What the hell was that? I’m still in shock when Dominic’s eyes find mine. Once again even though I want to, I can’t look away. Intense heat hits me, melting every single bone in my body. Why does my mouth water? I desperately want to understand what is happening. Only I couldn’t form the question even if I could speak.
He blinks, the heat dims ever so slightly, allowing me to draw in breath to my starving lungs. The corner of his mouth lifts up, then he winks at me. “I don’t think all women belong in the kitchen. The bedroom is a much better place.”
I blush, to the tips of my ears. I hate him for it. In a flash the air is vibrating around him with something I cannot define. He reminds me of a lion who spotted his prey and is ready to pounce, watching, waiting for the perfect moment. But I’m not prey, certainly not to him, am I?
“That’s just as insulting, Mr. Sabatini. A woman doesn’t exist for the sole pleasure of a man.” I spit out the words, annoyed at the way it doesn’t faze him in the slightest. A mad urge builds to shake that damn smile off his face, hating the crazy feelings it’s causing in me.
“Of course not, don’t forget they are needed to birth the babies.” His eyebrows go up. “I’m not going to argue with a beautiful woman. There are far better ways to spend my time.”
His innuendo is clear. I can’t hide my blush. I’m saved by the doorbell.
“That will be Raymond. I’m still pissed the last one retired, best damn lawyer they had. They promised he’s the best new partner they have. Is Darren still practicing?” Johnny asks Dominic.
“No, he retired last year. His successor isn’t so bad.”
What? I look to Johnny. “I thought Dominic was your new lawyer. You said your new lawyer was coming for dinner.”
“He is coming for dinner. Dominic is in town on business for me.”
Business, which means Dominic Sabatini is a mobster. My stomach drops, agony rips through me. I have no idea why I feel so betrayed. Dominic Sabatini has nothing to do with me. That moment in the hall didn’t make any sense I shouldn’t even have—oh my god, Richard. How the hell did I forget about Richard? My stomach twists. I’m going to marry Richard in less than twenty-four hours. How could I have forgotten that, or him, for even a single second?
4
Dominic
When it clicks for her who I am, her disappointment is palpable. Her beautiful face falls, those honey eyes darken. Regina refuses to look up from the glass she’s holding tightly in her hand. The second she remembers Taylor is clear. Tension is in every muscle of her lush, sexy as fuck body.
Anger flares within me all over again, at her, and myself for how not just my cock, but my whole body is hard for her. This is bullshit. My control over my body, my entire fucking world, is complete and absolute. At least it was until I locked eyes on Regina Conti.
I shake my head as I try to get the moment I saw her out of my head. I still don’t know what the fuck happened. One minute I was fine, the next I couldn’t remember my name. Every cell within me was rioting in desperate, aching need to touch her.
Before coming here, in my mind she was some shadowy figure of any woman; in reality she’s a fucking knockout. Her face is a classic oval with high round cheekbones. A smooth straight nose is maybe a tad too big, yet it fits perfectly over a wide, soft mouth. When that mouth made an oh at the sight of me, I knew my cock would fit just right. It’s her eyes I can’t get over, though—amber became gold, honey, then chocolate with a flicker of her thoughts. I’ve never seen anything like it before.
I like that Regina didn’t wear makeup, her golden skin doesn’t need it. The long, silky black hair framing her face is such a stark contrast to her glowing skin, for a moment I couldn’t help but wonder if it was from a bottle. Yet nothing about her is false or fake. Something so rare these days, that alone is appealing about her. Even though I know she’s young, she doesn’t look it. She appears to be in her late twenties, maybe even early thirties. It isn’t a bad thing, she will likely look the same in her mid-fifties.
It was all I could do to tear my eyes off her face. Only to take a city bus to the chest when I took in her body that was all woman. Her large breasts swayed when she to
ok a deep, gasping breath as our eyes met. She’s tall, the way I like my women. Those legs were hidden by the long dress, but I have a feeling they’ll fit around my waist perfectly.
The moment I took her small, soft hand in mine, electricity shot through me and fried my fucking brain. All I wanted was her, all of her. I wanted to devour her, consume her until there was nothing left. She felt it too, her gasp as she tried to snatch her hand back fed my cock. I didn’t let her go, it was too late for that.
Then Johnny spoke up. I tried to remember who the fuck I was and who she was, and that if I touched her the way my body screamed to, then I was damned to hell. Only I can’t shake the thought that if I don’t touch her it’s a different kind of hell, never knowing the feel of her skin or the taste of her mouth.
Christ, Johnny is laughing and I have no idea what the hell he’s laughing about. I can’t fucking focus. Knock it off, Dominic. It was one thing to tease her, to entice her into forgetting Taylor; there would be no follow-through. No body, no matter how hot, is worth the price I would pay if I fucked Johnny Conti’s daughter. It would be marriage. It would be forever. I’m not willing to pay that price. Only my stupid fucking cock won’t listen, it knows what it wants and it wants her, right now.
She’s pulling into herself, those long legs press tightly together as she tilts them to the side, crossing her ankles primly. Regina is sitting like the queen her name means. Her spine is straight, her shoulders back—Conti’s money wasn’t wasted on the school he sent her to. It would, however, be a damn waste if she married Richard Taylor. The guy was filthy as fuck. Valdez followed up his half-complete report with the question of me needing disposal service. I fucking wish. He wasn’t done, and Valdez was sure there was only more horrible shit to come. The idea of the piece of shit’s grubby hands even touching Regina makes me savage.
The lawyer is a pale old man whose name I barely catch as he takes a glass of brandy from Johnny. Thankfully, only a few minutes later the woman who opened the door announces dinner is served. I’ve eaten dinner before with Johnny, he loves formal dining. I’m surprised we aren’t at an expensive restaurant. Johnny prefers them and usually stuck the other person with the bill.
Regina is barely speaking, as she picks at her food. What is it about her? I’ve fucked women who were far more beautiful than she is, only none of them have ever made me this hard, this hungry. I catch Johnny watching me. Ice slides down my spine at his knowing smile.
No. She’s too young, and too clean for me to dirty up. It’s also clear as a fucking bell she doesn’t want anything to do with me. The few times I’ve asked her something, attempting to include her in the discussion, she looks through me. Anger simmers within me. I’m not used to being ignored, not by anyone, least of all a woman.
We make it to after-dinner drinks, and the lawyer asks Regina about a painting on the wall. Johnny uses the moment to step close to me. “You aren’t doing as well as I thought you would.”
“No shit, you didn’t tell me she hates guys like you and me.”
Johnny shrugs. “Yeah, but I saw you two. First time I’ve seen her smile in weeks. Now she’s disappeared into her room. Go.”