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Richard laughed and Dan’s face heated.
“Oh…no. I mean. He’s…”
“It’s nice to meet you.” Dahlia leaned forward and shook his hand. “I think those qualities are excellent in a man.”
“Dan, why don’t you join us.” Alison sat, patting the seat between her and Dahlia.
“Ah…” Dan’s eyes darted around the group.
Richard shook his head slightly.
“Maybe later,” said Dan. “I told a friend I’d meet…”
Richard cleared his throat.
“Is everything okay?” She glared at Richard. “Do you need a drink of water or something?” Why did he care if Dan wanted Dahlia?
“No, thank you. I’m fine.” Richard’s grayish-blue eyes twinkled.
“Hmm.” She gave him a warning look as she stood again. “I’m going to use the ladies’ room. Dahlia, would you like to join me?”
“Sure.” Dahlia stood.
“And Dan, definitely stop back by later.” She took Dahlia’s arm and led her away. As soon as they were out of hearing distance she said, “Dan is a great guy. Seriously. In college he was the one guy we could count on. Always. He’d help us with homework. Come and get us from parties if we were too drunk. He is a really, really nice guy…but sexy too. He has a great smile and a good job.”
“Enough already.” Dahlia laughed. “I let him know I was interested. Now—”
“You did? When?” How had she missed that?
“When I told him that his dog-like qualities were sexy.”
“Oh god. I did make him sound like a dog, didn’t I?”
“Only a little.” Dahlia smiled.
“So are you going to go find him?”
“No. Now, it’s up to him.”
“Why? Why is it always up to the man?”
“It isn’t for everyone, but for me, it is. I’m a sub. I like to be pursued, wooed and eventually captured. Then I submit.” Dahlia frowned slightly. “I’m not sure Dan is quite ready for the full-on dominant roll yet. He seems new to all this.”
“Is that a problem? I’m new to it and it doesn’t bother Harker.”
Dahlia’s eyes clouded with sadness.
“Damn it. I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have brought him up.” She was a horrible person.
“No. Don’t be sorry. I'm glad you and Harker found each other.”
“Thank you. I know this can’t be easy for you.” Alison knew firsthand what it was like to be the one not chosen. It’d happened to her all her life.
“It isn’t. I was in love with him. I left because he wasn’t the marrying kind. I knew if I didn’t go, I would’ve stayed with him until he tired of me. Part of me hoped that he’d miss me enough to come after me, but he didn’t.” Dahlia took Alison’s hand. “I’m glad he found you. I think you’re good for him.”
“Oh, I’m not sure he’d agree with that,” she said, trying to lighten the mood. “We definitely have our challenges.”
“I’m sure you do. You work with him, live with him and sleep with him. I think calling it challenging is an understatement.”
