“How about we go somewhere and talk? I’m ninety-nine percent sure we’re leasing that space, and maybe we could figure out a way to make the next eight weeks not awkward as fuck.”
She shrugged, again. “It’s a job to me, Dominic. Nothing more. I’ll be fine.”
But I wouldn’t be. I was losing it already.
“Meet me at the coffee shop at the end of the boardwalk at one. If you don’t want me to show you around, then give me a half hour. I know it’s more than I deserve, but…please.”
“Finley’s Coffee Shop? The one with the huge chocolate chip cookies?” She folded her arms and narrowed her hazel eyes at me. I almost hadn’t recognized her at first with the blonde ends of her hair, but her profile gave her away. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the full lips that had always been on mine or the graceful slope of her neck. Her beauty both enraptured me and tormented me at once. Again, nothing I didn’t have coming, but I couldn’t just let her leave.
“Okay, show off. You’ve done your research. And yes. I’ll buy you a frozen mocha or whatever you want, and we could talk.”
The beginnings of a smile ghosted her lips before she cleared her throat. “One it is. See you then. And Dominic, there’s no reason we can’t handle eight weeks together. I’ll meet you if that’s what you really want, but it’s not necessary. We…” she trailed off, gnawing at her bottom lip as she always did whenever she became flustered. “We were a long time ago.”
“See you then.” I stifled a grin at her huff before she stalked out the door.
I watched her leave, only turning around when the click of her heels faded into the distance.
We may have been a long time ago, but everything I was feeling was current. And if the fire in her beautiful eyes was any indication, it wasn’t all in the past for her, either.
Thea
Five years ago
“Areyou planning to run for mayor out here or something?” I played with the umbrella straw in my drink as I tilted my head, keeping my gaze on Dominic as we settled at a table.
“Why because I’m friendly? Since when did you become so antisocial?”
“I’m not antisocial, but you’re a lot chattier in Florida than you are back at home.” I took a slurp and narrowed my eyes. “This is only our second day here, and from last night you already made friends with the host and know two of the waiters by their first names.”
“I’m in a good mood. No harm in being nice.” He shrugged and moved his chair closer to mine. I winced from the sting when he stretched his arm across my shoulders. Although I’d slathered sunscreen all over my body, my upper back was fried.
“What’s wrong?” His brow crinkled as he leaned in.
“My back is on fire.” I squirmed closer to the edge of the seat for some relief.
“Just like the rest of you,” he whispered before taking my earlobe between his teeth.
I laughed and elbowed his side. His mood was infectious even though I teased him about it. Between laying on the beach all day and tangled up in each other at night on a really comfortable king-sized bed, our mini-vacation had been perfect.
But every day with Dominic was like that. Time always flew by whenever we were together, and I always dreaded when it ended. But when we came back to the city, maybe it didn’t have to.
I hissed out a painful breath, cursing my bra strap for drooping and aggravating the sting. When I turned my head, the smolder in Dominic’s gaze heated my skin even more.
“You’re doing it again,” I said, leaning forward to drum my fingers on the top of his wrist.
“What’s that?” He gingerly slid his arm off the table and looped it around my waist to pull me closer.
“Staring.” I kissed his cheek, and his lips stretched into a shy grin. It was almost as if he’d had something to say for the entire weekend, but for some reason, he couldn’t come out with it.
“Can I help it if you’re too beautiful to take my eyes off?”
“Laying it on a little thick, aren’t you, Gallo?” I cupped his cheek. “You can tell me anything, you know that, right?”
He turned to kiss my palm. “I know. I’m just enjoying having you all to myself. No crime in that, is there?”
“No, I’m enjoying having you all to myself, too. Mostly.” I heaved a dramatic sigh and rested my elbow on the table.
“Aw, sweetheart. You never have to fight for my attention.” He dropped a kiss on my temple. “You have all of me. Here, and everywhere.”
