Page 73 of Dominic Powers Duet Box Set
2
Chapter Two
The worst dayof my life happened nearly three weeks ago today. It was my own private D-Day,Dom-Day, when I lost my Dom. I haven’t seen him since he slammed his office door shut in my face. He is forever etched in my mind and my heart. His muscular build, mixed with his stunningly handsome face, haunts me in my dreams. His blue eyes darken with lust and lighten with laughter. The tattoos that adorn his chest and arm are made of intricate patterns, colors, and shapes. His sexy, smug smile and loving murmurs echo in my mind. My god, my chest physically hurts from the loss I feel.
Cheryl moved my office to another floor so I haven’t even been able toaccidentallyrun into him. I overheard a couple of the department heads talking earlier and they said he had taken an extended vacation after all he’s been through, with the wreck and then the house fire.
They didn’t know I was standing there, eavesdropping, trying to garner any possible morsel of information about him. Thankfully, they didn’t say anything about his absence being my fault. The gag order is apparently working very well since most of the employees haven’t treated me any differently. There are obviously a few who know and I feel their judging, penetrating stares even when they smile and try to act normal.
“No, Dominic had a two-week Caribbean vacation planned. He’s back from vacation now,” Darren says into the phone. “He’s not in the office, Rich. He’s on location in Tennessee this week and will be back next week.”
My heart is racing and I feel faint. Grabbing onto the doorframe, I steady myself and listen to Darren in this one-sided conversation. “No, Rich, I don’t think he will agree to another week away in San Diego so soon. What can I do for you?”
Knowing that Darren will be on the phone for a while with Rich, I retreat back to the solitude of my new office. Sitting in my office alone has become somewhat of a new pastime for me. I still handle all of my work and as much of Dom’s work as I can without stirring suspicion, but nothing fully takes my mind off my man. The same thoughts are constantly flowing through my mind and they’re driving me insane. Dropping my head into my hands, I squeeze my eyes shut and try to block them out, but just like every other time, it doesn’t work.
Is it really over between us?
Did he stop loving me?
Will I never touch his face again?
What will I do if I’ve lost him forever?
“Sophia, did you hear me?” a male voice booms from my door.
Quickly jerking my head up, I realize it probably appeared as if I was asleep on the job and I slump down into my chair even more. “No, Darren, I’m sorry. My head is killing me. What did you say?”
His eyes soften and his voice changes to reflect his empathy for me, and my obvious pain. “I’m sorry, Sophia. I didn’t mean to shout and make it worse.”
“You didn’t,” I reply warmly. “What can I do for you, Darren?”
“Rich Daltry withD-Force Gamescalled. That man is impossible. I don’t know how Dominic deals with him,” Darren rambles. “Anyway, can you pull this contract and double check the language we included regarding last minute changes?”
“Sure, Darren. I’m certain of what was included, but I’ll double check it anyway and get it right back to you.”
“No rush,” Darren laughs. “Let him stew until tomorrow. I’m not calling him back today.”
Giving Darren a small smile and nod before he leaves, I can’t help but compare him to my Dom. Where Darren wants nothing to do with the negotiation and the argumentative side of this business, Dominic thrives on it and readily accepts the challenge. The differences in their personalities couldn’t be more apparent, but they do complement each other very well. Just the mere thought of Dom in contract negotiations brings back memories of our trip to San Diego, when everything between us started.
The pain is so intense that it feels like my chest will split in two. I raise my hand to cover my chest like that will help ease the pain in some way. My desperation is at the breaking point and my hand reaches for the phone receiver. It’s become a physical need and a compulsion–I have to hear his voice just one more time. It’s been so long and it’s killing me.
I can’t say goodbye. No matter how wrong I’ve been in all of this. I can’t let him go without fighting with everything in me. Dominic is everything I’ve always wanted, nothing I’ve ever had, and the very man I never believed existed. No man in my life has ever been so good, so kind, and so loving to me. He gave me all of him and I took it. I just took it from him and I hurt him, I hurt myself, and I lost the only man I will ever love.
Quickly dialing his cell phone number before I lose my nerve, I listen as it rings and pray that he answers, that he doesn’t answer, that it goes to voicemail, or that he just walks into my office and takes me away from all of this. My mind is so screwed up, I can’t think straight when it comes to him. The only thing I can focus on is work and that’s because I want him to be proud of me again.
“Dominic Powers,” his rich voice answers.
Caught in my inner turmoil, I forgot the phone was even still ringing. He’s really there – he answered my call. Then I realize that the only number that would’ve shown on his caller ID is the main exchange at DPS. He wouldn’t have any way of knowing it was me calling, and of course he would take a call from his own company’s phone number.
“Hello? Anyone there?” he asks, his voice slightly agitated at having to ask twice.
Frantically trying to think of any reason to speak to him, my mind comes up completely blank. I have no valid reason for calling him, nothing that wouldn’t be completely transparent in my intentions. Then it hits me, Ineedto be completely transparent with him now. He needs to know how I feel and I need him to hear me out completely.
Before I can speak, he sighs heavily, “Sophia? Is that you?”
“Dominic, I need to talk to you,” I finally squeak out.
“Is this about work?” he asks, but his voice doesn’t hold any hatred or disgust. That fact alone gives me hope.
