My heart rose in my throat as the door opened and Dom entered. It was a long walk to my desk, but he locked his sharp blue eyes on me and strode forwards as if he owned the room.
Just the sight of him reignited the need that had been my constant companion. A navy suit, polished shoes, his jacketmoulded over muscles. Muscles I wanted wrapped around me again as he pulled me to his lips.
But he looked, as Anita would say, ‘like shit’.
I hadn’t seen him so worn down before. Even when his family was pushing him to the edge or a case got to him, he still kept his head high. But the bags under his eyes were deep, his stubble long from days of not shaving and strangely stark against his skin, paler than the soft tan I tasted before.
Anita gently closed the door behind him, ready to guard it from her desk, which was far enough away from my office that she wouldn’t hear me shout if I ended up exploding. Not a single person would get past her when she was in dragon mode.
I expected Dom to look at least a bit remorseful, but all I could see was hard determination in his eyes.
“Have a seat.” I nodded to the chairs in front of my desk.
Dom’s eyes flicked around the room before he lowered himself into the chair closest to me. He blew out a breath, sweeping the hair out of his eyes. I couldn’t ignore how it was just long enough for me to run my fingers through.
“I didn’t think you’d want to see me again,” he said, those few simple words setting fireworks off inside me.
I clenched my jaw before replying. “I don’t. But this conversation needs to be had.”
“And we couldn’t do this over the phone.”
“I don’t exactly trust you with phones at the moment,” I replied as I narrowed my eyes.
“Hm.” He smirked. “Fair enough.”
I had to keep my breaths deep and remain calm. Even looking at him again was dredging up every memory I was dying to forget. My fingers twitched as my gaze panned over him.
I never had the chance to taste his cock.
Another pulse of lust flew through me, and I flicked my eyes back to his. I knew he’d caught me looking at his lips by how the sultry grin I both hated and loved spread across his face.
My anger reignited at his confidence. Had he really thought I was so weak that I was going to give in as soon as he smiled at me?
“I’m still trying to come to terms with what you did,” I said, clasping my hands together on top of the desk.
There was a pause before he replied. “And?”
“Don’t ask me as if you want me to explain myself.” I scowled. “You’re looking at me as if I could somehow magically forgive you.”
“No. I wouldn’t do that.” Dom furrowed his brow as he sighed. “But we’re here, aren’t we? So there’s a chance you might listen.”
I took another heavy breath, my fingers squeezing tight. The same sickness that had been eating at me for days swirled through my stomach along with my desire.
We had to leap into this straight away. I’d wanted the meeting to end as quickly as possible so I didn’t make any mistakes. The farther away he was from me, the safer I would be.
“Just because you love me doesn’t give you the excuse to do what you did.” I forced out the line that had been stuck with me since I left his flat.
Dom’s eyes widened in surprise, his lips parting as he leaned back in the chair. He dropped his gaze to the floor, silent. I’d wondered if he’d clamped up until he met my eyes with fresh vigour.
“I know.” His voice was rough, filled with pain I wish I didn’t feel as well. “There isn’t any excuse I could give you that would justify what I did.”
“I’m not going to bother with ‘whys’,” I continued. “You’ve made it pretty clear why you did it.”
“Do you mean before or after your cock was in my mouth?” He shot out.
It was my turn for silence as anger whipped through me.
I was too frustrated by how my face flushed, even though I was meant to be in charge of the conversation. Heat bloomed through my body, my already busy heart growing louder as Dom stared intensely. I knew he would make it about sex. I just didn’t think I would be unprepared.