Chapter 11
IZZY
My body is on fire.
Okay, that’s very dramatic. The problem? It also feels very true.
I swing by the hospital to check on Grandma, but she’s fast asleep, and I don’t have the heart to wake her. Back in my apartment, I stare at the microwave as it nukes my TV dinner, replaying the scene in the office over and over.
It was wild. He's unlocked a side of me I didn’t know I had.
I’ve had sex before. It’s not that. But I’ve never been so confident, never yearned for it so badly.
When I pulled my skirt up, I was ready for him to fuck me right there in the office.
My core tingles just thinking about it, my clit rubbing hot against my underwear.
The dinner tastes bland. Everything seems muted after…
After I almost fucked the man, I’m betraying.
My phone lights up on the table.
Dominic: I’ve never done that before. Before today, I never even thought I COULD do that in the office, Izzy. But you drive me so wild. You make me crazy. But I know it’s wrong.
What? How does he know that? What the hell is he talking about? Has he spoken to Aaron?
Izzy: Why is it wrong?
Dominic: I’m your boss, Izzy.
I breathe a guilty sigh of relief.
Izzy: I don’t care about that. I think that only matters when the boss is taking advantage of the employee, like if I wanted to climb the corporate ladder. But that isn’t what happened earlier.
Dominic: What was it then?
Izzy: Are you saying you don’t believe me?
The moment I send the text, guilt twists through me. I’ve got no right to throw stuff like that at him, no right to be upset if he doesn’t trust me. He’s got every right not to. Just not for the reasons he’s implying.
Dominic: I don’t think either of us could’ve faked that. I wanted to kiss you the moment I laid eyes on you, Izzy. The more time we spend together, even texting, makes me want you more and more. I can’t stop thinking about that moment you pulled up your skirt.
The warm tingle dances over me, my nipples pebbling against my bra, sensitive and ready for him.
Dominic: But it’s not just your body. Or your lust. Though you drive me crazy. It’s you, Izzy. Your determination. Your strength. You.
Izzy: We don’t even know each other.
I type, but I don’t send my message.
That’s what I should say. If I had any sense, that’s what I’d tell him. It would be better for both of us.
Instead, I text something else.
Izzy: I feel the same. I think there’s chemistry here.
Dominic: Think? There IS something here. I know because I’ve gone so many years not feeling a thing when it comes to women. I thought I’d die a bachelor, and I was okay with that.
Izzy: You’re too affectionate for that.
Dominic: I wasn’t until recently.
Despite everything, I’m smiling like a loon.
Izzy: You’re being silly. We’re strangers, after all.
Dominic: You don’t feel like a stranger. Earlier, when I pushed against you, it was like my body knew yours. Stop me if I’m being cheesy or insane.
I type, still smiling.
Izzy: You’re being cheesy AND insane. But I feel exactly the same. I’ve never felt passion like that. It was so fast, yet it felt so right.
Dominic: You know, I should end this here.
Yeah, that makes two of us…
Dominic: But I’m done pretending I’m some angel. I’m taking you on a date.
The bright, happy laughter that erupts from me sounds like it belongs to somebody else.
Izzy: Is that right, sir?
Dominic: I’ve spent so many years telling people to call me Dom, but when you call me sir, I like it, Izzy. And yeah, it’s right. I’m done tiptoeing around. Maybe it makes me a bad boss, but I need to see you outside of work.
Izzy: Need is a strong word.
Dominic: In this case, it’s an accurate one.
I bite my lip, then quickly let it go. Between the lip-biting and the chewing inside my cheek, it’s like I’m trying to physically punish myself for my betrayal. I’m just like his Uncle, infiltrating his family, ruining it from the inside.
Izzy: I don’t think you NEED to take me on a date, Dom.
Dominic: I don’t want to come on too strong. But the moment I kissed you, I felt it. Need. The word that’s apparently made you so damn angry. Technically, then, I’ve got a very strong desire to take you on a date… Is that better, ma’am?
Izzy: MA’AM?!
Dominic: It’s clear you’re the boss now.
I shake my head, grinning ruefully. I’m building a house of cards with a stick of dynamite inside and somehow expecting it not to fall.
Izzy: I want to go on a date with you.
I text is an understatement. Maybe I don’t need it, but this feeling is new and exciting. It reminds me of high school, when my friends were having relationship dramas and adventures, and I always felt like I was on the outside, looking in. Not anymore.
Izzy: But I don’t want to give you the wrong impression.
Dominic: How so?
It’s a good question. What am I trying to say, exactly? What I want to say is: Run from me, Dom, because I’m worse than the man who tore your family apart.
Izzy: I haven’t dated in a long time. And even when I did, I’ve never been very romantic.
Dominic: Me neither. I think it’s time we changed that.
Butterflies flutter their wings in my belly, making me feel younger than twenty-five. I’ve spent my life hopping from job to job, helping Grandma as she got older and weaker, then ill. This feels like something for me. If only this black cloud weren’t hanging over our heads…
Izzy: I think you’re right. We’ll arrange a texting date.
Dominic: Ha, ha. A texting date? That’s a new one to me, my melody. What does that entail?
Izzy: Nope. Hold on a sec. What did you just call me?
Dominic: It fits, Izzy. I haven’t had music in my life for a long time.
Now, I’ve found some. I don’t want to put pressure on either of us.
I’m not saying you’ll always be my music or you always have, but earlier, when we kissed, you were my melody.
And now, sitting here with a big grin on my face, you’re still my melody.
I should stop smiling, this deranged ear-to-ear grin that has me believing this might somehow make sense one day.
If I told him now, how would he react? Where would it lead? Would he immediately fire me, cut me out of his life? If he did that, I’d no longer be of any use to Aaron, then he’d make good on his threats.
Dominic: So, my gorgeous melody… tomorrow evening.
Izzy: That doesn’t sound like a question.
Dominic: That’s because it isn’t one. I’m taking you out. If you’re going to call me sir, then I’m going to remind you who the boss is.
Izzy:
Dominic: Oh, you like that.
Izzy: A lot.
I squeeze my legs together as I reply.
It’s like I’m back in the office, his body pressed against mine. I can feel his hard muscles through his shirt, his manhood pressing against my core. For a few blessed minutes, I don’t have to worry about Grandma or Aaron.
My fantasy flies away until he’s tearing down my tights, savagely pulling them away. His eyes grow dark, intense, when he sees my naked heat. I’m already dripping for him, aching to feel him inside me, his lust filling me up, claiming me.
I bounce on his dick, owning the moment, taking control before he groans and buries his face in my breasts. His hot lips hungrily sucking one nipple then the other, taking control of the tempo as he fucks me ragged.
My sex aches just thinking about it. I almost texted him that he should just come over, forget about the date. I want to experience as much of this, of him, of us as I can before it all blows up in my face.
Dominic: You still need to tell me what a texting date is.
Izzy: Isn’t it obvious? Dating, romance, it’s so difficult. But this is easy, effortless. There’s no stress or doubt. So, we’ll sit at opposite sides of the restaurant, making eyes at each other, and text the night away.
Dominic:
Dominic: That’s an idea, Izzy. Except it means I’d have to go the whole night without touching you. That would drive me insane.
I grin.
Izzy: Only MOST of the night. I think the texts will turn… you know… then we won’t be able to keep the distance any longer.
Dominic: We’ll try your idea one of these days. But for our first date, I need to be close to you.
There’s that word again. Need. It’s too much too soon, even without considering everything else. I also absolutely love it.
Izzy: Okay, you’ve worn me down. Which means: I can’t think of anything else I’d rather do.
Dominic: Tomorrow, then. I can’t wait.
The next morning, I drive to work with a silly smile on my face and a tight feeling in my bones, like everything is pulling taut while it prepares to violently fall apart.
In the rearview mirror, I spot a red Jeep taking the same turns as me, five times in a row. But when I reach work, it goes in the other direction and disappears into traffic.
I park and take a deep breath.
I’m getting paranoid.