12. Madelyn

CHAPTER 12

Madelyn

I ’m staring hard at the wall in my office when a sharp and purposeful knock comes from the door. It’s pretty late, so I can’t help but wonder who’s on the other side.

“Come in,” I say loud enough for whoever it is to hear.

The door opens and in walks a woman with long legs and shiny blonde hair. My lips part as I take her in. She’s gorgeous in that model-like kind of way—slim, with big breasts and pretty almond green eyes that scan the room before landing on me. She offers me a bright smile as soon as her eyes meet mine. The woman is stunning, and it would be intimidating, except she’s currently wearing a red sweater with the words “Yule Be Sorry” emblazoned in bold white letters across the front, a smirking Santa underneath it.

I blink, pulling myself out of the momentary shock. “Hello?”

She shifts her weight from one leg to the other. “Hi, sorry for barging in here. The office door has the words ‘intelligence analyst’ on the plaque so I assumed it was someone else’s office,” she explains.

She’s kind of cute. I set down the coffee cup in my hand and rise from my chair.

“It’s okay. Who are you looking for? Maybe I can help?”

“I’m looking for Dominic,” she replies, surprising me. “Hale. Dominic Hale. He works as an intelligence analyst on this floor.”

Why is this beautiful blonde looking for Dominic?

“Oh, um. Yeah, I know Dominic, but he left work early today. He’s not in.”

She shuts her eyes with a soft sigh before muttering under her breath, “That fucking jackass.” When her eyes open, she shoots me an apologetic glance. “Sorry, it’s just he promised to go out for drinks with me tonight, and he didn’t call to cancel. He can be so annoying at times.”

Trust me, lady, I know.

I can’t help the flare of jealousy in my chest at this situation. I have no idea what her relationship is with Dominic, but they must be close if they’re going for drinks together. The man doesn’t drink, and he especially doesn’t go out.

“Anyway, I’d better go,” she says, looking around my office, taking in the Christmas lights strung along the bookshelves and the miniature snowman figuring perched on my desk. She smiles, and it’s warm, disarming, the kind of smile that makes you want to like her even if your gut tells you not to.

She turns her attention back to me, her expression genuinely curious. “I should probably introduce myself,” she states, holding out her hand. “I’m Carly, and you are…?”

“Madelyn,” I answer cautiously, shaking her hand.

Her grip is firm, yet soft. As soon as I say my name, her eyes grow wider.

“No way, you’re Madelyn?” she asks excitedly.

The unexpected recognition throws me off.

“Yes… how do you know that?”

She grins. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

That freezes me in place. “He’s… talked about me? With you?”

“Well, I wouldn’t say he talked about you. We both know Dom’s favorite means of communication is grunts and shrugs in lieu of actual words,” she says, making me laugh. “Actually, I heard a lot about you from Josh. You’re the woman who’s bringing my reclusive friend out of his shell. I can see why Dominic’s so enthralled by you. You’re gorgeous,” she says enthusiastically.

I smile. “Thanks, I feel the same about you.”

“And you also have good taste,” she states, gesturing around my office. “I love the decorations. I’m a bit of a Christmas enthusiast myself.”

“I can tell. I love your sweater by the way,” I tell her, immediately relaxing. She has a calming aura. It’s almost impossible to keep your guard up around her.

“Thank you. Anyway, I should probably leave. Sorry to bother you.”

I shake my head. “It’s fine. I wasn’t doing anything before you arrived.”

That has Carly’s eyes growing lighter. “Really? So is there any chance I could steal you away for drinks? Dom already canceled on me and Joshy’s in some meeting. It’ll be fun. Just us girls.”

I ponder her suggestion for a minute. It would be nice to pick the brain of someone who actually knows Dominic—apart from Joshua, who has proven himself to be fiercely loyal. Plus, Carly seems like the kind of person who could help me out with the information I need. I know she’d be willing to divulge a secret or two. If not, at least she’ll help me understand the relationship between her and Dominic better.

My curiosity has me nodding in agreement.

“You know what, I had a long day. Maybe drinks aren’t a bad idea,” I state.

After that meeting where my idea was shut down once again and what happened with Dominic in the stairwell, alcohol might just be the thing to help me loosen up. Going home certainly won’t help, because all I’ll be doing is thinking about either my problems or the man who plagues my every waking moment. I’m actually glad he’s not here right now. We need some space from each other.

Carly is visibly excited that I agreed to go out with her. “It’ll be great,” she says assuringly.

I offer her a small smile. “I know a place not far from here we could go. I’m sort of a regular there.”

It’s the same bar I headed to when I was assaulted a couple weeks ago, but now I know better. Carly and I won’t be taking any shortcuts.

Half an hour later, we’re both seated in front of the bar with two drinks in front of us.

“So,” Carly drawls after taking a sip of her margarita, “I know you probably have a lot of questions. Ask me.”

“I’m just curious about your relationship with Dominic. He just doesn’t seem like the sort of person to have friends. Joshua was a surprise, you’re…” I trail off, unsure of how to complete that statement.

“I’m the third wheel,” Carly finishes for me with a grin. “You know how a tricycle needs three complete wheels to function. Yeah, that’s basically the three of us. I’ve known Josh and Dom since I was a teenager. They’ve known each other longer. The three of us have been close for a really long time.”

“Oh,” I say, slightly jealous of their bond.

I don’t have that with anyone. Someone once told me I have a “floater” personality. Meaning I’m friendly with everyone and yet I don’t really have anyone I’m actually friends with. It’s a defense mechanism I had to cultivate to survive, but right now, it hurts a little in the face of the relationships even someone as seemingly cold as Dominic was able to establish.

“You don’t have to worry, though,” Carly hurriedly adds. “Dom and I are just friends. I’ve never hooked up with him or seen him as anything other than my brother. You can join our tricycle if you want. We could always use another extra wheel. Or scratch that, you and Dom can be a bike all on your own. Two wheels, that would be so cute.”

I huff out an amused breath at the analogy. “That’s really nice, Carly. But Dominic and I aren’t in a relationship.”

She arches an eyebrow. “Are you sure about that? After all the time he spent searching for you, I can promise that he has no plans of ever letting you again.

“Wait,” I say, my eyes widening, “what do you mean, all the time he spent searching for me?”

Carly freezes for a second. She has this deer-caught-in-headlights expression for a minute before it clears and she offers me a soothing smile.

“I meant after all the time he’s spent searching for someone he cares about as much as he does you,” she says in correction.

“Oh,” I murmur, not believing her in the slightest. This is the confirmation I’ve needed, that Dominic’s appearance in my life is more than a little suspicious.

“But do you want to be, though?” Carly questions.

“What?”

“In a relationship. With Dominic.”

I shrug, thinking about all the time we’ve spent together, especially about that kiss two days ago. I can’t stop thinking about the way my chest felt like it was about to explode. And how being in his arms was the safest I’ve felt ever.

I don’t really have an answer to Carly’s question, so I just choose not to say anything. I order another drink, this time straight tequila in a shot glass. She watches with an inquisitive expression as I down the shot.

“He’s not a bad person, you know,” Carly starts. “Dominic’s been dealt a bad hand in life. He’s been through so much. And I know he can be a bit of a dick.”

That causes me to snicker.

“But I promise, if you give him a chance, you won’t regret it.”

“You’re like the devil’s advocate,” I say on a smile.

“He’s not the devil, though,” his friend points out amicably.

I sigh softly. “I know, he’s a shadow.”

She seems surprised, but it’s true. From what I’ve been able to glean, he and I are similar in that regard. I’m a ghost, Dominic’s a shadow. Shadows thrive in darkness, and I guess I’m just not sure why or what put him there.

“Precisely,” Carly murmurs. “Anyway, we’d better stop there before this conversation grows too dark.”

I laugh. “I agree. Enough about Dominic. How about you tell me a little bit about yourself? What do you do for work?”

“Oh, I’m a doctor,” she informs me, leaving me momentarily shocked.

“Are you serious? That is so cool.”

So she’s not only drop-dead gorgeous but also smart? Damn.

“Yeah. I’m a pediatric surgeon. I take care of little kids.”

I stare at her for a couple of seconds with wide eyes. “Carly, I think you’re my hero.”

She giggles at that. The two of us talk for what feels like hours. Until, all of a sudden, someone decides to turn on the speakers. I squeal when one of my favorite songs starts playing.

“Carly, we have to danceee,” I say, slurring a bit as I grab her hand and pull her onto the dance floor.

I might stumble a bit on the way, but that doesn’t matter because the combination of alcohol in my system and the music has all my worries flying away. Carly and I are jumping and screaming the lyrics to Katy Perry’s “Last Friday Night.” I’m laughing my heart out and it’s the most fun I’ve had all week.

Then two guys step in between us, effectively cutting us off from each other. I catch a brief look of panic on Carly’s face. She’s shaking her head and mouthing something to me, but the guy in front of me steps even closer, leaving me unable to figure out what she’s trying to say.

“Hey beautiful,” the guy says.

He’s kind of good-looking. Maybe a year or two younger than me, with cute blue eyes and black curly hair.

“Hi,” I say, too giddy from the alcohol to worry about stranger danger—plus, he has a charming smile.

“You’re a pretty good dancer. I’m Matt.”

“Madelyn,” I tell him. “So, Matt, you got moves?”

He chuckles. “You bet I do.”

The two of us start to sway to the music. He keeps a respectful distance away from me for a bit, allowing me to feel comfortable. I slide my fingers through my hair and tip my head back, and he gets bolder because he steps closer, placing his hand on my arm before slowly sliding it down to my waist. He’s barely touched me before a hand appears in front of me, shoving him away. My eyes widen when I feel a warm, hard presence at my back.

I don’t even need to turn around to know who it is. His scent assaults my presence. My heart does a slight jump that turns my insides upside down. I find myself catching my breath, unable to breath.

“Leave,” Dominic orders in a low thunderous tone.

I whirl around until my eyes find his gray stormy ones. I blame the alcohol in my system for the fluttering in my heart. He looks pissed. My lips part.

“Hey, Dom,” I say with a small innocent smile.

His eyes narrow. “You were going to let another man touch you?”

I make a face at that, suddenly feeling loads more sober than before. “What is that supposed to mean? This is the second time you’re acting like a possessive caveman today, Dominic. I’m not your property. Leave me alone!”

He’s about to reply when another voice joins the mix. It seems Matt wasn’t deterred by his appearance.

“The fuck, dude? I was here first.”

I fight the urge to facepalm. I’m almost sure he has a death wish. Dominic stops staring at me to shoot the other man a glare that would have most people turning on their heels and running away. Matt simply steps even closer, proving that he really does have a death wish.

“The lady obviously doesn’t want to spend time with you, so why don’t you scurry on away,” Matt states, and I can just imagine the smirk and the gloating look on his face as he says that.

Dominic grows even more scarily calm. I’m almost sure he’s going to punch him but instead he looks down at me, a gleam in his eyes that has my stomach plunging.

“What are you going to do?” I ask in a whisper.

“Show him you’re mine,” he replies a second before his lips crash to mine.

I don’t get to think or breathe. All I can do is feel. His hand moves down to my waist while his other hand grabs my neck in a possessive hold. He doesn’t just kiss me, he claims me. His teeth nibble on my bottom lip before he thrusts his tongue inside my mouth.

It’s both suffocating and liberating at the same time. I’ll never get tired of the feeling of being kissed by this man. My fingers dig into the hard ridge of his chest, fisting into his T-shirt for balance. Dominic lifts me up and I automatically wrap my legs around his waist while he continues ravaging my mouth.

I forget everything—where we are, who we’re with, I even forget my own name. My head turns dizzy, hazy, and begins floating. When he finally pulls away, air assaults my lungs. I’m disoriented while he smirks in a lazy, sinister way.

It’s only then I remember we’re in public. There’s whistles and catcalls coming from every corner of the bar. When I look behind us, Matt is nowhere to be found. The poor guy probably left during our makeout session.

“Oh my god,” I breathe, hiding my head in the crook of his neck, not daring to make eye contact with anyone.

“I warned you, Flowers.”

He carries me out of there like that, with my legs still tangled around him. The cold air is a shock to my senses as soon as we step through the doors of the bar. Dominic sets me down in front of his car. I slide down his body, not daring to look up at his face, and shiver involuntarily, rubbing my bare arms. My coat is still in there.

Dominic pulls his jacket off and places it on my shoulders.

“Wait here. I’ll get Carly and your things,” he states.

I nod, inserting my hands into the sleeves of his jacket. I’ll do literally anything if he just leaves me alone for a second. I can feel his eyes burning a hole into my face. Only once he’s gone do I finally take my first full breath.

“What the fuck just happened?” I breathe, the cold puff of air gathering in front of my face.

Too soon, Dominic and Carly are stepping out of the bar as well. She’s telling him something, gesticulating excitedly with her fingers while he listens to her with a blank expression. He’s holding my purse and coat in one hand. As soon as they’re within reach, he hands me the purse. I go through it and make sure my phone is still in there, along with everything else of importance.

Realizing I can’t put it off any longer, I slowly look back up at the man that’s ruining my life. But in a good way. I think.

“How did you even know where we were?” is the first question I ask.

Carly answers, “Oh, I texted him about an hour after we got here. I swear, he’s never replied to me that fast before. All I had to do was send him that picture we took with a message saying, ‘Guess where we are.’ He got here in less than thirty minutes and has been watching us ever since.”

“Traitor,” I mutter.

She laughs. “I’m surprised you didn’t notice him. He was standing close to the entrance and staring so intently at you, I thought he’d burn a hole into your poor face.”

I sigh. “You really take your role as a stalker seriously, don’t you?” I ask him.

He rolls his eyes. “Get in the car. We’re dropping Carly at home and then we’re going to my place.”

“No, I’m going home,” I say, crossing my arms over my chest, standing my ground. “Seriously, I’m not a puppet. You can’t just snap your fingers and make me do things.”

His eyes darken. “Either you get in that car willingly or I make you, Flowers. Choose wisely.”

I huff out a frustrated breath. “You’re impossible. I still want to go home.”

“Alright, fine. Just get in the car,” he says, his voice softer.

I search his eyes for some version of deceit but he seems honest.

“Fine.” I opened the car door and slide into the passenger seat.

I don’t miss Carly’s amused smile as she gets in the back. We drive off in silence, and soon enough the heat in the car and the comfort of the seat lulls me to sleep.