Page 29 of Pure Recklessness

‘What you drinking?’ Joe asked.

‘I’ll try whatever you’re having,’ I said, thinking I had no idea what to order.

Whilst we watched the barman making the cocktails, Joe asked me how long I was staying at Sated.

‘Two weeks. Hopefully more. Depends on what the boss thinks of my presentation.’

We carried the cocktails over to a table and sat down.

‘Tell us about the special project you’re doing for Daddy Devlin.’ Dana sipped a bright red cocktail which was apparently called a Cosmopolitan. I took a gulp of my own. It was sweet, but very pleasant.

‘You’re working directly with Mr McSpicy?’ Joe’s brows shot up.

‘Mr McSpicy is one of Joe’s many names for Mr Devlin,’ Dana clarified.

‘Noted. Yes. I had an idea to help Sated expand their audiobook offering and Mr Devlin has given me two weeks to prepare a presentation. If he likes it, they’ll keep me on, if not, I’ll probably have to go back to the village.’

‘There’s no way we can let that happen!’ Dana said.

‘You’re from a village?’ Joe’s brow raised in curiosity.

‘Yes,’ I confirmed.

‘And it sounds like it’s in the middle of bumfuck nowhere,’ Dana added. ‘From what you told me before, it sounds like it’s sucked all of the life, fun and adventure out of you.’

‘It’s not the liveliest place,’ I admitted. ‘The average age of the residents there is eighty.’

‘That explains the clothes…’ Joe looked at my outfit and grimaced.

‘What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?’ I frowned. I knew I didn’t dress like a catwalk model, but everything was co-ordinated. My brown skirt matched my shoes and my cardigan. I’d picked them out especially.

‘Oh, sweetie.’ Joe tilted his head and sighed. ‘No offence, but it looks like your granny dressed you.’

I swallowed hard.

‘Joe!’ Dana said. ‘You can’t say that! It’s rude.’

‘Tell me I’m wrong.’ He cocked a brow.

‘Ellie’s just got a more vintage style, that’s all. And she’s led a sheltered life. Leave the poor girl alone.’

‘Thanks,’ I said, grateful that Dana had defended me again.

‘I’m not mean. Just honest!’ He took a long sip of his creamy cocktail which had a slice of pineapple attached to the side of the glass. ‘So have you listened to any of Sated’s audiobooks yet?’

‘No…’ I replied. ‘They’re probably a little too racy for me.’ I raised my glass to my lips and took a generous sip.

‘And what about the toys?’ he asked. ‘Have you tried any of them?’

‘No!’ I protested, almost choking on my drink.

‘But you’re going to, right? And listen to the audiobooks?’ Joe pressed.

‘I’m not sure I’d be comfortable doing that.’ I shook my head emphatically. ‘I’ll read the reviews of course, to get an overview of what readers think. That should be enough.’

Joe sighed like a disappointed parent.

‘Ellie’s a… bit of an innocent,’ Dana jumped in.