tipped his chin at Dominic. “Hey, Lothario. How are things?”
Mouth twitching, Dominic said, “Good. Very, very good.” Planting his feet, he smiled at Mila. “Hello again.”
Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Something I can do for you?”
Shit, that smoky voice was like a ghostly finger trailing down his cock. “Sorry to bug you, Mila—I’m lost. Can you give me directions to your place?”
She rolled her eyes while the others chuckled.
Dominic took a step toward her. “I was driving past here, and it occurred to me that it’s been a while since I had a haircut. Imagine my surprise when I saw that you work here.”
“Surprise,” she echoed, her voice heavy with skepticism. “Right.”
“So can you fit me in? I just need a trim.”
Her eyes flicked to the waiting area. “Sure. Take a seat.”
Well, that surprised him. He’d expected her to claim to be too busy or to send him to either Evander or Archie. Apparently, Mila was made of sterner stuff.
Sinking into the leather sofa, Dominic plucked a newspaper off the table. He didn’t read it, though. Didn’t even look at it. His attention was on Mila as she talked with the boy in her chair while she worked. Those slender, capable hands were deft yet precise. She moved with efficiency and confidence, and he could tell that she’d been doing this job for some time. He could just imagine those hands touching him, stroking him, and wrapping around his cock.
While not bubbly or animated, she radiated positive energy. The flow of it was subtle yet constant, and it made her exude a sense of calm that put people at ease—just as it did the boy in her chair. Even with that air of mystery she carried, there was just something very steady about her, especially with that touch of unflappable cool—like a jungle animal that knew it had no natural predators.
He noticed that the male with the little kid watched her just as closely, but there was no lust in his eyes. No fascination or curiosity. But there was a glint of . . . something. Nothing sexual, though, which meant Dominic didn’t have to warn him off or—
The boy’s toy car fell to the hardwood floor. As Mila gracefully bent to pick it up, Dominic’s cock jerked at the sight of her heart-shaped ass encased in those flattering black pants. And when she stood upright, flicking that riot of curls out of her face, he damn near crossed to her and sank his hands into them.
Mila figured she should have known better than to think he’d back off. Guys like GQ didn’t take rejection well, did they? Still, she’d never have expected him to seek her out. Try his luck again at the club maybe, but not turn up here.
She didn’t like that he’d come. And yet she did. While she didn’t have time for the kind of games that such guys liked to play, it nonetheless felt good to have a diversion from the other shit going on in her life. And he was a very pretty diversion.
The moment their eyes had locked, her pulse had skittered, her stomach had done a little flip, and her whole body had come alive. Like she’d stuck her fingers in an electric socket. Then his mouth had curved in mischief, and that sexy-as-hell smile had made her nipples tighten.
Her cat had done a long, languid stretch as she came to full alertness. The feline was wary of who she allowed into her world, and she sensed that this walking enigma was trying to shove his way into it. The cat hadn’t yet decided whether she liked his perseverance or not, although his attention did stroke the pride that Joel had wounded in choosing another female over her.
Mila could feel Dominic’s gaze on her. He wasn’t simply ogling her, he was watching her carefully. Studying her. Probably looking for a damn weakness so he could barge his way past her defenses and get that bout of sex he was seeking just to satisfy his ego. Sigh.
Done with her young client, she led him and his uncle to the cashier’s desk. “I’d say your nephew was very well behaved.”
“He was,” agreed Dean, handing over cash. “He’s always fine once he sits in the chair, so I don’t know why he fusses.”
Mila offered Finley two of his favorite lollipops. “There you go.”
“Say thank you to Mila,” said Dean.
Gratefully taking the candy, Finley gave her a shy smile. “Thank you.”
“Take care, Mila.” Dean flicked Dominic a