Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 32664 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 163(@200wpm)___ 131(@250wpm)___ 109(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32664 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 163(@200wpm)___ 131(@250wpm)___ 109(@300wpm)
Dominic leans back against the counter, his broad chest and thick arms looking even more enticing with his dress shirt unbuttoned a bit at the collar. "Do you get along with your mother?"
"Oh, yeah." I nod. "I just don't get to see her very much. We talk every so often. She's happy in Florida."
"And your father?"
I can feel myself sinking in my seat. This is not my favorite subject. "He...well. He gave my mom a fake name, and when he found out she was pregnant with me, he disappeared. She thinks he had another family and just went underground so he didn't get caught cheating on his wife." I shrug one shoulder, running my finger over the ring of my water glass.
Dominic is silent, but when I look up his jaw is clenched, his hands gripping the edge of the countertop behind him. "How dare he," he growls.
My mouth falls open, but Dominic seems determined not to elaborate on his outburst, instead letting go and turning away to wash our dishes. "You should get some rest," he tells me, drying his hands on a towel. "Tomorrow, I'll be out all day, but Ashton will be around and Elena will be here as well."
"Wait! I want to go with you…tomorrow!" I quickly add when I figure out he might think I mean I want to join him tonight. "To the restaurant. I said I'd work for you for free."
Dominic's expression darkens. "It's not safe. Carlo could be out there.”
"Oh." I deflate a bit, but Dominic isn't finished.
"The safest thing we can do is keep you in this house until the Carlo issue is handled. If you aren't seen outside at all, it might make him give up that much sooner."
Bristling, I think about arguing. There's no way I'm staying inside for a long period of time. I'll die of boredom. But there is a stern look to Dominic that makes me want to listen to him on some instinctive level, and it's so late. Maybe he'll be more pliable after a full night of sleep.
"Okay," I agree, standing. "I guess I should go to bed, then."
"I'll escort you."
We walk upstairs together, and the air between us is charged, heavy with the things we aren't saying. When we reach my door, Dominic pauses, looking down at me. "Get some rest," He murmurs, and it's not a request. For a long, stretching moment, I think he's going to touch me, and I'm almost positive I want him to, as crazy as that is. Instead, Dominic just opens my bedroom door and watches me cross the threshold, his expression unreadable.
"Goodnight, Daisy." The door behind me shuts with a click.
I wake up with pure yellow sunlight streaming through the cream-colored curtains, the warmth of it falling over my face and teasing me to wakefulness.
I stretch, enjoying the pull of it before I even open my eyes. For some reason, this morning, my bed feels especially cushy and luxurious, which is weird. Because my bed is never comfy.
I crack my eyes open, and the first thing I register is that the ceiling is much too high for my apartment. A zing of concern zips through me, and I sit up, looking around, still not fully awake. The strange surroundings make my heart start to race. Where the heck am I?
But then it all comes rushing back. Carlo. The restaurant. Dominic Falcone stepping up like a knight in shining armor, his massive height and broad frame making his son pale in comparison. The car ride and then Dominic's house, the feel of his gaze on me, and his quiet, deep voice.
Dominic.
"Oh, gosh. What have I gotten myself into?" I breathe out, flopping back into the pillows and pulling the blankets over my head, hiding from the light.
What am I even doing here? Carlo might not be the most pleasant man, but his dad is...a god. An intimidating, powerful, hot-as-hell god. And I'm just Daisy.
There's no way Dominic feels any sort of way about me. Even if he is attentive and flirtatious, he's probably like that with all women. A soft knock comes on the door, and Elena's muffled voice says, "Daisy, good morning. Mr. Falcone would like you to join him for breakfast in twenty minutes."
"Okay!" I call out, my voice rough with sleep. "Thanks, Elena."
When Elena's footsteps recede, I scramble out of bed, rushing for the shower and rinsing off before blow-drying my hair, then digging through my luggage and dressing in jeans and a flowy white shirt. Something that's comfortable and casual but still cute.
I can't explain the urge I have to look nice for Dominic. Maybe because, on some level, I want to prove that I can be attractive, that it's worth his time. Or maybe I just want him to notice me.
I apply some mascara, adding a swipe of peachy lip gloss that gives my whole appearance a healthy, glowing vibe, and leave my hair loose and natural, the warm brown waves falling past my shoulders.