Maybe.
Whatever it was, it had highly addictive attributes, which was why he was happy to hand it off to his brother. And then he went to bed.
After all, he was supposed to work in the morning.
He was fired by noon.
12
Anika woke the next morning and stretched. No alarm. No work today. Most people got weekends off. Anika got Wednesday and Friday. Which suited her just fine.
Dominick had said she’d see him today.
She hadn’t yet decided what to do about him. Or what she thought about what’d happened.
Not being the type to indulge in casual affairs, she had no idea what last night meant.
Did it mean anything?
They’d exchanged no promises. On the contrary, she’d barely let him speak, mostly fearing he’d say something stupid.
Could she believe him when he said that he was drawn to her? As if she had the power to addle someone’s wits. Still, there was something heady about a man like him admitting that he had a weakness for her.
And he was incredibly talented with his tongue.
She shivered deliciously and almost stayed in bed to masturbate. However, she didn’t know when to expect him, which meant she spent the morning cleaning and switching out her sheets.
He didn’t call.
Didn’t show up.
A log in to the work portal online showed him slated to work until dinner. She spent the afternoon baking. Then she bathed, taking time to shave and pluck to the point her skin throbbed. It had been a while since she’d tended her garden.
Dinnertime came.
He didn’t.
She ate alone. It was quite excellent. A raspberry walnut salad with a grilled chicken breast and riced cauliflower.
The evening ticked along. It would be an understatement to call herself disappointed.
She’d just resigned herself to spending it alone when a knock sounded at the door.
Her heart stopped beating.
He’s here.
She smoothed her hair and took a deep breath.
With butterflies in her belly, she opened the door with a smile, only to gasp in shock.
“You’re not supposed to be here.”
Thomas shoved her inside and kicked the door shut. “Expecting your boyfriend?”
“I don’t have a boyfriend.”
“Lying whore. I saw him leave your place last night.”
“You were spying on me?” Anika gasped.
“Fuck yeah, I was. Because I know you’re holding out on me.” His eyes had red streaks. His hair appeared unwashed. “Give me your cash.”
“Are you insane? What cash? You took everything plus some.”
“Where’s the rest?”
“There is nothing else,” she cried. “Now get out, or I’m calling the cops.”
She moved for her phone on the kitchen counter, but he lunged for her. Grabbed her. Slammed her into the wall hard enough that her teeth clacked.
His gaze wild, Thomas snarled, “I need money.”
“I have nothing. Leave me alone.” She struggled in his grip. While he’d never hit her before, he didn’t seem balanced tonight. His fingers dug into her arms, and she smelled alcohol on his breath.
“Where’s your bank card? What’s your code?”
Before she could tell him to go fuck himself, that he wasn’t getting the eleven dollars and eighty-five cents in her account, there was another knock on her door.
Both their gazes slewed toward it.
“Annie, it’s me.”
Dominick.
Her lips parted, only to have Thomas slap a hand over her mouth as he shushed her.
She glared at him.
“Don’t you fucking say a word,” he breathed.
Like hell. She solidly bit him.
“Argh, you bitch.” Releasing her mouth, he wound back his fist.
“Help!” she shrieked.
The door smashed open as Dominick entered.
Big. Bad. And pissed.
Thomas never managed to land the blow because Dom moved too fast. One second, he was kicking open her door. The next, he was tossing Thomas across the room.
Before her ex could get up, Dom had stalked over and hauled him up by the shirt. Brought his face close and said, “Do you want to die?”
“You can’t threaten me,” Thomas gasped.
“Actually, I fucking can, you coward. Going after a woman.” Dom shook him. “Let me make this clear for you. If you come anywhere near Annie again, you will die.”
“Hurt me, and I’ll have you arrested,” Thomas choked.
“I won’t hurt you because I don’t have to. I hear the Mason brothers are looking for the person who stole their shipment.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Dom’s smile was cold as he said, “Feel free to tell them that when they’re torturing you for its location.”
Thomas’s eyes widened. “You can’t fucking blackmail me.”
“Yeah, I can. So, you decide. Is harassing your ex-wife more important than your fingers and toes? How attached are you to your kneecaps?”
“You want her. Have at her. She’s trash,” Thomas spat.
“More like the treasure you didn’t recognize, asshole. Out.” Dominick dragged Thomas to the door and literally tossed him out. He then did his best to close the door, only the busted jamb proved problematic.
“Oh, shit. Sorry I broke it.”
“Don’t be.” She’d never been so happy to see someone. She hated how easily Thomas had disarmed her. How she forgot to fight because of her fear that he’d take even more from her than he already had.
But Dominick wasn’t afraid.
“I want to kill him for real,” he muttered as he knelt to inspect the damage.
“I wouldn’t complain. Hell, I’d give you an alibi.” She winked.
His smile was grim as he said, “I might take you up on that. But until that time, I need a tool kit. A hammer, preferably.”
“Okay. But I warn you, it’s pink.”
It was also child-sized, according to him. He worked quietly fixing the door; meaning she got to watch.
He really was a nicely put-together man. And while dour of expression most of the time, it made the way he softened in her presence all the more special and attractive.
When Dom was satisfied with the door repairs, he closed and locked it. Only then did he finally face her.
“Sorry I was late getting here. I went to the store first.”
“It was my day off.”
“Which would have been useful to know,” he grumbled.
“You could have easily checked the schedule at the store.”
“It’s on the computer, and I’m not good with that shit. You’ll have to tell me, and I’ll try to remember.”
“Why do you care about my hours?” Never act too eager. All the articles she’d ever read stated it like a golden rule. Hard to get. Aloof. Make him work for it. Don’t just rip off the panties and yell at him to shut up and take you.
All conscious thought went out the window when he said, “I wish I’d known so I could have spent it with you.”
For a second, warmth filled her. So sweet. And nice. And…then she understood why he’d shown up at all. “Are you here because you got interrupted? I should mention I’m not a believer in tit for tat. Last night, I was in the mood. Tonight, I’m tired…”