Chapter 6
We pulled up outside Chase’s, heading to the front door. Cherry looked nervous again, worrying the inside of her cheek and pausing on the step. “Maybe I should just call you later,” she offered. “I’m going to get my things and head home.”
I shook my head, amused. “No way, pretty lady. I’m coming in with you.”
She narrowed her eyes. “That is my daughter in there.”
I nodded. “A grown woman. Yes.”
Cherry spun on her heel and walked in, pushing the door partially closed behind her. I laughed low in my chest, her movements amusing rather than insulting. She was acting like a teenager sneaking home from a date and hoping not to be caught. I knew it was way too late for that.
“Morning, kids!” Chase sang out, appearing in the hall. “We got breakfast on the table. Come on in, Dom. No need to stand outside like a degenerate or something.”
“Dom was just leaving,” Cherry protested, the color on her cheeks high.
“Breakfast?” I said at the same time.
“Fresh cinnamon rolls from Lulu’s.”
“He’ll take one to go,” Cherry babbled.
I shook my head with a wide grin. “I’ll eat in.” I enjoyed seeing her distracted and trying to get rid of me.
Cherry huffed an impatient sound and brushed past Chase, hurrying into the kitchen. Chase met my grin with one of his own. “Good night?”
I shut the door behind me. “It was incredible, but keep that between us.” I met his eyes. “Be respectful. I’m trying to win her over.”
“Scout’s honor.”
I hung my head. “Well, I’m fucked.”
Laughing, he clapped me on the shoulder. “It’s all good.”
In the kitchen, Chase offered me a cup of coffee. I took it from him, looking toward the Gallagher women. Cherry and Hannah were talking, quietly and fast, their heads bent together. They were both gesturing, their hands flying around as they spoke, the motions similar. Cherry looked flushed and nervous. Hannah looked slightly horrified.
“You’re looking at your future,” I muttered to Chase. “Good Lord, that woman can talk. I had to get inventive in order to keep her quiet.”
Chase sputtered into his cup, side-eyeing me. I winked, not at all embarrassed.
“Shut up, yourself,” he muttered, pushing the buns my way. “Fill your mouth with one of those instead.”
I grinned, taking a bite. “Not as sweet as what I filled it with earlier.”
Cherry heard me, her head snapping in my direction. I winked at her. “Yes, Cherry G. I’m talking about you.”
“Well, stop it,” she and Hannah said at the same time. Chase laughed, and I joined in. They looked so alike, acted the same.
“Sweet buns?” he asked Cherry, lifting the plate. “Or did you get enough of Dom’s?”
Cherry’s eyes widened. I chuckled, and Hannah glared at Chase. Cherry took one, primly thanking him. Then she and Hannah began talking again, ignoring our presence. We sipped and chewed in silence for a moment, then talked about a few things on his mind.
Cherry tossed her hair at something Hannah said, and Chase chuckled. Cherry had a bite mark at the base of her neck, and Hannah’s eyes focused on the mark before she met Chase’s gaze with a WTF look. Chase winked at her, and she bit her lip, holding in her laughter. I was barely able to contain mine.
“What?” Cherry asked.
“Ah, you have a little, um, mark,” Chase said. “On your neck.”
She brushed at her skin. “Where?”
“The spot I sank my teeth into,” I said calmly. “It’ll fade. Until next time.”
Cherry’s eyes widened, and she looked at Hannah.
“Mom…” Hannah choked out.
Cherry stood. “I’m going to get ready to head home. I have a million things to do.” She practically ran from the kitchen. Hannah began to stand, but I waved her off.
“I’ll go talk to her.” I paused at the door, turning to speak. “I like your mother, Hannah. She’s incredible. You should come have lunch with me. Get to know me better. I plan on being around a lot.” I glanced down the hall. “If that stubborn woman will let me,” I added, flexing my shoulders. “I’m going in.” I flashed a smile. “If you hear screaming, no one is being hurt. Trust me. Don’t come in.”
Then I followed Cherry. I had a feeling that was going to happen a lot in our relationship.
Might as well get used to it now.
Late Wednesday afternoon, I sipped a cup of tea, resting my head in one hand as I relaxed back into the chair. I had cleaned my little apartment, done my errands and laundry. I was ready for the week ahead. Since I was working on Saturday, I had today off. I always liked doing my errands on the weekdays since the stores weren’t as busy as the weekend. My phone buzzed, and I looked at the text from Hannah asking if I wanted to come out on the weekend after work and help her with her garden. She was so excited in her new home. With Chase. It was obvious to me my daughter had fallen hard and fast for the young man. I had to admit, I liked him a lot. He was caring, hardworking, and as serious about her as she was about him. I could see the way he watched her. It reminded me of the way my husband used to watch me. There was an underlying intensity to the glances. A way of making sure I was okay if I wasn’t beside him. A longing to have me back and close.
The same way Dom looked at me now.
Dominic Salvatore.
I couldn’t get the man off my mind. No matter how hard I tried. After my husband died, I never thought I would feel such an intense attraction for another man. After the one huge mistake, years had passed, some casual dates occurred, attempted relationships—nothing. But with Dom, it was powerful. Hot. Yearning. I scoffed out loud as I realized I was missing him even now.
Our night together had been passionate. Incredible. He awoke the woman in me, bringing back the lust and desire I had thought were gone for good. Simply seeing him in the bar had caused a reaction I didn’t expect. Longing. Heat. Even jealousy at the looks other women were bestowing on him. And as hard as I tried to fight it, I wanted him. He seemed to enjoy our sparring, egging me on until I broke, kissing him with a fiery passion I didn’t know I possessed.
I passed a hand over my head. I was still torn. Unsure. I wasn’t interested in booty calls and the occasional weekend fling. He insisted that wasn’t what he wanted either, but how would a long-distance relationship work?
He had walked into the guest room on Sunday, pulling me into his arms and kissing me until I was a shaking mess. He cupped my face, staring down at me with those incredible eyes.
“You obviously need some space, so I won’t follow you home. But I’ll see you this week, Cherry G. And the one after. I’m not going anywhere, so get used to it.”
“Do I have a choice in this?” I asked.
He smiled. “Tell me to leave, and I’ll go. But mean it.”
The thought of not seeing him again kept me quiet. He laughed low in his chest, the sound pleased. “I know you didn’t expect me,” he said, suddenly serious. “I didn’t expect you either, but I’m damn glad it happened. We’ll figure it all out. Stop overthinking, worrying, and reacting to every other negative thought in your head. Stay in the moment with me.”
Then he kissed me again and left.
Hannah came in to see me as I zipped up my little overnight bag.
“You okay, Mom?”
“I’m fine.”
She sat on the bed. “You’re attracted to him, aren’t you?”
I sighed and nodded. “I shouldn’t be.”
“Why?” she asked. “Because of Dad?”
“No,” I replied, sitting beside her. “Your father would have wanted me to move on, and it has been years. But Dom isn’t the sort of person I would have expected to have a relationship with.”
“You mean because he is sort of a bad boy?” Hannah teased. “You think an accountant would be a better fit?”
I laughed. “He is so incredibly hot,” I admitted. “Not what I expected.”
“Did you sleep with him?” she asked.
I looked her straight in the eye. “Not a lot of sleep happened, Hannah.”
She laughed. “You like him.”
“He’s not my type,” I insisted. “He’s a reformed bad boy who hasn’t completely given up that edge,” I mused. “He’s bossy and determined. Dom is the right name for him. He gets what he wants.” I paused. “Everywhere.”
“I see,” she murmured.
“But he is so sweet,” I mused. “Thoughtful. Giving. I haven’t felt like a sexy woman in years. Since your dad. Last night, I was reminded of the fact that I was.” I swallowed. “Several times.”
“Um…”
I kept talking. “And he came in here and reminded me again.”
Hannah’s eyes widened in horror, and I waved my hand. “We didn’t. But the man can kiss. And what a dirty talker.” I fanned myself. “My, my, my.”
She laughed again, and I had to grin. It felt as if our roles were reversed. I was the lovestruck teenager, and she was the one giving me advice. “If you like him and he likes you, why are you fighting it?”
“He lives here. I live in Toronto. I am too old to be a casual hookup, whenever-you’re-in-town woman. I don’t want that.”
“Is that what Dom wants? He seems pretty steady.”
“Long-distance relationships are too hard, jellybean.”
“Not if you really want them.”
I shrugged. “I’m not sure I do.”
Hannah stood. “Be honest with yourself, Mom. And allow yourself the chance to be happy. Be it for now or longer. I like Dom. Chase does too. Maybe you need to give him a chance. Give yourself a chance.”
Her words were on a constant loop in my head. When she was little, I had to put myself and my wants and needs on a back burner. Working, making sure she was healthy, warm, and cared for were my number one priorities. I had forgotten what it was like to give in to what I wanted. My entire world had revolved around Hannah and her needs.
Dom’s observations flitted through my head. “She’s a grown woman,” he had pointed out on more than one occasion.
He was right. I knew that. My head knew that, but at times, my heart still thought of her as my little girl. Maybe I needed to listen to Hannah, to Dom—and put myself and my wants first for a change. I stood, wandering to the kitchen and checking out the contents of the refrigerator for dinner. I hated cooking for myself. Eating alone constantly. I missed Hannah and her company. I missed having someone around.
Dom’s image ran through my head. He wanted to be around. The truth was, I enjoyed his company. I wouldn’t mind spending more time with him.
Was I ready to do that?
I wasn’t used to putting myself first. What I needed, what I wanted, always came second. To Hannah. To my business. To what the world demanded of me.
Perhaps it was time for a change. He certainly seemed to want that.
Every day, I got a text from him—often more than one. He dropped little tidbits of himself into them, often referred to our night together, but, more importantly, checked in on me.
Dom
Hope your day was good. I was thinking of you, so mine was.
It feels like years since I kissed you. How has it only been 2 days? I need to rectify that. I miss you, Cherry G.
Or last night’s…
Dom
My sheets still smell like you. Us. I like falling asleep to your scent. But I prefer falling asleep with you beside me. Let’s make that happen.
Sometimes, I responded. Other times, his words left me so overwhelmed, I couldn’t find a way to reply. Sometimes, I was so breathless, nothing formed but a sense of desire and longing so intense, I wasn’t sure how to handle it.
My buzzer rang out, startling me. I shut the fridge door and crossed over to the front door. I wasn’t expecting anyone or a delivery, and I was too short for the peephole to do me much good.
“Hello?” I asked.
“Cherry G, it’s me. Open up.”
“Dom?” I said, surprised and frankly delighted.
“You have other men calling you Cherry G?” He paused, his voice becoming gravelly. “You have other men visiting you?”
I tried to tamp down the thrill that shot through me at his words. His possessive tone. Not even my husband had been possessive. He had been too laid-back and friendly to act that way. Dom was the exact opposite of Mike. In every single way.
“You gonna let me in, woman?” he growled.
Laughing, I flipped the lock and opened the door, stepping back and bracing myself. Still, the sight of him made me inhale quickly.
He wore his usual jeans and leather jacket. A blue T-shirt stretched across his chest. He carried a bag and a bouquet of flowers. His Doc Martens were dusty, his jeans tight, and his expression intense. Yet his eyes were soft as they met mine. His gaze was focused on me and me alone. He stopped in front of me, swooping down without a word and capturing my mouth. His kiss was powerful. Drugging. I whimpered into his mouth as he wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me close. I felt the scrape of his scruff along my jaw. The fullness of his lips on mine. His minty fresh taste. His manly scent that wrapped around me as tight as his embrace. His long exhale of air, as if he’d been waiting to breathe until he kissed me. As if he couldn’t live without doing so.
He pulled back, cupping my face. “Hello, Cherry G.”
“Hi,” I replied, breathless. “I-I wasn’t expecting you.”
“I told you I’d see you this week. Chase mentioned Hannah said you had today off. I thought I’d give you a break and come make you dinner.” He winked as he strode past me. “And these flowers are for you.” He deposited the large bouquet in my arms.
“You cook?” I asked, dumbfounded.
“Of course I do. I’m a single guy. I can’t survive on takeout.”
He took off his jacket, the muscles in his arms rippling, making his tattoos stand out. “I hope you like steak, Cherry G, because that’s what’s on the menu.”
“I do.”
“Great. Now, shut the door and come sit down. Tell me about your day.”
I watched Dom move around with the confidence of a man used to being in the kitchen. He located the wineglasses and corkscrew and poured us each a glass of wine, then got busy, rubbing spices into two thick steaks, prepping potatoes, and, with another wink, pouring a salad into a bowl. “I cook,” he said with a grin. “But it’s simple. I use a lot of shortcuts.”
“Still beats takeout every day.”
He nodded. “It gets tiresome after a while. I enjoy a meal out, the occasional pizza or Chinese in, but I like good, homemade food. I taught myself the basics.”
I set the table, easing around him as he moved. He was in control and smooth as he worked. He turned as I sidled past, pulling me close and kissing my neck. “You smell so good,” he murmured. “Right here, especially,” he added, nosing my collar out of the way.
I shivered. “You’re supposed to be cooking.”
“Oh, baby, believe me, I am.” He bit down playfully. “I’m boiling up for you.”
I laughed at his cheesy remark, but for some reason, I wound my arms around his waist and held him tight. He tossed the utensil in his hand to the counter and spun me in his arms, humming in my ear. We danced around my small kitchen, holding each other, him humming, me smiling. It was ridiculous—and fun.
Then he twirled me away and shook his head, muttering about distractions. Without thinking, I reached out and cupped his cheek, stroking the skin. “I like being your distraction,” I whispered. “I’m glad you’re here.”
His eyes crinkled in delight, and he turned his head, kissing my palm. “Me too, baby. Me too.”
Not long after, we sat down to eat. I had added a candle, and he lit it, turning the kitchen lights down low. He had music playing on his phone, and we talked as we ate, me complimenting him on his dinner. The steak was tender and delicious, the baked potatoes fluffy and overflowing with butter and sour cream. Even the salad was tasty.
“I don’t remember the last time someone cooked for me, aside from Hannah,” I murmured, looking at my plate. “And usually, those meals are a joint collaboration.”
He sliced off a piece of steak, holding his fork to my mouth. “Open, Cherry G. Let me feed you.”
My lips parted, and he slipped the steak in, cutting himself a larger piece and chewing. I closed my eyes as the flavors of the meat, the butter, garlic, and rosemary he’d basted the steak with, burst on my taste buds.
“Oh God. So good.”
He grinned. “I guess you’ll keep me around then, huh?”
I tried to hide my returning smile as I cut into my own steak. Teasingly, I held out my fork. “Do I get to feed you, Dom?”
With a low growl, he leaned in, gripping the back of my neck and pulling my face close. He kissed me hard. Deep. Then he pulled back, his chest working hard.
“You already do, Cherry G. You already do.”
I had no words to respond to him. With a wink, he gripped my wrist then closed his lips around my fork, taking the piece of steak I offered. His voice was rough and low when he spoke.
“Almost as good as you.”
I reached for my wine. I had a feeling I was going to need it.