Page 10 of Accidental Theirs

I’mmingling. I’m meeting women. Clients. Maybe mostly women who would warm my bed, but still. I’m kind of on the clock.

As CEO of Titan Industries, I have to keep myself together.

“You all right, boss?”

I jump slightly before turning toward the voice.

Dominic stands there, leaning against the brick, his eyes curious as he looks at me.

“Did something happen?”

I shake my head, not exactly trusting myself to speak.

Dominic is a new executive who began working for Titan a few years ago, and sometimes, we go out for a drink or two together.

“Just needed some air.”

He nods, looking down at the ground between his feet. “I used to love this club. Used to come here all the time, with...”

I’m too lost in my own dark thoughts to push him to finish his.

Besides, it’s none of my business. Though we are friendly, we’re not exactly friends, I suppose, and he doesn’t owe me any explanations.

“Crowded in there.”

I don’t really know what to say. I came out here looking for some solitude, but I don’t want to be rude and tell him that.

Dominic isn’t a bad guy, though, so it could be worse. It could be someone like Bellows out here.

I look around. “Have you seen Bellows?”

Dominic snorts. “Not yet. I hope he doesn’t show.”

I bark out a surprised laugh at his words. “Me, too.”

Dominic grins. “Had enough fresh air?”

I roll my neck around on my shoulders, and it cracks.

“Plenty.”

We walk back inside toward the bar, and I order us a couple of beers. But as soon as Dominic grabs the beer, he disappears, and I’m left standing at the bar alone.

Oh, well.

I turn toward the crowd, scanning it, and lock eyes with a bleach blonde who looks to be in her mid-twenties.

At forty-two, I know that I shouldn’t only go after younger women, but it’s just... Women my age, while beautiful and wonderful to be around, they have certain... expectations.

They are looking for a family. Looking for arelationship.

I can’t give them that. And no matter how upfront I am about it, they always seem to get upset.

I don’t like hurting people, even unintentionally, so usually, I stick with younger girls. Girls who are looking to play the field, things like that. Not a woman in her forties who’s looking to marry and settle down.

I glance over at Damien and snort out a laugh, seeing that he’s drinking water.

“I guess not even alcohol can remove the stick from your ass.”