take off with no appreciable notice, which I also love. But I never felt current career choice was conducive to a permanent relationship.” “Interesting.” He munched on a strip of bacon. “So what you’re telling me is, you aren’t going to kick your shoes off, get pregnant, and start spending lots of time in my kitchen, is that right?” She laughed out loud. “I’d say that is exactly right. That was never the perfect life for me.” He nodded. “Maybe we have more in common than I originally could have imagined.” “What? No American dream life for you either?” He shrugged. “I’m not against it for others or in general principle. But it never was what I longed to do. I also love traveling. My job is very demanding. Plus, I own a working ranch with Derek. He spends more time on it than I do, but I get out there now and again. All in all, I guess I never felt I had time to devote to a permanent relationship either.” “Why were you angry that I was at your club party? Was I lacking in some way?” “No. Please.” His hand went up like a stop sign. “You’re lovely. I was angry that the security was so lax that you were able to wander in without being stopped. I shudder to think what might have happened if a minor had come in instead of you. Or someone less forgiving about our lifestyle and sexual proclivities. Honestly, it was nothing personal.” “I see. Well, like I said, I was just looking for a place to rest.” “So you could think about your shitty life, is that right?” She smiled. “Yes. That too.” “So tell me about it. Maybe I can help.” Derek strolled back into the room. “Sorry. I have meeting coming up later this afternoon. Also, Dillon called. He can’t get the results of your blood tests until the day after tomorrow. I told him not to worry.” “Right,” Jackson said. “It’s not like anything is going to change regardless of what we learn. “But later on we should maybe report it and make sure it wasn’t the bartender.” She nodded. “I hope not. He made a great drink. It certainly packed a punch.” “That it did.” Jackson sat back and smiled. “So tell us about your shitty life.” “You have a shitty life? I hope we’ve made it better.” Derek dug into his food with gusto. She smiled. “Honestly, you already have. Being drugged and married is a huge step up from where I was before.” “Do tell.” She also leaned back in her comfy chair. “It all started when one of my girlfriends talked me into going to a speed dating event with her. That was my first mistake.” “Why’d you go?” She shrugged. “I guess I was lonely. My friend is always oversharing all her amazing sexual experiences, and I guess I wanted in on it for once.” She had finished eating and pushed her plate away. “I met several nice men, three minutes at a time. And while I didn’t find anyone too intriguing, one of the men in the room found me very fascinating.” “That doesn’t sound very good,” Derek said. “He wasn’t even one of the participants of the event. He was with the group who set it up. But he developed a crush on me and started following me everywhere. It was annoying. And the thing is, he’s not mean. Just always around me. I told him to stop, but he hadn’t ever even touched me in a threatening way. He always makes me feel like I’ve kicked a puppy when I reject his overabundant attention.” “I assume you’ve called the police,” Jackson said. Alexis shook her head. “Well, I’ve called them. However, the cops can’t do anything unless he threatens me. But he hasn’t. He’s just a nuisance. So I took some time off and left town.” “That seems like a bit excessive to leave town.” “Maybe, but the worst part is, I’m extra screwed because he’s the nephew of the regional director where I work.” Jackson frowned. “Could he have been the one who drugged us?” “I seriously doubt it. I didn’t see him