The Billionaire’s Bet: A Risky Raise(8)

Taking off the chain, he nuzzled my neck and sniffed, probably smelling the leather around my neck.

“No … It’s quite the opposite, actually. I like it. I’ve never had a man want me so much he’d go to such lengths to get me.”

He smiled and kissed my earlobe gently. “I’d hunt you down if I have to.”

His words made my heart jump.

“I need you in my life, Julie. No matter how much I kept telling myself that I shouldn’t, I can’t stop it anymore. You are perfect for me, in every way.”

I smiled and turned my head to look into his beautiful blue eyes. “Will you let me in then? Into your heart and your life?”

He lightly brushed his lips against mine. “You’re already in deep, babe.”





Chapter 3



When we came home, Dominic took my coat, and when his fingers brushed my shoulder, the flame in my belly was rekindled.

“I’ve asked my assistant to make us dinner, so you could relax. After what I put you through today, I figured you might be tired.” A sly grin flashed by, and I tried to suppress a smile, thinking about all the dirty things we did today.

“I hope you like spaghetti,” he said.

“Heck, yeah, that’s my favorite dish!” I said. I took off my leather collar, because I wanted to feel my own skin again and Dominic had said it was okay. I placed it on the table beside the door and brushed my fingers along my freed skin.

Suddenly the doorbell rang, and Dominic went to answer.

“No, I don’t take packages personally. Bring it to the clerk; he’ll put it in my mailbox. I’ll get it later.”

He brushed his fingers through his hair and frowned. Then his eyes widened. “What? Are you sure?” He let out a sigh and grated his teeth. “Fine, bring it up.”

He slammed the phone down and opened the door. Moments later a man came to deliver a package. “I’m sorry, sir. He insisted I’d bring it personally.”

I looked up and watched the two. Dominic nodded and took a deep breath, before taking the package from his hands. The man’s fingers were shaking. He turned around and left so quickly, I thought he wanted to get out of there as fast as possible.

What’s going on?

Dominic turned around. I could see his face again. His brows were furrowed, his lips pursed and pointing downward. As he unwrapped the package and opened the box, his pupils dilated.

“What’s in it, Dom?”

His mouth opened, but nothing came out. His hands were trembling, and I could see he had trouble holding onto the box. Jamming the lid back on, he said, “Nothing. You’ll have to eat dinner by yourself, Julie. I have to go.”

“What? Why?”

He stomped away to grab his coat. The box was still firmly clenched between his fingers.

“Dom, tell me, please. What’s happening?”

Just before he walked out the door, he turned around to me. “Listen … don’t go anywhere. Don’t talk to anyone. Just don’t do anything until I get back here or until you hear from me. Stay here, alright?” His voice sounded genuinely worried.

“What? What are you talking about?” I held my ground, using the table as support. I could see something was bothering him, but I didn’t know what.

“Please, Julie. No questions, just do this … for me. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

Me? Get hurt? How would that happen? Was something about to go down?

When he told me he got the casino from his father, and that it came with a lot of nasty shit, I didn’t know exactly what it meant, but I never thought it could mean danger. Was Dominic in danger? Or was I? Who was he dealing with and what were they doing?

This can’t be good.

Before I had a chance to say anything, he’d already stormed out the door with the package.

The air around me was suddenly filled with despair. I don’t know where it came from, but I suddenly had this feeling like something bad was about to happen, and I didn’t know what. Dominic kept me in the dark, for whatever reason, and it scared me. What was in that box that had frightened him so much? I didn’t have any control over the situation, and it freaked me out. What was I supposed to do now?

Then I heard something buzz. I looked around the house and found his cell phone lying on the table. Why does he keep forgetting it? Is he purposely trying to get me to look at it? I walked up to it and reached for it, stopping myself just before I grabbed it.

No, Julie, don’t. That’s rude.

I ignored the voice in my head. I needed to know what was going on, and this curiosity was stronger than my will to be respectful of his stuff.

I picked it up and looked at the text message that just came in.