Dare You by Ella Frank
Kieran
IF I HAD to guess, Bash Vogel wasn’t the kind of man to shock easily. But judging by the parted lips and silence coming from the usually snappy man, I figured I’d done a good job. I mean, that was probably the last thing he’d expected to come out of my mouth, and if truth be told, it had felt a little odd getting used to saying brothers after Sean’s little switcheroo.
“Did you just say—”
“My brothers are gay?” When Bash’s eyes narrowed, I nodded. “Yeah, I did.”
He opened his mouth, shut it, then cocked his head to the side. “And just how many brothers do you have?”
“Two.”
“And one’s engaged?” I nodded as Bash crossed one of his legs over the other then leaned in toward me. “How about the other one? He look anything like you, handsome?”
I couldn’t help but laugh, because this guy was about as opposite from Henri as you could get. I waved him off, still chuckling. “Sorry, I’m just picturing Bailey’s boyfriend loving that comment.”
“Oh?” Bash seemed to perk up at that. “Poly?”
Polly? Who the hell is that?“No, his name’s Henri.”
“I meant are they polyamorous. Open to other partners?”
“Oh. Uh, I don’t think so.” In fact, it was more likely Henri would shoot anyone’s head off if they so much as looked at Bailey, but I wasn’t about to get into that.
Bash eased back into the couch and shrugged. “Worth a shot.” He sipped on his champagne and then wiped the corner of his mouth with his still-painted thumb. “So. You’re here to apologize because you have gay brothers and I made you think about the consequences of someone mouthing off to one of them.”
Damn. Nailed it.“Something like that. You seem like a nice guy, and not one who deserves to be on the shit end of Sanderson’s rants.”
“I’d agree with that. Though nice isn’t usually the word I’d associate with myself.”
“Then what is?”
He laid his arm out along the back of the couch. “Fabulous, of course. And if others can’t see that, it’s not my problem.”
I grinned, Bash’s self-confidence more than a little infectious. “That’s a good attitude to have.”
“It’s the only attitude to have. You think I could pull off my wardrobe if I doubted myself in the slightest?”
“Not many guys could pull off a fancy red dress like you,” I agreed, scooting back a little and crossing my ankle over my knee. “Speaking of which… What kind of party did that fire bust through that night?”
“Oh, just a small gathering of new friends. I had to do something to make my entrance into Chicago’s queer society, though I daresay escaping a burning building wasn’t exactly what I had in mind. And my poor Valentino may never recover from the smoke damage.” He eyed me over the rim of his glass. “I suppose at least no one can say I’m unforgettable after that.”
Jesus, if that wasn’t an understatement. I mean, the guy was sitting here wearing what looked like purple silk pajamas. He wasn’t exactly staying under anyone’s radar, but that seemed to be the point.
“Does that mean you’re moving here?” I asked.
“Darling, no.” Bash wrinkled his nose. “No offense, of course, it’s quite the city, but I much prefer island living. I’ve been resistant for quite a while to having another base of operations, and it would be a smart idea to land in Chicago, so I’m here to work out all those details.”
“Island?” Now he’d piqued my interest. “Where do you live?”
“On South Haven off the coast of Georgia. Heard of it?” When I shook my head, he said, “Then you must come for a visit. Heavenly beaches, our quaint little downtown, and the nightlife is divine. Surely you’re due for a vacation after all that hard, sweaty work you do.”
“You saying I’m a hot mess?”
Bash gave me a once-over that under any other circumstance might’ve made me uncomfortable. But the champagne had done its job in relaxing me, and Bash was so secure with who he was that you didn’t even question what it was he was saying.
“Oh, you’re hot. But you already know that, don’t you, sugar?”
I chuckled and shrugged. “Of course. I’m fabulous.”
Bash let out a twinkling laugh that made me think of music for some reason, and then he winked at me and pushed his fingers against my bicep. “And muscley, too, don’t forget that. I bet you could bench-press me easy. What do you think?”
I had no fucking idea, and when that was clear by my lack of response, Bash moved to the edge of the couch and got to his feet.
“Would you like another drink?”
I looked at my empty glass and then to his, and thought I was relaxed enough for the minute and shook my head. “No, I’m good. I had a few beers before I came here tonight.”
“Oh, you were out?” Bash walked over to the bar in the suite and opened the fridge to pull out a second bottle of champagne.
“Not out out. Just the family barbecue. We have them every Saturday unless we’re working.”
Bash popped the cork like he’d done it a million times before, poured himself another glass, and made his way back over. His robe flowed behind him like some kind of cape—but you know, fancier—and when he sat back down, he tucked one of his legs under his behind.
“Working on the weekend. That’s a horrid thing right there. What do they do? Are they firemen, also?”
“No, actually. I’m the only fiery in the family. My other brothers are in law enforcement. Or sort of.”
“Firemen and policemen? And gay? Well, not you, but do you know how many fantasies you’ve just started in my head? Handcuffs; firemen poles; strip-search me, officer. I could go on and on.”
I was sure he could—and would if I didn’t hurry up and say something else. “Uh, don’t get too carried away there. Technically one is now a private investigator and Sean is a detective. But he doesn’t count.”
Bash cocked his head to the side. “Doesn’t count?”
“Yeah. Sean isn’t any gay man’s fantasy, trust me. But he only switched to your team recently.”
“My team? Are we picking players now?” Bash took a sip and then batted his lashes. “If so, want to play on my team too?”
I chuckled good-naturedly. I had to give the guy points for persistence. “Sorry to disappoint, but Sean’s the Bailey who switched sides. I’m—”
“Happy working your way in and out of every woman’s…bed in Chicago?”
“I sometimes make my way back to mine.”
Bash chuckled. “I like you, lieutenant. You’re unexpected, and I like the unexpected.”
I’m unexpected? Compared to this guy, I found that hard to believe. “Well, I’m happy to please.”
“I bet you say that to all the girls.”
I winked at him, deciding to give him back some of his own medicine. “Only the pretty ones.” Bash was a flirt, and if there was one thing I knew how to handle, it was a teasing little minx. “How long are you in town?”
“Hmm, however long it takes. At least another week or two.”
Staying at a place like this? Holy shit, that would be a whole year’s pay, easy.
He mistook the look on my face, because he put the back of his hand to his forehead and said, “I know. Whatever shall I do with myself?”
I looked around the spacious room—sorry, suite—and shook my head. “Seems like you have a pretty kickass setup here. Endless champagne, a massive balcony. Is there a pool hiding in here somewhere, too?”
“Don’t I wish, but I suppose the hot tub more than makes up for that.”
“Lemme guess. That’s on the balcony too?”
He nodded, eyes gleaming. “It is…and also in my private bathroom. Would you care for a one-on-one tour?”
I laughed. Though I knew he would snap me up the minute I showed any interest, I felt surprisingly unthreatened sitting here, even with all the provocative comments being thrown my way. I had a feeling he was this way with even his closest of friends, which was why I felt safe throwing it right back to him. “Nah, but I appreciate that you would take time out of your busy schedule just to escort me around the palace. How generous of you.”
“Oh, you have no idea.” As he rubbed the back of his neck, his robe parted a little more, and though I hadn’t meant to look, I couldn’t help but be surprised by how smooth and fair his body was. I was surrounded by a station of guys with more hair on their chests than he had on his head, and I wondered if he was just born that way or if he did something to remove it. Not that it was any of my business. It didn’t matter to me what he looked like underneath his outlandish outfits.
Bash looked down at where my eyes had drifted and lifted a shoulder. “And now you’re wondering how I live on an island and remain so gloriously pale. I blame my parents for that. At this point, I reflect the sun.”
Oh. Right. Yeah, that was exactly what I’d been thinking.
I lifted my glass to my lips, but belatedly realized it was empty. That was my cue to head home.
Bash reached for the glass. “I’ll take care of that.”
“No, that’s okay,” I said, getting to my feet. “It’s getting late, and I should head out.”
“Oh. Another pub crawl on the agenda?”
“More like crawling into my bed. It’s been a long week.”
“Ah, okay then.” Bash somehow made moving off the couch look graceful, and before I knew it, he was beside me, lifting my glass from my fingers and setting both flutes on the end table. “I appreciate you stopping by. If you change your mind about the hot tub, feel free to come again.”
Grinning, I nodded. “Like I said, you’re too generous. Thanks for not holding a grudge.”
“Not my style. Too many better things to hold than a grudge.”
I rubbed my face and stifled a laugh. How did anyone keep up with this guy? “See you around, Bash. Try to behave.”
“Never.”
He moved in front of me to grab the door handle before I could, and as he pulled it open and I slipped through, he said, “What are you doing Tuesday night?”
I stopped and slowly turned around. “Tuesday night?”
“Yeah.” Bash leaned casually against the doorframe. “I’m still new to the city, and room service is getting old. Would you like to do dinner that evening if you’re free?”
He asked the question so nonchalantly that I couldn’t help but wonder if I’d somehow given him a signal that I’d be open to a date. Because that was a firm no.
When I frowned, Bash held up his hand. “As friends, of course. I couldn’t possibly show up alone, and you’re not so bad.”
“Not so bad?” I chuckled and scratched the scruff on my face. “Gee, when you put it that way, why wouldn’t I take you up on the offer?” I shook my head. “Got anywhere in mind?”
“How about you come up with the where? Maybe something less like a pub and more like something you think I’d enjoy. How’s that for a challenge?”
Somewhere Bash would enjoy… Okay, wherever that was wasn’t somewhere I knew anything about, but I knew someone who did.
“All right,” I said, nodding. “Challenge accepted. See you Tuesday.”
