Page 104 of The Keeper

“They were.” I sifted my fingers through my hair. “Especially Noah’s fundraiser. Those are always epic. Right Hannah?”

Before she could answer, Bennet gave her a stern look. She simply smiled at me and nodded.

Interesting. Never pegged Hannah to be the submissive type.

“Hannah was kind enough to share photos from Noah’s event. And other events as well.” Bennet’s lips quirked into a grin. “Are you close with many of the players?”

Bennet, Bennet, Bennet. You’re not as smooth as you think.

I leaned back in the chair and folded my arms. “Why do I get the sense this is the beginning of an inquisition?”

Dominance and intrigue flared in his amber eyes. Hannah tapped her foot on mine under the table. I winked at her. She knows I can hold my own with these alpha CEO-types.

“No inquisition, Ms. Chase.” Bennet’s tone had a dark edge similar to Xavier’s.

“That’s a dead giveaway,” I smiled. “We’re well beyond formal names. And I know that tone of voice.”

Hannah kept her eyes cast down.

“What tone?” he asked, squaring his shoulders.

Oh, how I love to play games. I looked up at Bennet through my lashes. “I think you know the one, Mr. Logan. Low, dark,” I leaned forward for emphasis, “dominant.”

Hannah remained still. So this is how Xavier would find out if I did what he asked.

“Do you like that tone?”

Smoothing the hem of my skirt down, I crossed my legs. A thick atmosphere of control enveloped our space. Whatever else was happening in the restaurant faded into the background.

“You must know by now that I do.”

“And when you hear it, do you always do as you’re told?”

Bingo.

“Yes, sir,” I answered with a knowing smile.

“Even tonight?”

I tilted my head and held his stare. “Especially tonight.”

Without missing a beat, his expression softened and a relaxed smile touched his lips. “I’m glad you could find time in your busy schedule to join us. Hannah mentioned you were taking care of your friend’s dog. I hope we haven’t intruded on any other plans.”

“My weekends aren’t as exciting as you might think,” I responded with just as much ease, even though my pulse raced.

“Victoria has been known to binge watch entire television series on the weekends,” Hannah teased, coming back to life. “It’s just rumor and hear-say though.”

I laughed. “Oh okay, little miss ‘let’s watch every episode of Stranger Things in one sitting.’ You even like to bring all the food.”

“I brought cookies,” she sniffed. “Killian waltzed in with pizza and tacos.”

“Pizza and tacos?” Bennet frowned. “A good binge night needs curry chicken. I thought everyone knew that.”

“Is that what you and the boys snack on in your fancy library?” The question came out light-hearted and without much thought behind it on my part.

“Not quite, Ms. Chase.” A darker, more dangerous tone emerged.

Aaaand we’re back.

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