The Sterling Boys(36)

"They're fine, Dane. Don't worry. If they were going to get infected, they would have done so in the first few days. Not two weeks later."

He shrugs while letting my shirt fall back into place, and then he looks at me expectantly, still waiting on an answer.

"Chinese sounds good," I say with a dorky grin.

His smile is rewarding, and he thumbs my chin before walking away. I love having him all to myself, but I'm really starting to miss the guys. Dane refuses to let them come over until he's certain I'm healed.

"So?" Viv prompts impatiently.

Hell, I forgot she was even on the phone.

"I had surgery, and Dane has been hanging out with me, checking to make sure I'm okay."

I aim for casual, but I know it won't work on Viv. Not after that damn tequila-tell-all night. Stupid tequila.

"Whatever. Spill the truth," she retorts.

"That is the truth. We've decided to be friends."

I hate the friend zone, but it's better than what I had with him before. I thought I was okay without Dane in my life, but now that I have him back, I realize what a true wreck I really was.

"Really, Rain? That's all I get?"

Chinese... We should go out instead of eating in again.

"Viv, I'll have to debrief you later."

Hanging up, I slide off the bed and head toward the living room.

"Dane," I call, hoping to catch him before he places the order.

"I was about to ask if we should order two of everything, since you barely touched your food last time. You were too busy devouring mine."

I round the corner to see him studying the menu, looking too sexy for words. I'd love to stay in and cuddle all night, but the cuddling is killing me as much as it is pleasing me. It's so incredible, but it's just as frustrating.

"I didn't devour all your food. You just happened to order the things I liked better."

He snickers but doesn't look up as he pulls his phone out.

"How about we go out instead? We can grab something on the way to Silk."

He finally looks up, a small frown creasing his brow.

"You feel like going out?"

"Yes. And I want to go to your badass club. You good with that?"

He thinks about it for a moment, acting as though he really doesn't want to go, but he finally shrugs.

"I'll get dressed. I need to stop in anyhow, make sure people are still working without the boss there."

I can't help but grin. That night I saw him at Silk... This time will be different. If I could have sex right now, I'd probably end this little game of ours. Dane has to care about me as more than a friend if he refuses to leave me alone for more than five seconds. He has neglected everything else in his life just so he can be by my side.

"Does that mean I get free drinks?" I muse, batting my lashes playfully.

He laughs and comes to place a sweet kiss on my cheek.

"Drink all you want. On the house."

I clap my hands, mocking enthusiasm, and I'm rewarded with his throaty laughter.

"I'll call the guys."



"Dane's hogging you," Maverick pouts, crossing his arms over his chest.

Dane chuckles lightly while pulling me closer and kissing my forehead. I nestle against him while the guys try to talk Dale into getting back into the game. This booth is the perfect place in the building.

I'm still not crazy about the burlesque pole dancers, though.

The only thing missing is a member of our group, and he's missing because of me.

"Mr. Sterling," a girl in a pair of suctioned-to-her-ass shorts purrs, breaking me out of my reverie. "Ember said you were here. Can I get you a drink?"

She lets her gaze drift to me, and in her eyes, I can see her sharpening her claws.

"Yeah, Vanessa, bring us a few rounds of shots and our usual drinks, too. And add a vodka martini to that as well."

She gives him her syrupy sweet grin, while putting her hand on his shoulder, and then she leans in to whisper to him. I don't know what she says, but Dane laughs while shaking his head.

Bitch.

When she walks off, I exert a hell of a lot of willpower to not ask him what that was about. Dane had a reputation in high school, so I can only imagine it's doubled since then. Look at him. He's gorgeous, rich, so fucking sweet, incredible... I hate my life sometimes.

Why did I want to go out? I'd rather be torturing myself at home as opposed to being out here in the real world—where other women can remind him what they're offering. At least at home I don't have to compete. I'm so stupid.

"You okay?" Dane asks, keeping his arm around me and tipping my chin up with his other hand.

"I'm fine. But I don't think Vanessa likes me very much."

His laughter is expected. Why did I say that?

"She doesn't like any woman very much. Don't worry about her. Want to dance?"