Page 23 of In His Cuffs

“I’ll handle it,” Damien said, following David’s gaze. “If you’re back on duty, the patio needs an extra set of eyes.” He turned away then paused and looked back. “Unless you require a little more time to collect yourself?”

“Not at all.” David welcomed the responsibilities. Having something to do suited his personality better than worrying or fretting over Maggie. He was the type of man who shoved aside mental and emotional entanglements. Or he had until Maggie had fled without them having the serious talk they needed.

Confounded woman.

“That’s what I expected.” With a brisk nod, Damien left.

David took up his post outside near the speaker. Thankfully, Evan C was on hiatus, or whatever a band break was called. David wasn’t sure how much more his eardrums could take of that racket. And some people considered it music. Took all kinds.

As it was Ladies’ Night, there were dozens of subs inside and outside, all shapes and sizes, all of them appealing in some way, from soft curves to lean lines. Some women he’d seen before. From their behaviour, others were obvious first-timers.

None of them interested him.

It went deeper than the fact he’d recently had sex. But that was where it had to end.

David was a man of his word He intended to keep his end of the deal he’d made tonight with Maggie. He didn’t fraternise. He kept his professional boundaries firm so that no employee would try to curry favour. Each week he signed pay cheques, and he didn’t want anyone worrying that if they rebuffed an advance or didn’t invite him to a party that their job was on the line. Everyone knowing where he stood made life simpler.

Since he didn’t socialise much, he spent considerable time by himself.

Not that he minded.

It had taken him a while to admit he was probably better off alone. His ex-wife had called him selfish.

When he’d got married, he’d thought it was forever. He’d never wanted a divorce. Worse, he hadn’t seen it coming. One day, six years ago, he’d arrived home from work, hours later than he’d planned. A plate of cold food had been sitting on the table. All of Sandra’s belongings had been gone.

It had taken that for him to admit he had an obsessive personality. His single-minded focus on what he wanted excluded everything else in his life.

In the settlement, he’d instructed his lawyer to give Sandra everything she asked for. She’d unselfishly given him six years of her life—she deserved financial compensation as well as the happiness he hadn’t provided for her.

He wasn’t bitter, he was just wiser. Avoiding relationships was better for the woman, if not for him.

Allowing himself the freedom to think about Maggie for even five minutes would be a bad decision. They’d work together until her employment contract was up, and that would be the extent of their future involvement.

Still, he fingered the handcuffs hanging from his belt loop.

Despite his most powerful intentions, he couldn’t help but think about tightening them around her wrists.

He wanted her on her knees and in his cuffs.

Chapter Four

Stark raving mad.

Thoughts of David Tomlinson were going to drive Maggie insane.

Instead of getting out of her car and walking the few blocks to the Market Street offices, she sat there staring at the Rocky Mountains. Even the stunning sight of bright sunshine splashing on the distant peaks couldn’t banish images of David from her mind.

Ever since her father had passed when she was ten, Maggie had prided herself on her predictable, responsible behaviour. She’d helped her mother with cooking and cleaning. Maggie had learnt to set an alarm clock and get herself to school. She’d secured a college scholarship and had worked as a waitress so she’d never have to ask her struggling mother for anything.

Even when she was ill, Maggie showed up to work on time to unlock the door. She didn’t trust her mother to do it. When ideas were flowing, Gloria often stayed up all night. Even in the best of circumstances, time seemed to be a vague concept to her.

A number of people had keys to the office. David was almost always early. Anyone could open up, but Maggie felt it was her responsibility to be there for the official start of business. So why was she still in the vehicle at ten past eight, fingers curled around the steering wheel?

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