Page 90 of By A Thread

“It’s a euphemism. There’s Bible studying happening here,” I hissed into the phone. “Deal with it.”

“Fine. I believe I made it clear that I’ve had nothingbutdesire to get into your fucking pants, Ally,” he growled.

“Yeah, yeah. But you’re not going to act on it, blah blah blah. And I’m not going to throw myself at you. You didn’t harass me. I didn’t harass you. As of this second, we have nothing to talk about ever again.”

“So, you’re just going to avoid me for the rest of your life?”

“That’s exactly what I’m going to do. Because I deserve better. I deserve a guy who isn’t appalled at being physically attracted to me.”

“That’s not fair—”

“Shut up, Charming. Here’s what we’re going to do moving forward. Absolutely nothing. We will be polite at work. We won’t text or email or chat or spar or fight. We won’t ever be alone. We will never get coffee.”

“Are you afraid of me, Ally?”

“I’m afraid that if I’m in a room alone with you, I won’t be able to control myself.”

I heard the intake of breath on his end and wondered if he was crushing the phone in his hand.

Bible study lady was now discussing a psalm at full volume, trying to drown me out.

“Control yourself?” Dominic’s tone was deceptively neutral. But I knew, Iknewhe was anything but.

“Yeah, Dom. I’m afraid I might walk right up to you and break your damn nose.”

His laugh was dry, humorless. “You’re a hell of a woman, Ally.”

“You’re damn right I am. And you’re the dumbass who missed out.”

“I am,” he agreed.

But I didn’t want his pity agreement. I wanted to pretend he never existed. “Great. Now that we have that settled. Get off my phone.”

30

Ally

Friday morning, I peeked into the payroll department, making sure the summons wasn’t some kind of Dominic trap to get me to talk to him.

A never-ending loop of every mixed message and rejection from the man played in my head.

It should have been enough to overpower any carnal desire. But every time I thought about the man fisting his cock andsaying my name,I went a little weak in the knees.

I chalked it up to cheese hormone withdrawals and doubled down on my decision.

There was officially no way in hell that I was going to a) throw myself at any man too dumb or stubborn to enjoy it or b) become some sexual-harassing subordinate. I needed this job. I needed this paycheck. I did not need my boss lusting after me and then making me feel like a fool.

I was going to buckle down, earn my paycheck, and dig my way out of the massive debt I’d managed to accumulate.

All I had to do was get through the rest of this day and I’d be boss-free for the entire weekend. I had two bartending shifts, a Saturday night catering gig, and a Sunday morning dance class. Plus hours of home renovation glory to keep me occupied this weekend. I would come in Monday detoxed from Dom and cheese and back on track.

Best of all, today was payday. I might be able to buy some actual groceries.

“Hi, I’m Ally Morales,” I said, introducing myself to the woman at the first desk. “I had a message to come in this morning.”

She gave me a sympathetic smile.Uh-oh.

“Ally, I’m afraid I have bad news. There was a mix-up with your direct deposit, and it’s going to take until Monday to sort out.”