Page 19 of Torrid Love
I pull her toward me so forcefully, she stumbles on her heels and inhales a quick breath.
Her hands land on my chest. “Ha!”
Her shock is as great as my own.
Jesus.
No sooner has she regained her balance, than she tries to push away from me.
I won’t have it.
I tighten my grip on her shoulders. I want to make damn sure she hears what I’m about to say.
“Is this what our relationship has come to? Because if I annoy you and if youhateme, then maybe we shouldn’t be friends anymore.”
“You refused to let me go.”
“With good reason, Dom. For months, you’ve had a sour attitude towards me. I want to know why. Let’s deal with what’s bothering you, right here, right now.”
“You seemed to enjoy the attention you were getting from that… that… that… woman,” she blurts out before averting her gaze.
“You don’t get to throw something like that in my face and look away.”
She’s steadfast in her stubbornness.
“Dom,” I press.
Still nothing.
“So, you do hate me,” I say.
“I thought you had higher standards.”
She won’t let that go.
“If you’re going to insult me, own it. Look me in the fucking face, Dom. Don’t be a coward about it,” I tell her.
“I’m not a coward,” she retorts.
“Oh, no? That vase over there is more interesting? Is that why you’re staring at it?”
Finally, her mesmerizing blue eyes meet mine. Under the luminosity of the alcove lights shining bright above our heads, it’s like staring at the ocean.
She’s so beautiful.
As I take in her feminine features, my heart does a funny flip thing.
What the hell?
Heartburn? Indigestion? Yeah, that must be it. Was the catered feast on Eddie’s yacht spoiled? It was a hot afternoon after all. I mean, what else could—
Focus.
“You want to jeopardize our friendship over a stranger?”
She doesn’t respond.
I let out a long sigh, flaring my nostrils. “Okay, let’s do this your way. To answer your question, no, I didn’t enjoy the attention. I thought it was disgusting. There was absolutely nothing sexy about her. Only a dickless fool would think otherwise. I don’t even know who the hell she is. I was on my way to seeyou––because I missedyou––when she ambushed me.”
