Chapter 2 - Dominic Moore

“The rent is how much for you?” Shouted Lena on the phone. “That’s three months’ worth of rent at our old place! Are you out of your mind?”

I had placed the phone on my new bed in the house on Queen Street and was opening boxes while talking to Lena, who had finally joined her boyfriend on the other side of the country.

“No. I’m not.”

“Yes, you are. The Olivia I know would never have gone on the upper side and lived like a snobby-rich girl. You’re down to earth and go with the flow. And you’re not frivolous. I bought you fucking new underwear because I was sick of seeing holes in yours every time I did the goddamn laundry. Where did that money come from?”

Stop trying to test me, Lena….

“I’ve always had it. And for the record, I never asked you to buy me those, and they are still in the package. I refuse to wear granny panties. You just bought them to have a good laugh and to make a point.”

“I still want to know why you made us live in a crappy apartment when we could have had something less ‘I’m on a budget.’ Whose money is it?”

Please don’t make me go there!

Lena refused to let go, and her questions started aggravating and rubbing me the wrong way. She probed and guilted me until I finally caved in.

“It’s money from my dead family! There. Are you happy now?” I blurted out angrily.

Lena knew this was a “no-go” zone. We didn’t talk about our past. Ever. We ignored it and tried to move on. That was the deal we made when we started living together. I could imagine my friend’s face twisting with remorse after I said those words.

“Liv, I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. Just forget about it.”

There was a pause, and I heard Chuck say something to Lena. I didn’t want to end our conversation that way, so I quickly dumped the remaining items in my box on the floor and grabbed my cell phone from the bed.

“Listen, Lena. Let’s pretend we never had this conversation, and we’ll talk soon. How does that sound?”

“Yeah. Let’s do that. Take care, Liv.”

“Uh huh, you too.”

As soon as I closed the phone, I fell face first on the bed and screamed into the mattress. I already felt terrible using my inheritance money and didn’t need Lena to remind me of it. I wanted to focus on my writing, and using it seemed like a good idea. I had enough money to last me a lifetime, but I had refused to use any of it until now. It weighed on me, making me feel horrible for being alive when none of my family was.

I heard the front door open, and Kat called my name shortly after. I quickly opened the door and welcomed the distraction. Anything would be better than wallowing in my self-guilt. I had done a great job of ignoring my past and pretending my family never existed. I was sure I could keep doing it onward.

“I thought you weren’t coming back for the rest of the day,” I told Kat when I saw her pull a pitcher of water from the fridge.

“I’m only passing. I’m giving piano lessons until late tonight, so don’t expect me back before nine, but I wanted to come to see how you were doing, with the moving and all.”

“That’s sweet of you, thanks. It’s going well. Slowly going through my boxes and unpacking. I can make you dinner tonight and leave a plate for you so you can eat once you’re back?”

“I would love that! I’m not much of a cook. I usually order out, but if you make food, think of me and make more!”

“Sounds like a plan.” I chuckled and grabbed a glass so I could pour myself some water as well.

“By the way, the bathroom there is yours, so you can do whatever you want. I have a personal one in my room, so I rarely use this one,” Kat mentioned as she got her coat and grabbed her bags. “You should enjoy it while I’m away.” She finished with a wink.

I smirked and brought the rim of the glass to my lips. I couldn’t stop thinking about it since I visited the house and had intended to soak in that dreamy tub for hours. Kat wouldn’t have to tell me twice.

I accompanied Kat to the door and wished her a great evening before locking the bolt and running to my room. I stripped out of my clothes and walked naked in the house, relishing the joy of being alone. Lena and Chuck had always been present in our apartment, and I didn’t really have any alone time. It was the first time in a long while that I could strut my stuff with no one seeing it.

I brought my shampoo and conditioning bottles, a bar of soap, and a few other things I would put in the vanity for my personal use. Then I blocked the bottom drain of the tub and filled that baby up, pouring enough lavender oil and salt to make the soak pleasant.

Once the water reached above my chest, I pushed the knob down and nestled in the oily hotness. I couldn’t remember the last time I took a bath or felt this calm.

I inhaled deeply, cleared my mind from everything that had happened during the day, and focused only on my breathing and beating heart.

Once the water was tepid, I pulled on the drain plug and got out of the tub. I craned my neck left to right, trying to spot a towel, but none were in the bathroom. Oh well. It didn’t matter. I had some in my bedroom. I’d simply get them, then clean up after myself.

I shook most of the excess water from my body and twisted my long dark-brown hair to wring out as much water as possible before opening the bathroom door and walking across the kitchen to get to my room.

I hadn’t counted on seeing a tall man, coffee mug in hand, devouring me with his eyes.

I squeaked in surprise and jumped, then tried to hide behind my hands, but it was no use. My breasts spilled on either side of my arm, and my hair hasn’t long enough to cover my backside.

When the initial shock subsided, I inspected the intruder and recognized Mr. Suit from the day before. What the hell was he doing here?

“What are you doing here? And naked, above all things.” Mr. Suit asked.

That was my question!

“Me? I should ask you why you’re inside my house. Jesus C! Are you a stalker?”

“Your house?” The man repeated.

“Yes.”

“Huh. You wouldn’t be Ms. Sheridan by chance?”

Hold the phone. He knew my name? What the fuck was happening?

I managed a smile—a furious and sarcastic one before dashing to my room and foraging for any clothes that would cover my body. I found my XL lounging T-shirt and quickly put it on, then I pulled my hair in a wet and messy bun and stomped to the kitchen where the taxi stealer was still leaning against the counter, an arrogant smirk plastered on his impossibly beautiful, God-like face.

Did he like what he saw? God, I shouldn't even be thinking about that right now, I scolded myself.

“Two questions. How did you get into this house, and what are you doing here?” I asked, placing my hands on my hips expectantly.

I locked the door when Kat left. I was sure of it.

“With my key. I wanted to meet my sister’s new flatmate. I’m glad I did, though. This was probably the highlight of my week. But now, I’m concerned. Do you always prance around naked for the entire world to see?”

Mr. Suit rolled his Rs and stretched the Ts the way most people did in this part of the world, making my knees weak. I still felt violated by him having seen me naked, though. So I tried to keep a stern face.

“Had I known Kat had a brother who entered other people’s houses without announcing their presence, I would have ensured not to forget my towels in my room.”

He found it funny, and I noticed him smile genuinely for the first time. It looked good on him, but the curve on his lips suggested he was still seeing my naked body, making me flush crimson.

Why does he keep looking at me like that?

“Fair enough. But for the record, I own this building, and I’m only doing my due diligence so my sister won’t be stuck with someone trying to rip her off. Katherine has an enormous heart, and people tend to exploit that to get things from her. I just want to protect her, that’s all.”

“As you should. Just announce yourself the next time, or call, or whatever.”

We stood in the kitchen, unmoving, simply taking each other in. I was still a little embarrassed he had seen me naked, so I tried to change the subject.

“So. Should I keep referring to you as Kat’s brother, or do you have a name?”

He laughed again. The gravelly sound of his voice vibrated inside me and made my lady parts drip. Why the hell was my body reacting so strongly to him? That bastard was too sexy for his own good.

“Now you want to exchange names?” The taxi stealer chuckled and looked at me with a mischievous grin. “Dominic Moore.” He added as he extended his hand playfully.

I inched closer and offered him mine tentatively. When we touched, my skin sizzled and popped. I had never believed in instant connections, but I couldn’t deny my immense attraction to him as soon as our skin met.

He was the gasoline on my fire, making me burn with great desire.

A spark of recognition ran over his face, and I wondered if he, too, felt the connection between us.

Dominic pulled me closer to him, and I had to crane my neck to look up at his angelic face. He was a tower of a man, and he was also intimidating.

“Olivia. But you can call me Liv.” I said as I boldly tightened my hand in his. I needed to pretend nothing had happened.

My action made his smile grow as though he had accepted the challenge, and how he looked at me at that moment almost made me lose balance. It wasn’t friendly curiosity in his eyes. No. It was something hot and wild….

“Now, why would I do such a thing? Olivia is so much sexier.”