Dominik (Arizona Vengeance 6)

The doubt. The fear.

“He doesn’t think you’re going to die,” I say bluntly, and she blinks in surprise before ducking her head in embarrassment because I called her out.

Regan’s disease can be fatal, but she’s getting the necessary treatment thanks to having health insurance now. And Dax may have been a little wigged out at first and worries about her constantly, but he’s settled down now.

I guess she’s not so reassured, and I know Regan… she’s merely worried Dax is worried, which bothers her.

“I swear,” I say firmly as I step forward to put my hands on her shoulders. Leaning in, I get eye to eye. “Dax is good. You don’t need to worry about him. He is not rushing to buy this house because he’s worried you’ll die soon.”

“I don’t think that.”

“Stop it,” I order. “You do think that.”

“Okay, I think that,” she whines. “I just want his head focused on the playoffs instead of on me. I don’t want him worried about my condition. As a matter of fact, I’m great. The best I’ve felt in a long time.”

“And it’s obvious,” I promise. “You and Dax are in such a great place. Truly… he’s excited about getting a home for you to share and fill with little Monahans. So how about you and I go out and do some house hunting, then we’ll have a nice lunch—”

The buzzing of my phone startles me. I flip it over, only to roll my eyes when I see a text from Dominik Carlson.

There’s no denying the tiny thrill that runs up my spine when I see his name. He’s relentless, and that’s a turn on to me. Despite the fact I’ve been adamantly opposed to seeing him again, I can’t deny that just the man’s name gives me the shivers.

I read the text. I’m flying into Phoenix this afternoon. Dinner?

A slightly more robust tremor moves through me.

Dinner?

That translates into having some mind-blowing sex with a man who may be the most skilled and amazing lover I’ve ever had.

Damn it.

“Who’s that from?” Regan asks. By her lilting, teasing tone, she suspects exactly who the text is from.

“No one,” I say as I snap my head up and defiantly meet her eyes.

“Liar,” she murmurs with a knowing grin. “It’s from Dominik, isn’t it?”

I roll my eyes. “Why would you even say something so stupid?”

She smirks knowingly. “Because it’s the same expression you get on your face whenever I ask you about him. Like when he sent you those flowers.”

“Whatever,” I mutter, shoving my phone in my back pocket. “Now, shall we go house hunting?”

“Oh, come on…” Regan sighs, once again throwing her arms out. “How can you possibly not be interested in that man?”

God, that’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it?

I can’t admit it, but I’m more than interested—especially in what he’s got going on in between the sheets—but I cannot go there again. He’s way too dangerous. Presents the type of temptation that would be hard to give up down the road, and I don’t ever want to be addicted to someone. That comes too dangerously close to letting my heart get involved.

Regan continues to prattle. “He’s so good looking. And rich. And he’s so nice. Always helping his players, and…”

Her voice dims as I recall with crystal clarity our first meeting at the Vengeance rookie party two months ago.

He was indeed damn good looking and, of course, rich. An absolute force with a confidence that’s so sexy no man can really compare. But Regan says he’s nice, which I find laughable. He was not nice that night. He was bad. Quite dirty. Domineering and controlling and, God help me, I loved every bit of his nasty side.

He’s absolutely everything I would seek in a man if I wanted a relationship. Confidence oozes from his pores, and he knows exactly what he wants. Hell, he knows exactly what I want… and he gave it to me in spades.

That night in his hotel room, my body responded in a way that has never happened with another man. Or even by my own hand. He was simply the most amazing sexual experience of my life. It was special, no doubt.

But I had resolved that was all it would be… a great one-timer. When we parted ways, I did not look back because I don’t do relationships. The pain they cause isn’t worth the joy.

So, I’m resolved. I have no qualms about walking away from Dominik Carlson and his repeated requests to see me again.

Except… I did see him again. I flush hot thinking about the meeting in Detroit when my family gathered to watch Dax play. Dominik had shown up at the game, then invited my whole family into the owner’s box where he watched me like a hawk.

I’m not stupid, nor am I being full of myself when I say… he came to Detroit to see me. I know this because he told me.