Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 45444 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 227(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 151(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45444 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 227(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 151(@300wpm)
“Hmm,” he says, calling me from my reverie. “So have you always loved animals?”
“Yes,” I say passionately, glad to be able to seize on an easy question. “Ever since I was a little kid. I grew up in an orphanage so we weren’t allowed pets, but I started a dog-walking business when I was a teenager. Even younger than that, I used to save birds, even insects. I guess I’ve always found animals easier to understand than people.”
I cut off, drawing in a frantic breath, angry at myself for oversharing so passionately. I didn’t mean to unload like that, but the words just came rushing out, as though some deep-inside part of me thinks it’s okay to share with Dom because…
Why?
He’s my maybe-employer, nothing more.
“Lucky is a very… how would you phrase it?” He drums his fingers on the table, mirroring the pounding in my heart, as though he knows he’s making me nervous and enjoying it. “Special dog. He has diabetes so he needs injections twice a day. He has a special diet, too. But most of all he needs to feel comfortable with whoever is tasked with taking care of him. My staff has been doing their best, but he needs one-on-one care.”
I study his face, listening closely to the husky quality in his voice.
“You care about him a lot,” I note before I can remember how overly forward such a statement is.
Luckily he doesn’t take offense. He nods slowly.
“Yes, I do. I found him in a fucking trashcan. Can you believe that? Some monster left him in there with a cinderblock on the lid. I swear to God if I ever find the son of a bitch who did that…”
He trails off with a chuckle, deep and gruff as though he’s suddenly realized what he’s saying and who he’s saying it to.
Something deep within me flares, a crazy voice singing that he’ll protect our family just as fiercely as he protects what he already has. But what? What family? What the heck am I even thinking?
“That’s awful,” I murmur, resisting the crazy urge to reach across the table and place my hand atop his.
I guess that’s one good thing about this table being so huge and imposing. I wouldn’t be able to reach across and touch him if I wanted to.
I’d have to throw myself on the table, and then maybe he’d fall atop me, his lips finding mine in the passion of our closeness, our bodies mashed intimately together.
No, no, no, I chant again in my mind.
“Can I meet him?” I ask, focusing on the task at hand. “I’d love to see if we get on.”
“That’s just it,” Dom says, his fingers going drum-drum-drum against the table. “He’s not great with strangers, even with my staff… with anybody, really, except for me and my brother, Kesha.”
“Like the pop star?” I say before I can stop myself.
He smirks, his eyes bright despite their intensity, glimmering with humor even if he doesn’t laugh.
This man is a puzzle, and I want to solve him.
Even if he’d laugh, if he’d hate me for telling him how badly I want to feel his hot skin pressed against mine.
I need to remember who I am compared with the sort of women he probably seduces on a daily basis.
“It’s a Russian boy’s name. But you’re right. The day she became popular was a very sad day for my little brother.” He grows somber, his smirk disappearing. “Come on, Daniella. Let’s see if Lucky likes you. This is all pointless if he doesn’t.”
He stands up, looming over the table, his body seeming to heave, even more, to press against his skin like he’s going to keep expanding out of his suit, tearing the fabric to silver shreds so he’s standing there naked, his rock hard muscles pushing against his skin.
I stand up, smoothing down my skirt.
I flinch when I see his gaze flit to the movement. When I see the tension in his jaw.
I make a mental note not to touch my clothes again.
He doesn’t want to be reminded of how curvy I am every two freaking seconds.
“Okay,” I say. “Let’s go see Lucky.”
Chapter Three
Dominik
Relief surges through me when I walk ahead of her, out of the office as I lead her down the long tall hallway. Classic art hangs from the walls, depicting battle scenes in many of them, but those raging wars are nothing compared to the sudden conflict battling inside of me.
The second I walked into the office it was like my whole damn life had changed, just like that.
Blink—and now all I can think about is Daniella and her curvy-as-fuck body.
I glance behind me, to make sure she’s still following but truthfully so I can get another look at her.
Her hair is light brown and wavy, cascading down to her shoulders in a way that makes me want to run my fingers through it. Her eyes are wide and light green, glinting perceptively, as though she can see through my calm façade to the fire beneath. Her body is curvy all the way, her hips wide and made for grabbing, made for ramming, and then finally bringing my children into this world.