Page 47 of Disavowed

An image flitted through her mind of her and Dom sitting on the floor near a Christmas tree, two small children playing nearby. One with dark hair and eyes, like hers. The other, blue-eyed with sandy-blond hair. Like Dom’s.

She groaned and squeezed her eyes shut. “Don’t even think it,” she whispered, then spun on her heels.

Back at her desk, she set to work organizing her calendar for more Piazza deliveries, two anniversaries, one bar mitzvah, and one wedding. All for tomorrow. She tapped her pen on the latest invoices for the potted cycads and palm trees Andrew had selected for the Piazza. The black granite pots were enormous and had to weigh hundreds of pounds, and that was before they were filled with soil and trees. She hoped Jack really did bring his friend around this morning.

At eight sharp, the bell on the shop door jingled and Daisy heard voices. Jack’s, Marjie’s, and another man’s. She got up and walked down the short hallway to the showroom. The other male voice sounded familiar, and her heart skipped a beat. No. It couldn’t be. What would he be doing here? At the end of the hallway she stopped and her eyes went wide.

Her heart began beating furiously. Just when she’d vowed to exorcise him from her life, here he was. In her shop. Looking annoyingly gorgeous in jeans, a black T-shirt, and a navy blue overshirt rolled up to his elbows. “What the hell are you doing here?”

“Daisy.” As Jack unexpectedly kissed her on the cheek, she looked at Dom and could swear his jaw tensed. “This is my friend, Dom, the guy I was telling you about. You should hire him as a backup driver. At least until after the Piazza reopening. He has a CDL.”

“What?” Her mouth gaped as she stared first at Jack, then at Dom.

“The timing is perfect.” He placed his hand on the small of her back, drawing her forward. A tendon in Dom’s neck flexed. “You need a driver. He needs a job. And I need the help. Besides, don’t you two know each other?”

This can’t be happening.

Without answering him, she waved a finger back and forth from Dom to Jack. “How do you two know each other?”

“Jack’s an old army buddy.” Dom walked toward her, holding out his hand, a slight smile on his lips. “Good to see you again, Daisy.”

Numb, she automatically took his hand. Warm, strong fingers closed over hers as they shook. He held her hand an instant longer than necessary.

She pulled her hand from his. “You can’t work here.”

“Why not?” His voice was deep and rumbly, sending unwelcome shivers to her neck. “I need the money, and Jack tells me you’ve got too many deliveries for one driver to handle.”

Dom hadn’t moved, and he was too damned close for her to think clearly. She took a step back.

“C’mon, be a sport, would ya?” He shoved his hands into his pants pockets. “I really could use the paycheck.”

“He’s a hard worker, and I trust him.” Jack clapped him on the back. “So should you. Why don’t you two talk privately? I’m sure you guys can work this out. I’ll get started in the storeroom with those pots.” He left and headed down the hallway.

“Look,” Daisy said as she pointed her finger again at Dom, “I don’t know what the he—” She stopped when she noticed Marjie staring at her, brows raised and sporting an impish grin.

“What?” She glowered at Marjie.

“Nothing.” Her assistant threw up her hands and practically ran to the counter to stow her bag.

“Shit.” She instantly regretted her anger. It wasn’t directed at Marjie, and she’d behaved like a ranting fool. “Follow me,” she growled at Dom, then spun and stalked to her office.

She heard his uneven footsteps behind her and realized he was still limping. As soon as they got to her office she quietly closed the door, although what she really wanted was to slam it in his face. When she spun she nearly plowed right into his chest. He reached out to steady her, gripping her upper arms gently. His thumbs grazed the sides of her breasts, making her shiver with awareness.

“Let. Me. Go.” She gritted her teeth, and when he released her she went to her desk chair, grateful for the large piece of furniture between them. She crossed her arms, knowing it would be obvious that her nipples were standing at full attention. When he sat across from her, she lit into him. “I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, but you can’t work here.”

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. The simple movement flexed his biceps, tightening his shirt. Another annoying reminder of just how incredibly muscular he was, and how good it had felt to run her hands over the hard contours of his body.

“Why not?” he asked. “I thought we agreed to at least be civil to each other, so in the spirit of détente I’m coming to you for help. I told you, I got fired.”

“I still don’t believe it.” He was too damn honorable. Except when it came to her.

“Believe it. So how ’bout doing me a favor?”

“If you think for one second that I’m going to hire you, you’re out of your freaking mind.” She sat back in her chair, not giving a shit if her nipples were as big as cherries. He’d never get his hands on them again, so let him see what he’ll be missing out on.

“I know this doesn’t make sense, me coming to you for a job. But I’m desperate. Not only did I get fired, but I’ll probably lose my pension, too.”

Daisy looked away, she had to. If she stared into his beautiful blue eyes a second longer she might start to actually believe him. And assuming he really did get fired with no pension in his future, he probably was in dire financial straits.