A Shot in the Dark Read Online Free Page B

image of Carter fully dressed in his leather, shirt off and a leather paddle in his hand made her stomach flip. “I don’t know.”
    “It’s only Mavericks. If you’re worried about the guy being a creep, talk to Josh. He’ll keep an eye open for you.”
    “Actually, Carter said he knew Josh.”
    “There you go.” He held out the card and Paige took it back, not wanting to put it back in her pocket. “You know how strict he is about members. If the guy was a douche he wouldn’t be allowed within ten miles of the place.”
    Arguments and roadblocks popped into her mind, none of which had anything to do with Carter himself. He’d given her no reason to doubt his intentions that the offer would be anything beyond coffee…at a sex club.
    Ian stood in front of her and held her shoulders. “You’re always running around worrying about me and Sade, but I think you need to start with yourself. You haven’t been out with anyone since Rick, right?”
    Paige shuddered at the sound of Rick’s name, but thankfully Ian didn’t notice. “No, I haven’t.”
    “Then do this. Go for drinks. See where it leads. You never know, it might turn out to be awesome.”
    It was as though Paige saw Ian for the first time. He’d long lost his baby face, fine lines starting to appear around his eyes and mouth. In a few years they would be more prominent, and he’d start to look like their dad even more than he did now. Not that she’d ever make the comparison within earshot of Ian.
    “When did you grow up to be so smart?” She leaned in and kissed his cheek.
    “About ten minutes ago.” Ian pulled her in for a hug, squeezing her tight before pushing her away. “Now go call him. I can cover the front.”
    “Should I suck up to Sade now or later?”
    Another loud bang from the kitchen gave her all the answer she needed. Ian rolled his eyes and jerked his head in the direction of the back. “I’ll talk to her in a few minutes. Why don’t you use my cell for now?”
    The nerves Paige had expected to feel didn’t show up as she finally made up her mind to act on her desires. “Thanks. I’ll sneak around to the alley and suck up after.”
    Outside it was warm despite the strong breeze. The air was refreshing after the heat of the shop and the saturated coffee-scented air. Paige slipped into the alley between the buildings and pressed her back to the wall. She was close enough to the street to still feel the buzz of energy around her, but far enough away that anyone coming by wouldn’t be able to hear her.
    With Ian’s phone in one hand and Carter’s card in the other, Paige found herself at the moment when she knew her life would change one way or the other. Even if Carter turned out to be a jerk and she never went near him again, it would start her back on the path to a social life.
    That wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.
    Paige flipped the phone side-over-side, trying to will her body to cooperate with what her head knew she wanted. She would be fine. History wouldn’t necessarily repeat itself because she was putting herself out there once more.
    Right?
    Taking a deep breath, she punched in the phone number and waited for an answer. The sound of Carter’s recorded bass over his voice mail relaxed her enough so she could speak.
    “Ten p.m. Friday at Mavericks.”
    She ended the call and prayed she hadn’t made a mistake.

Chapter Three
     
    T he music was as loud as Paige remembered and no less annoying. She sat at the table closest to the bar and did her best not to watch the Domme going to work on the male sub strapped to the St. Andrew’s Cross. The moans that undercut the music practically screamed out to Paige, making her skin tingle with every crack of the riding crop against his ass.
    It had been far too long for her.
    The damp glass in her hand was slowly growing warm. The rye and ginger burned down her throat, her current buzz more the result of her nerves than the alcohol. Carter’s return message had been