Page 58 of Protected

He nodded. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. We need to talk, but right now we need to get you to work and I have some things to take care of myself. When are you flying back to D.C.?”

“Monday morning. It’s a holiday, so I thought I would take a day to enjoy New York after I finish helping here. I’m just in town to get this field office up to par and ready to open back up on Tuesday.”

“I can work with that. I promise to stay out of your way. I even left security in D.C. We can talk about your dislike of them, but they’ll be protecting you whether you like it or not.”

They paid their bill and hopped in a cab.

“My security detail isn’t something we really have to talk about. I know I need protection,” Darci said when they were moving.

He wrapped his arm around her and kissed her forehead.

“I’m really glad you agree. I was prepared to get Michael and Peter both involved if I needed to.”

The conversation turned to whoever the stalker was. “Are you sure you have no idea who it could be? I feel like it would almost be better if you did, because then perhaps it’s not linked to Marlie’s death.”

Darci tried to control her shudder as she thought about telling him about Kaden. But she couldn’t do that. Not yet. They were still too new, and he didn’t need to hear all of that.

Soon, they pulled up in front of the building that housed the ACSL field office. Pressing a soft kiss to Bradley’s cheek, she promised to stay in touch as the day went on. It would be a long day, but she assured him they would go to dinner and have a longer conversation later.

• • •

Bradley watched from the cab as Darci walked into the office building. It was a relief that she wasn’t still angry with him after his colossal fuck up. He knew better than to pull a stunt like that. Especially with someone who had trust issues.

When he found out he could beat Darci to New York City by using Samuel’s jet, he had arranged a couple of last-minute donor meetings, or rather, Adara had arranged them for him. In between meetings, he would scope out a place to take Darci for dinner. There, he hoped to have a long conversation about their relationship and where it was heading.

During the cab ride across town, he spoke with Adara, Michael Silas, and his mom, who really had taken a liking to Darci and insisted that they plan a trip home soon. He told her he would try his best to convince her, but since he was in the doghouse over springing them on her to begin with, he wasn’t going to make any promises.

Two hours later, he was wandering the streets of New York between meetings. A small custom jewelry store caught his eye, and he went in. His mind was going places it had no business going, but looking couldn’t hurt.

A silver chain with an amber colored pendant caught his eye. The color reminded him of the scent of her body wash, and he could almost smell her standing next to him as he thought of it. The thought of the thin chain circling her slender neck sent a grin spreading across his face. He had to banish the thought quickly, though. A glance at his watch told him he was going to be late for his next meeting if he didn’t hurry.

The rest of the day flew by, and soon he was on his way to pick up Darci in the back of a black town car he had hired.

At the restaurant, Darci asked him point blank, “What did you mean about needing to have a longer conversation when you woke me this morning?”

He was quiet for a moment. When he spoke, his tone was thoughtful.

“I was serious when I said I want more. We need to talk because we need to negotiate what more means to us.”

“You mean kink or a relationship?”

“Both, baby. I think for you and me the two kind of go hand in hand, don’t they?”

She nodded, but her expression told him she had something else to say. “What is it?” he prodded.

“So, you’re not happy with just vanilla?”

Bradley knew he needed to craft his response carefully. The last thing he wanted was to pressure her into a dynamic she wasn’t ready for.

“I’m thrilled with you baby. I just think you want, maybe even need more, and I know that power exchange and kink would only make us better. But I also want something that has nothing to do with kink.” When he paused, she nodded and looked at him expectantly, encouraging him to continue. “I want to tell my parents that we’re more than friends. I want to be able to tell my assistant to put dates with you on my calendar instead of calling them business appointments. Yes, I want to explore some power exchange with you, but that can come with time and behind closed doors.”

Bradley knew it was a lot for Darci to take in. He hoped he hadn’t overwhelmed her. There was a long pause, and she seemed to let his words sink in. Finally, she took a sip of wine and said, “I think I can work on some of these things. I don’t know if I’m ready to tell your parents yet, but I’m fine if your assistant knows you’re dating me. As for power exchange, I’m open to a longer conversation about adding it to our dynamic. We already know we can have fun in that department, and I do miss it sometimes.”

He smiled and leaned in to kiss her deeply. “Thank you. You delight me.”

Their kiss sent his pulse racing.

“Let’s talk on the trip home. Travel is the perfect time for that sort of thing.”

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