by K Larsen
“Shit. Arrruok?” he slurs crouching down next to me. I groan my response still clutching my head. Damn that hurt. He pulls my hand away and grimaces. He didn't really clock me hard enough to leave a bruise and I didn't feel a bump so it must just be my puffy, tear-streaked face that’s making him cringe.
“What the shit, Dom!” I shout up at him while pushing myself to a seated position.
“I didn't mean to,” he sniggers.
“What’s so funny?”
“Yuurrr outfit. Werrruu expectinmee?” He is definitely drunk. He reaches out and touches the swell of my breast. Slapping his hand away I jump to my feet and move towards the bed.
“No,” I snip. “What are you doing here?”
“I need you,” he snivels.
“Please stop torturing me. Just go home, Dom,” I crow, mustering all the backbone I have left.
“No. Clara, I actually need you,” he groans and collapses to his back on the floor.
“For what?” I snap.
“Meeting...torrow....you impresss....” he trails off. I wait for him to finish but he doesn't.
“Dom?” I call. Nothing. I nudge him with my foot. “DOM!” I shout. Nope, nothing. He’s passed out on my hotel room floor.
Great. Just fucking great. I grab the extra light blanket from the shelf near the door and spread it over him after removing his shoes. Slipping a pillow under his head I smooth his thick black hair away from his face. He looks peaceful and more like his age when he sleeps. Vulnerable. His breathing is unsteady and shallow. He’s going to feel like crap tomorrow. What a goddamned shit show. Shaking my head, I crawl into bed and let the sound of his erratic breathing lull me back to sleep.
Favors
Slowly I ease myself off the bed, not wanting to wake Dom. At some point in the night he must have crawled in next to me. He’s facing away from me and we aren't touching, but I don't trust myself or him not to try anything if we wake up together in bed, so I silently tiptoe to the bathroom to brush my teeth and run a brush through my hair, before heading downstairs to get two coffees. I leave a glass of water and some Advil on the nightstand next to his sleeping form and head out.
There is a key card, not mine, lying on the floor next to my room door. That makes sense for how he got in the other night I guess. How he got a spare key I still don't know. I had been smart last night though and chained the door so even if he unlocked it he wouldn't have been able to open it more than an inch or so. Carefully balancing the coffees in one hand I slide the card in the door and wait for the green light and tell-tale click before pushing the handle down and using my hip to bump the door open. Dom is sitting up in bed waiting for me. He looks like death. Serves him right.
“Uh. Morning. Coffee?” I offer quietly.
“Thanks.” His extended hand grips the cup, taking it from me. Choosing to avoid the bed I sit in the desk chair near the window.
“Clara.” His voice is full of remorse. “I’m sorry about last night. I don't usually lose control like that.”
“So, what did you need Dom...you conveniently passed out before you could tell me,” I divert our conversation. He stares at me for a long moment before speaking.
“Thad Holder requested you. I need this merger to happen between our hotels. You danced with him. He said he would gladly discuss our transaction over lunch if you were present.” His tone is flat. It’s almost as if he’s annoyed by the fact that he’s asking me for something. I know my answer should be no but I want to spend time with him even after his asshole behavior last night.
“I must be a glutton for punishment,” I say. His head snaps up and he suddenly looks like a puppy waiting for a treat. “I'll go,” I add.
“We should go shopping then,” he states firmly. I bristle at the thought and shoot my best death glare at him.
“No, if you want me in your world you have to take me as I am. I’ll curb my filthy mouth but other than that I'm going to be me,” I push.
“I’ll take you anyway you are, Clara. I never wanted to change you,” he whispers. Sniggering, I can’t help but think that's a lie. “Bullshit. Dom. When we’re with your people you expect me to dress the part and act the part, you buy the clothes you deem appropriate, not what I would choose. You’ve never even let me shop for them. Besides that, I’m only to refer to you as Dominic because God forbid I call you Dom and someone takes that as a sign of weakness or something.” My voice drips with venom as I finish my spiel. Something sparks in his eyes but quickly disappears.
“Very well. Lunch is at the Yacht Club,” he answers. I’m slightly disappointed at his indifference to my accusations.
“Are you going to ask why I came? Why I’m here? Or do you really not care?” I spout out.
“I’m curious, yes, but I can’t care until you trust me,” he retorts, and suddenly the air feels like it’s been sucked from my lungs. Trust is elusive, at least in my experience.
“Trust hasn't gotten me far in the past,” I admit. His face goes soft with compassion for me.
“Tell me what happened, Clara.”
“I can’t,” I clip.
“Why not?” he asks, frustrated.
“Because I don't talk about my past. Ever,” I crow, irritated. “Why can't you just accept that?!”
“Because I want you!” he bellows. “I want you but obviously there’s more to the story than you just not liking the limelight or wealth. You were scared shitless at the wedding. I want to know why. What if I can help? You have to let me in, you have to trust me!” he roars with irritation.
“You can't, Dom. You can't help, you can't change it. It is what it is and I’m okay with it. I’ve been okay with it...until you,” I admit.
“Why’d you come back then?”
“I...I needed to know for certain. I missed you. I dream about you. I’m miserable with Sawyer and I needed to know if we could be something,” I say honestly. For once.
“Something in your world, right? We date, we fall in love, but you stay conveniently out of my social circle? Is that it?” he bites out.
“I don't know. Yes! I guess that's exactly it. I want you,” I stammer. He slinks off the bed and strides to where I sit. Taking my face between his hands he kneels in front of me. Heat, passion, and hurt swirl in his eyes. “Will you give me a chance to actually be in your life this time?” he murmurs as I try to ignore his breath hitting my mouth, warm and coffee-scented.
“Yes,” I breathe. Smiling, he leans in and captures my lips with his. It’s a sweet, gentle kiss. Pulling me even closer so our bodies are pressed against each other, his hands keep my face anchored in place as he kisses me passionately. I never want this kiss to end. Ever. As soon as the thought enters my mind he pulls away, grinning. “When do you leave?” he asks as the pads of his thumbs stroke my cheeks lovingly. It feels nice, right.
“Wednesday morning,” I mumble still slightly delirious from his kiss.
“Good. I’ll clear my schedule Monday and Tuesday. I want to show you something.” He smiles warmly at me.
“Ah. Okay,” I answer nervously.
“Calm down, Clara, you’ll like this,” he promises before standing and making his way to the bathroom. He stops in the door frame and looks me up and down. “Care to join me?” His voice is husky and low. Oh man, I’m a goner. I stand, saunter to him, and let him tug me into the bathroom with him to shower.
I pull the chain over my head and let the butterfly pendant rest at the swell of my breasts. It sparkles against the emerald green off-the-shoulder shirt I’m wearing. I shimmy into white capri pants, tousle my hair, and slip into my favorite three-inch strappy heels. A low whistle rings out through the room as I exit the bathroom.
“You look stunning,” Dom praises.
“Thanks, you’re not so bad yourself,” I wink after admiring his business casual attire. His khakis hang on him perfectly and he’s wearing a crisp, white button down shirt with the top two buttons undone. I chuckle to myself, he almost looks relaxed.
Then I wonder if he truly is ever relaxed and that makes me wonder if he can ever just let loose and be himself. I shake all my ridiculous thoughts away as he kisses me behind my ear and ushers us out of my room.
The dining room at the club is large. One wall consists solely of glass doors that are all open, letting the ocean breeze blow in. Dom walks us past a series of large open flame fire pits on the way to our table. Thad stands when we arrive and pulls out my chair for me.
“Nice to see you again, Mr. Holder,” I smile at him.
“Clara! My breath of fresh air,” he exclaims as he and Dom sit. I stare at him questioningly. “My dear, do you have any idea how wonderful it is to see a purple-haired, tattooed woman wandering around an event looking stunning these days?” he winks.
“Ah. I suppose it doesn't happen often.”
He snorts at my answer.
“Never is more like it. Dominic here is a lucky man. You carry yourself like a lady but have attitude and spunk. I like it. I quite enjoyed our dance. What better way to liven up a boring business lunch than have you here.” He laughs and pats my hand.
“I’m honored. That’s quite the compliment,” I chuckle. This guy is a hoot. We chat companionably while ordering and waiting for our food to arrive. Once lunch arrives the chatter dulls as we begin to eat. The sandwich I ordered is heavenly but thick. After chewing one bite for what feels like an eternity I finally manage to swallow the thick bread. I take a sip of my water to help wash it down.
“Thad, I need this merger to happen. I’m willing to buy out your hotels at above market value,” Dom pushes. He’s so domineering and straightforward when he talks business. It’s a total turn-on to watch.
“What exactly is above market value, Dominic?”
“Seventy-five million,” he says firmly and I nearly choke on my water. Grabbing my napkin, I cover my mouth as I sputter and cough.
“Clara, dear, are you all right?” Thad asks, concerned. Dom’s hand shoots out and tucks a stray hair behind my ear and lifts my chin with his finger to meet his eyes.
“Clara?” he says softly.
“Sorry. Excuse me. Wrong pipe,” I wheeze out with a smile. “How many hotels do you have, Mr. Holder?” I ask trying to draw the attention back to the conversation at hand.
“Thad, please. I own three luxury hotels, not a chain. Each one is vastly different from the next but they all define luxury,” he states proudly.
“Why are you selling?” I inquire. I ignore the hard look Dom shoots at me.
“Not that you would know, my dear, but even just three hotels take an obscene amount of time to run and run smoothly.” He glances to Dom. “I don't know how Dominic does it, overseeing more than four hundred hotels. It’s a wonder he has any downtime at all.”
“I have people to help with that. The clubs are where I put most of my time in,” he answers casually.
“So you’re retiring?” I ask Thad.
“No. Merely taking a breather before my next big adventure,” he laughs.
“Wow. Sounds exciting.”
“Dominic, why don't you whisk her away for a stay at one of the hotels?” He winks at me. God, this man needs to stop winking. He’d be a pretty interesting guy if it wasn't for that unusual winking tick he seems to have.
“I’m not sure Clara’s the type who wants to be whisked away,” Dom says and raises an eyebrow at me playfully.
“I work. A lot. But occasionally I enjoy a nice vacation,” I answer.
“What is that you do?” Thad asks.
“I own a tattoo parlor, I’m a tattoo artist.” There it is, out in the open in Dom’s world. I wait for his death glare to come but it doesn't. He looks maybe even proud. The clap of Thad’s hands brings me out of my thoughts.
“That’s wonderful! How interesting,” he excites.
“Thank you,” I mumble. The men continue on with their negotiations until almost two in the afternoon.
“I’ll talk to Charlie and get back to you. Speaking of Charlie, has the rumor mill reached you yet?” Thad asks Dom and I’m instantly intrigued.
“No, what is it this time?” His eyes dart to me nervously but I can’t imagine why. I don't know who they’re talking about.
“Well if anyone knows how to land in the center of attention, the Hollingsworth’s are it. People are saying that Daniel saw the family ring-pawning tart at some wedding. You know...the ex-fiancée that disappeared years ago. Charlie is up in arms about it, demanding that Daniel find her and the ring.” Thad sets his napkin on the table as my blood runs cold. I struggle to keep my breathing even and calm. “It caused quite a stir. Alexandria was completely bent out of shape that the little tart stole her moment in the spotlight and ruined her wedding.” He laughs and shakes his head. Dom’s hand rests on my thigh under the table and squeezes. I sit stone-still, willing my body to disappear into the scenery. I can actually feel myself paling as they keep talking. Ruined her wedding? Please. As if. But Charlie...why would he be all over Daniel about me?
“I was at that wedding. Alexandria married my cousin. I didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary. Maybe Daniel is just trying to gain his father's attention. You know that one... always causing trouble. The senator would rather adopt a new child than leave his empire to his only son.” Dom’s tone has a biting edge to it.
“Truer words have never been spoken. If Charlie was smart he would have knocked up one of his concubines and brought that child into the fold years ago.” Both men laugh wildly at Thad’s joke as I push the bile rising in my throat back down. Charlie hates Daniel? When did that happen? He was being groomed to replace his father his whole life. Would Charlie really accept a bastard child to replace Daniel? My mind whirls with questions and I feel light-headed and dizzy. Thad’s hand clamps on my shoulder and I jump slightly.
“It was lovely seeing you. Thank you for brightening this boring old man’s lunch.” He picks up my hand and kisses the inside of my wrist lightly. It’s an overtly intimate gesture and I can hear Dominic’s low growl as he takes it all in.
“Dominic. Always a pleasure. I’ll be in touch.” He shakes Dom’s hand and gracefully walks out of the dining room.
“I’m sorry, Clara,” he offers and stands, pulling out my chair for me.
“What does Charlie have to do with Thad?” I ask, still stunned from information overload.
“Charlie backed the hotels when Thad started them. Before he sells he’ll want to talk to Charlie about who’s buying them. Charlie will want to be sure that he’s not losing his investment,” he states plainly.
“Oh,” I breathe. “Let’s get out of here.” Dom nods and escorts me back to his car.
The ride back to the hotel is silent. I can’t get their conversation out of my head. Charlie hates Daniel. Daniel must be desperate to get back in the good graces of his father. At least the Daniel I knew a decade ago would be. Dom drops me at the hotel, telling me he has things to wrap up today so that he can spend the next two days with me.
“I’ll pick you up at nine tomorrow morning,” he says and brushes a kiss on my temple that sends electricity shooting through my body.
“Huh?” I ask distractedly.
“Clara, where are you?” He hooks my chin with his fingers, maneuvering my face to his.
“Sorry. What time tomorrow?”
“Nine and please, ignore all the talk about the Hollingsworths,” he says pointedly.
“Nine. Got it,” I repeat. He brushes a light kiss across my lips as the driver opens the door for me. “See you then,” I smile.
Trust Me
I let the hot spray of the shower wash over me as I try to make sense of yesterday’s lunch. I slept like crap last night. Nightmares riddled my broken sleep, the worst of which had Charlie finding Allie and taking her away from me. I’d finally given up on the idea of sleep and turned the TV on low, trying to nap and rest instead. At five in the morning I’d switched on my phone. I had twenty texts from Sawyer varying from worry to anger to hate
and then heartbreak and begging. I replied to none of them. I deleted all the voicemails without listening to them. In two days I’d be on way home and dealing with a breakup that I really didn't want to have to do. There would be enough hurt to go around then. Switching my phone to silent, I plug it in and set it on the nightstand, feeling like the worst person on the planet. Allie would be heartbroken when all of this was done. I never wanted to hurt her. I never wanted to hurt Sawyer either but when Dominic blew into my world he up heaved everything I’d carefully created like a tornado and when it all came crashing back down it was beyond repair. Hopping out of the shower I dress and blow dry my hair. As I pull the mascara wand through my eyelashes the room phone rings. I stick the wand back in the tube and answer the phone.
“Hello?” I chirp.
“Good morning.” Dom’s voice booms through the phone energetically.
“Morning to you,” I say as a smile tugs on my lips.
“Pack your things. I’m checking you out of the hotel. I’ll be there in thirty,” he states before disconnecting the call. I set the phone back on the receiver and wonder what the hell he has planned for the next two days. I finish my light make-up and start throwing all my stuff into my suitcase as asked. At nine I schlep myself and my shit into the lobby and find Dom leaning against a column looking sexy as hell waiting for me. His tight fitting Henley hugs his muscled torso and his worn jeans hang low on his hips. He looks like a normal guy, not a millionaire, and I like it. After staring a little too long, his lips twitch and he pushes off the column and struts over to me, taking my suitcase from my hands.
“Did you have a good evening?” he asks, looking me over.
“I didn't sleep well,” I admit.