Page 47 of Bound By Fire
10
Robyn
I’m almost through reception when Carla rounds the corner with a clipboard pressed to her chest and a look on her face that has me stopping in my tracks.
“There you are,” she says.
“I’m on my way to see Onyx.”
She falls into step beside me. “And? What’s up with tall, dark, and yummy?”
I laugh despite myself. “You mean the Draig Security Commander?” I lift my brows.
“Don’t pretend you didn’t notice how cute he is,” she gushes.
She really doesn’t remember him, and part of me doesn’t want to tell her, which is stupid. I don’t have to divulge that I took him home. I didn’t tell a soul about my one-night stand, and I plan on keeping it that way.
“I think he has a stick up his ass, which detracts from his looks,” I say.
“His very fine ass.”
I stop in my tracks.
“Look, Carla, Commander Ridge is here to do a job.”
“I know that.” She nods.
“The Council has concerns about our security, especially after what happened at the vaccination center. If his being here means my staff are safer, I’m all for it.” I shrug. “It’s going to be a bit of an inconvenience for the next week or so while he does his assessment and makes the necessary changes.”
“He can inconvenience me any time he wants.” She covers her mouth, widening her eyes. “Is he off-limits?”
“Carla!”
“No, really? Would it be against HR policy if I ask him out?”
I blink at her. “You want to ask him out?”
“That is what I said.”
“You’ve known him for less than two minutes.”
“So what?” She widens her eyes at me. “I’m a single woman in my early thirties. My clock is ticking. Ridge is hot. I want to ask him out.”
“Carla, you literally date every second male who walks through those doors.”
“That is an exaggeration and a slander on my good name.”
“It is not an exaggeration, and you know it,” I say. “You’re being unprofessional. Ridge is here on assignment. He’s here in an official capacity. While he is reviewing this hospital and assessing its security, he is off-limits and not just to you, but to everyone here. You can spread the word. Make sure the nurses know too.”
“Define ‘off-limits.’”
I push out a laugh. “Don’t ask him out while he is working in this building. When the review is over and he’s moved on to the next facility, you can approach him. You are a grown woman. Do what you want, although I wouldn’t advise it. He’s too serious for you.”
Carla’s mouth twitches. “I love it when a guy is all brooding.” She huffs out a breath. “Is he off-limits to you, too?”
“Obviously.”
“Obviously?”
