Page 11 of Protected
She sipped her drink as she watched Marlie cross the room. Thirty seconds later, she choked on the whiskey as the doors to the primary space swung wide, and a tall, dark-haired man entered. He paused once inside the door.
Of course, the first time I come back he shows up.
She felt his gaze before her eyes met his and she quickly looked away again.
“Twice in one day. This is a treat.”
She looked up to find him standing in front of her.
“I can’t say I feel the same way.”
He winced. “Oh, that’s unfortunate. Surely it’s not simply because I work for a politician you don’t like.”
She gave a sharp laugh and stood. “I’ve discovered that most people don’t work for politicians that they don’t at least marginally agree with. And in my book anyone who even remotely agrees with that man is problematic. Excuse me, I spotted someone I need to talk to.”
She brushed past him and forced herself to keep her eyes on the bar in front of her.
“Darci, wait.” He jogged up behind her.
“Please, Bradley. Leave me alone.”
He stopped, but she kept walking. “Very well, Darci. Perhaps we can talk again sometime and you’ll discover that I’m not a monster.”
Her shoulders sagged. Did she think he was a monster? She wanted to. Gage Allard approached and slung an arm around her. “Hey sweetie. You look tired. It’s been months since we’ve seen you. I was starting to think you didn’t like me anymore.”
She smiled and laid her head on his shoulder. “Hi Gage. Sorry I haven’t been around much. I’ve just been working a lot. And Damion makes me uncomfortable.”
Gage kissed her temple. “I’m sorry. He doesn’t harass you does he? If so, I’ll kick him out.”
She shook her head. “No. He doesn’t say much at all to me. He’s just an asshole, and we didn’t work out. And then I found out Bradley works for…” Gage stopped her with a finger to her lips.
“Let’s not spill secrets in here.”
She winced. “Fuck. This is why I need to just go home. Everything is wonky in my head tonight..”
He pulled her toward a table and pointed at an empty chair. “Sit.”
“Bossy.”
“And I’ll get a lot more bossy if you don’t sit.”
She sighed and dropped into the chair.
“What’s going on? Everything OK with you and Carrie and Peter?”
Darci shrugged. “We’re fine. I just feel like a third wheel now that they’re married. And I’m happy for them. So fucking happy. But I know I’ll never have the kind of relationship I want with them. We’re just having fun together.”
Gage held her hand. “So keep having fun, darlin. The right person or people will come along and you’ll get what you want. But until then, why not continue to enjoy a life you love?”
She closed her eyes and rested her head on the table. “Yeah. I guess you’re right. But they’re out-of-town tonight, so I think I’ll just go home for now.”
Gage stood. “OK. I’ll walk you out. But I expect to see you back here tomorrow or next weekend.”
She laughed and saluted. “Yes, Sir. You can even sign me up for a volunteer shift next weekend just to make sure I show up.”
He tapped the end of her nose. “Now that’s an excellent idea. Consider yourself volunteered.”
He put her in a car back to the commuter lot where she called a rideshare to pick her up and take her home. She loved Gage as a friend, but that was it. He’d flirted with her a few times, but there was no chemistry between them. Not to mention she’d seen him play with virtually every female submissive who came to his house parties or to his club.
