“You look as if I chucked a box of kittens into the Pacific.” She laughs. “It’s just wishful thinking. He’s not interested in me. I’ve tried flirting, showing the girls, but he doesn’t give me the time of day.”
“I’d better go. My break is over.”
“I hope my candid nature didn’t scare you off. Sometimes the signal to my brain telling my mouth to shut it isn’t fast enough.”
“Not at all. You remind me of my best friend, Mia.” I smile fondly, thinking of Mia and her shenanigans. “She doesn’t have a filter either.”
“She around?” she asks, dipping a French fry in ketchup before chomping down on it.
“No. Gone for the summer.”
“Lucky her. Someplace fun?”
“Just Denver.”
“How very dull and boring.”
“It’s not so bad.” I begin gathering my leftovers. “I’ll be missed if I stay much longer.”
“Okay, I’m due back any minute now too. Wanna swap digits before heading back to the sweatshop?”
“Sure.” I store her cell number in my phone. “Catch you later.”
“My mom is having minor surgery tomorrow. She’ll recover in two or three days, but I took the rest of the week off to help her out.”
“Oh, okay. I’ll pray for her speedy recovery.”
“Aww... you’re adorable.”
I stand, but she grasps my wrist and gives me a devilish grin. “Wear something sexy.”
“I’ll see.”
It’s time to test the waters. After all, I’m feeling a bit liberated since agreeing to move in with Mia come August, and the possibility of gaining a new friend is a plus.
I’m all smiles until I log in to my computer. I have an email from Dom with four words in the subject line:Come to my office.
My heart starts beating so fast it’s bound to burst through my breastbone at any second. It’s not possible to ignore or avoid him. This is his company.
What am I going to do?
Another intense confrontation with Dom will weaken my stance and draw me closer to the darkness where sin thrives. My vivid dreams of him assail me, dampening my panties.
No. I have to resist him. Hardening my resolve, I reply to his email.
Good afternoon Mr. Stone,
I’m very busy due to a pending deadline. Is there anything I can help you with?
His response is immediate.
Get the fuck up here.
If I refuse, he’ll come for me. I know it. I trudge to his office in a trance, taking the stairs in lieu of the elevator to prolong the inevitable, even if only by a couple of minutes. All too soon, I’m standing outside his lair, biting my fingernails. I rally my courage and knock.
“Come in.” The deep timbre of his voice rolls over my cool skin, warming it, like the first rays of sunshine after a cold night.
I enter, finding the man haunting me reclining in his chair, his intertwined fingers resting on his stomach. I have pictured Dom lounging on a black throne, horns protruding from his scalp with brimstone and fire surrounding him. Vaguely, I hear the soft click of the door as it shuts.
