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God, what am I doing? What are we both doing?
I wasn't ready, and he clearly wasn't either.
So why couldn't we stay away from each other?
Chapter Eleven
Dom
I'd never been ashamed to look at my own actions with a critical eye and admit when I was right or wrong. I never lied to myself.
I was attracted to Reese Maxwell; I wasn't going to deny it. After the divorce, I'd set rules for myself. I wouldn't date any time soon, especially not someone who was a public person in any way, shape, or form. And yet I couldn’t stop thinking about Reese. But I wanted to respect her boundaries, so over the next two weeks, I kept the contact to a minimum.
But I knew tonight was going to be challenging.
The event was taking place at a gallery in Bucktown. Monika had included a lot of details in the email. I'd skimmed over it; I didn't care because I wasn't going to engage in any silly activity tonight. I’d write a big fat check and be done with it. I was here for Reese and Reese alone.
And just like that, I was breaking yet another rule. I was chasing a woman who wasn't ready. What the hell had gotten into me? I wasn’t ready either... was I?
Over these past weeks, I’d also done something I’d never done before: I had Malcolm investigated. I knew what he’d been up to these past few years. He was working at an obscure investments firm. They likely paid a good salary, but not enough for him to be attending charity events.
"Ms. Maxwell, you're here," a voice said behind me.
I turned around and nearly choked on my breath. Is this woman trying to kill me?
She looked absolutely stunning. Her dress was light pink with some sort of spaghetti straps that were bunched together on one shoulder. I walked straight to her. I heard someone call my name, but I couldn't have cared less.
"Good evening," I said when I reached her.
"Hey." She sounded shy.
I gave her my arm. "Ready for another fake date?"
"Oh yeah."
"You look fantastic, by the way." I towered over her and had a glorious view of her breasts. I took in a deep breath, instantly looking elsewhere. Fucking hell, I was going to pin her against the nearest wall and kiss her if I didn't get myself under control.
"I know, right? I wanted to pick something tonight that would make everyone look. My revenge dress, so to speak."
I felt as if someone had thrown ice cubes at me. She'd dressed like this for him, not for me.
"Now, did you get your auction stickers?" she asked.
"I did. What are we supposed to do with them?"
She giggled. "You didn't read the instructions, huh?"
"No. Figured I'll just write a check."
"Well, it's easy this time. We're betting against each other by placing stickers on the paintings we want."
"I'm not an art collector," I said flatly.
"You can put it in your office or donate it." That was a good idea. "Anyway, the highest bidder wins."
"That is straightforward. Thank fuck for small mercies."
"I can't believe they closed off the gallery for us. Monika has skills.," she said as she kept looking around.
