Page 54 of Swept for Forever
Dom nodded. “I’d be happy to pay a temporary pet deposit. A reasonable fee to cover any inconvenience.” His tone was light but assured. “And, of course, I’ll also cover an additional cleaning fee in advance, just to ensure there’s no extra burden on your staff.”
Where the hell was this coming from?
But Ms. O’Donnell’s expression shifted.
It was not softened, not quite. But Dom had planted the seed.
He pressed on. “Lulu won’t be here long,” he assured, glancing at me. “I’ll personally make sure she’s no trouble. No mess. No issues.”
“And if I say no?” she asked, her chin tilting up.
Dom’s smile didn’t falter. “Then we’ll respect that. But considering how well-behaved she is, and how my friend here has had a long week, I think this is a fair compromise.”
Silence stretched.
Then finally, Ms. O’Donnell exhaled, her stern expression melting under his gaze. Oh hell. So that’s what I looked like when he turned me to mush with those eyes. The man had range, and it didn’t matter if you were twenty-one or sixty.
“Fine,” she relented. Then her eyes snapped to me, regaining their former edge. “But you—” she jabbed a finger in my direction, “better make sure that dog doesn’t cause trouble.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I said quickly, wide-eyed.
Just like that, she turned on her heel and strode back inside.
Dom cast me a look.
I sighed. “Yeah, yeah. I got it. Everyone likes Dominic Powell.”
He smirked. “I have my moments.”
I should’ve been annoyed. Instead, I wanted to outdo Ms. O’Donnell in making sure Dom knewIliked him. More than liked. My heart and my head had been playing musical chairs all night, and right now, my heart had claimed the throne.
A beat passed.
I stepped closer, and the lapel of his robe brushed against theIBuffaloberry HillT-shirt I’d chosen as my pajamas.
“Think you can get back to sleep?” he asked.
“I’ll try,” I rasped. But I didn’t move.
And neither did he.
His fingers brushed mine. It was just the faintest touch, but it sent a ripple through me, the warmth threading into the cool night air.
I kept talking. Something about Lulu, the motel owner, and how absurd the night had been. But my words lost their pace, their edge.
Dom was looking at me. And not just my face. But my mouth.
Heat climbed up my spine.
One inch. That was all it would take. One inch, and I’d know how this man, this infuriating, impossible, and utterly irresistible man, kissed.
I leaned closer, enough to tip the scales if he wanted to meet me there.
But the space between us didn’t close.
The moment stretched, pulled tight. We were one breath away from snapping, one heartbeat from unraveling.
But he pulled back.
