“Tell me something—did Jack ever get the job he wanted?”Scott asked like he was merely an old friend asking about her family.
“To his family’s horror, yes,” Olivia said and looked toGarrett.“He’s talking about my oldest nephew, who is barely younger than me.My brother-in-law was sure Jack would follow in his namesake’s footsteps andtake over the ranch one day.Jack changed his major in college fromagricultural studies to criminology and joined the FBI.My brother-in-law likesto think of himself as an outlaw.Aidan’s not, but the whole fed thing threwhim for a loop.”
Garret nodded.“Yes, he talks about his wayward son a lot.”
“Jack O’Malley in the FBI,” Scott said with a shake of hishead as his brilliant smile faded.“I never realized how much I missed yourfamily.”
“I’m sure they miss you, too.Maybe you should call up myfather and ask him to lunch the next time you’re in Dallas.”
His baby was so mean.
“I think I’ll do that,” Scott agreed, and then seemed to getserious.“Are you okay?”
Olivia’s brows rose.“I’m fine.”
“I had to ask.You look tired,” Scott said.
Asshole.He knew exactly what the other man was doing.Negging.It was the asshole’s way to try to take a woman’s confidence so he hadthe upper hand in the relationship.He was about to say something when Oliviapointedly yawned and waved the fucker off.
“It’s hard to keep up with two ridiculously hot Doms,” sheadmitted.“They keep me up all night.”
He chuckled.He should have known she didn’t need him to puta dude in his place.Luckily he knew exactly where his place was with thiswoman.“Sorry, baby.I would promise to let you sleep tonight but I probablywon’t.”
Scott’s disdain showed briefly.“So you’re still playing atthat dominance stuff, are you?I always worried about you being in that world.I know your parents are in it, but they’re committed.It has to be dangerousdoing that stuff with people you don’t know well.And this is your Dom?”
Garrett would have answered that differently a few daysbefore, but he was totally comfortable now.It was funny how a couple of goodnights made everything seem possible.“That would be Keane, though I do topher, too.I’ve recently come to learn I’m a switch.It’s been a revelation.”
“Like getting your ass slapped?”Olivia asked, obviouslyamused.
He shrugged.“As long as I’m tied down right next to you,baby.”
“This is not a professional environment,” Scott said flatly.“I expected more from you.”
“Well, I don’t think a sales rep would normally walk in andtell his biggest client she looks tired,” Garrett shot back.
“He would if he was worried about her,” Scott replied in aslightly whiny tone.“I’m only saying she wouldn’t have acted this way aroundmy predecessor.”
Olivia gave him a bright smile and gestured to the seatacross from her desk.“Oh, I told Anna way too much.She loved some gossip.Ialso know way too much about her sister’s sex life.But you’re right.You’renot Anna, and we should get started.I’m sure you’ll want to get home as soonas possible.When’s your flight back to the city?”
“I left it open ended.I have no real idea how long this jobwill take.”Scott set his laptop bag down on the chair and opened it, pullingout his sleek machine.“The truth of the matter is I can work remotely.I’mweighing the possibilities.New York has lost its appeal.I want somethingreal.”
“New York is real.”Olivia sank down to her seat.“I lovethe city.”
“But you don’t live there,” Scott pointed out.
“No, my family is here in Texas, and so are ourheadquarters, but it’s been a while and I’m owed some vacation time when Joshgets back.But that’s for another day.”She sat back.“So, tell me about thenew subscription box.I don’t know why we would give you such a deep discount.”
Garrett moved his chair to sit beside her and watched thequeen go to work.
ChapterEleven
Olivia looked over the dance floor and wished Gigihadn’t felt the deep need to dance tonight.Her friend was still out there.She’d done the latest line dances, but a slow song had come up and now she wasin some cowboy’s arms.
The Barn was hopping again, but she kind of wanted to beback in the playroom.They’d been staying in it for days.They would hang outin her house in the early evening.Someone would cook dinner for the six ofthem or Gabe or Garrett would go out and bring back take-out and they wouldtalk and have a glass of wine.And then Keane would stand up, and her heartwould flutter in her chest.
It seriously fluttered.Like a damn butterfly.All because ahot cowboy Dom would hold his hand out, and she would know it was time to play.He would lead her over to the main house and up to the playroom where he wouldinstruct Garrett to prepare her while he watched with dark eyes.
Damn it.She was getting hot right here.