Rule 1- Tanis

DON'T BE A CHEATER.

I pushed my freshly bleached lock of hair behind my ear.

"You look like a skunk." Craven smirked.

"I think it's cute." I pouted and smoothed my dress. "What do you think about this?" I lifted my arms and twirled.

"You look like you're gonna bring someone back from the bar tonight."

"Is that a compliment?" I grabbed my purse and headed toward the hotel door. "I'll be back later. Don't have too much fun," I tossed over my shoulder before hurrying out to catch my ride.

My driver took me to the most expensive club, and I went straight to the front of the line. Security took one look at me—one long, slow, look from my Louboutin heels to my fishnet tights, to my red velvet, strapless sweetheart neckline cocktail dress.

"You look like trouble." He licked his lips.

"I don't know who that is. My name is Tanis."

"Well, Tanis—" He lifted the rope and motioned ahead. "Enjoy yourself."

A cover of Maneater was playing as I walked in. It gave me an extra boost of confidence that I used to stride right to the bar. Not even ten seconds passed before I had a man by my side, asking if he could buy me a drink.

"Lemon drop martini, please," I told the bartender. Much like every other man I'd encountered at bars and hotels, it was clear that since he bought me a drink he thought he had ownership of my time. He put his hand on my thigh and leered at me.

"What's your name, beautiful?"

Beautiful? That was the best he had. I mean, it did feed my ego, but surely there was something better he could call me.

"Tanis. Yours?"

"Some people call me Drew."

I gave him a deeper look. A full head of dirty blond hair, bright baby blues, a chin dimple. Not bad. I'd have to see what was under his suit before I made a decision.

"Some people?" I took my drink from the bartender and sipped slowly.

"Some people," he said in a very clipped, very I don't want to talk about it way. He was hiding something, but for now, I was interested. I slid my hand over his on the bar.

"Tell me about yourself, Drew. What do you do for a living? Must be something that pays well to be willing to pay for an expensive drink for a girl you don't even know."

"I wouldn't say don't know. We're already on a first-name basis."

He's got jokes.

I raised an eyebrow and he continued.

"I'm a real estate owner and manager. I moved here about five years ago and used a little seed money from my dad and started buying up all the houses down in the shitty part of town. I fixed them up enough to be habitable, and now, I just collect the checks every month." He took a large swig of his amber-colored drink.

Strike one.

I slid my hand back and sipped my drink. "A landlord? You're bragging about that?"

His stupid grin vanished. "What do you mean? I do well for myself."

"Yeah, but how many of your renters do? It sounds like you're just taking advantage of people more than anything." I finished my drink, knowing this was going nowhere.

"Hey! I started from nowhere, and now I make seven figures every year."

I hopped off my chair. "Thanks, Drew."

I was on my way to the bathroom when I was grabbed by the wrist and spun around.

"I know you," a man said, pulling me into a light swaying back and forth. "Back again, Miss Collector?"

The second man of the night was tall, Asian descent, and very handsome. His hair was thick with a slight wave, he had a swimmer's build, and his smile was perfect and complete with a dimple on one side.

This man had potential .

I blinked. A flash of panic went through me, but I masked it with a sexy smirk. "I have been here once or twice. Are you coming to the convention tomorrow?"

"To see you. Although I wouldn't mind seeing you a little more tonight as well. Can I get you a drink?"

"Lemon drop martini."

A waiter passed by us and the handsome stranger ordered our drinks.

"I didn't get your name," I said as he led me to his table. It was covered by walls on three sides and in the more expensive section of the club. Handsome, could dance, had money to throw around?

Check. Check. Check.

"Fred Casely. I design and sell furniture."

"Ooh, can I call you Freddy?" I trailed my finger down his black tie. "Furniture, huh?"

"It's boring work, but it pays well."

Boring is good. Money is good.

Check. Check.

"How long have you been doing this, Freddy?" The waiter returned with our drinks, and I sipped mine as he talked. He was single, no kids, no partner, no pets. His parents were no contact, he didn't even have a maid or anyone that he saw on a regular basis.

Check. Check. Check. Check. Check.

"I work remote for the designing process, but a studio for when I do my test models. Sometimes, it's weeks before I see another person. That's why I started coming here on occasion. It must be fate to see you here."

He was a gentleman too. He'd taken his time with me, touching my elbows, and then slowly gravitating down, resting on my thigh.

"Fate brought us together tonight?" I traced his jawline.

"And again, tomorrow at the convention. I bought tickets specifically for your panel."

"How far is your house from the convention center?"

"Not as close as your hotel room, I bet."

I grinned. "You bet right."

Forty-five minutes later, we were getting out of the car, giggling and acting like lovestruck teenagers. My red lipstick was smeared across his cheeks and neck, and his tie was wrapped around my hand. We ran up the stairs, tearing off our clothes as we went, and by the time we burst through the door, one quick pull down and his pants were off.

I pushed him onto the bed, and he stripped completely down and put his hands under his head. I admired his body. I was right—swimmer's frame. Those abs, holy shit.

"What happened?" He eyed the V-shaped scar on my chest with abject horror.

"I'd rather not talk about it." I leaned down and kissed him, but he pulled away again, his eyes darting behind me.

"Woah, you leave your collectables out?"

I glanced over at the chair. "Just Craven. It's fine." I crawled onto the bed, making my way slowly up his toned, perfect body. I paused, grasped his massive member, and grinned. "He likes to watch."

"Really? Can you turn him around or something. I didn't realize his face was so… ugly."

Sighing, I let go of his dick and crawled back off the bed. I stalked over to the chair and picked up the bear. "Have you never seen one? I thought you said you were a toy enthusiast."

He sat up and grimaced. "Yeah, like, Rubik's cubes and Tamagotchi's. I don't think I could have a stuffed animal that looked like that in my bedroom."

I tossed Craven back on the chair. "You get used to it. Are we doing this?" I lifted my dress and shimmied my fishnets and thong off. I tossed my thong to Freddy and he brought it to his nose, inhaling deeply.

"Fuck yeah, we are. Come here, baby."

I kicked his pants on the floor, as I got out of my shoes and his wallet slid out of his pocket.

"You have a condom?" I bent down, opening it and freezing."Who is this?" I turned the wallet to show him the photo.

His face fell. "Oh. Uh?—"

"Your girlfriend, your partner, what?"

He rolled his eyes and smirked. "It's my wife. Come on, Tanis. She doesn't have to know anything. don't let this ruin our fun."

"Your wife? Are you even a furniture salesman?" My blood boiled. My eyes shot over to Craven. His eyes were black, glassy marbles, blank and unchanged.

"Yes, I didn't tell you because we're separated. Come on, sweetie, you know you want this." He motioned to his dick. I glanced at it. My core ached. I had wanted it. Not now. My chin trembled, and a single tear slid down my face.

"Why are you crying, sweetie?" He got up and came to comfort me as I plopped on the bed. He rubbed my shoulders and tried to kiss my cheek, all the while murmuring how it was okay that he was trying to have an affair with me. I looked at the ceiling and sniffled. Wiping away my tears I stood and went back to Craven, sitting him back up. Another loud sniffle, and I grabbed my purse, turning away from Freddy, and pulling out my knife.

"Wait, was the teddy bear smiling like that before? I don't remember him looking like that."

Oh, Freddy. You'd almost been perfect.