Page 21 of Protected

Inside, they were greeted by the hostess before she seated them at a table near the window.

“So, Mr. Givens,” Darci began once the waiter left. “Why did you want to see me?”

“So professional. Can we set that aside for a minute? How are you, Darci? I know you and Marlie were close.”

She squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head. “Nope. I don’t want to talk about it with you. But I’m glad you were there when I found out, so I wasn’t alone. I’m sorry if it felt like I was kicking you out. I was just overwhelmed. Can we you please just tell me why you wanted to meet?”

He pushed her glass of water closer to her. “Drink. You sound like you’re going to hyperventilate. If talking work will help, we can do that. But I wanted this to be a date. I do have a list of requests before the senator agrees to your panel.”

He pulled out the single sheet of paper and slid it her way as she took a drink of water.

She picked it up and read through it.

“Sorry. I’m still messed up about Marlie and my head isn’t on right. Most of this is acceptable. But I can’t guarantee no questions on this many topics. That would be unfair. I’ll grant you an even number of questions and you can pick two topics to avoid. Though they will be fair game for the other panelists.”

Bradley leaned back and folded his arms. Just because he wanted to see her again didn’t mean he could give in to everything so easily. Even though there was nothing unreasonable about her counters to his requests.

“Look, it’s way too early to talk shop, and I didn’t give you any time to prepare business. What do you say we go back to my idea of this being a date and table anything work related? I’ll take your list of adjustments to my boss and get back to you with a counter-offer. In the meantime, I would love to know more about you.” She flashed him a broad smile, and a glimmer of hope that she might consider giving him half a chance sparked in him.

“I don’t want to talk about us or Marlie, though.”

“Fair enough. I just want to get to know you.”

She nodded and sipped her water again. “What do you want to know?”

They spent the rest of breakfast talking about how they got into their respective careers. It surprised him to learn she had a degree in political science. If he’d had to guess, he would have gone with philosophy or creative writing.

Maybe she could be more useful than he thought. He asked her to tell him more about her college days, and the way she tensed up as soon as he asked did not go unnoticed, and he let her change the subject without question.

“If this question is inappropriate tell me, but how long have you known Gage? And have you ever been to one of his house parties?”

“Not inappropriate at all. I’ve known Gage since I was in the military. He’d already been in for a few years and was a mentor. I’ve never made it to one of his house parties because I haven’t lived in D.C. for long. We went to a few clubs together in our younger days. When he found out I was taking a job here, he invited me to Exposure, so I came and checked it out.”

“Do you ever worry that someone will out you?”

He nodded. “All the time but the security protocols seem to be thorough and that gives me some peace of mind. Do you plan to go back? I still hate to think I’ve somehow kept you away.”

Something flashed across her face Bradley recognized as pain, and he started to tell her she didn’t have to answer his invasive question. Especially since it was veering into territory she’d asked to avoid. But she spoke before he could.

“Not long before you joined, I went through a rough break-up with a popular Dom. I wore his collar, but it turns out we had… fundamental differences of opinion about certain things, and he released me. It was super short-lived, but I had a hard time being in the same room as him, and Damion doesn’t miss a weekend. I kept going because of Peter and Carrie. They kind of protect me. But then you showed up and swept me off my feet. Then you didn’t come back.”

“Damion? You were collared to that bastard?” Her eyes shot up in surprise at his outburst. “Sorry, I understand you’re submissive, but he takes controlling to a whole different level. You seem way too sassy for him.”

She laughed. “Let’s just say I spent most of my brief time with him, not able to sit.” She looked down at her plate and shifted the food around with her fork. He could tell this conversation was making her uncomfortable.

“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to pry. We can change the subject.”

“How do you know Damion?”

Bradley tensed. It was not a story he was at liberty to tell.

She waved her fork. “It’s fine. Gage clamps up when I ask about him, too. I assume that means super secret spy stuff. I won’t pry.”

He was grateful for her understanding. “I’m sorry I never came back, and that I didn’t call you beyond checking on you the next day.”

She gave a nervous chuckle. “How about that subject change?”

“By all means. You pick.”

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