Page 68 of Dominate Me

I forced myself to focus.

“Yeah. She called me, said she had a good time last Friday and wanted to hang out.”

“Gabby’s a good person to know.” She was one of the best, at least in my world. She could tear a man’s balls off with a smile on her face without breaking a nail or a sweat. She was always loyal as all fuck. Plus, since she became Dylan’s slave I had never seen him happier.

“Yeah. Anyway, we were talking about you, and other stuff, and Meredith showed up.” Her lips twisted into something almost like a smile before she finally pulled her eyes to mine. “Meredith’s a bitch.”

As first impressions went, that was pretty spot on. “I imagine Gabby handled her.”

“Yeah. But she was with Courtney, and all of it...the way Meredith looked at me. The way she knew Gabby...”

Leaning forward in my chair, I placed my hand on her knee. “I have never fucked Meredith, Haley. I have never touched her, and I have never wanted to touch her. But I have known her a long time.”

“But your meeting the other night wasn’t business.”

I dragged a hand through my hair. “Meredith and my relationship is complicated. Not in any way sexual,” I assured her. “Our fathers were friends. Good friends. She’s younger than me, but we essentially grew up together.”

“She wants you.”

“She does.” She jolted back at my honesty, but I had nothing to hide.

Haley licked her lips, disappointment clouded her gaze. “She’s beautiful.”

Before I could stop myself I threw my head back and laughed. “Meredith’s a shark, Haley. She’s a piranha and wicked smart. She has an uncanny business sense and she knows she looks good. She’s also someone Iusedto respect. And yes, she’s pretty. She also wants me to be her Dom, but I’ve always said no.”

Indecision warred in her features. My anger dissipated with every passing moment while I let that sink in. “I’m not that guy that you’re thinking I am right now. One, she’s always been more the annoying little sister. Two, I’ve honestly never wanted to touch her. Three, she’s friends with Courtney and that makes her off limits in my own morality code, and Four...in case you need one more reason why Meredith isn’t and will never be a threat to you...” I waited until she looked me in the eyes and lowered my voice. “There is not a woman I have met, who is more beautiful than you. Who is better suited for me.”

“Courtney?” Her voice wavered.

“She’s irrelevant.” And for the first time in two years, it was true. “She’s my old sub, Haley. There’s nothing there and Courtney’s damaged beyond anything I could ever do to help her. It took meeting you, getting to know you, to finally put that to rest for me.”

I didn’t want to get into the specifics again. Fortunately, she didn’t ask.

Moments passed while her internal debate raged on before it fell from her shoulders like a billowy curtain.

“Okay. I’m sorry then, that I doubted you or assumed the worst. Meredith was just so...”

“Hawkish?”

“Yeah.” She laughed softly. “Intimidating for sure.”

“You have nothing to fear from her. I promise you. Although I’m sorry to say that you’ll see her Saturday, and probably in the future, but I won’t let her hurt you.”

“Gabby mentioned that. Said I wouldn’t be more than a few steps away from you or her or Dylan all night.”

And that was why I loved Gabby.

“You won’t. And Meredith will lose her fight when she sees I’m unavailable.”

“Are you?” she asked, her bottom lip finding its way to her teeth. “Unavailable?”

“The fact you’d ask that after this week kills me.” She opened her mouth but I stopped her. “But I understand. You have a past, you have doubts, and perhaps I haven’t made myself clear.”

I stood up and pulled her to her feet. Before she found balance on her heels, I pressed my hands to her cheeks and pulled her to me, moaning as her lips hit mine.

Delicious. Heaven sent. She was beautiful and perfect and everything I wanted. I kissed her to show her how much I desired her. I kissed her to show her what she meant to me. I kissed her because when Haley was within touching distance, I didn’t want to do anything else except claim her.

But I was still pissed she hadn’t been able to trust me before bursting into my office.

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