6. Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Cassie

H ow I managed to keep it together while I drove Tony and myself home, I wasn't sure. What I wasn't expecting though, besides seeing Peter at the restaurant, was to have Dominic following me. I told him he didn't need to, but he insisted. And I had no idea what to make of it. It was very unusual for me.

"Mom, are you okay?" I pulled into the garage and cut the engine before glancing back at Tony.

"Yeah, bud. Let's head in. Dominic is stopping by to make sure we're okay but it's past your bedtime."

"Got it." I took a deep breath as he climbed out, taking a moment for myself. Tony was one of the greatest kids to have in my opinion .

When Peter saw us there, Dominic's hand on my back, the man went crazy, with no reason to. I would have loved to have said it was the first time he was a prick with his words, but it wasn't. However, it was the first time in front of Tony; or anyone for that matter.

I shook my head and climbed out of the car, seeing the sleek vehicle pull into the driveway. I smirked as I admired the car. I didn't necessarily know all about sports cars, but I could appreciate the beauty behind them. And Dominic had a gorgeous car. I waited for him to climb out and follow me in, before closing the garage door.

"Tony's getting ready for bed. As you can see, we're good."

"Kicking me out already?" he teased, taking a seat on the couch.

"Mom." I didn't get a chance to respond as Tony came into the living room, hugging me. "I'm heading to bed. Thanks for joining us, Dominic. I'll see you, tomorrow."

"See you, little man." Dominic high-fived him and I kissed Tony's head as he left. "Is Peter always a motherfucking prick in public?" I licked my lips, taking a deep breath before turning to him.

"Join me in the kitchen, then Tony can't hear from where his room is. I refuse to be a bitch and talk about his dad badly within earshot, if I can avoid it." Dominic got up and followed me in. "Want anything to drink?"

"A water, please. Damn mouth is still on fire." I grinned as I grabbed two bottles and sat down.

"No, Peter has never been like that. I'm not fully sure why he was tonight."

"I can tell you why," he offered, twisting the lid, then taking a deep drink.

"Why?"

"Because of me, Cassie." He held up his hand to stop the words coming out of my mouth and I'm not sure if I was offended or impressed. "Men are strange creatures. No matter the outcome of a relationship, we end it, we cheat, we do whatever, it doesn't matter. When something was ours, it's ours. Seeing what's ours with someone else sends a primal urge through us."

"That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard." I watched as he lifted his shoulder while he took another drink.

I couldn't say I didn't look at sexy men, because that's a straight-up lie. But I hardly glanced at men Dominic's age. However, I couldn't tear my eyes away from the tan face, broad shoulders, and a huge weakness for me, his Adam's apple. I could never say why I found them sexy, but I did. And, well, watching Dominic drink tonight sure didn't hurt .

"We're men, did we say we were intelligent or something?" I laughed at that because he was certainly right about it.

"That's never been Peter though. We weren't ever in love when we got married. It was due to me being pregnant. So, I can't even say that Peter wanted all of this. Why be all territorial over something he didn't want?" Dominic leaned forward and I caught his gaze, noticing just how bright his eyes were.

"Doesn't matter if he didn't love or didn't want you, you were his. He saw another man with their arm around you, regardless of the reasoning behind it." I licked my lips, watching as Dominic followed the movement and I felt a flutter in my stomach.

What was that ? I hadn't ever felt it before. But the way it made me smile, I wanted to feel it again.

"Dominic," I whispered, and he lifted a brow.

"What is it, sweetheart?" Even being married to Peter, pet names weren't something we had ever used. He hated them and said they sounded childish. So, hearing an endearment like that falling from this man's lips did that flutter in my stomach again.

"I…" but I stopped, unable to go down that road like I wanted to. I was far too old to be even remotely interested in this man. "Did you enjoy your dinner? "

"It was quite delicious. Don't recall tasting anything like that back home." Dominic leaned back and crossed his arms. "Santa Fe may not be as bad as I first thought it was."

"It's got a lot of charm that people overlook. Most of the places out here are like that, you know."

"So, I can trust you to show me some really nice spots around the town?" I tilted my head and gave him a pointed look.

"I told you I would. I have some spots that would sell you even more on this great state. Places you wouldn't even think of and places that are nothing like back home for you."

"How would you know if you haven't left the state?"

"Oh, Dominic, I said I hadn't moved, I didn't say I didn't visit other places. I've been to Florida, it's far too humid for my taste though."

"That's good to know, Cassie." Dominic grinned as he glanced at his watch. "I better head out." I wasn't sure why my stomach sank at those words. It wasn't like I had any ideas with him. Well, let me rephrase that, I shouldn't be getting ideas with him.

"I'll walk you out. And we'll see you tomorrow." I stood and then walked over to the door, opening it for him as he followed .

"Cassie," he called, and I looked up at him. He cupped my cheek, his thumb brushing over my cheekbone, as his head descended then his lips brushed mine in the lightest of kisses. He pulled back, a grin on those perfectly pouty lips. "Thank you for tonight and I look forward to many more nights like this." I twisted my lip, having to at least say it to make sure he got the gist before taking any path, regardless if it was a path I was thinking, or silently hoping for.

"Please don't break my heart, I'm not sure I can go through something that bad again."