Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 57908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
“Great.”
Taking a deep breath, I squared my shoulders. That was settled. One more drink and I was out of there.
Except, Dom was waiting, leaning against the wall at the far end, his arms crossed. He looked intense. Focused. Determined. Sexy.
I swallowed heavily. Really sexy.
Dammit.
Somehow, his looking like that made me angry. I needed him remote. Uncaring. Not staring at me like he was starving and I was grade A meat he wanted to devour.
I marched toward him, poking him in the chest. It was like thumping a brick. “Listen, Salvatore. I’m not interested.”
“No?” he drawled.
“No. Go away. Stop following me.”
“Maybe I’m not waiting for you.”
My anger turned to rage so bright, I felt the red of it tinge my eyesight.
“That was fast, wasn’t it?”
“But it’s what you expect, isn’t it, Cherry Gallagher? That you’ll say no, and I’ll move on and pick someone else.” He leaned down, his voice a rumble in my ear I felt all the way through my body. “Here’s the deal, though. I don’t want anyone else. You’re all I think about. Fantasize about. Constantly.”
He eased back, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear. “I don’t know who hurt you, but I’m not them. I’m not a player, pretty lady. And if you say no, I’ll respect that. But I think you want me as much as I want you.” He tilted his head. “But you’re used to putting yourself second. Denying yourself. Only, this time, you don’t have to.”
“I-I can’t.”
He smiled sadly. “Can’t or won’t?” He shrugged. “I suppose it doesn’t matter.” In a tender move I didn’t expect, he bent and brushed his lips on my forehead. “Take care, Cherry G.” He laughed, the sound brittle. “I miss you already.”
He began to move past me, and I grabbed his arm. He stopped, looking down. “What?”
I gave in to everything I was feeling. Wanting.
Him.
I flung my arms around his neck, and I kissed him.
DOM
Jesus, her mouth. I knew it would be addictive. Despite the snappy words, the constant denials, and her bitter tone at times, I knew she’d be sweet. The perfect aphrodisiac.
She whimpered as I slid my tongue along hers. Clutched at my neck as the kiss deepened, our tongues exploring, lips devouring, and taste buds on overdrive.
I groaned as she tugged on my hair. Bent and lifted her into my arms, backing her into the wall. She wrapped her legs around me, biting at my lips. Begged me silently for more.
Which I was happy to give her.
It didn’t matter we were in a bar. In a hallway. That her daughter and my coworker were around. All that mattered was she’d finally given in. Finally let me touch her. Kiss her.
And now, I wanted more.
I pulled back, meeting her dazed eyes. “I’m taking you home, Cherry G.”
She pulled my face back to hers. “Tell me what you’re going to do to me,” she begged in a quiet whisper.
“I’m going to fuck you. Claim you. Make love to you. I’m going to take you hard. Then slow. Then both. I’m going to ruin you for anyone else.” I pressed my forehead to hers. “Tell me that I can.”
“Yes. Oh God, yes.”
“And it’s not only going to be tonight,” I promised. “Once we do this, you’re mine. You understand me? I don’t share. Ever. And especially you.”
She rolled her hips into me, and I fisted her hair, kissing her again. “Patience, pretty lady. You do that again, and all bets are off. We need to get somewhere private. I want to take my time with you.”
“Take me home, Dom. Please.”
A slow grin pulled at my lips. “You said Dom.” I kissed her hard. “You’ll be screaming it soon.”
I lowered her feet to the floor, holding her until she was steady. I smoothed her hair back, smiling down at her. “You’re a mess.”
“So are you.”
“Do you care?”
“No.”
I took her lips again. “We’re heading right out. Okay?”
“Yes.” She cleared her throat. “We have to try to act natural around Hannah. I don’t want her to think—”
I covered her mouth with mine again. “Too late, lady. She’s gonna know.”
Then I tugged her behind me, heading to the table. Chase and Hannah were staring at us, Hannah’s eyes wide with shock as she took in her mother’s disheveled appearance. I wasn’t trying to hide my erection either. I couldn’t.
I stopped at the table, grabbing Cherry’s purse and my jacket. “We’re going for coffee,” I said, my voice deep and rough. I looked at Hannah. “Don’t wait up.”
Cherry looked at her daughter, wide-eyed and blushing. “Just coffee,” she called over her shoulder. “I’ll be home soon.”
I laughed loudly. “Don’t count on it!” I yelled back.
She’d be lucky if I let her go at all.
CHAPTER FIVE
Dom
In the car, I held her hand, and she gripped mine back. I had to maintain some sort of physical contact with her. Every time I glanced over, she was watching me, her eyes wide. Then she started talking. Nonstop. She commented on how long it took to get out of the parking lot. The number of people around. The interior of my car. How nice my leather jacket was. How she’d always wanted one but thought she was too old.