Page 81 of By A Thread

His blue eyes flashed, and he leaned in even closer.

I wanted to punch myself in the face for how much my stupid bodystillwanted him to touch me.

“We both know how it would be between us.”

No. No. No. Nope. Never. Not gonna happen. No.

“Here’s a thought. How about you go back to your date before you say something even more incredibly offensive and stupid? Though I’m not sure you could if you tried.” Fueled by feminine rage, I gave him a solid shove.

He took a step back, his gaze heated, hands fisted at his sides.

Oh. My. Lanta.That hard-on looked like it was determined to tunnel its way out of those very expensive trousers.

Dominic kept his gaze on me and reached down to adjust himself.

Holy baby goats in pajamas. I swear I almost blacked out. It was the most blatantly sexual thing he’d done in front of me.

And I wantedmore.

I wanted to see him naked, spread out before me like a buffet.

I also never wanted to see him again.

He turned and started back toward the bar. Now I was staring at his very nice ass, wondering why I wanted to bite itandkick it. Then that unfairly fine ass was pausing.

“Oh, Ally?”

I made some kind of noise between a “huh” and a “murf.”

“Delaney’s not a date. She’s Harry’s wife.”

“You smug son of a bitch. You brought her here to screw with me.”

His smile was pure evil. “I’m not a good guy, Ally. Remember that.”

“I’ve never forgotten it, you pompous jackass.”

He started toward me again, and I held up both hands. “This isn’t fair, Dom. I don’t like you playing with me like this.”

His face hardened. “You think Ilikethis? You think I like being the asshole who can’t have you so I don’t want anyone else to either? Do you know how I felt all day just knowing that you were dressing for someone else? That you were going out with someone? That another man was going to touch you tonight?”

I wanted to scream in frustration.

“This is so stupid. It’s not that youcan’thave me. Youdon’twantme. We could go home right now, get this out of our system, and be normal by tomorrow morning. But you don’t want to.”

“As long as we both work forLabel, you are untouchable, Ally.” He said it with an icy calm. “Quit.”

I wanted to rearrange his stupid, sexy face. “No,” I hissed. I needed a paycheck more than I needed a callus, condescending cock inside me.

“Then that means I’m not going to touch you. It also means that every time you have a date, I’ll show up to ruin it because I am that asshole.” It was his turn to show a flash of anger now. And for some reason—most likely cheese hormones—I didn’t think it was directed at me.

No, Dominic Russo hated himself right now. For wanting me.

“That is a crock of shit, and you know it.” I was losing my sanity. That was the only explanation for this night.

“I am aware. And I’m sorry. I am,” he said, closing his eyes when I started to argue. “It’s not fair. It’s not remotely healthy. Believe me. I get that. It’s not your fault. But I’m not a good guy, Ally. And life isn’t fair. The sooner you understand that, the better.”

“Oh, I get it loud and clear. And just what exactly will you be doing while I’m not dating? Fucking your way through every woman in Manhattan who doesn’t work for you?”