Page 45 of Protected

“Not that I can recall. I asked Carrie, too. She’s so observant, but she doesn’t remember anything either.”

“I have to run here in a sec, sweetie. Be careful please. Stay away from your apartment unless someone is with you.”

“But I want to sleep in my own bed, Michael.” It was one thing she had planned to talk to Bradley about at dinner tonight.

“So help me God, Darci, if you try to stay there, I will physically remove you and take a hairbrush to your ass. I thought you were staying with Bradley.” The threat in his voice was obvious. Even though they didn’t have that kind of relationship and he had no interest in dominating or spanking her, something in his tone told her he might make an exception in this case.

However well intentioned, the overprotective threat still pissed her off.

“I have to go, Michael.” Darci punched at the screen with a little too much force, ending the call. Why couldn’t things just go back to normal? She needed space to think about everything and having her senses constantly assaulted by Bradley’s sexy intensity was not going to give her the room to do that.

Tonight, she would have dinner with him so they could talk, but she couldn’t spend the night with him again. If she couldn’t stay at her house, she could stay with a girlfriend for a few days. Elise was probably busy with her man, but she might be able to crash with Carrie while Peter was out of town. Michael and Bradley would probably hate the idea, but they would just have to deal with it. Pushing it out of her mind, she got ready for her lunch appointment.

The rest of the afternoon flew by as she organized her files further and worked on press releases and social media posts. A glance at the clock told her it was almost time for Bradley to arrive. As if on cue, her cell phone buzzed.

“Hi.” It came out softer than she wanted it to.

“Hey there. You all wrapped up for the day?” He sounded happy.

“I was just shutting down my computer. Are you here?”

“I’m parked on the side of the building. Should I come in?”

“No need. I’m on my way.” She hung up the phone and headed out to meet him. He was leaned against the passenger door of his car. His arms folded, ankles crossed. He had removed his tie, and the top button of his white shirt was undone. A day’s growth shadowed his chin and throat, and she thought it was sexy. Then again, she thought everything about him was sexy. Darci swallowed as she made her way toward him. Resisting temptation was going to be hard, and she suspected he knew it.

“Hey, gorgeous.” The corners of his mouth drifted upward in a sexy smile, and he leaned in to kiss her cheek when she reached him.

“Hi.” She blushed when his lips brushed across her cheek, and she was nervous all over again. Mercifully, he opened the car door for her, and she slipped inside. She was grateful for the few seconds she had to recover as he made his way to the driver’s side.

“Hope you don’t mind. I’ve made reservations at a little place close to my building.”

“Sounds perfect.”

They spent a few minutes in awkward silence.

As he changed lanes, he glanced at her and asked, “You OK? You seem nervous.”

“I am,” she admitted quietly. Bradley reached over and patted her leg.

“I am too, honestly.” She was a little shocked by his admission.

“What are you nervous about?”

“Let’s talk over food. It’s not a long drive. Tell me about your day,” he said as he navigated traffic.

She relaxed and told him what she could about her most recent projects at work. It wasn’t long before they were pulling into the driveway of the restaurant. It was an upscale place that had valet parking. Bradley hopped out and opened her door. The valet driver took his keys, and they walked inside together.

They were seated quickly at a corner table, and Darci wondered if he had requested the secluded spot on purpose. Probably. The man seemed to have a plan for everything. Before he picked up their conversation again, they ordered wine and food.

When the waiter was gone, he looked at her and said, “Darci, I hope it’s obvious I care about you, and I want to pursue a relationship.”

“I care about you too, but I’m still hesitant to start anything,” she confessed.

“Why exactly?” Bradley’s voice held concern and true interest in what she had to say. It made it easier to be honest with him.

“We’re so different outside the lifestyle. Your father is likely running for president. You’re about to be running a presidential campaign for someone else. Even if we did see eye-to-eye about your boss, I would still be detrimental to your career.”

Bradley narrowed his eyes at her, and she instantly recognized the dominant expression. He reached across the table and picked up her hand. “Two things. First, I’m a member of Exposure. I put myself at risk of being outed regularly. It’s a risk I’m willing to take. Second, you must really want a spanking because I’ve asked you to stop worrying about my career and I warned you what would happen if you brought it up again.” He gave her a stern frown, and Darci squirmed under his disapproving expression.

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