Page 62 of The Hermit

Reaching his office door, I knock. I feel nervous and excited all at once, the emotions completely foreign to me.

When a minute passes with no answer, I knock again, thinking he should give me the code.

A door to my right opens, and my eyes go wide as saucers when I see Dominik standing in nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist.

Jesus.

I blink because seeing him half-naked is an overload to my system.

“Food,” I mutter the single word while darting down the hallway. “Come eat.” I reach the stairs, then add, “Once you’re dressed.”

Taking the stairs down, I shake my head at myself because I’m being stupid.

So what if the man is the most attractive person I’ve ever laid eyes on? Like he said, there’s nothing wrong with feeling attracted toward him.

If anything, it’s a good thing. It shows Braden didn’t completely screw me up.

And there’s nothing wrong with liking Dominik, either. After all, he’s my husband, and we’re stuck together until one of us dies.

I grab our plates from the kitchen table and carry them out to the veranda, where the sunset is painting the sky in pinks and oranges.

When I head back into the house to get some bottled water, Dominik comes down the stairs, still pulling his shirt over his torso. I get another peek at his six-pack, tattoos, and the V carved into his hips.

When I’m hit with another wave of attraction, I mutter, “I’m starting to think you’re doing it on purpose.”

At the foot of the stairs, he lets out a chuckle, then says, “Just say if you want me to walk around shirtless.”

“Ha-ha.”

I disappear into the kitchen, and opening the fridge, I grab two bottles. After nudging the door closed with my elbow, I head back to the veranda, where Dominik’s already taken a seat.

When I sit down across from him, he says, “I thought I’d give you some space. That’s why I didn’t help prepare dinner.”

I nod as I place a bottle of water on his side of the table. “It’s okay.”

His eyes sharpen on me. “Is it?”

I nod again. “Yes, I worked through my emotions, and I’m all good.”

“Then why did you run away for a second time?”

I can’t tell him to mind his business, because he’s answered every single question I’ve asked him.

Letting out a sigh, I admit, “Because you’re very attractive, and it makes me feel nervous.”

“Nervous is good,” he says, the corner of his mouth lifting in a grin. “I can work with that.”

I pick up my knife and fork and shoot him a playful glare. “Eat.”

“Yes,milácik.”

Unable to stop it, a smile curves around my lips, and I quickly shove some mashed potatoes into my mouth.

When Dominik steers the Hummer down the mountain, I ask, “Why am I going with you for a meeting?”

Not taking his eyes off the road, he answers, “Because there’s no way I’m leaving you alone.”

Offended, I frown at him, “Why? Do you think I’ll burn down your house?”

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