by Rumer Raines
Dominic makes love to me this time. Afterward, I lie in the drowsy warmth of my bed, thinking. I don’t think of the sexy, hot, naked body wrapped around me. I think of the huge amount of money that is missing from my closet. Should I wake him up and tell him that it’s gone? Will he ask for the money back since I told him I am backing off the Ted hit? I must get back the money, there is no other choice.
25
DOMINIC and I have been officially together for a month. I still go to work during the day and deal with Ted, and my nights are literally filled with Dominic. On a good night, he stays over, but on the others, he leaves in the middle of the night for ‘business’. I don’t even ask questions since he wouldn’t answer them. If he did, I doubt I would want to know. My mother sends me the occasional text message to make sure I am alive and to ask if I am still living a sinful life.
He still hasn’t asked me about the money, and I hope he doesn’t. I won’t kid myself thinking he’ll forget about five hundred thousand dollars. Every minute I spend with him, I wonder when he’ll mention it.
Dominic sent me a text asking me to meet him at Marco’s. While waiting at the bar, I notice Monique avoiding eye contact me. She still hasn’t said much to me since finding out that I am involved with Dominic. I watch her, realizing that she is the only person who can help me. Can I trust her, or will she tell Dominic? Raising my hand so that she will acknowledge me, she nods for another bartender to help me.
My phone vibrates so I check the message.
Monica: Can we talk?
I am shocked to read the message since I haven’t heard from her in over a month.
Me: When?
Monica: Can you come to my place?
Me: Are you alone?
Monica: Yes
Glancing toward the back hallway, I quickly send my reply before slipping out of the bar.
Me: I am on my way.
I am nervous about meeting with Monica. She promised that she was alone and, hopefully, she will keep her word. I just don’t know what is going on with her lately. We barely talk as she has become a totally different person.
I stare at her condo and pull out my phone to send Dominic a text. He doesn’t reply, so I force myself out of the car and walk to the door. She is waiting for me and pulls open the door, giving me a big hug. I can tell she is much thinner when I feel the bones in her back.
“I am so glad you came,” she says.
“You asked me to. Why wouldn’t I?”
“I know things haven’t been the greatest with us lately.”
Sitting across from her, I can see she is trembling. She pushes her hair away from her face as she starts to pick with her nails.
“What did you want to talk about, Monica?”
“I need your help,” she whispers.
Of course, she wants something from me. Why else would she have invited me over?
“What do you need?”
She meets my accusing eyes without flinching. “I need four thousand dollars,” she answers in a rush of words.
“Are you kidding me? I am not going to support your habit, Monica,” I respond sharply, abandoning all pretense.
I hear her quick intake of breath. “I am not asking you to. I’m checking into rehab. It’s expensive, and my parents are giving me what they can, but I still don’t have enough. I thought that since you are doing those sex parties, you would be able to lend me the money. I promise I’ll pay you back.”
I give her a sidelong glance of utter disbelief. I don’t know whether to hug her or just break down to cry. Shock causes the words to wedge in my throat. I have been doing the parties and putting away the cash to pay back Dominic, but how can I say no?
“When do you need the money?” I ask.
Monica stands and walks into the kitchen. When she comes back out, she is holding a card that she hands to me. I glance at her when I read the rehab name listed, with the address and phone number.
“If you could do it no later than noon tomorrow, I can check in tomorrow night. They are expecting me, and my parents already sent in their portion,” she says offhandedly, managing to shrug.
Monica hands me a cup of coffee, and we spend two hours talking. It feels good, like the good old days. The days before Ted when we would hang out and gossip about our co-workers. I can see the sadness in her eyes when she mentions going away, but we agree it’s what she needs.
Temptation: Where are you?
Monica smiles when I tell her that I should text him back.
Me: I am visiting Monica. I will meet you at Marco’s in one hour.
Temptation: I’ll impatiently wait…
Me: Okay. See you later.
Monica chuckles when I put my phone away.
“What is so funny?” I ask.
“Why Temptation?” She laughs.
“Believe me, the name is fitting.”
Giving Monica a hug, I promise her that I’ll have the check to her as soon as possible.
On the way to Marco’s, I finally see a small glimmer of hope.
Dominic is in a good mood. His hands explore the hollows of my back as his mouth covers mine hungrily.
“I have a surprise for you,” he whispers in my ear.
“What kind of surprise?”
“If I tell you, it won’t be a surprise, will it?”
His hands cradle my face as he gives me one last kiss before grabbing my hand and pulling me out of his office. Dominic opens the passenger door, and I slide in as he smacks me on the ass with a chuckle.
My heart starts to race when I realize we are headed back to my place. What kind of surprise does he have in mind? Does this have anything to do with the missing cash?
“Why do you look afraid?” he questions.
I shrug and focus on the road as his hand squeezes my thigh.
After parking, Dominic opens the door and picks me up, placing me over his shoulder.
“Dominic! Put me down!” I yell.
“Nope…”
He pulls my key out of his pocket and closes the door with his foot. We head back to my bedroom, and he slides me down and kisses me before turning me toward my bed.
“What the hell?” I whisper.
“Do you like it?”
“Dominic?”
This isn’t my bed… or my dresser. Hell, this isn’t even my carpet. He redecorated my bedroom?
Turning back to look at him, I am speechless and not in a good way because I am pissed.
“You don’t like it?” His eyebrows lift.
He did everything in the bedroom black and white. The dresser is beautiful with a large mirror, and there must be ten drawers all with antique knobs. He replaced my brown carpet with plush white. He even replaced my small television with a fifty-inch flat screen that now hangs from the wall.
“Why did you do this?”
“We broke the headboard, so I thought, why not make everything new?”
“I can’t…”
He cuts me off. “You can’t what? Accept it? You don’t think I am going to have the carpet pulled up and the furniture removed, do you?”
“This is too much.” I stare at the unfamiliar bedroom.
“Nothing is too much for you, baby.” He turns me, so I am facing him. “You deserve every fucking thing, and I am going to give it all to you.” He gives my body a raking gaze.
My body aches for his touch. There is a tingling in the pit of my stomach. I notice that he is watching me intently. His hands slip up my arms, bringing me closer.
He moves his mouth over mine, devouring its softness. Gently, he eases me down onto the bed.
He slowly opens my blouse, twisting each button and slowly running his chilled fingers down my breastbone. Once my shirt is open, he licks my nipples and moves slowly down to my stomach. Dominic removes my panties, kissing right above my aching pussy. He slips two fingers inside me and moves them in a torturing tempo.
Dominic shifts his position to crouch over me, and slowly, he pushes him
self inside, penetrating me. It feels like torture. His swelling cock fills me completely. His eyes darken as he stares into mine. Dominic pounds into me as I wrap my legs around him.
“I am close… I need to pull out,” he groans.
Dominic and I haven’t been responsible when it comes to using condoms. He is always careful not to come inside me.
“Come in me,” I whisper, wrapping my hands around the back of his neck. “I want to feel us,” I moan.
He opens his closed eyes, staring at me with surprise. Dominic sinks as far as he can inside me, and I feel with each hard thrust that he is reaching his climax. Then he collapses into my weak arms.
26
WE LIE in bed holding each other, and it feels good. Despite everything, Dominic feels right. He draws imaginary circles on my back as I listen to his heartbeat.
“How was Monica?”
“She is going to rehab. She asked me to lend her money.”
“You’re giving it to her?”
“Yeah… I would do anything to help her.”
Dominic nods and pulls me into a kiss. “You’re a good person, Stephanie Masters. You are too good for a man like me.”
“Why would you say that?”
He laughs as he shakes his head. “I am a fucking monster. You just haven’t seen that side of me,” he warns.
“What have you done?”
“I have blood on my hands, Steph. The shit I have had to do to people because they couldn’t pay us back. Have you ever seen a man cry because his tongue was cut out?” he asks.
“You’ve cut tongues out?” I whisper.
“I have and done much worse. My family is everything, Steph. I can’t give handouts, and if someone tries to fuck us over, I deal with them.”
Despite having his warm body next to me, I suddenly feel cold. “What if someone has a good reason for not paying you back? What if they just can’t afford to?”
Playing with my hair, his eyes go cold. “Then they probably shouldn’t have taken it. We don’t run a fucking charity. Now, let’s think about something more fun.” He starts to roll me over, but I pull away.
“I am a little sore. Can you just hold me?” His suspicious eyes close, and I turn my back to him as he pulls me close.
The next morning, I roll over to cold sheets, but there’s a delicious aroma coming from the kitchen. I grab a robe and follow the smell to the kitchen. Dominic is standing by the stove in his boxers, holding a spatula.
“Good morning,” he says before he even sees me.
“Morning. What are you making?”
“I thought I would treat you to my special cinnamon French toast,” he announces.
“I love French toast!”
“Everyone loves French toast, baby.”
I pour us both a cup of coffee as he prepares our breakfast and places the plate in front of me. He looks so sexy standing in front of the stove.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” he questions.
“I just think a man in front of the stove is so fucking sexy.”
“I’ll keep that in mind” He pulls me into a kiss. I laugh as he sucks syrup from my bottom lip and it takes everything not to climb into his lap and yank down his shorts. Unfortunately, I don’t have time for that since Dominic is in no way the quickie type of man. I need to get to the bank for Monica.
Once she is squared away, I must figure out how to get Dominic the missing money.
After eating breakfast, Dominic and I take a shower. When he heads home, I call Ted to let him know I’ll be late to work. Getting the cashier’s check, I head to Monica’s and pray that this money will go to good use.
I glance at the new black Cadillac that is in her driveway with suspicion. I know she mentioned her parents are also helping, but did they buy a new car? I knock on the door, and it’s pulled open by Monica, but I hear laughter in the background.
“Do you have company?” I ask, pointing to the Cadillac
“I…” she starts to answer, but the laughter becomes louder and closer as the door is pulled open wider.
“Well, look what the cat drug in? Shouldn’t you be at work?” Ted asks.
I feel the blood in my mouth from biting my own tongue.
He looks like a new man, but he is still the same bastard as always. He is wearing a three-piece suit; his hair is cut, and I notice the expensive watch on his arm.
“Whose car is that, Monica?” I ignore Ted and ask Monica.
“That would be my car, Stephanie,” he squeals.
“That’s your car?”
“Yep, it’s all mine. It’s bought and paid for. Did you want me to take you for a spin and drop your ass off at work?”
“How about you get to work? I’ll talk to Monica and will see you there in a bit.”
“Yeah, the funny thing is I quit.”
I look between him and Monica, and I feel lighter. Is he serious? Am I really done dealing with this limp dick motherfucker? Has God finally answered the prayer of a sinner like me?
“Are you serious? Or are you just playing with my emotions?”
“I am dead serious. I am done with that place. I have better things to do. As a matter of fact, I need to start now. I just wanted to say goodbye to Monica. See you later, bitches!”
He struts out, slamming the door, and we watch him leave.
“Oh my God, what just happened here?” I ask.
Monica rolls her eyes as she walks over to her bags. She packed as if she is never coming back.
“That was the universe playing a bad trick on good people. We bust our asses, trying to be good people, and he’s the one with good luck. I hate to bother you, but would you mind taking me to the airport?”
I grab one of the bags and give her the cashier’s check before we hit the highway. It’s at this moment I realize how much I have missed my friend. I can see that she is sad, and I don’t doubt she has taken something to keep her chill, but the most important thing is she is getting help.
“You are really going to rehab?” I ask. I know she is telling the truth, but I must be sure. I am turning over money that I can use.
“Yes… someone is actually meeting me at the airport to make sure I show up. I guess it’s like a sponsor.”
“That’s good… isn’t it?”
“I guess.”
“How long will you be gone? You packed a lot,” I ask.
“I don’t know. However long it takes,” she whispers and looks away.
Wanting to change the subject, I decide to ask about Ted. “Okay, so where exactly is Ted working now?”
“What do you mean?”
“Monica, he is wearing a very nice suit, an expensive watch, and he is driving a Cadillac. This is a man that was driving a Ford pickup and wearing very old khakis. Is he blackmailing someone?” I laugh.
“He isn’t blackmailing anyone. All I know is that he supposedly won some lottery.”
“What do you mean he won the lottery?”
“He showed up at my door with a bag of cash saying he won the fucking lottery. The lucky bastard won half a million dollars. Can you believe that?”
27
MIXED FEELINGS SURGE THROUGH ME. I’m scared and pissed. The thought of Ted stealing from me had me seeing red. What will happen to him, once he’s been found out, has me feeling a little scared for him, too. The strange part is that it shouldn’t. I wanted him gone, and when I tell Dominic that he stole his money, he will be.
After pouring another glass of wine, I crawl into bed and wait for Dominic. It was a long day and I need him. After dropping Monica off at the airport, I went to work. I couldn’t stop thinking about Ted. I peeked inside his office, and his personal belongings were still here. I suppose, when you come into money, the last thing you need is a bunch of old baseballs.
Glancing at the clock, I start to worry about Dominic. It’s almost one in the morning and he should be here by now.
Hey… Waiting up for you.
I hit the send
button and wait for him to reply. Five minutes later, he does.
Temptation: Sorry, baby. I came home tonight. Family business.
I really need to see you.
Temptation: What’s wrong?
I just had a really bad day and need to talk to you.
Temptation: I’ll be over in a few hours.
A few hours? Shaking my head as I stare at the clock, I send him another text.
Never mind. I’ll deal with it myself.
Temptation: Baby? What will you deal with?
I don’t respond. Placing my cell on the nightstand, I stare at the ceiling fan until I fall asleep.
A sixth sense brings me fully awake. I’m not alone. Quickly sitting up, dark eyes met mine. He sits in the chair across from my bed with his legs crossed. He’s wearing black pants and a white button-down shirt that’s half open. The muscles rippling under the white shirt quicken my pulse. A bowtie wrapped around his neck looks like he just yanked it off.
Something disturbing replaces his smoldering look.
“You need to talk?” he says the words tentatively as if testing the idea.
“I did… not so much right now.”
He regards me quizzically for a moment. “Not so much right now?” he repeats.
It is four o’clock in the morning, and he looks like he just came from a date. “You’re dressed up for family business, aren’t you?”
His expression is closed as if guarding a secret. His mouth is thin with a cynical twist to it.
Dominic is lightning fast as he climbs over me and pins his legs between mine. His lips press against mine, and his hands push up my t-shirt. Two fingers thrust in and out of me, and I wiggle beneath him as I try to move away. Dominic flips us over so that I’m on top, and I quickly unbuckle his pants. I wanted him too much to ease him in. I gasp as I fall on top of his thickening erection. He holds on to my ass while he thrusts into me, his body claiming mine. Every muscle in my body becomes attuned to his. My groin clenches while he pushes inside me. I never want him to stop. I want him to take control over me. I want him to take control of my life. I don’t like making decisions and worrying about tomorrow. I want him to do it for me. I need for him to solve all my problems, and I want it to feel like this.