Lured (Team Zero #1) - Rina Kent Page 0,25

control more than the fake politeness.

Whenever I talk about my life and my studies, he watches me intently with a hint of admiration in his dark eyes.

I told him about my parents. My North African side of the family. Our small town. Our mansion-like house that Papa built in the middle of nowhere. At times, I have the urge to drag Dominic to my home. I want him to see where I grew up.

When I mentioned Pierre in a fleeting conversation, Dominic got all pissed off and fucked me rougher than usual. He didn’t hold back one bit. It was too delicious. I think I might mention Pierre again. Not that he lights a candle to Dominic, but I can use my failure of a relationship with him to get ruthless, mind-blowing sex.

Honestly, I don’t know why he’s being possessive and dare I say, jealous? He had all his nameless women. When I countered with that, Dominic said, they were only that. Nameless. But I had a relationship with Pierre. He said the word ‘relationship’ with such disdain and kept calling him a ‘kid’. Give it to Dominic to put anyone he doesn’t like down.

Dr Johnson is the perfect person to show off to anyone’s ex. He’s charming, attractive, and so put together on the surface. Underneath is the version I want to keep to myself.

But then I remember it’s just an adventure. One day, all this haze will dissipate as well.

Nancy’s pinkish head peeks from the storeroom’s entrance. She checks behind her as if about to commit a felony before she runs my way. “I told you to give me all the details, girl!”

I feign ignorance as I check the bill. “About what?”

“About how good Dr freaking Dominic is in bed!” I open my mouth to say something, but she holds up her hand. “And don’t bother denying it, girl. He looks at you like he owns you – and it’s bloody hot, by the way – so there’s no way he hadn’t fed you his magic cock.” She pauses then whispers. “It was magical, right? Please tell me my fantasies are right.”

Something squeezes in my chest. I hate that Nancy fantasises about Dominic. “Take your fantasies and magnify them because he shatters them in every regard.”

“Bloody. Hell.” Her mouth hangs open.

Sam calls for her and she curses again. “I still need all the dirty details.”

I push her, laughing. “Go or Sam will go berserker on you.”

“Details later.” She gives me a stern look before she’s out of the door.

I shake my head. No way will I tell her. My story with Dominic is only ours. I feel so protective about sharing it. Nancy needs to lose her interest in Dominic because he’s mine.

It’s weird. I never thought of him as mine, but now I do. I’ll be damned if I let any other woman near him.

My phone rings. Maman.

“Bonjour, ma belle,” she says in her honeyed tone. There’s a sound of waves crashing into the shore. She must be near the cliff. We always liked hiking there.

“Bonjour, Maman. Comment ça va?”

“You’re not my beautiful girl since you ran away.”

I roll my eyes. “It’s only for the summer.”

I don’t know if I’m saying it to remind myself or her. Suddenly, I don’t want the summer to end. It’s been going too fast for my taste.

“Et je suis toujours ta belle, Maman.”

“You always get what you want, don’t you?”

“Not everything. Is Papa still angry?” My tone is careful. He refuses to take my calls.

“He will come around. He spoils you too much and never thought you would run away on him.”

“I’m not running away. I’m having a holiday.”

“He doesn’t see it that way.” There’s a pause. “You know we only did what we did to protect you, right? Your father is an army man, he gets too suspicious too fast. He has a pessimistic view of the world.”

I sigh, leaning against the shelves. “I understand that. I’ve been brought up in both your shadows, but I need to step out of it.” I didn’t feel really alive until I got here – and met Dominic.

“I understand, but your father will need a bit more time, ma belle.” There’s a smile in her voice. “So, is everything good in London?”

“Absolument. T’inquiète.”

Maman is my best friend for life. There hasn’t been anything I haven’t told her. Including the whole drama with Pierre.

I’ve been debating telling her about Dominic, but my logical side voted against it. Dominic is ten years older than me,