Whether planned or by chance, I end up sitting with Colin in the backseat, which is absolutely fine by me. My tummy is still flipping its little heart out. We are sitting so close I feel the heat from his body, which, combined with mine, makes me want to rip off my coat and his clothes.

What the hell am I thinking? He’s just acting like a gentleman … taking my arm, holding my car door open for me. We really don’t need to sit this close since Drew’s backseat is huge, but I can dream, can’t I? I’ve seen him on posters and in magazines dressed only in briefs, so I don’t have to imagine how he looks under his clothes.

“Dora,” Drew’s eyes meet mine in the rearview mirror. “What’s on your mind? You seem preoccupied.”

“Oh, nothing,” I reply, frustrated that I was so distracted by Colin that I couldn’t think of a snarky retort. I’m so glad none of them are not mind readers.

“Riiiight,” he says with a small laugh as my eyes widen.

“Yeah, right. My head is completely empty,” I say in a huffy voice and the three laugh at my statement. “Where are we going?” I’m a little nervous that they’re taking me to some star-studded club where I’ll be the only nobody.

Quit that, Dora. You are just as important as they are. You just make a lot less money and you’re not as pretty. But you can hold your own.

Boy, would my psych teacher have a field day with this whole situation. I’ve never thought I needed therapy, even with my crazy family, until now. Where the hell is my self-confidence hiding? See, I must be nuts.

“We’re going to a little place that has the best drinks, music and—” Drew begins.

“And some of the most mouth-watering tapas you’ll ever have in your entire life,” Liam finishes, smacking his lips.

“Yeah, this is Liam’s favorite spot for cheese sticks, chicken wings, and pizza bites. Watch how much this Aussie puts away tonight. He’ll have to do double time in the gym tomorrow,” Drew teases.

“I have to start back on my exercise regimen too,” I reply, thinking about how long it has been since I’ve gone for a good long run.

“Well, you have full use of the gym downstairs. We’ve shown you that, haven’t we?” I see Drew’s forehead lines deepen through the rearview mirror as he tries to remember.

“I don’t do gyms. I just run. In fact, I was just thinking I haven’t run in a few weeks. Since I’m off tomorrow, I think I’ll go for my mid-morning jaunt through the park across the street.”

Colin looks at me with concern. “I don’t think that’s wise. Maybe you should use the treadmill.”

“I don’t like machines, and it’s not like I’m going to run at midnight. The park is safe, I’m sure.”

“We’re here,” Drew announces as he pulls into an empty spot in a brightly lit parking area.

Colin helps me out of the car and takes my arm, nestling it in his as we make our way to a building with a large neon sign.

“The Raven? Sounds intriguing.” I look at Drew, who is walking to my left.

“The owner is a big Edgar Allen Poe fan,” he explains.

“The owner has good taste. I love Poe,” I respond.

Seeing his wide smile, I realize it’s his place. He opens the door and Colin and I follow Liam into a foyer that looks like a Victorian parlor. A voluptuous girl dressed in an old-fashioned dress, complete with generous boobs threatening to spill out, stands behind an old, bar-like counter.

“Good evening, Jen. How’s business tonight?” Drew’s dazzling smile would make most women faint, but she doesn’t even bat an eyelash. I need to talk to this woman and find out her secret.

“It’s going. Still early. Let me take your coats.” She holds out her hand and the guys strip off their jackets.

Then all eyes are on me. Okay, so I’m not into strip teasing, but I slowly unbutton my coat and open it even slower. I peel it off my left shoulder and slip my arm out. Their tongues are hanging out—okay, so they aren’t really, but it’s good to imagine. I hand my coat over to Jen, who smiles and winks at me in an appreciative way.

Ah. Now I think I understand why she’s not affected by the guys.

I make sure my dress is straight before I turn around and face my roommates. I watch their eyes enlarge as they see how short the skirt is and how revealing the top part is. My boobs aren’t ginormous, but with my push-up bra, they pass inspection.

“Wow, Dora. You dress up nice!” Liam takes my arm and leads me down a hallway, leaving the other two standing like statues while still gawking at me.

“Thanks, Liam. It seems something has made them speechless.”

“You, you’re a little bundle of surprises. I’m usually the quiet one, as you may have noticed. It’s a refreshing change to see them shocked.”

“Why, Liam, I like this side of you.”

“Oh, no. Now you’ll pester me to act this way all the time. Don’t get any ideas,” he laughs as he opens the door at the end of the hallway.

We enter another world. The music is pulsating and the décor I can only describe as a Goth-Victorian-Poe-era vibe. Pretty much everything is black with splashes of red scattered around in the forms of paintings and chairs. I’m shocked it’s not more crowded.

Liam leads me to a secluded corner booth and motions for me to slide in. He moves in after me. I scootch over to make more room, but instead I hit a solid object. Turning to look, I meet Colin’s eyes. I swear, they’re devouring me. His intense stare is making me burn as hot desire shoots along all my nerve endings. I’ve read plenty of romance novels, and now I know what they’re talking about.

Liam nudges me, spoiling the moment. “What’s your poison?” he asks, grinning from ear to ear.

“Surprise me, oh, but not beer though, anything but beer,” I reply.

He gives me a sly grin as Drew pulls up a chair to sit in front of us. Drew reaches behind himself and closes an embellished, antique sliding door, drowning out all the noise from the rest of the club.

“So what do you think, Beautiful?” Drew asks, smiling wolfishly, his seductive eyes meeting mine.

“Are you talking to me?” I ask coyly—yes, coyly. Deal with it.

“You know it,” he replies, but even though he is a utterly delicious male specimen, he doesn’t float my boat like Colin does.

What am I saying? I’m not up for a relationship, even if Colin was interested, which of course, he’s not. I’m out with three hot guys who are my roommates and my new friends. That’s all!

“Dora? I swear, you disappear into your head a lot. Where do you go when you zone out?” Drew asks.

“Oh, I was just wondering why this place isn’t jumping on a Friday night.”

“It’s on purpose. Not many people know about this place, and that’s the way we like it. Right, boys?”

“Yeah, it gets old going to clubs and not being able to enjoy ourselves,” Liam pipes up.

“Oh, you poor sweethearts. It must be really hard having all your adoring fans swooning at your feet,” I say sarcastically. To my surprise, they all burst out laughing.

“You are truly a breath of fresh air, and we are so honored you agreed to hang out with us,” Drew replies as the waitress slides open the door and pops her head in.

“Hey, Drew, ready to order?” she asks.

By her flirting demeanor, I realize she likes men, especially these three. I try not to feel inadequate because she is everything I’m not. But to my surprise, all three sets of eyes are focused on me and not her. Drew gives her our order without turning around, and she slides the door back, disappointment obvious on her face.

“So what do you think?” Drew asks.

“I think it’s perfect. Poe would have loved to hang out here. The detail’s amazing.”

“Well, they should be with the money I’ve put into this place.”

“Would you like to dance?” Colin’s dreamy accent makes me shiver. No, not with cold, but with the thought of dancing with him.

I’m tongue-tied, so I just nod. He exits the booth and helps me up when I slide out after him. I suddenly find myself on the dance floor, but how I got here is a blur. The second he takes my hand and doesn’t let go, my brain goes to mush. How can he be having this effect on me? I don’t feel this way with Drew and Liam, and they’re just as mega hot, but Colin makes me feel … well, he makes my blood sizzle.