“You’re not fine.” He stalks to me, all tall muscle and intense blue gaze, and just like that, my breathing increases and I can’t remember why I’m frustrated and pissed off. I back up as he advances, until my back is against the wall. He braces one hand on the wall beside my head and cups my cheek with the other. “You’re not fine,” he whispers, just before his lips meet mine in a slow, lazy kiss, just like the last two.

But I’m not feeling slow or lazy.

I moan and bury my fingers in his hair, grip it in my fists and press myself against him, taking the kiss from easy to hot in one-point-three seconds. I bite his lip, then devour his mouth, sucking and biting, and I just can’t get fucking close enough to him.

He growls as he leans into me, pressing me between his hard body and the hard wall at my back. His hands travel from my shoulders, over my breasts and down my sides, and then he gathers my skirt in his hands, pulling it up around my waist. I slide one leg up his, hook my leg around his hip, and moan in delight when his hand cups my ass firmly, tilting me against his hard erection.

“Cazzo, cara,” he whispers, as he kisses his way down my jawline to my neck.

Oh, God, my neck! It’s my sweet spot.

I’m not responsible for my actions if he kisses my fucking neck.

Suddenly, from somewhere behind him, someone clears their throat loudly, making us both come to a halt. Dom catches my gaze in his molten blue one and slightly shakes his head, warning me not to move.

Thank God he’s shielding me from the view of the person behind him.

“Yes, Celeste.”

“You’re needed out in the barn, sir.”

“Thank you.”

We hear her walk away and he lets my leg lower to the floor. We’re both panting hard, my nipples are hard nubs, stabbing his chest, and dear God, I’ve never ached for anyone the way I’m aching for him right now.

“Are you okay?” he asks.

“We didn’t even hear her,” I mutter with frustration. What am I doing? Thank God the sun shades are pulled on the windows of this room; otherwise, the entire crew would have had an eyeful.

“Are you okay?” he asks again.

“Fine.” Fuck, I’m not fine.

He watches me for a heartbeat, then presses his lips to my forehead. “That was a lie. You’re only allowed one, cara.”

“I’m not—”

“We’ll talk tonight.” He steps back, makes sure I am steady on my feet, and then drags his fingertips down my cheek. “Don’t ever let anyone speak to you the way that woman did again.”

I raise a brow in question.

“She was loud. I could hear her as if I had my own ear to the phone. You don’t have to be abused like that by your clients.”

I blush and smooth my skirt down my legs. “It doesn’t matter. I’m not working for her anymore.”

“Good.” He tilts my chin up and I’m caught in his bold blue gaze. Damn it, I like him.

“Thank you for breakfast.”

“You’re welcome.” He smiles now, a bright, full on, infectious smile that lights the room before leaning in and pressing one more light kiss to my lips. “Tonight.”

He winks and then walks back outside toward the barn. I have to take a moment to catch my breath.

What the hell was that?

I can’t control myself around the man. He barely kissed me and I climbed him like a tree.

And, God help me, I want to do it again.

I shake my head and walk into the kitchen. I need a cold bottle of water STAT, and then I need to get back to work.

I stop short when I see Blake in the kitchen bustling about and whistling happily.

“I wasn’t expecting you here today.”

“I needed to check in with Dom on a few things and decided to start organizing things in here the way I want them.” He tilts his head and narrows his eyes at me, and then a slow, sly grin spreads over his lips. “You’re getting some.”

“Shut up.” I roll my eyes and stomp to the fridge to retrieve a water.

“Is this why you’ve been avoiding me?” he asks, and makes a note on his notepad.

“I’m not avoiding you.” Exactly.

“Called you twice,” he murmurs, and avoids my gaze as he pulls open a cabinet door to count cookware.

“I’ve been busy. You know this is my biggest event this year.”

He nods and purses his lips.

“What, are your feelings hurt?” I smirk and take a long pull on the water.

“Well, given that in the last three years you’ve never not called me back, I might be a bit pissed.”

“I’m not at your fucking beck and call,” I reply hotly, and immediately hate myself.

What the fuck is wrong with me?

I’m damn sexually frustrated and having a shit day.

“So, what crawled up your ass today, Leash? Because whatever it is, can we pull it out, so you can stop with the crabby-ass attitude?”

Dominic Salvatore is my issue.

So not telling him that.

“I’m sorry.” I sigh and round the island to give Blake a hug, and sigh when his strong arms circle around me and hold me tight. “I’m a bitch.”

“You’re not a bitch. But you’re not yourself.”

“It’s a big event,” I say again.

“You never used to lie to me.” I cringe and think of Dom’s words about lying in the sunroom.