Page 81 of Darkest Retribution

For most of the party, I’ve felt his eyes on me. It’s creepy. Back home, I could’ve taken care of it with a good beating and a threat. Hell, at one point, I would’ve just killed him on the spot for being so annoying.

Unfortunately, I can’t do that here. Nor do I want to. I’m trying toleaveall that shit behind.

“Would it help if he thought you weren’t single?” Dominic’s gaze moves to something behind me, and a devious smirk graces his lips.

“Probably. But I hate that. Being with a partner shouldn’t be what puts Jackson in his place.”

“It’d be fun, though. The look on his face when he found out.” Dominic stands up a little straighter, still tracking something behind me.

“You’re watching him, aren’t you?”

“Mmhmm.”

Something twists in my chest—something that feels suspiciously like excitement. But it makes me uneasy. “Why do you care? It’s not like this affects you. Hell, it barely affects me. I only see him once a month, tops.”

Dom’s stare moves back to me as he shrugs. “I’m not a generally happy-go-lucky guy. And—”

“Really?” I drawl.

He cuts me an annoyed look. “Lots of things get on my nerves.Lotsof things.”

“Again, not a surprise.”

Dominic opens his mouth, but then he closes it. When he finally speaks, his tone is low and reluctant. “But the way he looks at you aggravates me more than usual.”

I roll my eyes, and what I’m about to say must be written all over my face, because he cuts me off before I have a chance to speak.

“I know you can handle yourself. Trust me, I know. Remember when we met? That was the first—and last—time I underestimated you.”

“Good.”

“However.Consider it an open invitation. Just giving you options.”

“An open invitation to what, exactly?”

He shrugs. “Tell him I’m your boyfriend. Or show him.”

I squint at him, trying to figure out if I’m imagining the pink tint to his cheeks. “Show him? Like...”

Hold hands? What? No, you’re not nine, you idiot.

So what then?

. . . A kiss?

I’ve never thought about kissing Dominic Grayson before. But now, my eyes move from his definitely pink cheeks to his lips. How many women has he kissed? He seems like the type that’s been with a lot of women. Not that I care about that type of thing—I’ve been with my fair share of partners, too.

Kissing him feels like crossing a line. I have to be careful who I let myself get close to. But is a platonic kiss to get Jackson to stop flirting with mereallythat big of a deal?

“Whatever you think is best,” Dominic says softly, and I realize I’ve been staring at his mouth for a solid minute.

I clear my throat, shifting my gaze away. “Yeah. I’ll think about it. Um, I should go check on Rosie.”

Before he can respond, I shoot up from my seat and head back inside. I welcome the air conditioning, relaxing as it cools my too-hot skin.

In the living room, Rosie is just finishing with her presents. She spots me, grinning and holding up a stuffed unicorn.

“It’s so pretty, Auntie Jade!”

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