He smiled. “You trust me.”
Why did he look so gleeful about that? “Yeah. So?”
“It’s just very satisfying.”
“Don’t flatter yourself. I trust you to keep me from getting assaulted by your friends the same way I trust my mailman to deliver letters addressed to me. You’re both fulfilling a job. Nothing more.”
His smile faded. “You think this is just a job to me? I can’t possibly see how, considering you’re not paying me.”
“It’s a job. The currency is just . . . different.”
“I’m not doing this for sex.” He leaned back, frowning. “You make me sound like an asshole.”
“Sorry.” She dropped her head. “I guess I just don’t understand why you’re doing it.”
“It started off because I was bored, and maybe lonely. But now I care about you, Kate.” He stared at her earnestly, as though he was hoping for a response.
Her cheeks flushed. He cared about her? Why did that make butterflies take off in her belly?
“I want to make sure you find someone safe to go to from here.” He shrugged and cracked a pained smile. “It’s the protective Dom thing. Even if you’re not mine, you’re still vulnerable. Too many submissives get hurt looking for a Dom. I don’t want that to be you.”
A smile touched her lips. “Thank you.” His sentiment was sweet. She almost didn’t want to go on with her plan. Having someone care about her so much that they would protect her even when they weren’t together was novel. But there was more than that for her. A real regret was growing, but making this work was a pipe dream. He deserved better—someone who could meet his needs and not have to fake it. Someone who wouldn’t resent his kink, but would enjoy it.
“So you’ll meet some of my friends? You’ll try your best to be a good girl?” he asked. “Remember, you’ll never win a Dom over with behavior like you had with my last introduction.”
She rolled her eyes. “Yes, I’ll be good. I told you I learned a lot.”
“Excellent. I’ll make some calls and see if I can set something up for this weekend.”
She nodded, then bit her lip. The truth of what she’d just agreed to came crashing down. “Banner . . .”
“Yes?”
“This is just to . . . meet them, right? Nothing crazy?”
He leaned forward. “That’s entirely up to you.”
Then it was a big fat no.
“But if we put on a . . . display, it’ll show them what kind of sub you are and whether your kinks line up.”
She gulped. “A display?”
“Just to show you off. It doesn’t have to be much. I’ll show them some of the things you’ve learned. Protocol, how to kneel, that sort of thing.”
She felt her eyes go wide. “Like I’m in a dog show?”
His beautiful lips curved. “Like you’re a prize to be won.”
A treasure . . . a prize . . . Always with the flattery. Okay, so maybe they’d make a match faster if his friends could see what kinds of things she was into. Maybe she wouldn’t have to kiss as many frogs. Still, the idea of being shown off like an animal made her feel kind of weird. But she trusted Banner. He hadn’t objectified her yet, so maybe he had a way of getting through this without it coming to that.
“Think about it,” he said. “It’s your call what we do and how far we go. I’m just trying to make it the most worthwhile for you.”
She nodded numbly. She had time to decide. Maybe she’d talk it over with Janine. It’d been her idea for the Halloween matchmaking party and that had been where she’d found Banner. She might get that kind of luck again, only with someone who didn’t want a robot for a partner.
“Come a little early, and we’ll discuss it,” he told her. “I’ll make sure you’re comfortable with whatever we do.”
She did believe that. “Okay.” With a small smile, she rose from the table. “I have to go let Pixie out. She’s probably crossing her legs by now.”
Banner stood up. “I’ll let you know the possible dates for the party. Will I see you before then?”
“Uhh.” Good question. Probably best to keep her distance before his panty-melting suits tempted her again. “I have a busy week. I’ll text you.”
He rolled his eyes. “Sure you will.”
Frowning, she peeked up at him. “I’m sorry. I know I’m not what you want, but I’m trying my best to keep us both happy. I don’t want to hurt you.”
“I know.” He took a big step so they were toe to toe, with him staring down at her. His eyes softened as he searched hers for a moment.
When he towered over her like that, she felt so small and vulnerable. Even now, she wished he’d wrap his arms around her. She gave her head a shake.
Down, girl.
Banner caught her attention with his finger under her chin. “You need to worry about you now. I’ll be fine.”
A smile played at her lips. “Hey, Doms have feelings too.”
His answering grin looked fake, which worried her. He’d never seemed sad before, but now it looked as though he was hiding pain. “Some Doms are able to shut theirs off.”
Compartmentalize. Her exes had been able to do that. She used to say, “Men are like waffles; women are like spaghetti.” Men tended to keep each problem in its own neat square, whereas women’s would get all tangled up together.
Banner was wealthy, successful, had friends and family—what kind of problems haunted him? That was exactly how he looked right now. Haunted.
She opened her mouth to ask him, but he cut her off.
“Go,” he said and turned her around with his hands on her shoulders. “Your dog is waiting.” He gave her a small push toward the door.
So, he was putting up walls? If she was in a different position, she’d dig deeper and try to uncover the truth there. But he’d made it clear that he wasn’t her responsibility. They’d stay friends while some other girl figured him out.
As she left the coffee shop, she pictured him with another girl. She gritted her teeth. Then her imagination had them at the same party and acting like Janine and Chris. Something twisted in her stomach.
In too deep.
The need to get him out of her system clinched her decision for the Dom Fest. She’d let Banner show her off and pass her over to one of his friends. Then she’d really, truly be done with him.
Chapter 10
“Seriously, Banner. I think you should go home for the day.” Belle held a file out to him, but he couldn’t remember how long she’d been standing there.
“I think I can manage to sign a few documents,” he grumbled. When he opened the folder, he stared at the papers it contained, but they all seemed to be written in gibberish.
“What’s this?”
Belle pulled the file away from him. “This is the business proposal from Arthur Blackwell, remember? You probably shouldn’t be signing anything like this right now.” She laid it aside. “It can wait until Monday.”
Banner grunted and checked his phone messages. Nothing. Well, there were some messages from guys interested in meeting Kate, but nothing from her. What had he expected?
“Checking your phone won’t make her text you.” Belle smiled sympathetically.
“I know.”
She settled in the chair across from him. “Do you think maybe you’re feeling this way because she’s the first woman in a long time that hasn’t fallen all over herself trying to get your attention?”
With a laugh, he sat back. “You don’t do that.”
“You wouldn’t wear a collar for me any more than I’d wear one for you. It would get ugly fast.” Belle laughed quietly. “That’s one of the reasons why you hired me, remember? No temptations at work.”
“I hired you because you’re smart and efficient, and you’re good with people.”
“Mmmhmm.”
“And because I knew our business relationship would never become complicated by a personal relationship.”
“Our friendship might complicate things though. Like the fact that I have no qualms about telling you that you’ve been wandering around here for weeks acting like a starving dog waiting to be fed.” She arched a brow at him, and it wasn’t hard to imagine her making the same face at her sub. Domme faces didn’t work on him, though. He was immune.
“Things are almost sorted out with her, then everything will go back to normal.” He looked at his guest list again: six men, one of whom already had a sub and was looking for another woman to add to their relationship.
Hell, he’d never even asked Kate if that would appeal to her. The thick line he’d drawn through Ambrose’s name bothered him. It was too late to cancel the party now, but with Ambrose leaving on urgent business, his best hope for Kate was gone.
“I’ll believe that when I see it. I’m going to get lunch. I’m bringing some back for you. I will force-feed you if necessary.” She shook her head. “And people say that men aren’t emotional. You just wear it differently.” Belle frowned at him, then walked out of his office.
Emotional? He considered Kate, visualized her in his head, and let go of the business end of planning a party at his house.