Damaged Read online

  “For seven hours, we hung out at 25, drank coffee and just talked about anything and everything,” he admitted, standing up and stretching. “She’s gorgeous, Ty, inside and out. She’s wild, unpredictable and dangerous as hell. Not just for my sanity, but for my health. She’s the kind of girl you know you’ll want forever with, and forever will still not be long enough. But she’s not the type of girl to give forever to you willingly. I’m pretty sure you’d have to drag it out of her, kicking and screaming.”

  Taking a deep breath, he shoved his hand into his gym shorts pockets. “I don’t know what to do about it. She has a boyfriend. Hell, I have Sandra. We’re friends.” He snorted at the last word. “If you discount the fact that the whole seven hours I was with her I imagined her under me.”

  “So, you’re in lust. Work it out on Sandra,” Tyler suggested, watching Dominic walk to the boxing bag and stare hard at it. He flinched when Dominic suddenly swung hard at the bag, swearing fluently as he drove his fist into it.

  “That’s the problem, Ty. It’s not lust. I’m not denying I want to lose myself in her. God, I’d give anything to have her legs around my waist as she moaned my name. There’s no guy in his right mind that wouldn’t.

  “I sat and watched her for a month without approaching her. For an entire month, we silently flirted with each other without saying one damn word. It was like a game we played. But it’s her eyes that drew me to her. I could easily lose myself in them. Christ, Ty, they reveal such pain. Jesus, there’s so much agony there. I want to know why. I want to make her forget that pain. I want—” He broke off, frustration eating at him. “I want to know her.”

  Delivering a roundhouse kick into the boxing bag, he growled, “I sure as hell don’t want to be friend-zoned.”

  Tyler burst out with laughter, shaking his head at his friend’s frustration. He had never seen Dominic so wound up about anyone, let alone a woman he’d just met. “I have to meet this Stephanie,” he said, smirking when Dominic narrowed his eyes dangerously. “I’ve got to meet the woman who has brought you to your knees. I don’t think any woman has ever done that, Dom. I didn’t think it was possible.”

  “Fuck you,” Dominic growled, lifting up his middle finger and aiming it at Tyler who grinned and blew him a kiss.

  “I’m guessing you don’t plan on staying in the allocated friend zone she’s slotted you into?” Tyler said, leaning back and resting his elbows on the steps behind him. Stretching his legs out, he hooked one of his ankles over the other.

  Dominic walked over to where Tyler sat, sitting down beside him again. He contemplated Tyler’s question, tapping his fingers against the steps. “Hell no, I want much more. I need much more. I’m not going to rush it, though. I’m going to take it slow and enjoy getting to know her.”

  “Then seduce the hell out of her?” Tyler teased, arching an eyebrow in amusement.

  He shook his head. “I don’t want her just in my bed. I want her in my life. I want to know everything about her.” Groaning, he dropped his head into his hands. “Fuck, I sound like a girl crushing on her first boyfriend.”

  Tyler chuckled, patting Dominic on the back. “Yeah, you do.” Pausing, he said, “One question: what are you going to do about Sandra, and what on earth makes you think Stephanie’s boyfriend will give her up so easily?”

  Dominic lifted his head, scowling at the mention of Stephanie’s boyfriend and his girlfriend’s name. Running a hand over his five o’clock shadow, he said. “Hell if I know. I’ll work it out when it comes to that. All I know, Ty, is that I’m not walking away from her, and I’m not letting her walk away, either. God knows, she’s going to try. Stephanie has walls around her that could rival Fort Knox. She’s determined not to let me in, but I’m going to do my damnedest to get inside.”

  Taking a deep breath, he pushed on, stumbling over his words. “I have to. I have to know what makes her tick. I need to know why she can’t sleep at night, and what has her running scared. And I want her to give me a chance, to give us a chance. I’ve got the feeling this could be something special.”

  Closing his eyes, his voice low, he said throatily, “I think she could be the one.” Taking another deep breath, he opened his eyes again. “I’ve only known her seven hours, but it feels as if I’ve known her a lifetime. I’m not letting her go. I can’t. And I’ll be damned if I let her walk away. Not now, not when I’ve just found her. Hell will freeze over first.”

  STEPHANIE SKIPPED DOWN the stairs of the Los Angeles Times Building, her face lighting up with a smile when she saw Dominic leaning against his black Porsche. Shoving the newspaper articles she was holding into her shoulder bag, she walked the distance between them, stopping in front of him.

  “Hi.” Dominic drawled, leaning closer to her and brushing his lips against her cheek. Her breath caught in her throat, surprised by the intimate action and how it felt right to her.

  Sweeping her gaze over Dominic, who wore faded black jeans and a black T-shirt emblazoned with Outlaws across the front, she said, breathlessly, “Hi back.” Her eyes twinkling with merriment, she teased, “I know I told you I was studying journalism and interning at a newspaper, but I don’t recall telling you which newspaper.”

  Dominic grinned devilishly at her. “No, you didn’t.”

  “Yet, here you are,” she drawled, watching him open up the passenger car door. Not thinking twice, she slid in and watched him close the door before he jogged around to the driver’s side. He slid into the driver’s seat, twisting his body around to face her.

  “I wanted to see you,” he said quietly, scanning her face for an indication of what she was feeling. He relaxed when he saw no sign of anger.

  “How many newspapers did you call before you figured out I was interning at the LA Times?" she asked, laughter bubbling up inside of her. She should be angry that he’d shown up without warning. If it had been anyone else, she would have been. In fact, she felt a rush of pleasure slide through her with the knowledge that he’d taken the time to find out where she was interning.

  “Twenty-seven,” Dominic said, scowling mockingly, “I didn’t realize how many goddamn newspapers LA had.” He reached out to stroke her cheek. “I called about twenty-six places before I remembered you’d mentioned you were interning for a major newspaper, and you don’t get more major than the LA Times.”

  “You’re not just a pretty face then, are you?” she teased, unconsciously leaning into his fingers as they stroked her face.

  He smiled at her, sliding his fingers down her cheek to her jaw and cupping it lightly in his hands. “No, I’m not. When I want something, I go after it,” he said softly, his emerald gaze meeting hers unwaveringly.

  Breaking his gaze, she dropped her eyes to her clasped hands. “Dominic, I’m not looking for a boyfriend. I told you—”

  “You have a boyfriend,” he finished. Waiting for her to lift her eyes, he added, “I’m not asking for anything from you, Stephanie. I just want your company. I want your friendship.”

  “Now who’s the liar?” she asked dispassionately, turning her head to stare out the window. Her hand dropped to the car door handle, and she contemplated getting out of the car. Her eyes welled up with tears, and she gulped, hard. She should walk away from Dominic. Now, while she still could. She couldn’t risk falling for a man like him, not when she knew what was out there. Not when she knew what he was capable of. Not when she knew he would never stop. Yet she couldn’t get out of the car. She felt this connection with Dominic that left her breathless, and made her crave more. With him, she felt like a flesh-and-blood woman. She wasn’t going through the motions. She was alive, for the first time in her life.

  “Please stay,” Dominic pleaded, his hand gripping her arm.

  She swung her gaze back towards his, her tormented expression making him flinch. “I’ll stay,” she relented, her bottom lip trembling slightly. “I’ll stay if you promise me one thing.”

  “Anything," Dominic said automatically. He was stu
nned by her reaction. He’d expected annoyance; he’d even expected her anger, but he hadn’t expected her tears or the agony on her face. Without thinking, he moved his hand from her arm and gently wiped away the stray tear on her cheek. She brushed his hand away, hastily wiping her face of her tears.

  “Don’t fall in love with me,” she whispered harshly, a sob catching in her throat. “I know you probably think I’m egotistical saying this, but I need your promise that you won’t do that. If you want to stay friends, or whatever the hell it is we’re heading for, you have to promise me you won’t love me. Not now, not ever.”

  “Well, that’s a first,” he drawled, jokingly. “Most women beg me to say I love them. I’ve never had a woman ask me not to.”

  “I’m not any woman,” she said grimly, turning her head to look back out the window. Taking a deep breath, she whispered, “I have a boyfriend I love, but will never be in love with. I’m with him because he’s safe, and he won’t break my heart. I know when the time comes, and I have to walk away from him, I’ll be able to do so without any regrets other than that I hurt him.”

  “You think it would be different with me?” he asked quietly.

  Her gaze swung back to his, and she arched an eyebrow challengingly. “Don’t you?”

  He turned his attention to the front, leaning forward to turn the key in the ignition. “I can’t promise not to love you, Stephanie. I don’t know what my future holds, and neither do you. All I’m asking is for the chance to get to know you.”

  “Trust me, you don’t want to get to know me,” she said bitterly.

  “Isn’t that my decision to make?” he pressed, turning to look at her again. She lay with her head back on the passenger seat, her eyes closed. Her face revealed her inner struggle to control the emotions flooding through her. “Don’t you think we should see where this friendship leads?” he continued, gripping the steering wheel tightly.

  “You don’t want to be just my friend,” she said, accusation in her voice.

  “No, I don’t,” he agreed, his own breathing harsh. “I’m not going to deny that I want to strip you naked and kiss every inch of your beautiful body. I want your arms and legs holding me tight. I want to feel your body wrapped around mine, your mouth on mine and I want to make you lose control. I want to see you—the real you. Not the one you show to people, but the woman I see in your eyes every time you look at me. The woman you hide behind the layers.”

  Slamming his fist against the steering wheel, he said savagely, “And have no doubt, honey, eventually, we’re going to be lovers. You can deny it all you want, but you know it as much as I do, and that’s why you’re running scared.”

  “You don’t know what you’re talking about,” she whispered.

  “Stephanie, you’re running from something, and whatever it is terrifies you,” Dominic said softly, his own anger dissipating at her defeated expression. “I’m not going to promise you that I won’t fall in love with you, but I’ll promise you that I won’t make the first move. I’ll leave that up to you. If you don’t want more than friendship, then I won’t press you for anything else. Instead, I’ll be your best friend, the one you share your deepest, darkest secrets with.”

  She studied him warily, her expression glittering with an emotion he couldn’t define. “I doubt that very much,” she drawled edgily.

  He flung his head back, laughing softly. “Darlin’, you’re no good for a man’s ego.”

  “Oh, I doubt yours needs stroking much. Something tells me you’ve got plenty of girls already doing that for you, including your own girlfriend,” she said bitterly. “Or did you forget about the poor girl again?”

  “I don’t want to talk about Sandra,” he said, annoyance flashing across his face.

  “Why? Is your conscience getting to you?” she jibed, smirking when he scowled. “It is, isn’t it?”

  “No, it isn’t,” he growled, sliding his arm across the back of her seat and leaning into her. “I don’t want to talk about my girlfriend, or your goddamn boyfriend. Not today, anyway. Today, let’s just be Dominic Delaney and Stephanie Carovella. Two new friends, hanging out and getting to know each other.” Pausing, he pleaded, “Can we just do that?”

  She studied his expression, her own softening. “Okay,” she said quietly, giving him a small smile. “Let’s pretend today that we’re just friends.” She took a deep breath. “Now, friend, where are we going?”

  Dominic grinned, shaking his head in amusement. He would never get used to her quicksilver moods. They changed so quickly and rapidly. It was fascinating, and just another facet of her personality he was looking forward to getting to know.

  “Santa Monica Pier,” he said, his eyes glittering mischievously. “I thought we could explore the boardwalk and then grab a bite to eat. What do we have to lose, right?”

  Her gaze meeting his head on, she whispered, “Everything.”

  STEPHANIE LINKED HER arm through Dominic’s as they walked along Santa Monica Pier. Sliding her sunglasses over her eyes, she scanned the boardwalk, her lips curving into a smile of pleasure. She hadn’t been here in more than six months. She’d avoided it as it was one of the many places that reminded her of Katrina. Breathing in the fresh ocean air, she laughed softly at the light breeze tickling her skin.

  “It’s been forever since I’ve walked along the pier,” she confessed, leaning her head against his arm briefly and smiling up at him. “Thank you for bringing me here.”

  “You’re welcome,” Dominic said, returning her smile. He unlinked his arm from hers, slipping it around her shoulders. His smile widened when she didn’t protest; instead, her own arm slid underneath his leather jacket and around his waist.

  “I used to come here almost every weekend when I was younger.” Stephanie’s smile dimmed, and sadness shadowed her face. “I’d roam the boardwalk and beg whoever I was with to let me ride the Ferris wheel.” Smiling brightly again, she tilted her chin and looked up at him. “Have you ever ridden the great wheel?”

  “I can’t say I have,” Dominic said, chuckling when Stephanie dropped her arm from around his waist and impulsively grabbed his hand.

  “Come on, you have to.” She tugged his hand and led him to the Pacific Park Ferris wheel. “How long have you lived here?”

  “Six years,” Dominic drawled, watching her slide her glasses from her eyes and onto the top of her head.

  “And you’ve never ridden the wheel?” she exclaimed, rolling her eyes in disgust. “You’re not a true Los Angelino until you have.”

  She grinned at him, her expression one of childish pleasure as she handed over the tickets she’d bought for the ride and stepped into one of the cars. Dominic cautiously slid in beside her. She laughed in delight when the Ferris wheel began to move, and Dominic gripped the railing bar, hoping he wasn’t going to embarrass himself as they slowly edged up off the ground. He hated heights. He always had, and it was one of the reasons he’d avoiding riding the Ferris wheel up until now. Yet here he was, sitting high above the ground, just because she’d asked him to ride the damn thing with her.

  Determined to focus on anything but his fear, he focused on the happiness on Stephanie’s face. His own expression changed from one of discomfort to pleasure, with the knowledge that the time he was sharing with her was precious. He instinctively knew she didn’t share these moments with just anyone.

  He slid his arm around her shoulders again and she leaned into him, pointing out into the distance. “Isn’t LA beautiful? I swear you can see the whole city from up here. When I moved back here, the first thing I did was come down to the pier and ride this beautiful, big wheel.”

  She twisted to look at him, her face alive with pleasure. “This pier reminds me of everything wonderful in my life,” she breathed, reaching out to cup his cheek with her hand. “Thank you for bringing me.”

  “You’re welcome,” he said huskily, his eyes dropping to her mouth. He groaned silently. He wanted to kiss her. Right here, right now,
he wanted to kiss her more than anything in the world.

  “Jesus, Stephanie, sit down,” he said jerkily when she stood up and stared out at LA. He slid his hands onto her hips, gripping them nervously.

  She looked down at him, and her smile faded. “You don’t like heights do you?”

  “I like heights fine,” he said throatily, his gaze fixed on her as she sank back down into the seat beside him. “I just prefer my feet firmly on the ground.”

  Stephanie took in his nauseous expression, feeling guilty that she hadn’t noticed how tense he was. Shifting in her chair, she grinned when he gripped the bar again, the whitening of his knuckles revealing his fear.

  Taking a deep breath, she cupped his face in her hands, bringing his mouth down onto hers for what was supposed be a gentle kiss; a kiss to make him forget his fear of heights and to thank him for sharing this moment with her. Instead, as soon as his lips touched hers, her whole body ignited into flames and she forgot about everything except the feel of his mouth on hers. When their mouths briefly parted, she impulsively delved her hands into his hair and held his lips to hers.

  Stephanie moaned softly against his mouth. Caught up in his touch, she slid her hands from his hair to his broad shoulders. She pressed her chest tightly against his, twisting until she was in his lap.

  Dominic stroked her tongue with his. Hearing her soft whimpers of pleasure, he closed his eyes, and a shudder rippled through him as she slid her hands under the back of his T-shirt and stroked his back.

  He regretfully broke the kiss when he realized the ride had finished. Lifting his mouth from hers, he grinned at her flushed expression and felt a smug satisfaction as he looked into her eyes, unfocused with passion.