Page 294 of Phobia
“Leaving,” I say calmly while hiding my shaking hands.
He holds my gaze, his expression morphing into something unreadable. “Breakfast is ready. Dom-”
“Dom’s not here,” I snap. I’m so done playing. “And yes, I may have only met him last night, and yes, I absolutely fucked him, butthatwasmychoice. This…” I gesture towards the utensil in his hand. “You… are not.”
I move towards the door, and Billy follows, but we both stumble back as it glides open, nearly hitting us.
“Only me.” A heavily made-up blonde woman waltzes in, bright and breezy. Her blue eyes glide over me as if I’m part of the wallpaper, making me wonder if she even sees me. Then she turns away, wraps a manicured hand around Billy’s neck and pulls him close, planting a red kiss on each of his cheeks.
“Billy, sweetheart. You know the rules about bringing strays here.”
Guess she saw me then.
Scoffing, I reach for the door she’s left open, only for Billy to dive in front of me.
“Don’t be a soppy sod, Billy,” the woman laughs. “You can do much better thanthat.”
Oh, really?
I step into her space and take her in. She’s older than I first thought, her makeup not hiding all the wrinkles. I should just walk away, and she’s right; I don’t look like I’m living my best life right now, but a girl can only take so much crap in one morning.
Whoever she is, she has balls because all she does in response is smirk at me as I clear my throat. “I appreciate that I don’t look my best right now, but a shower and a hairdryer will fix the damage. You, on the other hand…” Pausing, I look her up and down.
Her face reddens, her jaw grinding. “I suggest you leave before my son comes back.”
“I’ve been trying to leave… wait…”No way.“Your son? Dom?”
She raises her chin in confirmation. A smug smile forms, and she pushes Billy out of the way, aiding my escape.
“Jean… Dom said-”
“Enough.”Jeancuts Billy off and waves me through the gap.
“Finally.” I turn and glare at Billy.Poor fucker looks like his head’s going to explode.
“Good luck with that shower,” Jean calls as I walk away. “Maybe a trip to the clinic for you, Billy,” she adds, loud enough for me to hear.
Too far, bitch.
Spinning on my heel, I give them my first genuine smile of the morning. “Billy… Maybe you should tell Dom—for future reference—that if he wants a woman to stay for breakfast, he should probably stick around and make it himself.”
Jean’s face contorts as she makes the connection, but I’ll hammer it home, just in case. “And please pass on my thanks for the amazing sex.”
Chapter 15
A Few Hours Earlier
My phone vibrates on the bedside table, jolting me awake. Naomi’s back is still flush against my chest, where she’s been since she fell asleep, and I reach across carefully so as not to disturb her.
Rubbing my eyes, I focus on the time and the name on the screen: 6:58. Frank.
Fuck.
Frank wouldn’t call at this time on a Sunday unless he had no other options. Sliding my arm from underneath Naomi, I slip out of the bed. “What?”
“He’s not talking,” Frank says. No need to elaborate since I know what my boys were up to last night.
“Then be more persuasive,” I grind out, looking over at my bed; Naomi hasn’t so much as stirred.
