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Liam
When he walked in the hotel room and saw Utah in that dress, he almost had a change of heart about coming tonight. He’d much rather have taken her somewhere he could openly claim she was his, like a fancy restaurant followed by somewhere he could dance with her.
As they rode down the elevator together, he was still considering it. She was fucking stunning.
Men were going to be tripping over themselves to talk to her. Had he been able to casually put his arm around her chair or hold her hand and kiss the spot below her ear that drove her crazy, he probably wouldn’t care. Not being able to let the world know she was with him tonight was going to be torture.
They reached the ground floor, but before the doors opened, she asked, “Do you want me to wait a few minutes in the lobby before going in?”
“No. You work at the hospital. There’s no reason I wouldn’t come in with you if I ran into you in line.”
Change of plans. Fuck that walking in separately bullshit.
She paused before stepping out. “Are you sure?”
Liam shot her a look, and she quickly added, “Sir,” then followed him out of the car.
“Positive.”
He was glad being submissive outside the bedroom didn’t come naturally to her. Mainly because he wanted someone who would keep him on his toes, but also because then he would have a reason to punish her.
Other than spanking her yesterday, he knew what he’d been doing wasn’t really punishment. And he knew she knew it, too. Yesterday had been a completely different set of circumstances, and not one he imagined they’d have to deal with again.
“You’re the Master,” she murmured cheekily as they walked along the carpeted corridor leading to the ballrooms.
“I’d ask if you’re trying to get punished, but I think I already know the answer to that.”
As they stood in line waiting to check in and get their table number, Liam noticed Vicki Kaiser making a beeline toward them, her husband in tow, and he muttered under his breath, “Shit.”
Utah kept her face neutral as she looked around. She was a fucking natural at this schmoozing crap.
“I’ll do the talking,” he murmured as Vicki got closer, then he pretended to look surprised when she stood in front of them.
“Vicki! I didn’t know you were coming tonight!” He reached for both her hands and kissed her cheek. “You look stunning.”
“Thank you, Liam. So do you.” The woman turned her body so as to include her date. “You’ve met my husband, Andy.”
Liam stretched his hand out to the man. “Yes, of course. Liam McDonnell. Good to see you, again.”
“Likewise, Liam. I hear you’ve been doing great things at the hospital.”
He cast an appreciative smile at Vicki. “Well, I’m fortunate to have a great staff and a supportive board that allows me to do that.”
Vicki eyed Utah standing next to Liam in line. “And who is this?”
Liam put his hand at the small of Utah’s back. “I’d like you to meet Utah Douglas. Utah, this is Vicki and Andy Kaiser.”
He decided to omit job titles.
Utah extended her hand to Vicki, then to Andy. “It’s very nice to meet you.”
Vicki stared at Utah while speaking to Liam.
“Liam, I didn’t know you were dating anyone.”
Fuck.
How did he answer that? If he admitted they were dating, there went his ability to chalk up their association as professional if he was questioned about it in the future. If he said they weren’t dating, she’d have to explain why she was at a hospital awards ceremony.
