Page 49 of The Dom

As I told her the story, I suddenly realized how worried I’d actually been about this thing with Finley damaging my relationship with my mom. But Mom wasn’t reluctantly supporting this simply because she didn’t want to hurt me. I knew her well enough to hear what she wasn’t saying.

She wasn’t only happy for me. She wanted to be a part of this, if that was what I wanted too.

I’d been so afraid of hurting Mom with my search, and now I found myself tearing up because things were working out better than I’d ever imagined possible.

Thirty-One

Nate

For a week, the only communication I had with Ashlee were in texts and a couple calls, and I felt the absence of her presence like an itch underneath my skin. We were both busy with the Golden Words party, and usually, when I was focused on work, especially for something like this, it wasn’t strange for me to go days or weeks without making contact with a girlfriend. I didn’t treat them like shit, but they knew they weren’t my priority.

My relationship with Ashlee was different. I wanted to see her, talk to her, be with her. I’d been able to focus on work this week, but only because I’d had in the back of my mind that I wanted this to be the type of event that Ashlee would be proud to attend with me. I’d never considered anything like that before. Other women had been with me because of who I was. Ashlee was with me because…well, honestly, I sometimes wondered why a woman like her wanted me.

I pushed that thought aside. I refused to let the insecurities I always tried to hide screw up my night. I had very specific plans for tonight. Ashlee and I were going to attend the release party, and I’d make sure the reporters knew exactly who she was this time. After we’d been there an appropriate amount of time, I’d bring her back to my place for a weekend of decadence.

To kick things off, I’d sent her a dress for tonight. I’d included with it a note, telling her that I wanted to see her in it, but that I didn’t want her to wear anything underneath it.

The moment she opened the door to her apartment, and I saw her in it, I knew I’d made a great choice.

Floor-length with a slit that went half-way up her thigh. A tucked-in waist that flared back out to accommodate her full breasts. A sweetheart neckline that left a tantalizing bit of pale skin bare. Clingy, soft turquoise fabric the exact shade of her eyes.

I let out a low whistle, letting all of my admiration show on my face. I was going to fuck her in that dress before I took it off her tonight. Hell, I was tempted to have her ride me in the back seat of the limo on our way to the party. The only thing that kept me from suggesting it was knowing that it would make Ashlee anxious the whole night, wondering if people would suspect what we’d done. I didn’t want her nervous tonight. She deserved to relax and enjoy herself.

“Right back at you.” She smiled warmly, her heated gaze running down my body and then back up again. When her tongue ran along her bottom lip, my cock stiffened.

“Damn, you tempt me.” I held out my arm, and she took it. “As soon as we can leave without our absence drawing attention, I’m taking you to my place, and I’m going to show you just how much I like that dress.”

“I like the sound of that.”

I was impressed by how natural Ashlee had looked on the red carpet. She’d smiled as we’d walked and hadn’t looked away when I’d introduced her to the journalists clambering to know who she was. I’d felt her hand trembling on my arm, but she hadn’t shown any fear at all.

I was going to reward her for that tonight.

We made our way through the party, shaking hands and making small talk. Or, rather, I made small talk and Ashlee smiled, speaking only when someone directed something at her. She wasn’t shirking away from people, but it was clear the attention wasn’t something she craved.

Another way she was different from all the other women I’d dated.

The thought made me smile.

“Nate, nice to see you.”

I turned to see Saya Wong smiling at me. She was one of the few agents I liked, and fortunately, Golden Words was one of the three Manhattan Records artists she represented. Saya was professional, intelligent, and had a good sense of humor. She’d also never flirted with me or expressed any interest in dating me. I didn’t know if I wasn’t her type or she had stricter rules than I did about dating someone she had a work relationship with. Whatever the reason, I liked it.

“You too,” I said, extending my hand. She shook it and then held hers out to Ashlee.

“Ashlee Webb, right? You were here with Nate at the last event.”

“I was.” Ashlee shook Saya’s hand, a genuine smile on her face. “I’m a big fan of Golden Words.”

Saya winked at her. “I like to hear that.”

“They look good tonight,” I said, nodding toward where Golden Words had been set up for interviews. “Even if Peach looks like she wants to hide.”

“If this album goes the way I think it will, she’ll have less time to be in the background than before.”

I nodded in agreement. All of Saya’s artists were talented and professional, but these young women were definitely the best of the bunch. It wasn’t too often four genuinely kind, intelligent, and talented people came together to create great music.

Which reminded me… “Before the night’s over, I’d like to get them to sign something for my niece.”