“So I’ll ask again. What’s the problem?”
“This isn’t just a fuck buddy situation, Blake. I’m way too…” I wave my arm about, trying to come up with the right words.
“Beautiful? Amazing? Wonderful?”
“I was going to say incapable of having a real relationship.” I bite my lip and then feel myself grin. “But thanks for the compliments.”
“I don’t know what the fuck Jonathan did to you, but I do know that he did a number on your view of relationships. Leash, of course you’re capable of having a relationship. You and I have been in one for more than three years.”
“That started as sex, and now we’re just friends. And I love you, but not in that way.”
“And you think you could love Dom in that way?”
Much to my distress, tears fill my eyes. “I like him.”
“Do you think he likes you back, or is he just looking to get laid?”
You make me lose my English.
“He likes me.”
“He’d be stupid not to.” Blake chuckles ruefully. “Alecia, you are a sexy, beautiful, smart woman. Not all romantic relationships work, but some do.”
“Not for me.”
“Shut up for a minute. Jesus, you’re fucking stubborn.”
“Did you just tell me to shut up?”
“Yes, and you’re not good at taking orders, obviously.”
Come, Alecia. I’m good at taking orders from Dominic.
“Just take a deep breath, Leash. You’re over-thinking this. I know you. You had a good time, and it scared you, and now you’re doing the girl thing, over-analyzing it all.”
“I am a girl.”
“I’m aware,” he says with a chuckle. “I love you, kiddo. You’re the best friend I ever had. You’re still the best sex I ever had.”
“Blake—”
“You deserve to be happy. Just be happy, Leash.”
“I want to be happy too,” I choke out.
“So, just do that. Be happy. Fuck him senseless. Laugh with him. Let him teach you about wines and all that other fun shit, and don’t worry about the rest of it.”
“How did you get so smart?”
“I was in love with you for a long time, and you couldn’t love me back.” My heart stumbles to a stop as my eyes widen and my jaw drops. “I’m lucky just to have you in my life. I got over it, and now I think of you more like a sister, but don’t shut Dom out the way you did me. Not if you think it could work out between you.”
“Blake.”
“I mean it. Go back out there.”
“I’m going to go help Emily out tonight at the Haverland wedding.” I’m still stuck like stupid on I was in love with you for a long time. “Blake, I didn’t know.”
“You weren’t in a good place then, kiddo. You’re good now. I’m okay.”
“We’re okay?”
“We will be if you go back to the vineyard tonight. Emily doesn’t need your help. The Haverland wedding is tiny, and she has it handled.”
“It’s my business. I should be there.”
“It’s your business, and you’ve hired good people. You’re being stubborn again.”
“I love you too, you know.”
“I know. Go to the vineyard.”
“No.”
“I’ll give you a thousand bucks.”
“I don’t need it.” I giggle and flop down on my couch, feeling more relaxed than I have since this morning when I was in Dom’s arms. “You’re bossy.”
“Fine. Do what you want.” He sighs dramatically. “What do I care if Salvatore gets laid?”
“He already got laid today. He’s fine.”
“I don’t want to know this.”
I chuckle again and then take a deep, cleansing breath. “So, I overreacted.”
“Probably. What’s up with women? Why can’t y’all just fuck like rabbits and then get on with your day? Why do you have to sketch out a three-year plan and talk it to death? Just enjoy the sex, for Christ sakes.”
“People should pay you for this advice,” I say dryly. “Speaking of sex, are you seeing anyone?”
“I’m seeing a few someones,” he replies with a smile in his voice. “I don’t have sex hang-ups.”
“You’re gross. Tell me you’re being careful.”
“I buy condoms by the case.”
“Ew.”
“You asked, sweetheart.”
Chapter Nine
Dominic
“Good morning, Mr. Salvatore.”
I glance up from my computer as Celeste walks briskly into my office. “Good morning.”
“I just saw Alecia,” she begins, and opens her iPad to go over notes with me, as is our usual morning routine. “She was just leaving.”
My heart stills. “Leaving?”
“She said she has some business that requires her attention, so she asked me to pass the message on to you.”
“Fine.” I nod, as the rest of me sighs in relief. Business. Yes, it’s just like my Alecia to run off at a moment’s notice if her business needs her. I love her work ethic, her passion for her job.
Yet, it’s interesting that while she loves the planning, she’s as cynical as they come when it comes to love.
I wonder if I can change her mind in that area.
I begin rattling off duties for Celeste to see to during the day. “Mick, the head of security, will be here tomorrow morning, and every day thereafter until the wedding.”
“Yes, I have that on the schedule,” Celeste replies with a nod. “Do you want me to have lunch brought in for your brothers today?”
“My brothers?” I ask with a raised brow.
“Yes, all of them are here.”
I blink at Celeste in confusion. “All of them?”
“Whether related by blood or marriage, they’re here. The backyard is a huge mass of testosterone. Can you bring them by more often?”
I laugh as I stand and shake my head at my assistant. “They’re all completely in love with their women, you know.”
“I don’t have to touch them to appreciate them. I’m sure their women would understand.”
“Would Clay understand?” I ask, referring to her husband of more than a dozen years.
“Clay doesn’t have to know.” She smiles and follows me out of my office. “So, lunch?”