Free To Love and Trust (Boundaries) by Katy Swann Page A

fine, just a misunderstanding.”
    Josh filled all their glasses again and signaled to the waiter for another bottle.
    They were soon chatting amiably again and everything was fine until Adam leaned over and whispered, “You’ve taken the bullet out.”
    It wasn’t a question, and the blood drained from Rachel’s face as she stared into Adam’s angry face. Shit!
    “We’ll discuss it later,” he growled, although there was a twinkle of humor in his eyes.
    She looked at Chris who had been watching, and felt better when he winked at her and mouthed, “Blame me.”
    The conversation thankfully changed to something else and eventually led to the club.
    “Are you working this weekend, Chris?” asked Adam.
    “Yes, on Saturday.”
    Adam nodded and started telling him about some staffing problem they’d had behind the bar.
    “By the way,” said Chris, when they’d finished discussing the staff issues, “have you managed to sort Dominique out yet?”
    Rachel, who had been about to take a sip of her drink, suddenly sat up and took notice. There was something about that Dominique—she gave her the creeps, and when she’d marched into the office yesterday and kissed Adam so intimately on the lips, Rachel’s dislike of the woman had increased tenfold.
    Adam’s face changed as his eyes darkened and his eyebrows pulled together. Even his posture changed—the relaxed shoulders became stiff and tense as he placed his glass firmly back on the table.
    “Not yet,” he snapped. “I don’t wish to discuss that woman now.”
    “Who is she?” asked Rachel, her interest now piqued. She was shocked at the intensity of the jealousy eating away in her stomach. She really needed to know who this woman was.
    “She’s…” began Josh, but was interrupted by Adam.
    “She’s my business partner,” he said coldly, giving Josh a silencing glare. “I don’t wish to discuss her tonight.”
    “But…” said Rachel. She needed reassurance that Dominique was just a business partner and nothing more.
    “Subject closed.”
    Adam glared at her now and, given the trouble she was already in, she figured she would be wise to shut up, so she closed her mouth and reached for her glass.
    The rest of the evening felt a bit awkward after that and she was thankful when Adam stood up and told her Rob would be waiting outside. After saying goodbye to Chris and Josh, he led her out through the main bar and into the waiting car.
    As soon as the door had closed, Rachel started to speak. “Adam, I’m sorry about the vibrator thing, but I was so angry and hurt when I thought you’d been talking about me to your friends, and the constant vibrating was driving me mad, I couldn’t stand it.”
    “You walked out of the remote’s range before I could turn it off,” he snapped. “It was meant to have been a bit of fun. I’m more upset that you thought I would discuss our private affairs like some arrogant teenager, though.” His face told her exactly how he felt and she swallowed a lump in her throat, gutted that she’d hurt his feelings.
    “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “And I’m sorry for kicking you and walking off like that.”
    When he didn’t answer, she said, “Are you going to punish me?” For the first time, she sincerely hoped he’d say no, but she knew she deserved to be punished and resolved to take whatever he wanted to dish out.
    He was silent for a moment then he said, gravely, “I should put you over my knee and take the paddle to your arse, but I’m too angry right now and I never punish subs when I’m angry.”
    Rachel’s heart sank at the edge to his deep tone.
    “I’m sorry,” she said, again. “I thought…”
    “I know what you thought. It’s not just you, though,” he added, his voice softening slightly. “I’m pissed off with Chris for winding you up and…” His voice trailed off and she was left desperate to know what, or who, had also made him so angry.
    “Is it Dominique?” she asked