But she didn’t like it at all. For some reason that just made Luke grin even more.

“I hear you’re going to be coming to the club soon,” she said, obviously referring to Stronghold since Marquis wouldn’t be open for another couple of months.

“As soon as I manage to make time in my schedule, yes.”

“You’re going to have to go through the newbie class first.” Satisfaction dripped from her voice.

Luke hid his own smile behind taking another sip of wine. Both Michael and Patrick had been surprised about his choice of which introductory class he wanted to pass through to gain access to the club. They’d then immediately insisted he not tell anyone until it was time to show up for class. When he found the time to. He’d agreed, and now he was especially glad to have done so.

He wanted Olivia, and Olivia didn’t want him. Which meant if he was going to get what he wanted, he needed every advantage he could muster. The element of surprise might help shake her up a little bit and give him the in he needed to crack through the armor she had around her. Or she might be pissed as hell, but he was pretty sure he could make that work for him too. Indifference or ignoring him were almost impossible to work with – anger or frustration was much better. She was attracted to him, he could tell, but she was pretending she wasn’t. Luke figured it was for all the reasons he felt he shouldn’t be attracted to her, but he didn’t think he was going to let that stop him.

Of course, he might change his mind once he actually got a feel for what BDSM was all about, but he didn’t really think so. At the very least, they should be able to indulge their mutual attraction, shouldn’t they?

“I’m looking forward to it,” he said, watching Adam and Angel make their way to the dance floor in the middle of the room for their first dance. “Will you save me a dance today?”

“No.” It was the rudest she’d ever been to him and yet didn’t put him off at all. He just admired her ass as she walked away, heels clacking on the floor.

“If he liked it then he should have put a ring on it!” Sharon waved her left hand in the air, bumping her hips with Kate - who actually did have a ring on her left hand, and her fiancé and Dom was watching from the sidelines with amusement on his face. A thread of envy slid through her and she took a swallow from the bourbon and ginger - okay, mostly bourbon - she was holding in her right hand. Drinking, dancing, and not spilling was a talent, and she had it.