Page 49 of Dominance

“How did you know?”

“You run your fingers to your hair like that all the time. I like it. It looks badass.”

“You’re amazing. I mean you look amazing, um, gorgeous.” I didn’t blurt that out. Nope.

Gloria’s smile and her blush make my suit suddenly feel very warm.

“We look very presentable, yes.” She looks out the window.

Somehow, we’ve moved closer together on the seat, much closer.

We sit like that, nearly in each other’s space for several minutes, my mind racing to think of something to say.

Anything instead of sitting here like a fucking schmuck.

“Do you think there’s going to be lots of people there?” I fumble out.

“I guarantee there’s going to be lots of people there tonight.”

“Free booze, right? What’s your favorite?”

“Good question. I used to make them all the time back in Paris. Gin. Lemon. Touch of champagne.”

“French 75?”

“You know it?”

“I may have once considered a career in bartending. Only at our family gatherings, though. My uncle Gio taught me how to make all sorts of things.”

“I may have to have you make me all sorts of things at some point.”

“The bar could use a few new additions at home, for sure. Haven’t really had anyone to make drinks for in a while. Usually, it’s just me and the twins.”

“You rarely talk about them. Your brothers.”

“Not much to say. Too much to tell. Plus, the fact that one of us…” I so wish I could tell her the truth, that Alessandro is alive. That he’s married to an incredible woman. That they’re expecting a child and they’re safe and…

Secret.

“I get that. Like my father and my mother. I don’t dare talk about her with him.”

“Sore subjects, huh?”

“Complicated subjects. I don’t even know how they met. If they were in love, or I was just an accident.” Gloria nibbles her lip, raising her fingernails, her knuckles to her mouth. That habit I’ve seen her do when she’s vulnerable. Nervous.

“The twins were absolutely an accident.” I smile, trying to distract her from darker thoughts.

“Meaning you were left to be the responsible older brother.”

“Once our parents died, yeah. What about you? Any younger siblings, cousins?” I remember her saying she was an only child on the train, but something seems off about that now that I’ve gotten to know her.

That and the fact that she tenses, so subtly that I almost miss it.

“You don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to,” I offer softly. “But you know youcan.”

“No. I mean, thank you.”

“No obligation. And no explanation necessary. I know better than anyone that some things in your life are better kept to yourself. Safer that way.”

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