“He shouldn’t have,” Haley snaps. “Imposters aren’t welcome here. It’s best if you leave. I have a wooden stake in my purse and I’ll drive it through your heart, fucker.”
“He’s an asshole, not a vampire, Haley.” I grab the bottle from her and drink. When I turn around, I am face to face with Dom. His friends are far enough back that they aren’t crowding us, but they can still hear what’s going on.
I know that eventually I have to tell him the truth about our daughter. He has the right to know about her, and I will tell him. But I can’t right now.
He has to prove himself, he has to show me he is here to stay, and he needs to weather the storm I am going to put him through, and he has to come out of it alive before I divulge any of my secrets.
I smile and cock my head to the side. “Why would Mac tell you I was here tonight?”
“Because he thinks we’re cute together?” Dom asks. He grins and turns back to look at his friends. “These are my work buddies, Milo and Cory. Guys, this is Andi.”
“Andi, stop. Don’t engage,” Haley orders. “He’s a man. All men are liars. Plus, he’s ugly and old.”
“That’s really hurtful, Haley. I saved your ass from a date rape.” Dom acts hurt, putting his hands over his heart like she’s wounded him.
“Actually, Andi did. You were just present.” Haley grabs my arm and pulls me behind her.
“You ladies gonna kiss for us or what?” Cory or Milo asks. I don’t know which is which, because I didn’t pay attention when they were introduced.
“Boys first.” I take another drink from the bottle, then hand it over to Haley. Dom stares at me, and I feel his eyes burning into my skin. I’m suddenly so hot, and I know it’s from the alcohol, but it also feels like it’s from his stare. His presence alone does things to me. My eyes rest on his lips right as he licks them. They’re pink, and I remember how they tasted a few weeks ago. It takes everything in me not to close the distance, and give into him.
Dom just feels right. He always has. Even when he was lying about who he was, even when I was with Matt, and when he barreled back into my life. It’s always been him.
I can fight it, but I know eventually, I will give into him. Haley hurls an insult his way, and I grab her arm to get her attention. “It’s fine.”
She glares at me, but finally nods, and disappears. Dom steps closer, suffocating me with his presence. The alcohol has lowered my inhibitions, but even if I was sober, he would be all-consuming.
Dom knows it too, because he wraps his arms around my waist and, as I rest my hand against his chest, he gives me that evil smirk. The one that says he knows he’s put a crack in the walls I built to shield me from him.
“I still hate you,” I whisper.
“I know, and I hate me too. I know you can’t forgive me right now. But I’ll be here when you can.”
I close my eyes and lay my head on his shoulder. His scent sparks something within me, and I find it bewildering how quickly the old feelings come back. How easy it is to be myself with him.
“I have rules,” I tell him.
“I’ll follow them,” He promises. “Just name them.”
“When I’m sober. I can’t think right now.”
I’m not sure how long we stay in each other’s arms, but I know we start dancing, and end up drinking more. The crowd slowly thins out until it's only us. Eventually, the bar closes and Mac drives us all home. I try to make a mental note to yell at Mac for telling Dom I’d be here, but I am pretty wasted and I probably won’t remember, anyway.
While Mac helps Haley into the guest room, I head straight for the kitchen. Dom follows me, his eyes scrutinizing. I’m sure he’s never known anyone who could afford a house like mine.
“I think it’s safe to say that you’ve made it, babe,” he chuckles. “You’ll never go hungry again in this kitchen.”
I put leftover spaghetti in the microwave to heat. “Yeah.” Nerves bundle inside me at the sound of being called ‘babe’ by him. “I got lucky. Todd hired me right out of college, and then he made me his partner. He even kept me on through a pregnancy. I helped revamp the firm, and we recruited a ton of new clients. So, here I am. Not even thirty-five, and able to retire if I wanted.”
“Is that what you want? To retire?”
“From the firm, yeah. I want to spend more time with my daughter. She doesn’t need both of her parents to be busy with work. She’s my priority. I’ll fix up the wine bar down the way and I’ve just hired someone to help me produce the grapes and make wine. It’ll keep my mind focused, my hands busy, and build a nice nest egg for her, in case anything ever happens to me.”
“That’s good. I’m happy for you. It’s what you always wanted.”
“I made do with what I had. That’s all.”
“What’s that mean?”