a complete wanker. “I've done my good deed for the year then.”