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“Show me.” Peter pushed open the door to Gage’s office and went for the computer monitor.

Gage held up the tablet. “That’s what I was doing, Mr. Impatient.”

Peter snatched the tablet out of Gage’s hand and zoomed in on the car. Carrie leaned in and looked at it, too. Sure enough, it was the same car. She wasn’t sure about the driver because she hadn’t got a good look the other night.

“God damn it. How long has he been there?”

Gage took the tablet back and tapped the screen a few times. “Looks like he pulled in about five minutes after you.”

Peter swore, then looked down at her. “I’m putting a detail on you, and don’t argue with me. I can’t be with you twenty-four seven, and I can’t let you be alone either.”

Carrie wanted to argue, to stomp her foot, to tell him to go to hell, but she couldn’t. He was right. This was serious, and she had to live with his protective nature.

“Who are you going to hire? I… have trouble with most military types.”

Peter looked at Gage. “You want a temp job?”

She wasn’t sure which would be worse, a stranger, or Gage, who would probably know her dynamic had shifted with Peter, which meant he would tattle on her if she misbehaved.

Gage laughed but sobered when he realized Peter was serious. “Yeah. I’ll do it. Let me go out there and run this bastard off, and then we can talk logistics while we finish up here.”

Peter put a hand out to stop him.

“I would rather him not see you yet. Not if you’re going to be guarding Carrie. I saw Reggie’s truck in the parking lot. Send him out there.”

Gage nodded and went to find him.

“I’m sorry,” Carrie whispered when they were alone.

Peter whirled on her. “What do you have to be sorry about, little one?”

Carrie bit her lip. “I don’t know. Last time it was me he followed. I guess I just still feel like all this is my fault.”

“Well, get rid of that thought. You’ve done nothing wrong. Let’s get to work and talk to Gage. Then I’m taking you home where I plan to get started fucking you on every surface in the place.”

21

PETER watched on the monitor as Reggie strolled outside and approached the car. He had a bad feeling about this. The security expert in him wanted to delay the grand opening, but he knew Gage would object, so he put all his attention on Carrie and keeping her safe.

When the car drove off, Reggie turned and gave a thumbs up to the camera before sauntering back in with the slow, easy stride he’d always had. Darci poked her head in the room. “Everything OK in here? Olivia said there’s a mysterious car in the parking lot. I finished reorganizing the wax and fire play room.”

He smiled up at the redhead and slid an arm around Carrie. “All good, just someone who got lost, I imagine. Reggie is helping him.” There was no need to worry her.

Darci waved them through the door. “Then come help me with the furniture in the quiet room.”

It was probably a good idea to check in with Darci anyway after their encounter the other night. The threesome had been everything Peter could have wanted out of an experience like that, but it was always important to make sure everyone was still on the same page. Playing with multiple people on a no-strings basis was a good time, but he didn’t fancy the idea of polyamory, mainly because he was a workaholic and it wasn’t to one partner, let alone many.

He picked up Carrie’s hand and together they followed Darci to the play space that had been designated the quiet room and began rearranging furniture. They chattered about work and the upcoming party and occasionally flirted with each other. At one point, Carrie brought up riding to the grand opening together.

“The last time we shared a ride ended pretty well for us. Let’s do it again.”

Peter opened his mouth, but Darci spoke first. “Actually, I might have a date.”

Carrie clapped her hands together. “Who is it? Anyone I know?”

Darci dropped her head, and Peter had a sneaking suspicion he knew exactly who it was.

“Who?” Carrie demanded again.

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