Chains and Canes Read Online Free Page B

she’d been sitting on Daniel’s lap at the club, straddling him, Remy had known which way the wind blew. They were a unit, not a set of nesting dolls.
    Remy shrugged. “You’re right. Forget coy. Might as well be truthful when it comes to sex. Being blunt has gotten me in plenty of panties and boxers. I like it that way.”
    Daniel met him head on. “Well, then. Truth. I don’t like to watch for the sole pleasure of watching.” His eyes were pale and lit with an intensity that contrasted with Naya’s dark, sultry gaze. “I like watching when Naya gets what she needs.”
    “Needs?” Remy echoed, almost to himself. His attention snapped to a higher level. “I like the sound of that.”
    She grinned so broadly that she showed off perfect rows of white teeth. At some point, she’d had braces. He couldn’t help but wonder if she’d been a privileged kid. Maybe being the pampered plaything of a rich man was nothing new. Remy’s upbringing meant his first dental appointment had been during his freshman year. Scholarship committees didn’t want the talent’s teeth to rot. Good thing Naya could dance like a breeze caught between two hands or he’d resent her fancy life and sexy soon-to-be husband.
    She stood away from Daniel but didn’t approach Remy, as much as he might wish. “You can like a thought all you want. But you’ll have to spend a little time convincing me you’re a human being with thoughts other than naughty ones. I’m not as easy as you’re thinking.”
    He flashed a smile. “I was just damned lucky to get you on your knees?”
    Daniel’s features were roughly hewn. They became more rugged when he drew in his cheeks and tilted his head to an arrogant angle. “I hope that was meant as teasing, or I’ll doubt whether this was a good idea.”
    Naya glanced at him. “It’s fine. He just had to show off his balls. Straight male dancers are like that. Or mostly straight.”
    Remy shrugged. “It’s the truth. We’re so often assumed to be…soft. Makes some of us eager to show off.”
    “You’d do better to cultivate some good humor.” Only a little grouse remained in Daniel’s voice.
    “It’s the talent,” Naya said airily. “Goes to their head.”
    “Are you saying I’m talented?” Remy followed her toward the giant window that overlooked Manhattan. The only thing missing was a glimpse of Central Park.
    Naya’s glass of champagne froze on its path toward her sexy mouth. “You’re kidding, right? About wondering if you’re talented?”
    Daniel spoke up. “He’s not kidding. I recognize that tone of voice. Sounds pretty familiar, angel.”
    She rolled her eyes, but her mouth never dropped out of that perfect, teasing smile. “We’re not talking about me.”
    “Might as well be.” Daniel joined them and leaned against the giant plate-glass window. It was a further demonstration of how comfortable he was within such ostentatious surroundings. Remy held a soul-deep if irrational conviction that the skinny sheet of glass wasn’t trustworthy and certainly couldn’t protect a grown man from a hundred-foot drop. Give him swamps and parquet floors and New York streets—then he knew where he stood.
    “Remy here needs some strokes to his ego,” Daniel said, his pale blue gaze missing nothing. “I bet he could do with as much praise as you like.”
    Fuck, Remy was rapidly losing control of the situation. He didn’t like it. Not in the least. He forced a casual sip of champagne. “I thought I was here because of Naya. Her…needs?”
    She was easy with her laughs. They came fast and free. He rather envied that. “You’re lucky you really are talented—and yes, you’re one of the most amazing dancers I’ve ever shared a stage with.”
    “Only one of?”
    “No pouting.” Daniel punctuated his words with a point of his champagne glass. Seemingly harsh lines carved down his lean cheeks, but his lips quirked with amusement. “She’s danced with Zelman Campbell.”
    “I