by Posey Parks
Trying to stay away from this woman became impossible. I wanted to talk to her, but everything became so convoluted between us. How could we get back to the way we were before my brother returned?
We stole glances of each other through the net. After one game, I exited the pool.
I ran a plush white towel over my body. Hanging the towel around my shoulders, I strolled over to the far corner. Leaning against the rail, I puffed on another cigar overlooking the city.
“How are you?”
I shrugged, still peering out at the beautiful city lights.
“Sorry, I wouldn’t allow you to explain what happened.”
Taking a long pull, I exhaled. “It’s done now.”
“You’re still wearing your wedding ring.”
“Well yeah, I’m still married.”
“I told you I wanted a divorce.”
I glared at her. “And I told you I wouldn’t sign.
What do you want from me, Carmen? Clearly, you want to get a reaction out of me. Dancing with another man. You didn’t like the ladies playing pool volleyball with me, the only guy. So, you joined us.”
She wrung her hands over the glass banister.
Laughter, the splashing of water, and loud music surrounded us. The silence between us again was awkward.
“How can Dillon be alive?”
Of course, she changed the subject. I wanted to ask why she gave a fuck all of a sudden. Ryan purposely dropped the bombshell at dinner. He said she could have at least heard me out.
“There is only so much I can tell you here. Long story short. My brother and cousin faked their deaths.”
“That’s all you can say?”
I huffed and leaned into her ear. “Turns out someone tried to kill my brother after they killed my uncle fourteen years ago. My brother and cousin disappeared to keep a war from breaking out. Once the asshole found my brother. We went to war anyway.”
I stepped back and leaned over the banister again. “That’s why I couldn’t call. It was a very delicate situation. I wish I would have known what I was walking into. There’s no way I would have left you in New York. But at the time I did what I felt was best.”
I noticed from my peripheral she stretched her hand toward me then pulled back.
“You called Hugo.”
I peeked at her.
“But you wouldn’t talk to me.” She pulled in her lower lip.
I leaned into her ear again careful not to touch her. “At that time because you weren’t in one of the safe houses like the rest of the family, I couldn’t say anything because I could have placed you in danger.”
I gripped the banister, and peered over my shoulder at my friend. He took shots off a woman’s belly on the pool bar.
“I could stare at this view all night.”
“Me too. Pose against the banister, I’ll take your picture and capture a glimpse of the Hollywood sign.”
“Thanks.”
Her smile brightened and she posed with her hand on her hip.
“I’ll text the picture to you. I’m going to join Ryan. Enjoy yourself.”
She grinned, returning her attention to the view.
Untying her string bikini with my teeth crossed my mind. I needed to get away from her. The more I ignored her and teased her by not paying her compliments she’d self-destruct over time inside. Remember I chased after this woman, I knew exactly what turned her on.
I walked around the pool in my multi colored dark swim trunks. The ladies waved asking me to join them for another game. I shook my head as I continued toward Ryan. I felt Carmen’s eyes on my back.
His heavy hand landed on my shoulder. “Get my friend a shot of tequila,” he directed to the bartender.
“Ryan, three shots only. Remember that’s my limit.”
He grinned. “How the fuck could I forget. You were so fucked up during our second junior year.”
We laughed.
We downed the first shot. The tequila burned my chest.
“Woohoo,” he shouted.
He threw his arm around my neck. I tapped the bar.
“Another one.”
“Dude, do you think wifey will stroll into your room tonight?”
I smirked. “Nope. Won’t be that easy this time.”
“Nothing the Dom can’t handle.”
“Bro, I told you that nickname ‘The Dom’ ended the same night I laid off of Tequila.”
He snickered.
“Shit, I forgot.”
We downed another shot. I tapped my chest.
“Where’s Paisley? Is she all right? I know you said she’s nursing a broken heart.”
“Yeah, she’s probably cuddled up with some dude inside.”
“How long are you going to let her hook up with other dudes and never tell her how you feel about her?”
“Dominic, she’s my best friend. I can’t ruin our bond.” He slicked his fingers through his perfect blond hair.
He reminded me of a fucking ken doll. Perfect hair, perfect teeth.
“What the fuck would have happened if she would have married John and had kids?”
His jaw ticked. “Shit, Dom don’t do that.”
I smacked his back. “Ryan, I’m just saying you dodged a bullet this time. Don’t let her out of your sights again.”
A blank stare shadowed his face. “You’re right. I’ll let her stay here as long as she needs too. Then maybe things will happen naturally.
“I doubt that will be hard. She brought every stitch of clothing she owned.”
He laughed. “She sure did. I think we’ll take a trip home to Baton Rouge to see our families. That will cheer her up.”
“Hey why did you two keep your friendship so low key?”
“We didn’t want people asking if we were boyfriend and girlfriend all the time like they did back home.”
“But you two made a pack to attend the same university.” I shook my head.
“I know. Shit, clearly it worked out. She ended up with that fucking douche bag John.”
I picked up the last two shots off the bar. “Hey, let’s toast to you growing some balls.” I placed the shot glass in his hand.
“You’ve been in love with the same chick since kindergarten.” I snickered. “That’s a long fucking time.”
We raised our glasses.
“Salute,” we stated in sync.
CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR
CARMEN
Paisley called balling her eyes out two days ago. She said John told her he wanted to see other people. I told her she could crash at my apartment for a little while, but I didn’t know how long I’d be living there. Dominic paid for the place. I considered finding my own apartment, but truthfully, I wanted to go back to my husband. I missed him so much.
Dominic returned from wherever the hell he was stirring up all my emotions. A part of me wanted to forgive him and the other part wanted nothing to do with him. No communication for ten days wore on my soul. The only logical thing I could do was lie. You don’t lie to a man like Dominic. Once Brian brought my cell over, I had to attempt to sway Dominic’s decision to harm Gilbert. It was wrong of me to place Gilbert in harms way. Why would Dominic believe I would have had sex with anyone else? I lived at my lab basically. There was only Gilbert as a possibility. I knew my husband wouldn’t believe me, but I’d have time to think. Reflect on how I felt since he returned.
Upon his return to San Jose he summoned me to a warehouse where he held Gilbert against his will.
Dominic appeared more so inconvenienced than upset. I begged him to release Gilbert. He wouldn’t until I came clean. I had to verbally admit I didn’t cheat on him. There was a glint of satisfaction in his eyes.
A weight of relief lifted off of me once he released Gilbert.
Even after I lied and said I didn’t love him anymore, he hugged me. He said he loved me. I hurt him. My heart plummeted to the floor. How could I do that to him. That night, I slept at the condo clutching his pillow. “I
love you, Dominic,” I whispered on repeat until I dozed off.
Paisley arrived at my apartment. She flew past me. “We’re going to L.A.”
“Why.” I slammed the door behind her.
“Ryan said I can stay with him. He’s throwing summer parties all week. His parties are a blast.”
I folded my arms. “So, you and John break up and you run to your childhood crush.”
Her face turned deep red, tossing her dark hair over her shoulder. “He’s my best friend.” She rolled her blue eyes.
“That’s all,” she said laced in a heavy southern drawl.
“You need a little fun. Living in that lab and not eating isn’t healthy.” She shoved my shoulder.
“All right. I’m in.”
In Paisley’s luxury truck bogged down with her belongings, we drove five hours to L.A. I told her I’d rent a car to return home. Paisley’s parents tightened their purse strings in sophomore year. They said she was a spendthrift and would run through her trust fund if they let her. So, she was just as broke as me. They’d give her a little lead way and she’d prove them right again. She had zero respect for the American dollar. And she hated being poor. Prime example of how she threw away money. Instead of purchasing an economy vehicle she bought a Porsche Cayenne. What the hell?
Ryan and Paisley kept their friendship a secret. They’d meet in secret locations whenever they wanted to talk. They didn’t want everyone to notice their obvious chemistry. They wanted a chance to be their own person.
Four hours into our drive Ryan called Paisley asking her to meet him for dinner at a restaurant in downtown L.A.
“I can’t believe you, Paisley.”
“What?”
“Why did you say ‘I’ll be there.’ Like you are alone. Why didn’t you tell him I was with you?”
“It doesn’t matter and he doesn’t care.”
~
We arrived at the restaurant. Strolling through the sleek tables in the fancy restaurant, I halted my steps and my eyes widened. Dominic.
He was shocked but polite. The second he pulled out my chair, I took a whiff of his cologne. My heart hammered against my chest cavity. I wanted my husband back. He was dressed casual. Very seldom did Dominic Magarelli dress casual. He wore a pale green button-down shirt folded below his elbows and brown board shorts. He was still Mr. Sexy in my eyes. How long was I going to make my husband suffer? The sadness in his eyes was obvious.
Sitting at the table with him placed us back in a routine. He knew what I liked to drink so why not let him order. Didn’t expect him to call me his wife though. I liked it so I didn’t let the moment consume me. Peeking over my shoulder, I saw Ryan hovered over Paisley. They were in a heated discussion. But why?
Once they returned Ryan apologized for stepping away. Dominic offered to put Paisley and I up in a hotel. Absolutely not. Wild parties at Ryan’s meant women flirting with my husband. There was no way now that I knew where he was, I’d leave. I missed his hands on me.
I almost choked on my wine when Ryan revealed Dillon was alive. He snickered after he said it. Ryan wanted to stick it to me. Maybe he should have. Dominic wasn’t happy he mentioned it.
Later, that night I swayed to the beat on the dance floor with a guy. He was grabby. He kept running his hands along my waist. I pushed his hands a way a few times. The second the song ended, I thanked him for the dance. Dominic would have killed him, if I continued dancing with him.
Those pool bitches kept trying to sink their claws into my husband. They didn’t care if he wore a wedding ring.
They wanted to seduce my husband and I wasn’t having it.
I joined Dominic along the balcony overlooking Los Angeles after our game of pool volleyball.
He glared at me. “And I told you I wouldn’t sign.
He was fed up by the time I joined him by the banister overlooking Los Angeles.
“What do you want from me, Carmen? Clearly, you want to get a reaction out of me. Dancing with another man. You didn’t like the ladies playing pool volleyball with me, the only guy. So, you joined us.”
I wrung my hands over the glass banister.
He gazed into the night.
I asked him about Dillon but he couldn’t tell me much out in the open.
Before I knew it, he told me to enjoy myself and he strutted toward his friend. It was time for Dominic and I to have a deep conversation.
∞
Knock. Knock.
Exiting the shower, I wrapped the plush blue towel around my body.
I padded across the charcoal gray slate tile floor into the bedroom door.
“Yes?”
“Carmen.”
Shit. Dominic’s deep voice stirred the need in my core.
I opened the door.
“Good morning.”
“Good morning. Ryan and Paisley aren’t here. Would you like to go to breakfast then to the beach?” Sadness still loomed in his green eyes. I wanted to tell him everything would be ok.
I hugged the edge of the door, smiling. His cock bulged in his navy khaki shorts. How much longer would I be able to hold out. “Yes. I’ll be ready in a moment.”
“And Carmen?”
I grinned.
“No make-up.”
My smile dropped. “Dominic.”
“In the car in twenty minutes, sweetheart.” He turned on his heel.
My heart raced.
~
He stood outside the Rolls Royce Wraith with the suicide doors open.
“Awe we’re matching.” He smirked.
“You look nice.” His eyes roamed my body.
Nice? Ugh. What was that? “Thank you.” I flashed a fake smile.
“You’re wearing flip flops?” I laughed.
“You hate wearing flip flops.”
“Carmen, we’re going to the beach. I don’t want sand in my shoes, which are in the trunk by the way. I hope you have everything you need in that big beach bag because we aren’t coming back anytime soon.”
Yes, I yelled inside.
“I do. Who’s car?”
“Possibly ours if we like it. The guy from the dealer dropped it off early this morning. Hop in the driver’s seat.”
“Dominic, I don’t have too.”
“The way your eyes lit up when you stepped out of the door you want to drive the car. Don’t worry I’ll have plenty of time to drive it.”
I wasn’t going to argue with him. Our car huh?
“Tap the button on the dashboard to close the door.”
After Dominic climbed inside, he synced his phone with the car and the directions popped on the cars navigational system. I drove down the circular drive onto the tree lined street.
“I just realized I haven’t seen Brian and Hugo. Where are they?”
“On much needed vacations. I requested two temporary guards to follow us.
I frowned.
“This is our life. My father is a politician. Remember?”
I nodded.
My heart fluttered each time he talked about us in the present.
I parked the car outside of Back on the Beach Cafe. Orange umbrellas covered the tables surrounding the front of the restaurant. Gorgeous palm trees graced the street.
“Would you like to eat inside or on the sandy patio?”
“Inside is fine.”
We stepped into the restaurant. Several wooden tables lined the windows. It was quaint and cute.
“Ba…Dominic, it’s simple. I like it.”
“I love when you call me babe. Makes my dick rock hard,” he whispered in my ear from behind.
My jaw slacked.
A hostess approached and sat us at a four-top table. Dominic sat beside me. His cologne caused my nipples to pebble through my navy paisley off the shoulder sundress.
Dominic draped his arm over the back of my chair. I felt desired, secure, and most of all loved.
I leaned my elbows on the table, pressing my chin against my hands. Touching his face co
nsumed my thoughts as I marveled his tousled black hair and five o’clock shadow.
“You stayed at our home the day I left town? Where did you sleep?”
“In our bed. I…miss us.” I choked back the tears.
The waitress returned, taking our orders.
We sipped steaming hot coffee from the beige ceramic mugs she left behind.
“You miss us and we’re apart. Why Carmen?”
“I was hurt, Dominic. We finally made love and you left on our honeymoon. After a week, I wondered were you dead. But I knew better. Someone from your family would have reached out to Hugo. I remembered the last time you were away you visited the strip club and hung out at the club.”
The waitress appeared placing our piping hot plates on the table. The green, yellow, and red pepper with cheddar cheese omelet smelled delicious. Dominic added Italian sausage to his omelet. I stabbed my fork into a sliced sausage on his plate and slipped it between my lips. I glowered him after the waitress walked away.
“Carmen, every situation is different.”
“So, no strip club this time?” I raised an arched eyebrow, glaring at him.