Tiny Dancer(Divine Creek Ranch 13)(77)

“I heard a door slam closed in the back right after I let our visitor out the front door. I thought that it was you at first. Then all the lights went out.”

Spencer shook his head. “I was outside checking the perimeter of the building. The workmen all know to leave at least a few lights on in case you’re here or might come by.”

“What’s going on?” Ben asked, concern clear in his expression as he and Quinten came in the front door. “When we pulled into the parking lot, we saw you running to the building.”

Spencer and Camilla explained, and she could tell her men were not pleased when she mentioned the part about running back into the building to loan Spencer her flashlight. Spencer told them he needed to give the building one final sweep before they left for the evening.

Quinten gave her a significant look before glancing at Ben and said, “I’ll help.”

Ben walked her to her office to collect her belongings. She could hardly make eye contact with him because she knew he was upset.

“Are you mad at me?”

“A little. Yes. What were you thinking, running back into a potentially dangerous situation?”

“I didn’t realize Spencer had a flashlight. I thought he’d need it. I felt safe with him.”

“I’m glad, sugar. We want you to feel safe, but what if he’d been outnumbered? What did he tell you to do?”

Shit! She told him, and he faced her, hands braced on his hips, looking oh-so sexy…and pissed.

“What part of what you did was what he instructed you to do?”

She bit her lip. If she were standing in front of Joseph, this was the part where she knew she was about to get her booty whooped.

“I’m sorry.”

“We’re having a talk tonight and establishing some rules and guidelines for you.”

“What?” Part of her bristled at his tone and his high-handed attitude, but then her inner submissive rolled over and showed her belly.

“First, and most important. You are never to knowingly endanger yourself ever again.”

Well, I can’t argue with that one, now, can I? He sounds just like Joseph.

Ben looked at her squarely as she stood at her desk, and for a split second she thought she recognized that same steely “Dom” gaze that Joseph had used with her, only Ben created a storm of tension inside of her that had her nipples hardening and her pussy clenching.

What she’d done definitely qualified as knowingly endangering herself. She wondered if she’d earned a spanking. Hot moisture pooled in her cunt as that thought registered.

“Second. If one of the security guys, Quinten, or I give you instructions, you follow them to the letter. They’d never want you to endanger yourself like that.”

“You’re right.”

Her agreement seemed to assuage some of his indignation. “With everything else that’s happened to you lately, we can’t afford to just assume this was some vagrant wandering in.” He came to her and wrapped his arms around her. She pressed her nose against his chest and inhaled his masculine fragrance, wanting to draw some of his strength inside her, too. “Sugar, I can’t bear the thought of something happening to you. I worry when neither of us is with you, even though I know Spencer is perfectly capable of keeping you safe. If you won’t cooperate with what he tells you to do in a situation, then you might as well be out here all on your own. Unprotected.”

She knew what alone and unprotected felt like. “I understand.”

He lifted her phone from the stack of papers and held it up. “Keep your cell phone charged and with you at all times. I’m so relieved Spencer was here.”

“Me, too.”

Ben cradled her head in his palms, looking down at her. His dark-brown eyes seemed to see straight into her heart before he leaned down and kissed her. Sliding his velvety tongue between her lips, he stroked hers until a sensual languor stole over her. She held on to him, reveling in the security his arms offered.

“Are we ready?” Quinten asked as he and Spencer stopped in the doorway.

“Yes.” She looked up at Ben, and he released her, with promises of more kisses and erotic delights to come in his eyes. She turned to Spencer and took his rough, work-hardened hand in her own. “Spencer, I’m sorry for not doing as you asked. I won’t do that again. Please don’t be upset with me.”

Spencer looked at Ben and then at Quinten before he tugged her to him and gave her a gentle hug. “That’s okay, Camilla. Hopefully there won’t be a next time.” He looked between the three of them and it seemed like he wanted to say more but released her and backed away as they left the office. To Ben and Quinten, he said, “From now on we’ll do the outdoor perimeter checks after we know she’s headed home or with one of you.”