Sweet Seduction Sacrifice

by Nicola Claire

  I wanted to hope, but hope was no longer in the room with me.

  Chapter 12

  Whining Is Always A Good Way To Turn A Guy Off

  Katie stayed for a while. I'm not sure if that was out of genuine concern or as a buffer between Dominic and me. Not that she seemed displeased that her brother couldn't stop flicking glances at me while I cleared the rest of my messages - purposely ignoring the Unknown Caller, but ensuring Jane at Sweet Seduction was OK. She smiled every time Dominic's attention swung my way, as though it was the best TV show she'd ever watched. I'm glad we were of some amusement to her.

  Finally, Dominic had obviously had enough of her company and started dropping hints that she should leave.

  "Don't you normally call in on the folks on a Saturday, Katie?" he asked, sipping a coffee whilst reading the Herald.

  "I'll call in after dinner, Dad's playing golf today and I think Mum's out shopping with her Mahjong friends," she replied, flicking through her own magazine without a care in the world.

  He returned his attention to the newspaper for a few minutes, then tried again.

  "Genevieve looks tired, Katie, I think we should let her get some rest."

  Katie flicked a glance in my direction. "She looks fine and we're all resting, nobody's causing a scene, but you," she pointed out. She was wrong though, my head was pounding and my nose hurt so much I was constantly swiping tears from my eyes. Not necessarily an unusual thing, but as I wasn't watching a moving DVD or reading a Hallmark card it was kind of out of place.

  Dominic sighed and got up out of his chair, only to return a few moments later with a large glass of water and some painkillers. I blinked up at him, swiped some more tears and took the offered panacea with a small smile. Katie watched the entire exchange with an open mouth.

  "Maybe she does need rest," she announced. "But I'll be back tomorrow to check on you," she said directly to me.

  I got the impression it was to be reassuring, I wasn't sure why. Was she afraid to leave me with Dominic? Or maybe she was worried about my brother turning up. Either way it was nice to think she was in my corner, so I nodded my thanks and gave her a smile that would let her know I appreciated it. She beamed back at me, leaned down and kissed my cheek and then let Dominic lead her out to her car.

  By the time he came back I was lying down on the couch, having simply let my body fall sideways in defeat. I was exhausted. He hadn't been wrong. I ached all over, my face and head the worst of all, but my heart wasn't fairing much better. Which was ridiculous really, I didn't love Brett anymore, so it took a while for me to ascertain where that heartache was coming from. Finally, I settled on the fact that he had hurt me, or had me hurt, both physically and emotionally. I never thought he'd had it in him to do this. To abduct me. To blackmail me using Sweet Seduction as the threat. Kelly had seen it coming, but I hadn't and it made me feel foolish and naive and stupid. And that hurt my heart.

  Not to mention my ego.

  Dominic stopped inside the door to the lounge and looked at me for a few seconds, then walked over in a gorgeous glide of muscles and masculinity. Those jeans should be illegal. I blinked away tears, which had been silently spilling out the sides of my eyes and down my cheeks onto the leather of the couch, and watched his approach. Heart no longer hurting, but thundering in my chest. He sat down on the edge of the sofa, his body sitting flush against my waist, my hips bracketing him. I could feel his heat, through his jeans and through the balloon track pants I was still wearing. It felt good.

  He reached up and softly brushed my hair back from my face, but didn't stop there. His fingers stroking through the strands. I hadn't tied my hair back or straightened it, so it would have looked a kinked and no doubt frizzy mess. That didn't seem to stop him being enamoured by it.

  "You should go to bed, sweetheart. Get some sleep."

  "I shouldn't need sleep, I was out most of last night and well into today."

  Something dangerous flashed through his eyes at the reminder that I had been knocked out. Something even more dangerous than killer lawyer. Something that made my body still, not exactly in fear, but in self-preservation. Like a deer would if a lion had spotted it.

  "You didn't clear all of your messages," he said out of nowhere, the moment of danger suddenly gone as though he'd flicked a switch. And how he knew I hadn't cleared all my messages, I did not know.

  "They can wait," I hedged, not wanting to go anywhere near the Unknown Caller/Brett.

  "They could help us find him," he said, evenly, watching my face for a reaction. He got one. I bit my lip and noticed it was trembling.

  I really was a pathetic wimp.

  "Sweetheart," he said softly. "It must be done. Will you let me clear them for you?"

  I thought about that for a second and decided he was right. There was no way I wanted to hear what Brett had to say, but it could help ASI locate him. I was still so confused about how to proceed. Let ASI - and my brother, by the sounds of it - track Brett down and have him arrested, trust that they could accomplish this and not stuff it up. Or not take the risk, knowing if they did stuff it up, Brett would strike back and attack Sweet Seduction.

  It was a battle that was fought internally, but from the look on Dominic's face, was being played out in my expressions. I never really thought about how much of my emotions I wore on my face. But obviously I wore them all unchecked, because his eyes flashed; first dangerously, then softly - as though he was feeling my confusion along with me and sympathised wholeheartedly - and then quickly back to dangerously again. He might have recognised I was having trouble deciding how to proceed, but he didn't necessarily agree with the sentiment.

  "Trust me," he whispered, holding my eyes.

  He seemed to be saying those words a lot lately and the more I got to know him, the more I was allowing myself just that. To trust him. For now, I had to admit, that the chances of Brett successfully using Sweet Seduction against me, with so many interested parties after him, was slim. But I promised myself if the shit hit the fan I would do what I needed to do to keep my dream safe.

  I nodded and watched as he reached for my phone. Once in his hand he turned back to me.

  "Do you want to slip into some of your own clothes, or maybe some nightwear, and rest in the bedroom while I do this?"

  The idea of getting into my own clothes was alluring - at least some jeans, I'd probably keep his T-shirt on, it smelled nice - but I needed to know what he found out from the messages on my phone. Even if I didn't want to listen to them myself. I couldn't bury my head in the sand and let the men-folk deal with the problem, while the little-women went to bed. I needed to be aware of the situation, so that if it changed, I could do what I had to do to protect my dream.

  "Not just yet," I said, flicking my gaze from his face to the phone, trying to make it obvious that I didn't want him stepping away while he cleared it.

  He didn't say anything, just flipped the phone open, pushed a few buttons and then placed it to his ear. He didn't look at me as he did it and once he started listening to the message, he stood up and walked away. I sat upright and tried to keep his face in my line of sight, but within seconds his back was to me, denying me his reaction. I got the gist of it though, he'd stiffened as soon as the messages started playing, so I was pretty sure they had been from Brett as suspected. And that Dominic was not liking what he heard.

  I stood and attempted to walk around the front of him, but he moved every time I got a good look at his face. What I did see there was not leaving me feeling happy about my decision to let him listen to those messages. What the hell had I been thinking? Why couldn't I just be a big girl and look after myself? On what planet was it wise to let the guy you're lusting after listen in on messages from your delusional ex who wants you back? I started running my hands though my hair in frustration and I had to admit anger. Anger at myself, for being an idiot. Anger at Brett for not just letting me go, so I could move on with my life and possibly move on with a man like Dominic
Anscombe.

  By the time Dominic had finished listening to all ten messages I was fuming. And so was he. His fuming was more impressive than mine. It involved a lampshade and the wall meeting at high velocity. The resultant crash and shattering of the porcelain base making me jump about a foot off the floor. My bottom lip found my teeth and entrenched there, my shoulders curving and my chin dipping and my heart thumping in my throat. He stood still for several seconds after the cacophony of shattered noise subsided, then with what looked like a mammoth amount effort, he drew in a large breath of air, slowly let it out and then turned round to look me in the eyes.

  I'm not sure what I thought I'd see there. Disgust? Disbelief? I know there should have been anger, he was extremely irate right now. But it wasn't any of those. It was conviction, determination and a hardened resolve that made you realise why this man headed a successful legal firm on Queen Street, why he had a museum of cars in his basement, a house the size of my local department store and a million-dollar-plus view.

  "I need to make a call," he announced. It sounded like he was talking through gritted teeth, but his face had returned to that impassive he does, which I suspect works well in a court of law. "Why don't you go rest in the bedroom, get some sleep."

  I shook my head. "No, I want to know what you heard. What he said."

  "No, you don't," he replied, still impassively. My back stiffened, my chin lifted in obvious defiance.

  "I have a right to know," I pointed out.

  "That is irrelevant right now." What? "I need to advise Nick of a few things and it can't wait. I want you resting so I can do this."

  "You can do it with me here," I argued, determined to find out what had turned him into something far worse than killer lawyer. I was thinking I'd call it iced-lawyer. He was too impassive, liked he'd encased himself in ice. I was thinking one crack to his surface and all hell would break loose.

  "Genevieve," he chastised, even when using my name in that way and in that tone, it sounded wonderful falling off his lips. I blinked up at him, his façade cracked slightly, then re-solidified. "Please trust me."

  I felt all the fight seep out of me. Dominic had only ever had my best interests at heart. I wanted to know what Brett had said that made him throw a perfectly decent and no doubt expensive lamp against the wall, but I did trust him. He kept asking me to, but in actual fact I already did. He'd proven his worth.

  "OK," I said, then added for good measure. "But once you've spoken to Nick come and find me. I want to know what's going on." I saw his jaw tighten, so went on. "I need to know, Dominic. This is my life. Brett's after me and my store. I have to be prepared."

  He stepped forward, the last few paces between us swallowed up in his sure stride, and reached up to cup my cheek. "Why can't you let those who are more capable of it, look after you? Why do you insist on putting yourself somewhere it would hurt?"

  I answered without hesitation. "Because if it all comes crashing down around my ears I want to see it coming. Even if I only get a second's warning, I want to know when it's all about to be shattered beyond repair."

  "I won't let that happen," he whispered in a low voice.

  "You may not have any say in the matter. Brett can be determined when he chooses to be as well."

  He looked at me for several seconds, then said, "What do think the worse case scenario would be?"

  I stared at him. Wasn't it obvious? "He could take my dream away," I finally said, thinking voicing it was only causing me more pain and Dominic was cruel to push the issue when it hurt so much.

  He let a long breath of air out, I was thinking in frustration.

  "Go to bed, Genevieve," and this time it sounded like a command.

  I blinked up at him, feeling strangely shocked that he was dismissing me in such an off-hand way. And hurt. I spun on my heel and almost ran from the room. I was never very good at facing painful situations, I was better at ignoring them or simply running away. I'd listen to the messages later, I didn't need Dominic, iced-lawyer, to help me prepare. I could prepare myself just as well on my own. I knew Brett better than Dominic did, I knew what he was capable of. I could even guess at what the messages had said. Reiteration of his love for me, how perfect we were together. Repeat of his threat to take Sweet Seduction from me. Then it would segue into sweet-talk Brett. Butter-me-up Brett. Wear-me-down Brett. All of which I had seen before. Or fallen for.

  I was a different person now, I told myself as I slipped out of the drawstring track pants and slid under the covers of the bed. I'd chosen the main bedroom for two reasons. One, it was where Dominic had taken me to bathe, I wasn't sure whether any of the other rooms were even made up or not. And two, I knew it would smell of him. Even in the midst of a life crisis, I couldn't deny myself the brief moment of pretending the masculine scent that invaded my nostrils as I burrowed under thousand thread count sheets, was all mine.

  But even as I luxuriated in the crisp linen and wrapped Dominic's scent around myself, my mind wouldn't still from my current dilemma. Brett hung over my head like a guillotine. Any moment now the blade would fall and my dream would be over. The weight of that knowledge was depressing, but final. No matter what I did now he would win. Because Brett may have been a loser in life, but he was one of the most competitive people I knew. Which explained the amount of money he lost on gambling. A small loss would incite him to gamble more, because in Brett's eyes, he'd never met a bet he couldn't win. Evidence to the contrary would be dismissed and disregarded. For Brett there was nothing else but first place. Be that on the race course, at the bookies, or with his woman.

  All that was left to determine was how he'd win. Get me back, with Sweet Seduction hanging over my head to keep me in line. Or destroy Sweet Seduction while he died trying. Either way I had already lost. One scenario allowed me to keep my dream, but live a life of lies. The other, lost me my dream, but gave me my life to live rueing the day I didn't do what I had to do to save my dream.

  It was pretty simple really. ASI, Dominic, Jason, they were wasting their time. I already knew what I had to do. I'd allowed myself a brief moment of hope, but there was no hope left, if I wanted to survive. Because if Sweet Seduction was lost, what was the point?

  I don't know how long it took, but eventually I fell asleep. I was just so exhausted. Surprisingly I managed it without too many more tears. Just a few fell at the thought that I would have to give up any chance I had with Dominic, but I foiled them with visions of his phone call the night he dropped me off at my loft. The fact that after me, there'd be another woman to save. If there wasn't one already waiting in the wings. This was only ever going to be a short-lived affair. I might as well put it behind me now and save everyone the trouble.

  It was dark in the room when I felt the bed dip beside me. I was so deep in sleep that it took several seconds for me to remember where I was, then process the thought I was in Dominic, sexiest smile and name, god-like, Anscombe's bed, and finally realise just who had slipped under the sheets and wrapped a warm, strong arm around my waist. His face nestled into my neck, a brief touch of his lips on my temple before he inhaled the scent of my hair behind my ear. His leg locked around one of mine, his stomach to my back. All of this accomplished before I stopped breathing and stiffened.

  "Go back to sleep, sweetheart. It's late," he whispered and pulled me further into his embrace.

  I felt panic well up inside me. How long had I been asleep? How much had happened while I was dead to the world? And what the hell did Dominic think he was doing slipping into bed with me, spooning me, in nothing but a pair of boxer shorts? I started to pull away from him, my heart thundering, my eyes wide, but unseeing in the dimness of the room. Only to have my body hauled back against his hard chest.

  "Stop, little gazelle. It's time to sleep." He buried his face in my hair again and inhaled. "You're still wearing my T-shirt," he remarked drowsily, half asleep already, it sounded like.

  I lay there listening to his breathing for several seconds, u
nable to slow mine down at all. I knew I had fallen asleep in his bed, but I presumed he'd sleep elsewhere, or on the couch. Or not at all. Certainly not half-naked and slap bang against my back, his steel-like arm encasing me in a trap.

  "I have to get up. I'm not tired," I announced into the dark.

  "I am," he murmured. "It's been a hell of a day."

  I bit my lip and thought about that. I didn't like thinking he was worn out because of my problems, but still it didn't give him the right to corner me in the bed and to feel so damn hot and sexy against me.

  "My brother will be here soon," I tried. "I need to be up to greet him."

  "Already here. Already de-briefed. Already brought on-board and now he is asleep too. Lucky bugger," he added.

  Huh. "Didn't he want to see me?" I couldn't imagine Jason not wanting to check me out as soon as he arrived.

  "No," Dominic answered, succinctly. Obviously already over this conversation as he was using only one syllable answers.

  "I don't believe that," I replied, because I didn't. Not for a second. I knew Jason pretty well too, and he would be a bear with a sore head until he knew I was OK.

  "He trusts me," Dominic murmured a little grumpily, I was thinking. "Something you would be well advised to do too."

  Well, hell. Jason was always a good judge of character. For him to trust I was OK in Dominic's bed, said a hell of a friggin' lot.

  But still...

  "What's he going to do about all of this?" I needed to be prepared for World War III.

  "Do I have to shut you up?" Dominic answered, exasperatedly. "I know of a few delightful things I'd like to do to you that would achieve that goal."

  I stilled further, picturing exactly the sort of things I'd like him to do to shut me up. And then I cursed at myself inwardly. Not helping the move-on-now-to-avoid-wasting-everyone's-time scenario.

  "I just asked," I whined unrepentantly. Because everyone knows whining is always a good way to turn a guy off.

  Obviously Dominic didn't share that point of view, because suddenly I was hauled up from my on-the-side-position to being flush on top of him. My body draping his, chest to chest, hips to hips, his legs spreading to let mine in between, our faces washed in each other's hot breath. Which seemed to be a little too fast on my side of that equation.