Page 84 of His Assistant

“Did you record it?”

His mouth twitches. “No.”

“Such a shame.”

“He also said he may never trust me completely.”

I wince. “I’m sorry.”

Dominic shakes his head.

“Don’t be. I would think less of him if he did.”

I roll my eyes. Of course he feels that way. These macho men and their complicated feelings.

“I told him I’ll keep you and the baby safe whether he trusts me or not.”

I lean back against the couch, suddenly tired down to my bones. “That’s comforting.”

He studies me like he’s not sure whether to believe that, which is fair. I haven’t exactly been stable lately.

“I’m going to lie down,” I tell him.

“I can walk with you, if you want.”

“Because you don’t trust me?” I challenge him.

“No.” He smiles. “Because I’m tired of pretending that I don’t want to be around you all the time.”

That shouldn’t make me feel so emotional, but I feel the tears welling up anyway.

“Then, by all means,” I say.

We walk to my room together. Dominic doesn’t touch me until we reach my door, and even then, he only brushes his fingers against mine. My whole body responds to that small contact like I’ve been starving.

Inside the room, the bed is made. My sweater is draped over the chair where I left it before I destroyed everyone’s night. My purse is on the dresser. Someone must have retrieved it from the club. I stare at it for a second.

Dominic follows my gaze. “Rafe found it.”

I nod.

Dominic closes the door behind us but stays near it, like he does not want to assume he is allowed farther.

“I’m sorry,” I say.

His eyes lift to mine.

“For leaving,” I add.

“Sofia,” he says, putting up a hand to stop me.

“No, I need to say it.” I fold my arms, then unfold them because it feels defensive and I am trying very hard not to be. “It was stupid. Not brave. I knew it was a trap, and I went anyway because I was angry and scared and I thought doing something would feel better than waiting.”

His face tightens.

“It didn’t,” I say. “Obviously.”

He crosses the room slowly, stopping close enough that I can feel the heat of him but not close enough to trap me.