Page 35 of Tempt Me

‘Who else would I do it for?’ The words reverberate off the brick walls of the building as Brock takes that moment to turn on his heel and run in the other direction.

After two steps, the sound of gravel flipping upward breaks my concentration, but I don’t stop staring at Dominic.The anger has dissipated, leaving behind–worry. He glances toward the building.

“We should go back inside.” He licks his lips. “Do you want to call the police?”

“Did you see him come outside?”

“Yes.” Dominic’s brows furrow as he returns his attention to me.

Blood rushes to my ears as recklessness courses through me. He followed me outside to ensure I was safe. He beat up my ex. He saved me from being sexually assaulted.

“Thank you.” I launch myself at him, wrapping my arms around his neck and pressing my lips against his. The relief and appreciation wars with the insanity of my foolish move of throwing myself at him, but I couldn’t stop if I wanted to.

His arms wrap around me, hauling me closer as he groans and accepts my tongue with as much enthusiasm as I’m attacking him. If this is the only time I’ll ever kiss him, I’m going to make it good. And make it last. I arch against him as his hands splay along my back.

A car door in the adjacent parking lot slams shut, followed by a quick honk as the operator locks the doors.

What am I doing? He wanted to make sure I was safe but not get accosted himself. I stiffen and pull back.

“Wildflower,” he growls. “You started it. Don’t shy away now.” One hand burrows in my hair while the other holds me steady in one place–flat against him. Where I feel his solid chest, the inhalation of his breath, the stiffness of his cock pressed against my belly.

I blink and look up at him, gasping for breath, unsure if I should apologize or climb him like a tree. He called me Wildflower. Jesus. My heart skips in my chest.

His eyes glow in the darkness, swirling with a mixture of apprehension and lust. “Unless you took your thank you too far?”

“No.” I shake my head and gnaw on my bottom lip. “I don’t think I’m done thanking you. You saved me from Brock.” I shudder forcefully. “And that deserves my undying appreciation.”

One corner of his mouth twitches. “Exactly how’re you proposing to undyingly thank me?”

My head spins with dizziness. This can’t be real. Can it? Dominic doesn’t flirt with me. He doesn’t even like me. He barely tolerates me. But…. He’s not leaving.

Why not completely exorcise him from my fantasies by making it a reality? Without expecting anything from him in return. He’s made it clear he’s not interested in a relationship with me. Or anyone else, for that matter.

My brothers and all their friends have been clear about that. Publicly declaring no relationships until they’re thirty. This is the prime of their lives and all that. Bros before hoes.

The scent of his cologne mixes with the asphalt, exhaust fumes, and the wafting hint of deep-fat fried food from inside the bar. It shouldn’t work, but it has my libido humming. I might never drive a car again without wanting to dry-hump him.

Okay. This is it. I can do this and not get my heart broken.

“Sex. No strings attached. And we never breathe a word about it to anyone.” I thread my fingers through his hair and arch against him.

He stands still, barely breathing as my heartbeat thumps in my ears. Okay. Heat floods over every inch of my body. He was not thinking that. He probably expected me to offer to bake him a cake or something. God, this is so humiliating. I sway backward, plotting my escape.

His grip on me tightens. “Okay.”

Oh, my God. This is real.

“One time, and we never speak about it again.”

My shoulders sag. Yes, this is real. I get my fantasy, but it’s a secret. Something I’ll be forced to carry around like an albatross, weighing me down for life.

Chapter Eighteen

Dominic

The second I slide into the passenger seat, my heart lodges in my throat. I’ve wanted Bella since she was seventeen. Maybe even as early as sixteen. And now the opportunity is staring me in the face. But at what cost? My sanity? My future?

No one lives up to her as it is. And at the end of the day, I’m not the person she deserves. I’m the tattoo artist. The son of a lifetime con. And she’s the buttoned-up accountant. The daughter of two upstanding citizens who brought me into their family. No questions asked. I can’t do this.

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