Self Preservation by Ethan Day

looked at Tadd. “Thanks, that's probably the best compliment I've had in ages.”
     
    “Well, babe,” Tadd said to Jack, “seems like a few people are beginning to leave.”
     
    “We should go see them off.” Jack nodded before turning back to Davis and Deseree. “A bunch of us were planning to meet up at a club later if you two want to come.”
     
    “Sure,” Davis and Deseree said at the same time, looking at each other, smiling. “We'd love to!” they said in unison, looking back at Jack and Tadd.
     
    Jack and Tadd turned and walked away as Davis snatched up Deseree's hand. Candace scrutinized Davis for a second, smiling in a way that made Davis feel like she might be onto him. She spun around abruptly and followed Jack and Tadd.
    * * *
     
    Davis and Deseree walked to the curb outside Tadd's condo as the cab pulled up.
     
    “Holy shit,” Deseree said, climbing into the cab and shutting the door behind her. “You shady little minx.”
     
    Davis laughed as the cab pulled away. “I was pretty good?”
     
    “You were,” Deseree said, staring at Davis. “Very un-you-like.”
     
    “Thanks,” Davis said, smile fading, “I think.”
     
    Deseree sat up in the seat. “I can't believe you slept with Jack when you visited last year.”
     
    “I did stay all night at his place.”
     
    “You told me nothing happened,” she said with an evil look. “You little liar.”
     
    Davis laughed, placing his hand on her knee. “I just… It was confusing. I didn't know what it meant. Nothing, I figured out after a couple of months went by without hearing from him.”
     
    “I'm sorry,” Deseree said, putting her hand over his. “You should have told me. I could've… Well, I don't know what, but I could've done something.”
     
    “It's okay.”
     
    “I can't believe you said that in front of the Toad,” she squealed, clapping her hands. “I thought I might shit a brick, and he didn't seem to like hearing it either. That was great…and the used Kleenex!”
     
    Davis laughed as Deseree let out a full-blown belly laugh.
     
    “Oh God,” she said, calming down a bit as the cab stopped in front of the club. “I really miss being with you, you know.”
     
    “Me too,” he said, squeezing her knee before opening the cab door. He got out, holding out a hand and helping her up off the seat. He paid the cab driver and they both turned, heading for the front door to the club.
     
    They walked in as the thumping music enveloped them. Davis paid the doorman after they were carded, and they entered the large open space. Flashing lights were coming from the huge dance floor. There was a large round bar in the middle of the room, surrounded by groups of men dancing. There were four smaller bars in each corner, surrounded by people trying to get drinks. Deseree and Davis headed to the closest bar and got in line.
     
    Deseree placed her hand on Davis's back. “I'm going to go find the bathroom.”
     
    “Okay, I'll wait right here.”
     
    Deseree disappeared into the crowd as Davis surveyed the bar to see if he could spot Jack. A beefy, shirtless guy in jeans with black leather chaps slowly made his way past Davis while staring at him greedily. Davis smiled weakly and turned back to face the bar, grabbing his shirt collar as if he feared the man might sexually assault him. The guy walked away and Davis shook his head.
     
    “Stare a little closer, fucker,” Davis mumbled, feeling slightly molested.
     
    “Quite a nasty tongue you have there,” said a deep voice from behind him.
     
    Davis whipped around and found himself looking into the throat of a man who stood at least six and a half feet tall. Davis felt his face turn beet red. “Oh, I…so sorry.”
     
    “No need to apologize, I rather fancy a nasty tongue.” The man offered his hand. “Alex Parker. I saw you earlier at the party.”
     
    British, thought Davis.
     
    Davis shook his hand and looked Alex over. He was strikingly handsome with a