Her eyes drop for a moment, the picture of submission before she remembers herself and lifts her chocolate gaze to mine. There’s fire in her eyes, an inferno I want to burn me, but also one that I want to tame and bring under my control . . . and she knows it, even if I’ve unknowingly stoked those particular embers tonight.
“Dominick,” she mimics, holding a straight face for as long as she can before pointing toward her living room. “We have a lot to talk about.”
Most people wouldn’t dare speak to me in such a direct manner, not if they wanted to be sure of seeing next Christmas. But Allie’s different, and she knows without a doubt that she’s special to me now and that I’m likely going to let her have more leeway than most. I suspect she’ll push and press my every button just to explore the reactions. But then, I tend to do the same thing, so I can’t blame her for that.
“I’m not going to apologize,” I tell her evenly. “I did what I did, and I’m willing to live with the consequences.”
“Even if it means I don’t want to see you again?” Allie asks, and I hope she’s bluffing. “Face it, Dominick. We’re not talking a legal line, although I know those don’t mean anything to you and I’d never take that up anyway. But you crossed the lines of honor and respect, which I know you hold important.”
I think about it, then nod. “I did. For that, you’re right. I apologize.”
I wait patiently to see if she’ll give in, rewarded a moment later when she sighs and rolls her eyes.
“Come in. Want a drink?”
I follow her directive, sitting down on her plush couch. It’s a bright red velvet piece with high, rolled arms and button tufting. It’s bold and loud, especially with the mis-match of patterned pillows piled in the corners. It’s as much Allie as my cold, sleek office is me.
“Do you have whiskey?”
She shakes her head. “Nope. Red wine, beer, and water are all I’ve got. Take it or leave it.”
Sassy . . . and still a little pissed, but the apology seems to have taken the edge off the confrontation. I’m still going to tread carefully, though, because I don’t want this to be my only visit to this particular domicile.
“Water would be fine. Thank you.”
She pulls a jug from the fridge and fills two short glasses, bringing them over to set them on the coffee table. She sits down beside me, and I’m suddenly thankful for the abundance of pillows because they force her closer to me.
But she sits sideways, her legs crisscross folded between us, showing me a lot of very long and beautiful leg, but definitely not inviting.
“So, that’s the polite hostess part. Let’s hear it, Dom. All the nitty-gritty, all the yelling, all the everything. Let’s get it out on the table.”
My eyes narrow questioningly. “Have you ever heard me yell? At anyone, about anything?”
She tilts her head, thinking back. “Actually no, that’s not your style. You’re more Disappointed Dad with hard looks and calculated punishments. It’s when you stop talking that you’re scariest. But I was expecting me to be the one yelling. You know, since I’m the wronged party here and all.”
Her rapid-fire speech slows as she finishes her thought with a dose of sarcasm on her tongue, and I set my glass back down from where I’d picked it up.
“You’re very observant. How closely have you been watching me, Allie?” I ask as dark heat unfurls in my gut, and I’m far more interested in her answer than I have been in anything in a long time, though I suspect she won’t let me get away with the stalling tactic for long.
She bites her lip nervously, the unconsciously coquettish gesture sending a line of heat down through my gut. I feel my cock stir in my slacks. While it isn’t time for that yet, my cock seems to have a mind of its own. What it knows is that the woman who’s captured my imagination and my heart is sitting just eighteen inches away from me, her chest rising and falling quickly as her heart hammers within.
“You know I have, Dominick. I’ve been watching you the same way you watch me.” I sincerely doubt that’s remotely true, which she concedes when a small smirk ghosts across my lips. “Okay, maybe not as closely as you, but still, I’ve been paying attention. But my watching isn’t why we’re here, is it?”
She looks me dead in the eye, demanding, “Who’s following me, and more importantly, why?”
I lift an eyebrow, sipping my drink. “Logan said you assured him that you already knew everything. Perhaps I should ask you what you know, and we can go from there?”