Page 43 of Up in a Blaze

Eve snorted. “You’re brave. You remember the last time Quake went into the kitchen while Dusty was cooking and asked something?”

Gun smirked. “Yeah, but she loves me more, and Quake is always stealing food as she makes it. At least I wait until she’s done.”

“But what about your input here?” I asked. “We still must pick the rest of the furniture. The flooring. The lighting.”

Gun stood, giving me a look I didn’t understand, but his words made sense. “You’ve got more style and sense than me. I’m sure you’ll do fine without me. We trust you, Henri.”

My chest warmed. “This is true. I do have more style. Thank you, Gun.”

He smirked, rolled his eyes, and moved off toward the kitchen doors.

“All right, what do you think of these black booths, which will”—I grabbed the layout of the club and pointed to a spot—“hug these walls on each floor? Then in the large space in the middle we can have tables and chairs.”

Adrick grunted. “I believe Gun is correct. You have style, little French man.”

I beamed at the scary man and glanced to Eve, who raised her hands. “Hey, I’m just here for moral support. This is all you. But I do love the idea and that both men and women are welcome there and not just as dancers but as patrons. Makes everyone feel welcome.”

“Da, I have a feeling this club will be very busy.”

My excitement shone through as I wiggled on the seat. “This makes me very happy.”

“Not like I do,” a gruff voice said from behind me before an arm wound around my waist and I was pulled up off the bench seat. Blaze’s teeth latched onto my neck, making me close my eyes and sigh happily.

I loved his claiming.

“Fuck me, I need to get laid,” Eve mumbled.

“At least you have Quake here. My West?—”

Blaze lifted his head, and I opened my eyes like we both expected something to happen.

Eve didn’t disappoint.

“You don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about!” Eve snapped, standing and resting her hands to the table. “There’s nothing going on with me and Quake. Got it?” She stormed off toward the kitchen before Adrick said more.

“Was I supposed to pretend I know nothing about them when they are obvious about it?”

“Oui, Adrick,” I said.

It was well known that Quake and Eve did the horizontal tango, but Eve would never be locked down into a relationship. She had commitment issues from past trauma. Though we could see that Quake adored her. He was a sweet man who would treat her right.

Adrick swore in Russian, then waved a hand as if to brush it off. “Does not matter. But maybe when West tells me things, he needs to warn me of these secrets too.” His gaze narrowed. “Everyone knows about them, da?”

“Everyone but Eve’s brother.”

“She has brother?”

Blaze snorted at my back.

“I am joking. I know the technology man is her twin brother.”

“Then don’t say anything to Tech about Eve and Quake.”

“It bothers me not. Can we get back to this?” He nodded down to the table.

Turning in Blaze’s arms, I asked, “Do you have more things to do here, mon amour? Or are we headed home before work?”

He lowered down to nip at my bottom lip, which sent a tingle right to my balls.