Chapter 8

• Aria's POV
• "Is that how you look at a nanny?" Marco asked.
• The music played on. The silence between the three of us felt deafening. Dominic's arm around my waist felt like an iron brand. Guests stared. Jasmine glared at me from the edge of the dance floor.
• I pushed against Dominic's solid chest. I slipped out of his hold.
• "I have tomorrow off," I told Marco. I forced a polite smile. "I can get a coffee with you then. But tonight, I have a job to do."
• Marco grinned. "It is a date."
• Jasmine smirked, looking satisfied.
• Dominic said nothing. His jaw flexed. He turned and walked straight out of the hall.
• Later that night, the house slept. I put Luca in his crib and went downstairs to the kitchen for water.
• The hallway near the master suite was dark. I heard a low voice. I stopped behind a marble pillar.
• Jasmine stood outside Dominic's office door. She wore a sheer, black lace nightgown. The fabric hid absolutely nothing. She reached out, placing her hand flat against his chest.
• A sharp, sour ache bloomed in my chest. I gripped my glass. He was her husband. She had every right to touch him.
• I had none. I told myself to look away and I was a stranger who happened to have a one-night stand with him. He didn't even recognize me!
• I shouldn't fantasize about anything anymore. As long as Luca was safe.
• But I could not move.
• "Dom, it has been weeks," Jasmine purred. She leaned closer. "We are married. You work too hard."
• Dominic looked down at her hand. He took a step back. The physical distance he created felt freezing.
• "Do not call me Dom," he said. His tone held zero warmth. "Only my friends call me that. You are my wife on paper."
• Jasmine lowered her arm. Her face turned red. "I am your wife."
• "I married you because you saved me and brought me my son," Dominic replied. "I took responsibility for Luca's mother. You have my name, my money, and my protection. Do not expect affection. Go back to your room."
• He shut the office door in her face.
• I pressed my back against the pillar. My heart raced. I hurried back to the nursery, trying to ignore the strange relief flooding my veins.
• The next afternoon, Marco met me at a small cafe downtown. I wore jeans and a plain sweater. I wanted to escape the estate. I needed to avoid Dominic's dangerous, searching gaze. If I stayed near him, he would strip away all my secrets.
• We sat at a table near the window. Marco went to the counter to pay for our drinks.
• He swiped his black card. The machine beeped.
• "Declined," the barista said.
• Marco frowned. He pulled out a gold card. Beep. Declined.
• "This is impossible," Marco muttered. He checked his phone. His face fell. "My cousin froze all my accounts."
• "It's okay. I'll pay it."
• But before I handed my card, a heavy black SUV pulled up to the curb. The tires screeched against the pavement.
• The cafe door swung open. Dominic walked in. He wore a dark suit with a loosened tie. He ignored Marco. He walked straight to my table.
• "Get up," Dominic ordered.
• "She is having coffee with me," Marco argued. He stepped in front of me.
• Dominic finally looked at his cousin. "You have no money to buy her coffee. Stay out of my way."
• Dominic put $100 note on the table before he grabbed my wrist. He pulled me out of the cafe and pushed me into the back seat of the SUV. He climbed in right after me.
• The heavy door slammed shut. The driver raised the soundproof privacy screen.
• The space was too small. Dominic crowded me. I scrambled backward, but my spine hit the opposite door. He planted one hand on the leather seat next to my thigh. He braced his other hand on the window above my head.
• He trapped me.
• The scent of bergamot and expensive scotch filled my lungs. My chest heaved. I looked up into his dark eyes.
• "Are you crazy?" I demanded.
• He leaned down. His face hovered inches from mine. His gaze dropped to my lips before rising back to meet my stare.
• "Stay away from Marco," Dominic whispered. His voice was hoarse, scraping against my skin. "You think you are playing it safe. But what kind of intentions do you think your 'good sister' has?"
• My breath caught in my throat. He knew. He knew Jasmine was pushing me away on purpose.