Dirty Little Secrets (12 page)

Chapter Twenty-Two

Ava tried to keep her hands from shaking with nervousness as she and Dominic walked down the hallway to Maia’s classroom. They’d already been to the front office where Ava had checked out her daughter. She would’ve preferred for Dominic to wait in the car, but he was having none of it. His exact words were, “I’m not letting you out of my sight.”

She didn’t know exactly what to feel about his insistence. Flattered. Afraid. One thing was for certain. She was certainly regretting it when the women in the front office had ogled him like a piece of raw meat presented to carnivores. Biting her tongue, she’d conducted her business and walked out, Dominic right behind her.

“Are you upset with me, Ava?” he asked.

She kept walking. “Why would I be upset? You’re a handsome guy. I’m sure you’re used to women looking at you all the time.”

He grabbed her arm and spun her around just as she reached the door to Maia’s classroom. “I don’t want them. I want you. Don’t forget that.”

Dominic kissed her then, softly, quickly, before he let her go. She stared up at him. He gave her a small smile. “Everything is going to be fine.”

“I don’t know how Maia is going to react, so please just be…”

“Ava. Relax.”

He turned her around and pushed her towards the door. Taking a deep breath, Ava opened it and stepped inside. The children were spread out in the classroom. It was Centers Time, where the kids went to different stations and played. She knew because it was her daughter’s favorite time of the day. Looking around the classroom, she spotted Maia over at one of the computers along the wall.

“Maia.”

Her daughter looked up, a wide smile of surprise on her face.

“Mommy?”

Maia got up and ran over to her. Ava leaned down and hugged her daughter. She stroked Maia’s hair, so happy her daughter was safe.

“Mommy, what are you doing here?” Maia asked.

“Taking you home early. How’s that sound?”

Maia leaned around her mother and looked at Dominic. “Who’s he?”

“Ms. Hill, I could ask the same. I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting your friend.”

Ava looked up. Maia’s teacher, Mrs. Kelly stood next to them, her eyes drinking in Dominic. Ava wanted to scratch her eyes out, a completely new reaction for her. Today Ms. Kelly was trying her patience more than usual. The woman was already on her short list for what she’d pulled with Maia. Ava glared at her daughter’s teacher but before she could say anything, Dominic’s hands were on her shoulders.

“I’m Ava’s boyfriend, Dominic.”

Ava turned and looked at him. She fought to keep the surprise off her face.
Boyfriend? Boyfriend!

“Mommy, I didn’t know you had a boyfriend,” Maia interjected.

“We haven’t been dating long but I can already tell Ava’s the one,” Dominic said smoothly.

“Well isn’t that sweet,” Ms. Kelly said in a sugary, far-from-sincere tone.

Ava decided to play along. She smiled at Maia’s teacher. “Yes it is. I don’t know how I got so lucky.”

Ms. Kelly’s smile slipped. Ava turned to her daughter. “Honey, why don’t you go and get your things?”

“Okay,” Maia said. She gave Dominic one last glance before she ran off.

“It was a pleasure seeing you again, Ms. Hill.”

“Uh hmm.”

Ms. Kelly walked away heading over to one of the centers on the far side of the room.

“Bitch,” Ava said under her breath.

“Whoa. Where’s that coming from?” Dominic whispered in her ear.

“You have no idea.”

“I’m ready,” Maia said.

“Why don’t you let me take that backpack for you?” Dominic asked. He held out his hand towards Maia.

Ava waited to see how her daughter would react.

“Okay.” Maia took off her backpack and gave it to Dominic. Then she grabbed his free hand and held it.

Dominic looked down at Maia. A wide smile was on her face. Then he looked at Ava. She shrugged, just as perplexed by her daughter’s behavior as he was.

“Let’s go,” Maia said. She tugged on Dominic’s hand and led him out of the classroom.

Ava followed behind, watching the two of them together. Her mind raced. Was Maia taking to Dominic because she sensed something about him? Felt some closeness? What would Maia say now that Dominic had introduced himself as her boyfriend? She listened as Maia chatted happily to Dominic. Well at least the two of them were getting along. That was something to be grateful about.

They made their way outside and Dominic strapped Maia into her car seat before opening the door for Ava. He closed it and went around to the driver’s side to get in.

“He’s cute,” Maia said.

Ava turned around and looked at her daughter. “What do you know about cute?”

“Who’s cute?” Dominic asked.

Ava looked at her daughter and shook her head. Maia promptly ignored her.

“You are.”

Ava couldn’t even look at Dominic.

“Why thank you, Maia,” Dominic said.

He started the car and Ava turned and faced the window. Her daughter was smitten with her new “boyfriend.” Now what was she supposed to do? Dominic had already been insistent about her giving him a serious chance. Now with her daughter’s blessing he’d managed to further ingratiate himself into her life. But what was so wrong with that? Her daughter liked him. She liked him…
She pushed her private thoughts away. Right now, she didn’t have time to be sentimental. Someone was trying to kill her or Dominic and she had no idea why. Finding out the truth was her main priority.

She turned from the window when Dominic grabbed her hand. His gaze was intense as he stared at her.

“You okay?” he mouthed to her.

She nodded her head. Glancing in the rearview mirror, she saw her daughter watching them. Maia giggled.

“Baby, how would you like an ice cream sundae when we get home?” Ava asked.

“I can have ice cream before dinner?” Maia asked.

“Today you can.”

“Cool. Can Dominic have some too?”

Ava laughed uneasily. “If he wants to.”

“You wanna have ice cream with me, Dominic?” Maia asked.

“I’d love to.”

“Well aren’t you two becoming best buds?” Ava said. She couldn’t keep the snark out of her tone.

“Your daughter has good taste. Just like her mother.”

Ava couldn’t come up with a response as they pulled into the driveway of her home. As soon as the car stopped, Maia was trying to get out of her car seat. Quickly Ava unbuckled her daughter. When she went to grab Maia’s hand, her daughter had already scrambled out of the other side of the vehicle where Dominic was.
The little traitor.
Ava couldn’t believe how her daughter was acting. She closed the car door and followed her daughter and Dominic up to the house.

With the two of them bonding so quickly she felt like the third wheel. Dominic handed her the keys and she unlocked the house, quickly disabling the security system.

“Come on, Dominic. The kitchen’s this way.”

Dominic gave her a helpless smile as her daughter fairly dragged him away. Despite herself, Ava couldn’t help smiling. Things could always be worse. Maia could not like Dominic at all and then she’d really have trouble on her hands. She leaned against the door as she heard them rustling around in the kitchen.

It was weird. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen her daughter so happy.
Yes you can, Ava. When she was with her father. Joseph.
That was why her daughter had taken to Dominic so quickly. There was no male figure in her life. She was missing a father’s attention. Ava blinked back the tears that came to her eyes. Her daughter didn’t deserve this—to be without a father. Ava had tried her best to give Maia all the love and attention she could, but obviously a mother couldn’t do it all and after a little over six months without Joseph it was becoming painfully evident.

A tear slipped down her cheek. The doorbell rang, startling her. She wasn’t expecting anyone. She opened the door and was nearly frozen in place. Angelo stood outside her door. Things were really about to hit the fan now.

Chapter Twenty-Three

“Angelo, what are you doing here?”

“Come on now, Ava. You can’t forget what I said. Things aren’t over between us.”

“There was never anything between us, Angelo. You need to go.” Ava tried to close the door, but Angelo pushed it back and stepped into the foyer.

“I’m not going anywhere, Ava. You can’t keep avoiding me.”

“I’m not avoiding you. I don’t have time for this right now, Angelo.”

“Well make time, Ava.”

“Mommy. Mommy, do you want some ice cream?”

Maia ran into the room, a bowl of chocolate ice cream in her hands. Her face was already sticky with the dessert.

“No, sweetheart. That’s alright. You enjoy it.”

“Maia, you’ve gotten so big since the last time I saw you.”

“Who are you?” Maia asked.

Ava nearly laughed. “This is your Uncle Angelo. Daddy’s brother.”

Angelo glared at her before he turned his attention back to Maia. “I’d have thought you’d at least remember who I am.”

“She’s only seen you a couple of times in her life. There’s no reason she would remember you,” Ava said pointedly.

“You don’t look like Daddy,” Maia said.

“Maia,” Ava said in a lightly scolding tone.

“That’s alright, Ava. I see she’s to the point like her mother.”

“Baby, why don’t you go in the kitchen and finish your ice cream?”

Maia nodded. “See you later, Uncle Angelo.” And then she was running back down the hallway towards the kitchen.

When they were alone, Angelo turned to her. “Seems I need to spend more time with my niece.”

“I don’t think so.”

“She’s my niece.”

“Your point?” Ava asked.

“Why are you acting like this? I would never hurt your daughter.”

“I don’t trust you, Angelo. You don’t know how to take a hint.”

Angelo grabbed her by the arms and jerked her to him. “Ava, I’m not going away. You might as well stop fighting me. Maia needs a father figure and you need a man to light a fire under you. It’s been too long.”

“If you don’t let her go, you’re about to be the one with a fire lit under you.”

Ava turned. Dominic stood a few feet away. A scowl was on his face. His eyes bored into Angelo.

“What the hell is this, Ava? What is he doing here?” Angelo yelled.

“Protecting me.” Ava jerked away from Angelo.

Dominic came to stand next to her. “Are you alright?” he asked.

“I’m fine.”

“Protecting you? From what?”

“From things that don’t concern you,” Ava said.

Angelo sneered. “Never thought I’d see you two together again. I’m not buying this protection business. Tell me what’s really going on?”

“It’s really none of your business,” Dominic said.

“That’s what you think?”

“Yeah.”

Dominic and Angelo stood toe to toe. Ava swallowed as she watched them engage in an old fashioned stare down. Neither man seemed prepared to give an inch.

“Ava will always be my business,” Angelo said.

“Not anymore. She has me to look after her.”

“You’re a boy. Ava needs a man.”

“She hasn’t had any complaints thus far.”

“And what is that supposed to mean?” Angelo asked.

“I think you know,” Dominic said with a smirk.

Angelo punched Dominic in the face. The next thing Ava knew, the two men were in an all out fist fight.

“Stop it. Both of you. Stop it.”

She grabbed Dominic’s arm trying to pull him and Angelo apart. Dominic looked at her and backed away as Angelo snuck in a sucker punch.

“That’s enough. What is wrong with you, Angelo?”

“You’re screwing him aren’t you?” Angelo asked through a split lip.

“What I am or am not doing is none of your business.” Ava said.

“You’re not denying it.”

“Angelo, somebody shot at me today and if Dominic hadn’t been there I would’ve likely been dead. So for now, I’m hiring him to be my bodyguard.”

“Someone shot at you? Why didn’t you come to me? Why do you never come to me?”

“You know why, Angelo.”

“Ava, he can’t protect you. Today was a lucky break. What if it happens again?”

“If it does, I’ll be right by her side. I’m not going to let anything happen to her. You have my word on that,” Dominic said.

“Your word means nothing to me, boy,” Angelo said to Dominic before turning back to Ava, “Please. Whatever he’s telling you, don’t believe it.”

Ava threw up her hands. “And what could he possibly be telling me?”

“He’s said something to get into your head. It’s not like you to be so reckless.”

“You know what, Angelo, I’ve listened to enough of this. It’s time for you to leave.”

“Ava, you need me. Whether you want to admit it or not, you need me.”

“No, I don’t.” Ava walked over to the front door and opened it. “Just go.”

Angelo glared at Dominic. “Fine. I’ll go, but if anything happens to her you’re going to wish you never crawled out of your mother’s twat.”

Dominic’s eyes burned and Ava feared their fight would erupt anew, but Dominic clenched his fists at his sides as Angelo walked to the front door.

“You’re going to regret this, Ava. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“The only thing I’m going to regret is being civil to you for as long as I have,” Ava shot back.

Angelo’s jaw clinched and then he left. Ava shut the door behind him and leaned her head against it.

“Ava, you okay?”

“No, I’m not. Why did you have to goad him like that?”

“Goad him?”

“Yes,” Ava said stomping over to Dominic, “You practically told him we were sleeping together.”

“And what if we are?”

“It’s nobody’s business. Especially Angelo’s.”

“And why is that?” Dominic asked, arms folded.

“Because as you see he gets territorial. He’s wanted me since Joseph and I were together.”

“I don’t care how he feels.”

“Really? That could be your uncle you just came to blows with.”

Dominic shrugged. “I don’t care. When it comes to you he needs to learn some boundaries. You don’t belong to him.”

Ava raised a brow. “And I suppose I belong to you?”

Dominic nodded his head. “Yes. You belong to me and the quicker you accept that, the easier this transition will be.”

“I’m glad you think this is going to be so easy.”

“Maia seems to like me and she’s a pretty awesome kid.”

“Yes she is, despite the circumstances.”

“No, because of the circumstances. You’re great with her.”

Ava swallowed. “Thank you. Sometimes I’m afraid I’m not doing enough.”

“A mother’s love covers everything,” Dominic said. He walked over to her and caressed the underside of her jaw.

“I hope so.”

“Trust me. I know.”

A throat was cleared behind them.

Ava looked around. Natalie stood in the hallway. Ava quickly stepped away from Dominic. “Natalie.”

“I didn’t mean to interrupt, but I heard things getting kind of loud as I came up so I went to the kitchen and sat with Maia. We’re going to the guesthouse for a little while,” Natalie said.

“Alright. Good. Natalie, this is…”

“Maia told me,” Natalie, said trying to keep the smile from her face.

Ava gave a halfhearted sigh. “What did Maia say?”

“That Dominic was your new boyfriend.”

“Ignore Maia. She doesn’t understand the situation.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Natalie. I
am
Ava’s new boyfriend but I’m also the new bodyguard,” Dominic said extending his hand.

Ava mentally cringed.

Natalie shook it, while eyeing Ava. “Nice to meet you. I’m Maia’s nanny. Well, I guess I’d better get back to Maia.”

“Okay. Just make sure she’s back in time for supper,” Ava said.

“Of course,” Natalie said before leaving.

Ava put her hands on her hips and glared at Dominic. “Must you tell everybody that?”

“It’s the truth.”

“It may be, but some things should remain private.”

Dominic laughed. “I’m going to be here for a while and we won’t be in separate bedrooms so, she was bound to figure it out.”

“Who said we weren’t sleeping in separate bedrooms?” Ava asked.

“Ava, come on. Be serious.”

“I am. I have a daughter. What if she sees you in my room?”

“I’m protecting you. That’s all you have to say.”

“You have all the answers, don’t you?”

Without giving him a chance to respond, Ava snatched her purse from the small table and marched towards the stairs. “I’m going to take a long, hot bath.”

“Alright. I’ll be there as soon as I get my things out of your car,” Dominic called up after her.

Ava tried to ignore the quivering in her stomach that started at hearing Dominic’s promise.
The last thing you need to be thinking about is getting some nookie, Ava.
Her inner voice may have been right but her body didn’t care. Today had been beyond stressful. Maybe a little stress relief was what she needed. She turned on the light in her bedroom and threw her purse on the bed, before continuing on to her en-suite bathroom. Flicking on the lights, she walked over to the large, two-person tub and turned on the multiple nozzles. Hot and flowing, it was just what she needed.

As the water poured into the large, round tub, Ava added bubble bath and quickly stripped. Naked, she stared at herself in the mirror, as she waited for the water to rise a little more. A good long, soak was exactly what she needed. She couldn’t believe how Angelo had acted. In that caveman mind of his, he seemed to really believe that he had some kind of claim on her. And Dominic was really no better.

She grabbed a washcloth and drying towel from under the sink. Putting the drying towel on the counter, she held onto the washcloth and climbed into the tub. The water felt fantastic. Ava eased herself down into the water and turned off the nozzles. She lay back against the tub, the water almost up to her shoulders. Closing her eyes, she sighed in contentment. Maybe a few moments alone was just what she needed. The tenseness of the day seemed to drain away as the water caressed her muscles.

A touch along her neck startled her. Eyes opening, she realized what it was. Dominic’s lips. He pressed soft kisses down her neck. She couldn’t help enjoying it. His lips trailed lower down, to her collarbone. She pushed away from the tub to look at him.

“Is that all you think about?” she asked.

“No, but I figured you might need a little stress relief.”

“Stress relief involves a massage and a foot rub,” Ava said.

“It also involves making love and we haven’t done that today,” Dominic said twirling a strand of her hair.

“Then what was that in the elevator?”

“A quickie.”

“What if I said I was too tired for anything else?” Ava asked. A smile curved the corner of her lips.

“I’d say you were lying.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I’m sure as soon as I climb into that tub with you, you’ll be all over me.”

“You act like I have no will power. I can do just fine without sex.”

“You probably could before you met me, but now your body knows what it’s missing.”

“I’m sure you could get in this tub right now and I wouldn’t be tempted,” Ava said.

Dominic rose. “Challenge accepted.”

He began to remove his clothes and Ava watched, wondering if she had made a mistake. When he was naked and standing beside the tub, she couldn’t keep her eyes off his cock. It jutted out proud, impressive and obviously ready for another round. Dominic climbed into the tub and sat next to her.

“Feels great. Doesn’t it?”

“Sure does,” he said.

Determined to beat him at his own game, she closed her eyes and tried to ignore that he was right next to her. Ava knew she’d lost when she felt his hand caress her breast. Defeated, she turned to him and waited for his kiss. There was no point in fighting a battle she couldn’t win.