Page 28 of Scandalous Lover

And with it, my entire life comes crashing down.

“It’s just a stupid bird!” I yell at myself as I collapse back onto the sofa, tears brimming in my eyes.

But I can’t help it. It’s not just the bird. It’s everything.

My morose thoughts are interrupted by a knock at the door.

I’m on my feet in an instant, running my fingers under my eyes to fix any smeared makeup and checking my hair in the mirror beside the door.

Perfect as usual.

Figuring it’s probably someone to scold me for yelling, I swing the door open with a sweet smile on my face, apology and silly story about a bird on the tip of my tongue.

But it’s Dom.

My eyes drop to my feet, and I take a step back without offering him a greeting. I leave the door open and cross back to the sofa, tossing myself on it with arms folded.

What is it about my family that turns me back into a sullen teenager?

Maybe it’s because you actually did something wrong this time and you know he’s going to lay into you for it?

“Not even a hello?” he asks, walking into the room and closing the door behind him like he owns the place.

Oh, right. He does.

“Yeah, well. I’m not feeling very friendly.”

I should be. This guy just offered me refuge from the big, bad world. I should be thanking him and offering to help in whatever way I can. But somehow, that seems too vulnerable. I’ve had a lot of hits to my soft underbelly in the last few days and I’m not sure I can survive many more.

Dom is notorious for hitting you where it hurts.

He crosses the room and sits on the coffee table, facing me on the sofa so that our knees touch. He leans forward and clasps his hands, elbows resting on his knees. “I know you’ve got a lot going on right now. I don’t fully understand it, but you’re in my home now.” He holds up a hand as my mouth shoots open to protest.

I flop back and glower at him, steeling my mind against the lecture I know is coming. The same one I got from my father.

But Dom surprises me.

“And you will be treated as our guest of honor for as long as you need to stay.”

My eyes narrow suspiciously, waiting for the trick. “But…” I offer.

He stands. “No buts. I’m happy to have you here. Happy to be able to help you out. When you’re ready, have someone at the front desk get you a ride up to my house. Reina is looking forward to meeting you.”

“Okay,” I say softly, not meeting his eyes. I feel even more like a stupid teenager now, faced with his calm, gracious words. Why on earth did I think he was going to be mad at me?

I look up then and my own question is answered. The guy could be our father, twenty years younger. He’s got the same dark hair and olive skin. The eyes that seem to pierce right through to your soul.

I look back down at my hands. “It’s been a long week.”

“Well, when you’re ready to talk about it, we’ll be happy to listen.”

The “we” in his sentence is not lost on me. I knew that my brother found love, but I wasn’t prepared for how fully it seems to have transformed him. For the better, it would appear.

“Thanks.”

“In the meantime, most people around here find talking to Sam much easier. And since you’re in the hotel for another few days, you might seek him out. He’s easy to find. Office next to the front desk. He’s not there twenty-four hours a day, but almost.”

Just the name Sam from Dom’s lips is enough to get my heart racing. He doesn’t know, of course. Sam made it clear thathe wasn’t telling anyone. And I’ve kept up my end of the bargain as well.

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