Page 18 of Scorned Beauty

I shrugged. “It didn’t hurt to ask.”

Dammit. It did hurt. I was feeling dejected when I exited the establishment, but experienced an odd lift in my spirits when Dom was waiting in front of Delphine.

He was on the phone, but quickly ended the call when he saw me.

Unnerved at the sudden spike of my heart rate, I flushed. I had to remind myself that he wanted sex. I didn’t need wooing. Wooing led to feelings. However, I also told him I had to at least like someone I had sex with.

And I liked this very much, judging from how I couldn’t help the smile that stretched my mouth. And given the Capstone rejection, this was a boost to the self-esteem I needed. I didn’t want to wallow in self-pity, but I welcomed getting lost in the promised orgasms.Please don’t disappoint.

“How long have you waited out here?”

“I drove around and got us more food since you gave what I got for you away. So, around fifteen minutes.”

He reached for the cat carrier.

“You actually did the shopping?”

“What?” he drawled. “Like it’s hard?”

This man. He was equally charming and aggravating. I felt sorry for anyone who had to go up against him. Dom possessed overwhelming self-assurance, and I was sure it was on its lowest setting when dealing with me. And there was nothing more that turned me on than a confident man, which partly explained my attraction to him.

I got into the vehicle, and after he deposited Ginger in the seat behind me, I watched him saunter around the front of the SUV.

“Looks like I’m in deep trouble, Ginger.”

“Meow.”

Dom slid into the driver’s seat and glanced at me. “Any more errands to run?”

“No, it seems you’ve taken care of it. I’m not going to starve. How sure were you I hadn’t left?”

“The receptionist had my number. She was going to tell me if you had left since you refused to answer my text.”

When I remained quiet, he asked, “No comeback?”

I looked out my side of the vehicle and answered as nonchalantly as I could. “There’s nothing to discuss yet. Especially if we don’t know if our hookups will last past this weekend.”

Dom gave a deep rumbling chuckle before making a turn toward my neighborhood. The assisted living home was around fifteen minutes from my apartment.

“Bianca mentioned this about you.”

“Oh, what about?”

“You don’t like to waste time repeating yourself.”

“It saves us from confusion later,” I said. “In my business, the less said, the better. Too many details can muddle the main points.”

“So assuming we continue to hook up…”

“We’ll need defined boundaries.”

“I’m intrigued. I should be the one with boundaries.”

I snorted.Typical, but I expected nothing less. “I have more to lose here because I could lose my business and my reputation as a nurse before I even graduate. Your organization is built on the illegal and morally gray. No one expects you to be a saint. They would say you’re sowing your wild oats. You may even get a pat on the back. Meanwhile, a woman who enjoys sexual freedom is called a whore.”

“Hey—” Dom cut in so sharply, it pulled my gaze from the window and I looked at him. “Never call yourself a whore. I don’t know what kind of men you’ve been associated with, but I admire a woman who is sexually in tune with what she wants.”

“Really? Don’t they have a virginal bride lined up for you in an arranged marriage?”