Seven Nights of Sin (Penthouse Affair #2)

Dominic

The next day, Oliver and I drive out to check on the progress of several new properties scattered across Washington State. By Friday noon, we’ve made our way to Spokane and stopped for lunch at a pub the locals swear has the state’s best pizza. After debating, we agreed that wasn’t quite true, but they were pretty damn close.

We could have planned something more efficient than a multiday road trip, I suppose, but I don’t often get to hang out with my best friend someplace that’s not the office or my daughters’ tea parties. And if I’m being totally honest, I also wanted a chance to clear my head and figure shit out about Presley, which is hard to do when I see her all day, every day, at work.

“What do you think of the town?” I ask, draining the last of my wheat ale. If this place has one thing going for it, it’s the incredible beer.

Oliver shrugs cheerfully. “Seems pretty nice. It’s no Seattle, but then again, I’m biased. With the airport and all the basketball tourism, I think our new location will get more than enough traffic to remain profitable, even with the first hotel already there. Especially since the cheap real estate keeps our expenses low.”

“I see someone read the projections report.”

He scoffs, pretending to be offended. “I’ll have you know I always read everything I’m supposed to.” Then his smile slips a bit. “Listen, can I ask you something?”

Oliver almost never sounds this serious. It instantly makes me suspicious.

“That depends on what it is.”

“I need you to be completely honest with me here, dude.”

“Christ, just spit it out.”

He presses his lips into a flat line, breathing out through his nose, then asks, “Are you doing anything with Presley that you shouldn’t be?”

I hope he can’t see my shoulders tense. “You’ve already asked me that.”

“I know,” he says mildly. “It’s not illegal to ask the same question twice.”

“Well, the answer is no,” I lie.

“Are you sure that’s the story you’re sticking with? I know you want her.”

it with you and this topic?” I snap. “Why are you so obsessed with the idea of me fucking her? How many times are you going to grill me about

slosh out. “Dammit, Dom, don’t lie to me. I’m your best

“Hey,” I grunt.

is happening that might fuck up things

even the one who recommended her for the spot initially. The others had

want a house in the suburbs with a dog and a lawn and a white picket fence someday. You couldn’t give

not good enough to be Prince Charming?” Shit, I should have kept denying it.

panties in a knot. I’m just being realistic here—you and she don’t want the same things in life. Or at least not when it comes to relationships.” His mouth quirks. “You’re

heavy sigh escapes me. “I know,”

for her, and it’s not fair to let her wait a single second longer on something that’s never going

that fact still doesn’t help me stay away from her. When it comes to her, I’m utterly helpless. The more time I spend with her, the more my doubts and fears creep in, but the harder it is to pull away. Why

you promise that you won’t hurt her?”

wet my lips. “I

how I’m going to finish that sentence, and

less grateful when

do, I hate to admit—so it’s rare for

“What’s up, Fran?”

Her voice is frantic

at the sound of toddlers crying in

twenty-four hours with no harm done, and you know me, I’m not afraid of a little mess, so I cleaned it up and put Lacey to bed with

Which won’t be very soon at all, seeing as Seattle

asks, his brow

mutter, “Everyone in the entire world caught the stomach

to call you back home,” Francine is saying, “when you’re out of town like

It’s no trouble at all. But it’ll

to happen when I’m on the other side of the fucking state. Guess I should be thankful the virus waited until I got

here,” I tell Oliver. “I’d fly, but