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“I’ve met Peter a time or two. And Carrie was with you on our night out.” He looked at his guests and smiled. “I hate to be rude, but I’m going to steal Darci for a few minutes. I need to say a proper hello,” he said with a wink that made Darci blush.
“Have I mentioned how much I like him, babe?” Carrie asked as she curled up next to Peter. Darci just laughed as Bradley grasped her hand and tugged her into the bedroom.
“I’m fighting the urge to spank you right now, pet,” Bradley said in a low voice as they entered the bedroom. Darci’s eyes grew wide, and Bradley stopped her when she started to speak. “You should know I’m a jealous man and I already told you I don’t share well.”
Realization dawned on her face.
“I’m sorry Bradley. They’re my best friends, but I swear there’s nothing sexual there. I mean, OK, yes we’ve had sex but not in a long time. They’ve been my mentors and best friends for a very long time. Please don’t be mad at me.”
Bradley raised one eyebrow at the idea of her making out with Carrie and brushed her hair back from her face with a sigh.
“I’m not mad at you, pet. I just didn’t like walking into my apartment seeing you curled up next to another man.”
“He’s not another man. He’s Peter. I promise he’s harmless. But I can see why it would look like something more when you walked in. I’m sorry.”
He cupped her face in his hands and leaned down to kiss her.
“Hmm. I’ve missed this baby,” he said as he broke the tender kiss. “I can’t wait to bury myself inside of you later.” Darci shivered, and Bradley grinned. He liked knowing he had that kind of effect on her. “Do they know what our dynamic is?” he asked.
“Yes, Sir.” He smiled at her response.
“Good, then let’s go watch a movie with your friends.” Darci looked at him puzzled, but Bradley chose not to elaborate. In the living room, Bradley settled into the recliner next to the couch and motioned for Darci to sit on the floor at his feet. She offered him a shy smile but did as he asked. Bradley made small talk with Peter and Carrie while she got settled. The couples spent the rest of the evening watching movies and laughing.
Bradley liked how easy Peter and Carrie were to talk to. He felt even better about them when the subject of Darci ditching her security detail for New York came up.
“I was tempted to fly to New York myself, if you hadn’t,” he told Bradley.
She blushed. “Can we not have this conversation again please? I don’t like you guys being mad at me.”
Peter’s frown deepened. “I’m not mad, Kitten. But if I hear about another stunt like that I will be.” She nodded and lowered her gaze.
Bradley could tell she didn’t like disappointing Peter. They seemed to love Darci a lot. And so did he. He hadn’t told her yet, but he planned to—soon. It was something he wanted to do right.
After midnight, Peter and Carrie took off for their house with promises to meet up again soon.
“Let’s go to bed, pet,” he said as he locked the front door.
She nodded and let out a yawn, and he chuckled. “I hope you don’t think you’re going to sleep yet.” She pushed out her bottom lip in an adorable pout. “What’s wrong, pet? Don’t you want to come for me?” he asked as he took her hand and led her to the bedroom.
She grinned. “OK... I can stay awake a little longer.”
“I thought you might say that.”
25
THE next day, it was rainy and gray. Darci tried to keep it from souring her mood though. The memories of the half a dozen orgasms Bradley had given her last night helped keep the gloom at bay. They road to work together, and on the way reviewed their schedules. She’d hoped to steal away for lunch with him but they were both booked solid so agreed to meet at home for dinner.
It was still storming by the time Darci and the security team arrived at Bradley’s apartment that evening. Bradley called to say he had to work late and she tried to push the disappointment away. Being alone on stormy nights wasn’t easy for her, but she wasn’t ready to talk to him about that, so she had told him it was fine and that she had some work of her own to catch up on. She really hoped the storm would let up soon, but all the weather alerts on her phone indicated that it would only get worse.
Bradley had given her free use of his study, so she settled into his comfy office chair and opened her laptop. She needed to make another blog post and write up a report for work. Between that and some music, she might get her mind off the storm. It would be fine if the power didn’t go out.
The storm raged on outside while she tried to get lost in her work. It was hard to focus though because every few minutes a loud crack of thunder would jar her, causing her to tense. A glance at her phone told her it was eight-thirty. Hopefully he would be home soon.
Knots were forming in her neck and shoulders, and she needed to stretch so she stood and headed for the kitchen. A loud boom of thunder shook the windows, and half a second later the apartment went dark.
Fuck,Darci thought and tried to push back the panic welling up inside of her. Maybe it wouldn’t stay out long. She ran to the bedroom and curled up on the bed trying to stifle the tears welling up in her eyes. It was irrational to still feel so much fear. A moment later her phone rang, causing her heart to leap into her throat. She relaxed a little when she saw Bradley’s name flashing on the screen.
“Hello,” she answered quietly.
