Page 46 of Disavowed
“You’re good, doc.” She picked up her cup. “That pretty much sums it up. Although,” she continued, grimacing, “there’s a bit more to it than that.”
“Uh, oh. What happened?”
“The other night after dinner at your place, Dom paid me an unexpected visit.”
“At your apartment?” Alex frowned. “That can’t be good.”
“It wasn’t.” She shuddered at the powerful jolt of awareness that shot from her belly to her breasts as she recalled the finesse with which Dom had touched her.
“You didn’t.” Alex gasped. “Did you?”
“No!” she practically shouted. “But we came frighteningly close, and before I knew it we were on the sofa and half my clothes were off and—”
“And what?” Alex leaned in, widening her eyes.
“And I kicked him out on his perfectly muscled ass.” She smiled smugly.
“Good for you.” Alex held out her raised hand, which Alex slapped with a hearty high-five. “I love Dom like a brother, but I’ll never condone the way he goes through women. I don’t think he gives them unrealistic expectations or lies to them, though. There’s something deeper at work there. Personally, I think he’s afraid of them.”
“Seriously?” She couldn’t imagine him being afraid of anyone or anything. He exuded far too much confidence and physical strength to cower for any reason.
The unexpected words Dom whispered while they’d been dancing at Alex and Gray’s wedding came to her. Love hurts too much. That had been what he’d muttered, she was sure of it. Hard to imagine, but could Dom have been hurt by someone he’d once loved?
“Regardless,” Alex continued, “one-night stands won’t work for you, so you did the right thing kicking him out. And,” she added softly, “anytime you need to talk, I’m here for you. We girls have to stick together.”
“Amen,” Daisy said. “But right now the problem is Jack. I have a date with him tonight, and I’m thinking of canceling.”
“Why?”
She uttered a loud groan. “How fair would it be if I went out with Jack, knowing that all Dom has to do is look at me and I turn into a wanton pile of spineless goo who can’t keep her clothes on.”
Alex pursed her lips, then a thoughtful expression came over her face. “Did you ever stop to consider that maybe Jack is just what you need to get over Dom? You gotta get back in the saddle, cowgirl. Give the guy a chance, but take it slow.”
“I thought of that.” She nodded in agreement. “But I still feel guilty as hell.”
“Maybe you’re putting too much pressure on yourself…and on this date tonight. Maybe Jack is only looking for someone to have a nice meal with. Not all men are expecting sex on the first date, so why not go out and enjoy yourself?”
Yeah, not all men expect sex on the first date. Dom did. And that wasn’t even a date.
She took a deep breath. “You’re right.”
“You go, girl.” Alex winked, then ate the last of her croissant. “And I have news as well.” She pressed a hand to her flat belly. Her face took on a dreamy, serene look. “I think I’m pregnant.”
Daisy gasped. “Oh my gosh. That’s wonderful news.” She came around the desk and hugged Alex to her. “I’m so happy for you.” Alex had wanted another child, and now her wish was coming true.
“Thank you.” Her eyes filled with unshed tears as she smiled. “Gray doesn’t know yet, and technically until I have the test, I’m not positive.”
“But you know.” Daisy grinned, nodding her head. “Don’t you?”
“I do. And I hope it’s a girl this time.”
Thirty minutes later, she walked Alex to the door and hugged her friend good-bye. “Call me when you know for sure, okay?”
“I will,” Alex promised. “And you call me tomorrow and let me know how your date with Jack went.”
“Will do.” She watched Alex walk to the curb and hail a cab.
Soon her friend’s slim body would swell with child, and she wondered if her own body would ever be blessed with the joys of motherhood. She vowed then and there that if she was lucky enough to have a family of her own, she would shower her babies with all the love that had been missing from much of her own life since her parents had died.
