I waited until the door shut before I said, “Are you all right?”
She shrugged. “Sorta.”
“Are you having second thoughts?”
I watched her think about my question, the different waves of emotions crossing her face.
Each one made her more gorgeous.
“No, like Valerie said, it wouldn’t matter what I did; Daisy would find fault in it. I honestly believe I can’t make that girl happy. If I didn’t touch up her photos enough, she thought I was trying to make her look fat. If I didn’t post for her frequently enough, she thought I was trying to sabotage her social media presence. If I didn’t drive fast enough, she thought I was purposely trying to make her late.” The look that passed through her face told me she’d spent some time thinking about this. And she was drained—from all of it. “I just have to live my own life and not spend it trying to please my sister.”
“You know, I’ve seen my fair share of women like Daisy, and you’re right about everything. The only sensible option is to focus on you. Whether it’s showing the world how much of a sweetheart you are or raising awareness on volunteering and art therapy, you’re going to find your voice, and you’re going to make a difference in your own way.”
Her eyes finally softened, and it wasn’t out of sadness. “That’s all I want.”
“We’re going to make it happen.”
She released a small breath, the ends of her lips lifting. “We?”
“Listen …” I leaned onto my desk, crossing my hands over the top. “I want to let you in on something you’re probably not aware of, something that’s not listed in your contract. The production assistants are paid to dig up dirt. They release it to the media in hopes that it will build buzz and momentum prior to the show being aired. The more drama they reveal, the higher the ratings and viewers and ad dollars. It’s all part of their marketing.”
Her grin grew, reaching as high as her eyes, a sight I was elated to see.
“So, you’re saying you’re not going to fuck me on the wall of my apartment?”
I laughed.
She only cursed when my dick was inside her, and each occasion made me growl.
This time was no exception.
“Once you start filming, you’re going to be so busy that you’re not going to have time to think about my cock.”
Her eyelids narrowed. “Is that your way of ending things between us, or do you really believe my schedule is going to be an issue for us?” When she shifted her legs again, her dress rode up to her mid-thigh, and she made no effort to lower it. “Because I’m the kind of girl who can work sixty hours a week and find the hours to volunteer and run five miles a day and have drinks with girlfriends and stop by the studio to paint. I know how to juggle, whether it be jobs or balls—I’ve got both covered.”
She was quick with her mouth.
Another reason she was fucking perfect for this show.
But it was a mouth that also sucked cock like I’d never felt before, and that was what was on my mind right now.
Damn it.
I lifted the folder from my desk—a copy that had my notes and legal definitions written in the margins to help her understand the difficult jargon, unlike the version she had—and I handed it to her. “You have twenty-four hours before this needs to be signed. Take it and get out of here before I spank you so fucking hard that you see stars.”
She stood, giving me another angle of that goddamn body and how breathtaking it looked in her dress. “You don’t scare me, Dominick. Your threats. Your attention. Your warnings. I’m ready for all of it.” She tucked the manila folder under her arm and flattened her palms on my desk, leaning in close to me. “In fact, all it does is make me wetter.” She headed for the door, and when her fingers were on the knob, she looked over her shoulder and said, “I’ll be back tomorrow to drop off the signed contract.”
She didn’t say another word.
Except after she was gone, I noticed she’d left one thing behind.
Her scent.
And I was going to smell it all fucking day long.