Page 275 of Phobia

The door bursts open, and I jump out of my skin. “Time to go,” Kelly announces.

Music to my ears. Grabbing my bag, I follow her and find Ant and Max waiting for us. Ant looks appropriately guilty, but Max seems worried and sticks by my side as we aim for the exit. I don’t want him to think anything will happen between us, but for now, I’m happy to have Max’s bulk close by. Not that he’s as big as that other guy.

Do not think about him.

The cool air slams into my face as soon as we step outside, and I check my watch—midnight—cheers, Ant. What a waste of a new dress. I pull my jacket tight, then stop in my tracks when I nearly bump straight into Kelly. She and Ant are standing frozen in front of me, and when I step around them, it takes all my control to stop my jaw from hitting the floor.

Blue eyes hold me in place as the last person I want to see stands by a black Range Rover, holding the rear door open. “I wouldn’t go that way if I were you.”

Max appears next to me. “We’re good.”

Those blue eyes, deep as an ocean and just as turbulent, never leave mine. “You’ve upset a few people, Naomi.”

The gasp leaves me involuntarily.How does he know my name?

He sees my confusion and smirks, the slight action sending tingles to my core.

This is not what I need.The heat of lust rises, and my fear rushes to douse the flames.

“Thanks…” I force the word past my dry lips. “But we can get that taxi,” I add, pointing to the idling black cab, light on and ready for business. I want to know how he knows my name, but that would mean engaging with him.

“That’s forthem,” he states, his eyes leaving mine to gesture to Max and Ant. “You ladies look like you’re dressed for dancing.”

Kelly glares at Ant. “Thatwasthe plan.”

“Hop in, then.” Piercing blues pin me in place again, but I regain control.

“We don’t get in cars with strangers,” I shrug.

He smiles and steps closer to me, a large and enticing hand reaching out to me. “You’re Naomi, and I’m Dom.” His palm meets mine, and my heartbeat becomes erratic. “Now we’re friends.”

Max grabs my elbow, pulling me away. “I think we shouldallget in the taxi. It’s late.”

“Don’t mistake my generosity for kindness,” Dom snaps, staring Max down with a look that screams murder. “If you don’t get in that taxi, you’re fucked. If you try to stop these ladies from making the best of a night, you two have ruined.” Dom’s eyes zone in on the fingers wrapped around my arm before meeting Max’s gaze. “You’re fucked.”

***

It’s way too hot in this car. My chest is bare, and yet I feel like I’m choking.

I’ve felt this before, the internal conflict. The need to be touched, to feel the pleasure and let myself go. With Dom, though, the desire is overwhelming. Terrifying. The stronger the lust, the more suffocating the fear. I want him to touch me, but when he does, I’ll freak the fuck out and ruin it.

It’s not just that he’s gorgeous—which he is. Dom’s all hypnotising eyes, chiselled jaw and lips begging me to sink my teeth into them. It’s more the power he exudes. You can sense it just by looking at him. He’s in control of himself in a way I can only dream of, and it’s intoxicating.

I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for Kelly.

In the end, Max released his hold on me and stepped away. Then Dom casually dropped the bombshell that he owns Vaults, one of North London’s most exclusive clubs, and Kelly jumped straight into the car.

I couldn’t let her go on her own. That’s the only reason I’m here. Not the lure of the man in the passenger seat who screams danger, invokes fear and oozes a sex appeal more lethal to me than anything else about him.

As if sensing what I’m going through—or maybe he can feel my eyes burning into him—he turns in his seat and holds me in his gaze, that trademark smirk gracing his ridiculously handsome face.

Heat rises from my core, covering my chest and warming my cheeks, making me squirm in my seat. Then he releases me with a frown, bringing his phone to his ear as he faces the road.

Peeling my eyes away, I glare at Kelly. Utterly oblivious to my turmoil, she looks up from her phone, rolling her eyes. “You need to text Max. He’s losing his shit.”

Sighing, I pull my phone from my bag and unlock it. Max’s message practically shouts at me:This is so dangerous! You don’t even know him!

My heart rate increases, my body acknowledging the truth. I’m well aware this is dangerous, just not in the way Max thinks.