Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 57908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
The same way Dom looked at me now.
Dominic Salvatore.
I couldn’t get the man off my mind. No matter how hard I tried. After my husband died, I never thought I would feel such an intense attraction for another man. After the one huge mistake, years had passed, some casual dates occurred, attempted relationships—nothing. But with Dom, it was powerful. Hot. Yearning. I scoffed out loud as I realized I was missing him even now.
Our night together had been passionate. Incredible. He awoke the woman in me, bringing back the lust and desire I had thought were gone for good. Simply seeing him in the bar had caused a reaction I didn’t expect. Longing. Heat. Even jealousy at the looks other women were bestowing on him. And as hard as I tried to fight it, I wanted him. He seemed to enjoy our sparring, egging me on until I broke, kissing him with a fiery passion I didn’t know I possessed.
I passed a hand over my head. I was still torn. Unsure. I wasn’t interested in booty calls and the occasional weekend fling. He insisted that wasn’t what he wanted either, but how would a long-distance relationship work?
He had walked into the guest room on Sunday, pulling me into his arms and kissing me until I was a shaking mess. He cupped my face, staring down at me with those incredible eyes.
“You obviously need some space, so I won’t follow you home. But I’ll see you this week, Cherry G. And the one after. I’m not going anywhere, so get used to it.”
“Do I have a choice in this?” I asked.
He smiled. “Tell me to leave, and I’ll go. But mean it.”
The thought of not seeing him again kept me quiet. He laughed low in his chest, the sound pleased. “I know you didn’t expect me,” he said, suddenly serious. “I didn’t expect you either, but I’m damn glad it happened. We’ll figure it all out. Stop overthinking, worrying, and reacting to every other negative thought in your head. Stay in the moment with me.”
Then he kissed me again and left.
Hannah came in to see me as I zipped up my little overnight bag.
“You okay, Mom?”
“I’m fine.”
She sat on the bed. “You’re attracted to him, aren’t you?”
I sighed and nodded. “I shouldn’t be.”
“Why?” she asked. “Because of Dad?”
“No,” I replied, sitting beside her. “Your father would have wanted me to move on, and it has been years. But Dom isn’t the sort of person I would have expected to have a relationship with.”
“You mean because he is sort of a bad boy?” Hannah teased. “You think an accountant would be a better fit?”
I laughed. “He is so incredibly hot,” I admitted. “Not what I expected.”
“Did you sleep with him?” she asked.
I looked her straight in the eye. “Not a lot of sleep happened, Hannah.”
She laughed. “You like him.”
“He’s not my type,” I insisted. “He’s a reformed bad boy who hasn’t completely given up that edge,” I mused. “He’s bossy and determined. Dom is the right name for him. He gets what he wants.” I paused. “Everywhere.”
“I see,” she murmured.
“But he is so sweet,” I mused. “Thoughtful. Giving. I haven’t felt like a sexy woman in years. Since your dad. Last night, I was reminded of the fact that I was.” I swallowed. “Several times.”
“Um…”
I kept talking. “And he came in here and reminded me again.”
Hannah’s eyes widened in horror, and I waved my hand. “We didn’t. But the man can kiss. And what a dirty talker.” I fanned myself. “My, my, my.”
She laughed again, and I had to grin. It felt as if our roles were reversed. I was the lovestruck teenager, and she was the one giving me advice. “If you like him and he likes you, why are you fighting it?”
“He lives here. I live in Toronto. I am too old to be a casual hookup, whenever-you’re-in-town woman. I don’t want that.”
“Is that what Dom wants? He seems pretty steady.”
“Long-distance relationships are too hard, jellybean.”
“Not if you really want them.”
I shrugged. “I’m not sure I do.”
Hannah stood. “Be honest with yourself, Mom. And allow yourself the chance to be happy. Be it for now or longer. I like Dom. Chase does too. Maybe you need to give him a chance. Give yourself a chance.”
Her words were on a constant loop in my head. When she was little, I had to put myself and my wants and needs on a back burner. Working, making sure she was healthy, warm, and cared for were my number one priorities. I had forgotten what it was like to give in to what I wanted. My entire world had revolved around Hannah and her needs.
Dom’s observations flitted through my head. “She’s a grown woman,” he had pointed out on more than one occasion.
He was right. I knew that. My head knew that, but at times, my heart still thought of her as my little girl. Maybe I needed to listen to Hannah, to Dom—and put myself and my wants first for a change. I stood, wandering to the kitchen and checking out the contents of the refrigerator for dinner. I hated cooking for myself. Eating alone constantly. I missed Hannah and her company. I missed having someone around.