Infatuation (Club Destiny #4)(42)
Author: Nicole Edwards

“Past tense,” he assured her in case there was any question.

“Oh.”

Tag wouldn’t have heard her whispered response had he not been pressed against her, his mouth hovering a breath away hers. The heat of the moment had passion igniting instantaneously between them. He wanted to taste her sweetness, to inhale her into his lungs, but he couldn’t. Not right now because right now he was supposed to be back in that meeting room, not out in the hall fucking around.

“Now, let’s go back into that room,” he said sternly. “There are some people I need to talk to. Not to mention, you’re looking for an invite from Travis Walker, aren’t you?”

He knew what she was looking to gain from this little adventure they were on, and as much as he knew the attraction between them was mutual, neither of them could afford to lose sight of what they were actually there for. “He’s in there and now’s your chance.”

McKenna nodded as he backed away, taking her hand. She seemed slightly reluctant to go with him, but he couldn’t do anything about that. Not right now.

Once they were back in his room, he would certainly show her what it meant to let her anger get the best of her. Tag had learned years ago not to be led around by either his dick or his emotions, and that lesson had come in handy more times than he could count.

Tag was just about to excuse himself so he could meet up with McKenna and Travis who had been talking for the better part of the last hour when he was approached by one of Club Destiny’s newest members.

Ever since Tag and McKenna returned to the meeting room, he’d been involved in a multitude of discussions with the attending members. Most of them wanted his personal assurance that their identities would not be revealed in any one of McKenna’s stories. They were all well aware of whom she was and what she did, and though they all praised her magazine, not one of them actually wanted to be in it.

So, when Stephen Crawford approached, Tag fully expected more of the same questions.

“Crawford,” Tag greeted the man, offering his hand.

“Seems you’re the man of the hour.” Stephen shook Tag’s hand, and when their palms touched, there was a disturbing tingle at the back of his neck that he couldn’t seem to shake.

“Not sure about that. I think Travis Walker has drawn quite a bit of interest from folks here.”

“Oh, I won’t disagree with you about that. I’m definitely interested in learning more about AI and what it’ll cost me to get an invite.”

Tag knew that there wasn’t any amount of money that would secure an invite to the exclusive resort once it opened, but he wasn’t going to tell Stephen that. Tag didn’t know the man all that well, but what he did know, he wasn’t so sure he liked. Why Luke had decided to allow the man to join the club was beyond him, but it wasn’t his place to question Luke’s decisions.

“What can I do for you, Crawford?” Tag glanced over at McKenna noticing the way she was laughing with Travis, the other man staying close to her at all times.

As much as Tag wished it weren’t true, he had come to acknowledge, although not fully accept, the lingering jealousy that was glimmering in the dark recesses of his soul when it came to McKenna. He was almost certain he had nothing to worry about when it came to Travis, but he wasn’t thrilled to see them so close together.

“I heard you were bringing a journalist, but I didn’t realize you were bringing McKenna.”

Tag got the impression Stephen was hinting that he knew McKenna personally. “And?”

“You do realize who she is and what she does, don’t you?”

Tag straightened, giving himself about four inches on Stephen Crawford and he pierced him with a look. “I know exactly who she is. McKenna Thorne is an award winning journalist and a successful business owner who’s interested in doing a series on Club Destiny, and I invited her to explore so we could get a tasteful story about the club.”

“Right.” Stephen’s snide remark had Tag’s hands fisting at his sides. “I figured you brought her here so you can share her with the rest of us. I’ve heard she’s interested in that rough shit. You know, maybe a gang bang on Tuesday.”

Tag was unable to control himself, and before he knew it, he had Stephen Crawford pinned to the wall, his forearm across the other man’s throat. He leaned in close, “I’m not making a request here, let me make that abundantly clear. One more word out of your mouth about McKenna, you won’t like me. Understand?”

Tag instantly backed off, doing his best not to draw attention, but still pinning Stephen with a glare. He could tolerate a lot of things, but he realized immediately that he couldn’t tolerate anything being said about McKenna.