Page 66 of Daddy's Pride

"I like to pretend to be, but my employees rarely take me seriously. Comes from being the kid of the original owners. They made me take over about five years ago; mom and dad were quite insistent that I run one of the family businesses. I told them this one, but I wouldn't run the others."

"What's wrong with the other places?" I didn't know what made me ask, but Rogue piqued my curiosity. There was a mystery—a puzzle to be solved. I'd always had a weakness for those.

"Biker bars, roadhouses, all over the country. They were originally my dad’s and as a biker who was constantly on the move, he just traveled from one to the other. I love my bike but had no intention of living on it. You didn't answer my question, new?"

“About a year, I applied to school here, my best friend and I found jobs, and moved. We couldn't imagine being separated."

"Good to have best friends. Liking the city so far?" After Rogue asked, they casually sipped their drink and never took their attention off me. Rogue's intense focus made me slightly uncomfortable but not in a way I felt endangered.

"Haven't seen much of it outside work and school. Freida, that's my best friend, she had a date tonight and I'd been here a few times." The other times it was to dance and check out the scene, that night was the first time I'd purposely sought out a hookup. The fact the guy hadn't even bothered to try to get me off brought back that moment of shame. I dropped my chin and was shocked when fingertips pushed under my chin.

"No, babygirl, none of that. Not having fun?"

I shrugged. "I had a quick hookup and no goodbye afterward." I darted my gaze to Rogue and couldn't believe I'd admitted that to a stranger.

"Rude, someone shares their body with you, allows you to have the ultimate intimacy… if you disrespect that then you've shown your character. Casual sex isn't shameful. According to my mama I've had way more than my share, but at least I'm polite enough to offer breakfast." Rogue winked over the rim of their glass.

"Did the bartender call you Rogue?" I asked, tensing as Rogue leaned in.

"Yes, only because I will not answer to Henrietta. I have no idea what my parents were thinking, some family name bullshit."

I choked on the sip I'd taken from the slim, red straw. "That is a terrible name."

"I know. Trinity: real name or secret identity?"

"Real."

"Beautiful name. Want to get out of here?" Rogue asked.

"I said I wasn't?—"

Rogue tsked at me and shook their head to cut me off.

"When I said I wasn't fucking you, I meant it, but I'm not averse to sharing a meal with a beautiful woman."

"I don't know." I set my drink down and realized my hands shook slightly.

"I'm Rogue Barrister, a thirty-three-year-old nonbinary lesbian, they/them pronouns who runs a Queer club and hasn't willingly seen the sun in over a year since I left my corporate gig to do this full-time. I know a great place that's quiet and private, and the music won't make your ears ring."

"I'm straight."

"I'm Queer, are we just stating facts about ourselves? I hear straight people occasionally share meals with other people. We can almost say straight people are… normal. What they do in the privacy of their bedrooms isn't my business."

I snorted and I didn’t know why but I agreed to go with Rogue. I had a few casual friends from work and school. Yet Freida was the only one I'd ever truly felt comfortable with. And I wanted to end my night on a high note.

We argued for a few minutes over Rogue taking care of my entire tab. It was only three drinks, but on principle alone I'd tried to pay. The bartender and Rogue ignored me until Rogue grabbed my hand and led me from the club.

The night air was cool and the sudden drop in decibels was disconcerting as the bass still pumped in my ears until it slowly faded out completely.

"That's better," Rogue said as I walked beside them.

When we passed the parking lot, the industrial section transitioned into a quiet residential street. "Where are we?"

"Home," Rogue motioned to a brownstone with a dark, discolored brick front. "I said private and quiet, no more quiet than my place."

I opened my mouth to argue but I followed them up the stone steps, to the landing and walked into a beautiful space. Where I assumed walls used to be, pillars stood instead. Everything looked elegant but strangely casual. It wasn't a showpiece, but a home.

"You lived here long?"