Page 29 of Blush

He holds my gaze, the muscle in his jaw clenching before he offers a single nod and ushers me toward the bar.

Mr. Dark and Sexy motions to one of the bartenders—a female with average-size breasts and nipple rings. She’s beautiful. Everyone is beautiful here.

But are they? Honestly, I don’t really notice any physical characteristics. Everyone is just so…

I can’t find a word.

A few minutes later, two drinks slide in front of us.

“What is it?”

“Taste,” Mr. Dark and Sexy whispers.

Willing myself not to shake, I pick up the glass of orange liquid and take a sip.

Then I laugh. “It’s orange juice. Just orange juice.”

The bartender smiles. “We don’t serve a person alcohol unless that person specifically asks for it.”

Mr. Dark and Sexy picks up his glass—his is clear with a twist of lime—and takes a sip.

“Are you ready?” he asks, still in a whisper.

“I can’t be ready,” I say. “Not until I hear your voice.”

He takes another sip of his clear liquid. Is it just water? Seltzer? Or does his have booze in it? I can’t tell by watching him.

Nothing. Nothing for the next few seconds until I feel like he may not even possess vocal cords.

But then—

“Are you ready, Mandy?”

My jaw drops.

That clear drink with a twist of lime? It’s a Tanqueray and tonic.

Does Mr. Dark and Sexy truly think he can hide himself from me? I’d know that whiskey-toned voice anywhere.

Chapter Ten

Jackson

Uh-oh.

For a split second, she appeared to recognize my voice, but from one blink to the next, the look of surprise is gone. I must have imagined it. This won’t work if she knows who I am.

She doesn’t say anything, her gaze bouncing around the room nervously as she bites her lower lip.

Why is she still here? Just one look at this place should have scared the hell out of her.

And her red lips? Those aren’t Mandy, no matter how fucking hot they look.

I clear my throat, lowering my voice again. “I said, are you ready?”

Amanda smiles. Actually smiles. “I came here to learn, Mr. Dark and Sexy. What do you have to teach me?”

Mr. Dark and Sexy? God, she’s killing me. She can’t possibly be serious. Black Rose Underground isnotfor Amanda. I can’t believe she allowed me to put a blindfold over her, not knowing who I was.