“We leave next Friday morning. Pack for three days in the fae realm. I’ll bring you back Monday after lunch. Do you need a gown for the Autumn Gala?”
She shook her head.
“All right,” he murmured, releasing her.
Dominique watched silently as he walked out of the kitchen. She followed, stopping just inside the living room entry, and watched as he leaned down to give Oscar a few scratches. The traitorous cat purred and flicked his tail with happiness.
Once again, she could see the curse mark on Ronan’s left wrist. Without thinking, she rubbed the fingers of her left hand over her own. It was strange that the sight made her feel a slight sense of possessiveness. As though the shared mark gave her some sort of ownership over a part of him.
Ronan moved to her door, turning to look at her after he opened it. “I’ll be in touch soon, Dominique.”
He shut the door behind him, taking the time to twist the lock on the knob before he did. She couldn’t suppress the shudder that ran through her body as she heard the echo of his final words in her mind.
That statement sounded very much like a threat, but she wasn’t sure if she dreaded it or looked forward to it.
CHAPTER FOUR
Her focus was shotall day the next day. Dominique couldn’t stop thinking about Ronan. Or that kiss in her kitchen.
Her entire body felt as though it had gone up in flames at the touch of his lips. Her mind had gone blank. She was in deep shit because she had never,everreacted to a man like that before.
What made it even more difficult was that Ronan was merely pretending he didn’t hate her. All those sensations would mean nothing to him. The one male she’d wanted in the last decade, and he was faking his feelings for her. Meanwhile, she was in danger of melting beneath his kisses.
Dominique finally gave up pretending to care about all the things she needed to do at home around noon. She walked to a nearby deli and realized she’d come exactly at the wrong time. The restaurant was crowded, almost every table was filled. As luck would have it, after Dominique ordered at the counter, a table opened up near the front window. She made a beeline for it, carrying her glass of iced tea. As soon as she sat down, a woman came to a stop beside the table.
“I’m sorry to bother you, dear, but there don’t seem to be any tables open. Would you mind terribly sharing yours with me?”
“Of course not,” Dominique said. “Please have a seat.”
The woman smiled at her. Her pale skin was unlined, but her dark eyes gave Dominique the impression that she was older than she looked. Her deep auburn hair was smooth and cut into an angled bob.
She settled into the chair next to Dominique’s. “I’m Zelda. What’s your name?”
“Dominique,” she answered.
They chatted about mundane things—the weather, hobbies, and other small talk—until their food arrived.
As they dug into their sandwiches, Zelda asked, “Are you single, Dominique? Because I think you would be perfect for my nephew. He’s got a good job as a day trader. He’s been single for a while now because he works so much.”
Dominique knew her answering smile looked more like a wince and fervently wished she’d put on the engagement ring this morning, but she just couldn’t bring herself to do it. It was a Saturday. She wasn’t working with Veronica, so she hadn’t seen the need.
As though she conjured him up with her thoughts, her cell phone chimed, and Ronan’s name appeared on her screen with a text message. She frowned down at it. How had he gotten her number? Better yet, how had his contact information ended up in her phone?
“Excuse me, Zelda. I need to take this,” she said.
The other woman nodded and went back to her food.
Dominique picked up her phone and opened the message.
Are you wearing your ring?
Suspicious, Dominique lifted her head and looked around the restaurant. Was he watching her?
“Is everything okay?” Zelda asked.
“Yes, everything’s fine. I just think I’m being followed.”
Zelda made a small sound, bringing Dominique’s attention to her. The older woman’s eyes widened and focused onsomething over Dominique’s shoulder, her gaze traveling higher and higher.
