by Rumer Raines
Pouring another glass of wine, I feel ice spreading through my stomach.
“What’s wrong?” Dominic asks.
“I just found out something about my best friend.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“No. What I want to talk about is how I need Ted handled.” My head is bowed, my body slumped in despair. I am about to commit a sin.
“Yes… you want his car keyed.” He rolls his eyes.
I shake my head and close my eyes, my heart aching with pain. This is no time for a conscience. I don’t have time to listen to my heart.
“You don’t want his car keyed? What did you want, Steph?” He regards me quizzically for a moment.
“I want him dead. I want you to help me find someone to do it.”
17
I LEAN my head back and gaze into his eyes. “Do you know anyone good?” I whisper.
Dominic stops chewing and tilts his head. “Anyone good?”
“To do the job… that I want done.” I stiffen and haughtily toss my head back.
“Do you even know what you’re asking, Steph? You want to kill your boss because you don’t like him. You do know the next one can be worse, don’t you?” He leans back, sizing me up.
“No one could be worse. I don’t have to explain this to you, Dominic. Are you going to help me or not? I can find someone on my own.”
“Really? How will you do that? You going to look in the telephone book under hitman?” He smirks.
“I’ll ask Monique. I’m sure she’ll help.”
He chuckles with a dry and cynical sound. “No, she won’t. I’ll help you, Stephanie.”
“You will?” I murmur, half-laughing and half-crying.
“Yeah. It will take time, but I’ll find someone for you.”
“How much time?”
“A few weeks.”
I don’t want to wait a few weeks. I can’t deal with Ted for a few more days. Taking a deep breath, I nod, realizing I have no other choice. Maybe it does take this long to get a hitman. I’ll have to be patient and trust him.
A WEEK GOES BY, and Ted is still among the living. I haven’t heard from Dominic and am starting to worry. Is he looking for a hitman, or was he just saying what he thought I wanted to hear? Ted has been bringing Monica to work and taking her home at night. I am slowly watching my best friend change. Her eyes are cold, and she is always shaky. Monica doesn’t even talk to me anymore; she just walks past my desk as if I am not even sitting here.
Have you found anyone yet? I text Dominic and wait for his reply.
Temptation: Come to my office after work.
I’ll be there.
Monique smiles and watches as I walk to Dominic’s office. Anthony pulls the door open before I even knock.
“Stephanie… how are you doing?”
“Okay.”
Dominic is sitting at the desk wearing a purple shirt. His profile is rugged and somber. He doesn’t even look up as he focuses on whatever is on his computer screen.
Anthony tells him he’ll be back later, and Dominic gives a small grunt.
“How was work today, Steph?” The lines of concentration deepen along his brows and under his eyes.
“Ted is still there.”
He quirks his eyebrow questioningly. “I assumed he would be.” His mouth curves into a lazy smile.
I press my lips together in anger. “Are you going to help me or not, Dominic? I don’t have time for this shit!”
A muscle quivers at his jaw as he quickly moves from behind his desk, moving to where I’m still standing. His hand on my shoulder feels possessive.
“You know, I never would have expected to be having this conversation with you, Steph. You can’t take back ending a life. You do understand, don’t you?”
His fingers touch mine, and I have the wildest urge to jump back. Instead, I stand firm, biting out, “Are you going to help me or not?”
“You have a one-track mind, Steph. I said I would, but I want you to be prepared.”
“How am I not prepared?”
“Well, for starters, it costs money. Do you have it?”
Shit. I am almost afraid to ask how much. “How much?” I ask, sighing.
“You’ll need at least five hundred K.”
“Dollars? Are you kidding me?”
“Dead serious… no pun intended.”
I shake my head without speaking. I don’t have that kind of money. What was I thinking? Nausea churns in my stomach, and I pace the office while Dominic watches.
“I don’t have it.” My voice trembles as I start to cry. I haven’t hyperventilated in years, until now. Falling to the ground, I wrap my arms around my knees to try to calm my breathing. I feel two arms wrap around me and rub my back.
“Calm down, Steph. It will be okay. You’ll be okay,” he whispers.
I lean into him as he comforts me. He feels good, and my breathing slowly returns to normal. Wrapping my arms around him, I cry into his chest as he holds me.
“You are too innocent to have blood on your hands,” he whispers.
“If I don’t do this, I’ll have blood on my hands anyway. He has Monica on drugs. She got involved with him to protect me.”
He pushes stray tendrils of hair away from my cheek. He looks at me as if he’s photographing me with his eyes. There’s a tingling in the pit of my stomach as his large hand cups my face and holds it gently.
His kiss is surprisingly gentle. I’m shocked at my own eager response to the touch of his lips. His hand unbuttons my blouse, his fingers icy, but the palm fiery hot. His tongue caresses my sensitive swollen nipples.
“Pull down your pants and underwear.”
I quickly do what he asks and watch him do the same. My heart races as I stare at his very large penis. His dick is hard, practically pointing at me. Dominic grabs himself as he moves between my legs, and I spread my legs wide and lie back for him.
He drives himself into me before pulling out and driving himself in even harder. I’m mewling from pleasure; it is so good. It’s not only the sex that’s amazing but, right now, the only thing I can think about is Dominic. None of my problems seem to matter when I’m this close to him.
After my first climax, Dominic slows, thrusting in and out of me in a desperate, hard pace. He keeps slowing himself to avoid his own release. He pushes my knees up higher and plunges in farther than I thought was physically possible.
He shouts when he comes. I’m unable to make a sound as I come a second time. Dominic kisses me tenderly as he falls to my side and we curl up against each other, both of us trembling.
Dominic sits up to grab his purple shirt and lays it across me as I lie in his arms. His lips pucker in annoyance. “What are you thinking about?”
“Nothing,” I lie.
He stiffens as if I had struck him. “Steph, what are you thinking about?” He rolls over and pins me underneath him.
I can only think about his hardening dick pressed in the perfect place against me, but I am sure that isn’t the answer he’s looking for.
“I am thinking about Monica.”
His gray eyes darken as he holds my gaze.
“Let’s get dressed. I want to take you somewhere.”
Dominic holds my hand as he grasps the steering wheel with the other. Neither one of us speaks a word.
I struggle to hide my confusion when we pull in front of Monique’s townhouse.
“Why did you bring me to Monique’s house?”
“This is my house, Steph.”
He gets out and walks over to open my door. His hand is rough and gives me a sense of protection as we walk inside.
“This is your house?”
“Yes. I own the house, but Monique, Nico, and Anthony live with me. It’s too big for one person, so who better to share it with than family?” The shadow of his beard gives him an even more manly aura.
“She never mentioned it.”
“Why would she? It really wasn’t any of yo
ur concern. Besides, we are very private people.”
“You’re telling me now,” I remind him.
“I just had my dick inside you, so I guess I can share a few secrets.” He walks forward, stops in front of me, and presses his lips tenderly against mine. Pulling away, his lips lift into a smile that sends my pulse racing.
“I need to show you something in the basement.”
18
I WATCH as Dominic places bundles of cash on a pool table. His eyes search mine as I glance between him and the cash.
“Where did you get this kind of money?” I ask.
“Do you need to borrow it?” His eyes gleam like glassy volcanic rock.
“How did you…” I ask again, but he cuts me off.
“Steph, do you want to borrow it. I can’t let you have it, but your hitman will cost. Do you want Ted gone bad enough that you’ll take this cash?”
Pinching my lip, I stare at the money knowing it is the answer that I have been searching for. If I take it, my problems with Ted will end. I glance at Dominic, knowing that taking it also means new problems with him may begin.
“How long do I have to pay you back?”
“Six months.” His eyes probe to my very soul.
“Are you kidding? How would I get this kind of money in six months?”
“If you can’t, we need to call this off.”
“No! I’ll get it back to you in six months. Will you call them now?”
His eyes blaze into mine, and he gives a nod.
I can feel the hesitation coming off Dominic as he watches me. I throw the cash back into the duffle bag and set it back in the locker he got it from. He turns away from me as he places the call. I wish I could hear both sides of the conversation, but I only hear Dominic saying yes and no.
“When will it be done?” I question him when he is off the phone.
He sighs and his eyes narrow and harden. “It will be done in a couple of weeks.”
“Are you serious? Why is this taking so long, Dominic?”
His dark eyes flash in a gentle but firm warning. “It takes time, Steph. I promise it will work out.”
Putting my head against his chest, he wraps his arms around me.
As he lifts me, I wrap my legs around him, and he carries me upstairs to his bedroom. He gently eases me on the bed, kneeling between my legs to pull off my pants. Dominic licks every inch of my body until he stops at the apex of my thighs and his mouth clamps down around my clit.
After screaming his name, I nearly black out from sensation overload, but then I feel him move off the bed. He grabs something from the nightstand and crawls back between my legs. I watch him with blurry vision as he slides on a condom then gently pushes into my aching core. I don’t know how many times Dominic and I have had sex when I finally cried out another release. Nothing else matters when Dominic is inside me.
Feeling achy and exhausted, I climb out of bed. After slipping Dominic’s purple shirt over my head, I softly open the door and head to the kitchen.
I quickly realize my mistake when I come face to face with Monique.
“Stephanie? What are you doing here?” Monique questions. She looks me over and notices I’m wearing Dominic’s shirt. “You and Dominic?” she answers before I say anything.
“I… We were discussing…”
I don’t know what to say to her. He was helping me, so I fucked him? Or, I let him fuck me because he is helping me?
“Why are you out of bed?” I hear Dominic holler as he pushes open the kitchen door. He stops dead in his tracks when he sees I am not alone.
Making matters worse, he is only wearing his boxer shorts. There is no way for me to get out of this situation with Monique, not that I really have anything to get out of. She is his sister, not his wife.
Monique lifts her hand and walks out of the kitchen without saying another word. Dominic rolls his eyes and pulls me into his hard, tattooed chest.
“See what happens when you sneak out of bed?” he teases and kisses me on the neck.
“Do you think she is upset about me being here?”
He moans and shakes his head.
“Dominic… I am serious. I consider her a friend.”
He gives an impatient shrug. “The only thing I am concerned about now is getting you back to bed.”
Dominic takes me back to bed and makes sure I am too distracted to leave or bring up Monique.
THE NEXT MORNING, Dominic and I take a shower and then he drives me back to my car. I send Monique at text apologizing for the embarrassing moment in the kitchen, but she never responds.
My texts to both Monica and Monique have gone unanswered, even though I can see they both have read them.
Monica didn’t answer when I went to her house. I decide to go to the bar to find out why Monique is not talking to me.
Her eyebrows raised inquiringly as I approach. “Did you need something Stephanie?”
I’m taken aback at how cold her voice sounds. “You’re upset that I was with Dominic,” I reply.
Monique pulls out a rag and wipes the bar top as she walks away.
“Monique, why does it bother you so much?”
“He was supposed to help you get rid of a problem, not give you a bigger problem by fucking you.”
“It was one-night, Monique. Why do you think it will lead to a problem?”
She chuckles and looks past me. “You have no idea, do you? There are some people you just don’t climb into bed with, Stephanie. They will take more than you can give. Dominic is not the man you want to get involved with. You should have kept it business.”
A customer interrupts, and Monique walks away to get his drink. I have no idea what she is saying to me. I did climb into bed with Dominic, but she makes it sound like a life sentence. I need to find out what she is talking about and why she is warning me away from him.
Monique isn’t talking, so that leaves only one person I can ask.
Me: Can I see you later?
Temptation: Can’t tonight. I’ll let you know when I’m free.
I stare at the text and glance at Monique. I know I can’t expect him to drop everything for me, but he’ll let me know when he’s free?
Me: I let you fuck me. Now I need an appointment?
No response…
Me: Are you ignoring me now?
No response…
Me: Can you give me the name of whoever the hell will be helping me with my problem?
I start to wonder if he’s in the office and consider barging in to have this conversation with him in person.
Me: I am at the bar. Are you in the office?
Temptation: No
Me: No, you won’t give the name, or no, you’re not in the office?
Temptation: Both
I am over this shit. Monique, Monica, and Dominic can all go to hell.
19
IT’S BEEN two weeks since I last saw Dominic. I also haven’t talked to Monique and haven’t been to any team meetings, not that I have been invited to any. Having dinner with my parents should keep my mind off both.
We go to my mother’s favorite restaurant and get a booth near the bar. After a few drinks, we all are in a good mood and teasing each other. I have always been in awe of my parents’ relationship. They’ve been married for forty years and still like each other. Most couples act like they just put up with each other after that many years.
“Are you still selling the sex toys, honey?” my mother asks.
My father’s eyes widen to the size of two large coffee cups. “Sex toys?” he chokes out.
“Yep, it’s how the insurance has been getting paid,” she answers.
He tilts his brow, looking at me uncertainly.
I am so embarrassed and feel like daddy’s little girl just became daddy’s dirty daughter.
“It’s not just sex toys, Dad. I sell bath and body products, and they happen to offer adult toys, too. I was making good money and I was my own boss.”
“
Uh-huh,” he replies.
“I haven’t had a party lately. I just have too much on my plate,” I whisper.
“Does this have anything to do with Monica’s problem?” my mother questions.
“Her problem?”
“Yes. I ran into her mom, and she said she thinks she is doing drugs. She has lost so much weight, which is hard to do since she was only a hundred pounds to begin with. She also has some new boyfriend that has moved in with her.”
“He’s moved in with her?” I choke out.
“Yes, have you met him?”
I am relieved when the waiter arrives with our food. Hopefully, my mother will focus on her food and forget the question. I can’t believe Monica let Ted move in with her. Why in the hell would she do this?
I told Monica that we would get rid of Ted. Why didn’t she trust me? She moved that bastard in with her? I can’t believe any of this and can barely eat.
After dinner, I drop my parents off and drive to Monica’s. I’ll see for myself if it’s true.
Ted opens the door wearing only jeans. I am close to losing the shrimp I just consumed.
“Is Monica here?” I spit out.
His eyes roam over me before he steps away from the door. Monica is lying on the couch, and she is out of it. Her arm is thrown across her face, and she is only wearing her bra and panties.
I try to wake her, but it’s useless. Ted laughs and falls into the chair beside her.
“Give it up… She… is… so… high…” he slurs.
“Why are you doing this?”
“Because… I... can.” He laughs and picks up a beer bottle.
Ted grabs me before I get to the door and slams me against it. He holds my arms as he kisses my neck, and even though he is high, he is still stronger than me.
“She isn’t my first choice. I’ll walk away from her… if you… promise… to let me… between… your legs.”
He uses his leg to force mine open, and I turn my head to bite him.
He lifts his arm to hit me, and I kick him in the crotch. I manage to escape and run straight to my car.
I lock my car door once I am inside and drive away, glancing back as I pull out of the parking lot. I thought Dominic would help me take care of Ted, but he hasn’t. I have the money for the hitman sitting in my closet and no one to give it to. Monique isn’t talking to me, so I have no one else to turn to. I’ll do this on my own.
