He might not be her sub, but she did feel some responsibility towards him. Plus, she could use a little soothing of her own. His presence made her feel a little better, especially when he’d come over to check on her after she’d smacked the filing cabinet. The others wouldn’t have dared to. Or assumed she didn’t need to be checked on. Which she didn’t. But she’d still gotten a little warm and fuzzy from knowing he cared. Unlike a Dom, he hadn’t tried to reprimand her or given her a look for harming herself, he’d just been concerned. Olivia was becoming more and more sure Luke was a service submissive, even if he didn’t realize how it affected his behavior on a day-to-day basis.

Olivia turned towards him slightly. “If that’s okay with you.”

“That’s fine,” he said, a little glint in his blue eyes that made him look almost mischievous. She shot him a repressive look, her lips pursing, but for some reason that just made him grin wider.

“All right then,” Kincaid said, interrupting Olivia and Luke’s sexual tension-laden stare down. “I’m going to the station.”

“I’m going to—“ Patrick started to say, but Lexie twisted in her seat on his lap.

“Home,” she said, quietly but firmly. “There’s nothing more you can do here and I want to go home please.”

There was a small pause and then Patrick sighed, the air and protective anger funneling out of him all at once. Olivia knew how he felt. “Okay Pixie, we’ll go home.”

Despite everything, Olivia couldn’t help but smile as she stood, indicating Luke should go with her. She was glad everything had ended up working out between those two; they were good for each other. A work romance gone right. Of course, Patrick was the boss in both the bedroom and everywhere else, so the dynamic was totally different.

Stepping back outside, some of Olivia’s anger and upset came rushing back and she paused for a moment to turn and look at Luke, wanting a bit of distraction. He had his head down and was on his phone.

“Sorry,” he said, finishing up whatever he was typing and moving a little more quickly. “I was just asking my brother if he can swing by and take my dog for her late night walk.”

“Oh... I’m sorry, I didn’t even think—“ she started to say, but he interrupted her with a wave of his hand as he pushed his phone into his pocket.

“I wouldn’t have volunteered if I didn’t want to or if it would cause me problems. My brother only lives five minutes away from me and Molly adores him. He spoils her way more than I do.”

“If you’re sure.”

“I am.”