Page 51 of Raging Inferno

“You scared me,” she accused.

“Sorry.” His breath feathered over her face. “I need to say goodnight to Gia. Then we can talk.”

Presley was leery of spending time alone with him, mostly because she didn’t trust herself around him. He drew her to him like a moth to a flame.

She’d called her bosses earlier and filled them in on the truck that had rammed into them and almost ran them off the road. They told her to send a list of supplies she needed, and they’d overnight them to her. They also reiterated their offer to send Kayne Serruto to assist. Presley had told them to hold off until she could definitively say something was going on. She didn’t want to waste anyone’s time, especially since no one was paying for their services—or at least she didn’t think they were. She guessed she’d find out with her next paycheck.

Presley needed to figure out what equipment she wanted, but her legs carried her into the living room to wait for Dominic instead. What was she doing? She’d crushed hard on this man as a pre-teen. He’d been perfect in her eyes then, and nothing she’d learned about him now changed that perception. He was kind,heroic, and loved his daughter. Dominic Bianchi was, by far, the most appealing, gorgeous man she’d ever met.

“Hey.”

Presley yelped and spun around, her hand automatically reaching for her weapon. While she’d been weaving fantasies of the man in her head, he’d appeared, catching her completely off guard, which was hard to do. Usually, she was hyper-aware of her surroundings.

She cleared her throat. “Is she asleep?”

“Yeah. She tried to fight it, but she had an eventful evening. Would you like a glass of wine?”

“Sure.”

“Have a seat. I’ll be right back.”

Presley chose the brown leather sofa, leaving the recliner for Dominic. He’d started a fire while they watched television, and the flames danced merrily on a chunk of wood. It reminded her of why she was here and what had happened. Three of the original six Cheerios were now dead.

“Here you go.”

“Thanks.” It was a different red wine from yesterday but just as tasty.

“Now that Gia is bunking at her friend’s house, there’s no reason you can’t stay here instead of a hotel, your coworker too.”

None, except she was crazy attracted to the man. It wasn’t safe for her peace of mind. If she were smart, she would put down the glass, grab her bags, and flee. Instead, she took another sip and said, “If you’re sure it’s okay. Also, I told my office to hold off on sending anyone until we are sure I’m the target.”

“So, we’ll be alone in the house.”

Presley swallowed and nodded.

Dominic placed his glass on a side table, stood, and took hers from her. Then he sat down beside her. Presley’s heart kicked into a gallop when he slid his hands around her face.

“I’ve wanted to do this since you walked into my office the other day. That brief peck yesterday only whetted my appetite.”

Really, she should stop this. She wouldn’t be here long, and no good could come of an affair. Then his lips touched hers, and all she could think was that Dominic Bianchi was kissing her. After that, her mind blanked, lost in a lust-filled haze of pressing lips and dueling tongues.

She had never been kissed like this. It was sensual and erotic, and she couldn’t get enough of him. Presley didn’t even realize he’d guided her down on the couch until she felt the press of his body along hers, muscular and big. All over.

She was drowning in sensations until suddenly, he was gone. She blinked her eyes open, trying to figure out what had happened.

“I’m sorry.” His voice was gruff. “I’ve got to take this. It’s work.”

Presley sat up and arranged her shirt. She hadn’t even heard the phone ring. She stared at Dominic’s back as he spoke on the cell. When he disconnected, he turned to her with a look of regret.

“There’s a fire. I need to get there.”

Presley leaped to her feet. “Oh, no, is it Jessie or Charmaine?”

Dominic shook his head. “It’s an abandoned building on the west side of town. I’m not going to ask you to look after Gia, so I’ll call—”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Of course, I’ll watch her.”

Dominic sighed. “Thank you.”

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