Page 28 of Disciplining Dana

“It’s not high tech. It’s just a steel gate with a padlock, and the padlock’s probably a hundred years old itself. I can get in there, I know it. I wouldn’t even need bolt cutters…”

“Dana!” He stabbed his finger at her. “No. We can’t, and we won’t. Not this time.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s irresponsible and dangerous!” he growled.

“South America was irresponsible and dangerous and look what it got us.”

“Yeah, exactly! You laid up in the hospital for two fucking months. You could’ve been killed!”

“But I wasn’t. That mine in Argentina is gonna be worth millions, like all the others I’ve discovered in the past, and just like this one will be, too.”

Kurt’s eyes flared. Slowly, he leaned across the table, his gaze a burning circle that trapped her in place. “Listen to me carefully, Dana,” he said with unyielding intensity. “No. Do I make myself clear?”

Her nerves tingled.

Why?

Kurt had told her no plenty of times in their years together, but now? This time, there was something in his tone, the way he leaned across the table, the… fire in his eyes as he’d glared at her and said no. Something that made her almost shiver as a voice at the back of her head whispered warnings.

But that was what was weird. They weren’t angry warnings. They felt almost… good.

“Okay, fine, have it your way. We won’t sneak in.”

Kurt leaned back. “Thank you.” He spoke politely, but heat remained in his eyes, and that tingle was still threatening to become a shiver.

She picked at her dinner, trying to find other things to discuss, but all her head could focus on was getting into the mine. She’d already told Kurt she was expecting to find the mother lode here, but that wasn’t really the point. If all she found was an indication, it would be enough, because that alone would confirm that somewhere in this mountain range was a deposit. And if it wasn’t in the Rawhide Mine, that was fine. It being somewhere away from the bustle of this place would be better.

But to make sure of that, she needed to get in there. Now.

“Piccata not to your liking?” Kurt asked quietly.

“What?” Dana looked down, startled. “Oh. No, it’s fine. I’m just… distracted.”

“We’ll get in.”

She made a dismissive gesture with her fork. “I know, I know, it’s just…”

He shook his head. “I swear, this part of your personality has been one of the most frustrating and yet stimulating aspects of our relationship.”

“Our relationship,” she said, raising an eyebrow.

“What? You don’t think we have a relationship?”

“A work one? Or are you thinking personal?”

“Both, honestly.” He took a sip of his drink. “I know we’re only friends with benefits, but you are my closest friend, Dana, the clubs and bedroom aside.”

“And that comment you made, was that about the former or the latter?”

“Again, both.”

She smiled and took a second bite of her dinner. “I’ve never hidden the fact I identify as submissive in the clubs and bedroom, as you put it. I’ve also never hidden that outside of them…” She gave a slight shrug.

“Believe me, I’m aware,” he agreed with a smile. “If I was to speak solely to the frustrating, it would be predominately in our work relationship. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t incredibly exciting watching you work, too. You…” He tapped the edge of his plate. “You have an intensity that’s hard not to fall into, and being there when you validate your latest research?—”

“Our latest research, Kurt,” she insisted. “Don’t try and minimize what you contribute.”

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