Page 48

“Or avoid it altogether?” I say with a wince. “Ben's a great guy, it's just… awkward now. I haven't seen him since I left for the campaign trail, and that was what, two years ago?”

“Someone ask the manager if we can use his private office for a while.” Relaxing his wrist from where it was positioned against his mouth, T purses his lips and looks around the restaurant. “Smells damn good in here.”

I tug on his suit jacket, snagging his attention. “Once Ben's here and we're one big cozy family in the back office of this place, you and the guys rotate eating.” His brows furrow as he shakes his head. “T, it’ll be fine. Seriously, what else could happen tonight? China stopping by for a coffee?” I try to add as much humor into my voice as I can, but fuck, I'm exhausted.

“I'll think about it,” he says with a sigh. “Only because as punishment for his going behind my back, Benson here will be stationed outside the door the entire time. I trust him to keep you safe.”

“Me too.” I smile up to the frowning Trey. “Sorry about earlier. Kind of forgot that we're not supposed to be a thing.”

“It's fine,” he grumbles. “But seriously, man, no BBQ? That's cruel on so many levels. Why you gotta be so mean?”

“Did you just quote a Taylor Swift song?”

“What?” he says, feigning shock. “I had no idea it was a song.”

“Riiiight.” I playfully shove his hip.

The feeling of being watched draws my gaze back to the front door. Ben's piercing blue eyes meet mine. Not sure what I expected, but the nothingness as our eyes remain connected wasn't one of them. I track his every move as he weaves through the crowded restaurant, Taeler several steps behind.

“Hey, Rand,” Ben says, pausing on the other side of the table, both hands shoved deep in the back pockets of his Wranglers.

My lips part, ready to respond, when T presses a large palm between my shoulder blades, stopping me.

“The manager's office is clear. Let's get you off the floor.”

“What?” All eyes turn to Tiny, whose tray is stacked with small Styrofoam cups. “I wanted to watch,” he whines as he drops the tray to the table with a huff.

No one says another word as we shuffle through the kitchen's swinging door, down the dark hall, and then squish into the small office. Taeler asks Ben about his drive down, but I don't listen for his response as I turn to the still-open door.

“I'll be right outside,” Trey says, looking at Ben instead of me. “You good?”

“Yeah.” I glance over my shoulder. “This won't take long.”

His lips purse, the edges turning white.

“It's fine. He won't hurt me.”

“That's not what I'm worried about,” he mutters under his breath as he closes the door. “Yell if you need me.” With an exhausted sigh, I turn toward the middle of the office. “And Randi.” Chin on my shoulder, I glance back to Trey with both brows raised. “You're mine. Don't forget it.”

Wetness pools between my thighs as a quiver vibrates low in my gut at the intensity of his words and the blazing heat behind his eyes. Gawking at him, I hold a tight breath as the door closes, his face disappearing behind the thick door. I clear my throat, trying to regain some of the composure his claiming words stole. The edge of the desk presses into my backside as I sit facing Ben and Taeler. Once, twice, and a third time, I cross my legs and then cross them the other way, unable to get comfortable.

Fucking hell, why does his dominant possessiveness turn me on so much? If he were in here with me instead of these two, I'd win a gold medal for the fastest undressing ever.

I clear my throat and attempt to focus on their conversation, but the low throb between my thighs keeps drawing my thoughts back to Trey. I hope he's out there having to guard the door with a raging boner so he's as uncomfortable as me.

“What do you think, Rand?”

“Hmm?” I flick my eyes to the closed door. “Did you say something?”

“What's wrong with you? You're all fidgety.”

Taeler bursts out laughing. I narrow my eyes at her and shake my head.

“Dad, seriously?” Taeler says, either not getting my ‘shut it’ hint or just plain not caring. “Have you never seen a woman turned on before? That's just sad.”

“Taeler Lynn!” I yell and jump off the desk, ready to smack my hand over her lips to keep her quiet.

“Huh?”