Page 309 of Phobia

I look at the worktop and consider grabbing it, making him drag me out, kicking and screaming, but then he stops and pulls me flush against his body. “I’m not going to hurt you, but it would end badly for any neighbour that felt the need to intervene.”

In other words,don’t make a fuss. “Who are you?” This a question I should’ve asked weeks ago.

Dom gently strokes my cheek, his actions in stark contrast with his words. “Why tell you when I can show you? I’m a man who could give you the world, but I can also tear it apart.”

Scoffing, I try to pull away from his hold. “You’re already doing that.”

“No, Naomi. I’m tearing down your walls. There’s a difference.” He places a hand on the doorknob and releases me. “Can I trust you to be a good girl?”

Like hell!Straightening my spine, I look him in the eyes. “You can trust that I won’t give you an excuse to hurt anyone.”

Dom chuckles, opens the door, and takes my hand in his. “I can live with that.” He invades my space again, my stomach fluttering in response, heat filling areas it has no place being. “I like you naughty.”

Ron nods his greeting as I slide into the car, but I’m in no mood to be kind. Dom appears next to me and closes his door, and Ron sets off without being told.

I sit in silence, trying to study the dynamic. Dom’s in no rush to reveal all his secrets, but I think it’s safe to say now that I wasn’t far off the mark with my gangster theory. This whole time, I’ve been scared about what would happen in nine months if he got me pregnant, but maybe I should just focus on surviving the next nine days.

No more questions. The less I know, the better. Still, I can’t help but think back to the last time I was in this car with these two men, and Dom was so confident the police wouldn’t bother him.

Shit.

Nobody says a word as we drive to Camden; early morning London starting to come to life. Suddenly, it dawns on me that I was supposed to be on my way to another City—had spent money I won’t get back—and can no longer hold my tongue.

“Did you have to ruin my holiday?”

Dom’s eyes widen in surprise, and I swear I hear Ron suppress a laugh. “It’s the perfect opportunity,” he shrugs. “Your family think you’re away, and your work isn’t expecting you back until a week on Monday hence-”

“Nine days,” I finish for him, my pulse thumping. “You knew about my holiday before last night.”

He looks into my eyes, his unapologetic smugness starting to grate on me. “I did. I told you that I’m always in control, Naomi. This isn’t news to you.”

The car stops as the gates to Dom’s house open, and I will with all I have for them to break, so we can’t get through.No such luck.We pull into the driveway, and as soon as the car stops, Dom leans across to unbuckle my seat belt, opens his door and pulls me out with him.

Holding my hand, like this is perfectly normal behaviour, we step inside, Ron trailing behind with my bags. The last time I entered this house, Dom pushed me against the wall, making me burn with desperation and passion. I wish I could say it’s a distant memory, but my body remembers it well, my cheeks and chest heating up.

Thankfully, it only lasts until I see who’s in the kitchen.Forget being nice to save my skin.Dom said he liked me naughty. I stare at Tommy, Billy, and Frank in disdain before turning to Dom. “Do you go anywhere without the three stooges?”

To my surprise, Tommy bursts out laughing. Billy’s next, turning away to hide his amusement, but Frank smiles wide, once again impressed.

Dom pulls me to his side, his teeth grazing my ear, an unwelcome tingle coursing through my body. “Don’t fret, Treacle…”Fuck that nickname already.“You’ll have me to yourself soon.” He guides me to a seat at the oak table, taking pride of place in the middle of his oversized kitchen, as Ron takes my bags upstairs.

This is really happening.

Pulling my mind from thoughts that will lead me to torment, I shift my focus to the kitchen. I didn’t pay much attention to it last time I was here, but it doesn’t scream, bachelor. You could feed the five thousand.

“I believe you owe Naomi breakfast, Billy,” Dom suggests.

Without hesitation, Billy boils the kettle before retrieving a cafetière and filling it with coffee. I’ll admit it smells good and is very much needed, but that doesn’t mean I like him.

Dom moves round to the head of the table, but instead of sitting, he leans against the black marble worktop behind him, staring at me in silence. Besides Billy pottering around, the only other sounds to be heard are Ron’s footsteps descending the stairs and coming to a sudden stop.

“Enjoy your holiday, Ron,” Dom says, causing me to grimace.

Rub it in, why don’t you?

Ron says his thanks and then leaves, presumably on foot, since I don’t hear the car start. The atmosphere shifts as soon as he’s gone. The pretence is over, and things are about to get real.

Dom clears his throat. “You’ve probably gathered by now that I’m more than just a club owner.”