"Why is no one drinking and having a good time?" Kirk looked around the room. The drinks he'd given Paul and Juke when they entered remained untouched. "Dale, what have you done to my guests? The atmosphere in here is putrid." Kirk gave Dale a cutting glare, accompanied by a slight shake of his head.
Dale knew it was for his eyes only but was sure the other two men in the room picked up on it. Paul shifted uncomfortably where he stood, and Juke bolted upright in his chair. Kirk placed the glass bowls on the table. "Paul, come, you sit here by me. Dale can sit over there, next to grumpy. Let's get this party started."
The food was delicious, and Kirk proved an engaging host. The two men seemed better able to mask their thoughts than Dale, who sat playing with his food, his appetite diminished by the stirring in his gut. Juke's scent made his mouth water and his heart race. His body felt numb from the thoughts swimming around in his head. While Juke and Paul acted as if their earlier co
