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Perry went eerily still. The only sign he was feeling anything was his knuckles going white on the glass.
Dominic looked from Perry to me. “I’m showing my hand. I’m in if you want me as something more than a fling, but I won’t be a play toy. Sure, I’ve had my share of one-night stands, and they were fun. This, what we have, is way more. I can’t be partially in. Dexen has been trying to get me to go full time at Untouchable for a while now. With Fawn moving out, I don’t need both jobs. Plus, it eliminates tension here. What’s happening right now won’t go away. We’re all strung too tight. Eventually, it will implode.”
He focused on Perry. “You have been a great boss. Even when you’re yelling and snapping my pencils, I still love working for you. If you need me to stay on longer than two weeks to train someone, I can.”
“How about you don’t leave, and we call it good?” Perry asked.
“I can’t do that. If we go back to the way things were before the other night, it will hurt too much to be here. If we decide to move forward, I’ll let my heart lead and stay here, not be the man I should be for you both. It’s the right decision. People won’t balk if you and Pey are together. Me, they’ll think I slept my way to the top, and I refuse to be looked at like that.”
“We’ll set them straight,” Perry offered. “Hell, I’ll have a contract drawn up, so they know it won’t affect our work.”
Dominic walked over to Perry. He pried the glass from his hand and sat it on the table. “I know this is new for you and I hate the idea of leaving you hanging here, but at some point, self-preservation kicks in. This is me saving myself from further pain. My sister has been through hell and back and found where her place is in the world. I should do the same. I’m free on stage. It’s where I belong. And this is where you belong, running this company, continuing your dad’s legacy. You’re a good man, Perry Altair. Whatever you decide, I will always count you as my friend.” He shook his head. “I never thought I’d be able to walk away from you, and this really isn’t the same. You know where I live. You know where I dance. You’ll be able to find me if you’re so inclined. I… Thank you for the opportunity you’ve given me. That this company has. I’ll forever be grateful.”
He turned and I caught the sheen to his eyes, the barely restrained tears. Dominic tried to go to the door, but I stepped into his path. My hands went to his cheeks, my thumbs catching his tears when they finally broke free. “Don’t go.”
Dominic reached up to gently hold my wrists. “If you think about it, it makes sense. You and Perry know how to turn the work thing off and be best friends. I don’t think I can keep it separate. I thought maybe I could but then this, today, I know I can’t. For so long, I focused on Fawn and making sure she was okay. It’s time I focus on myself and what I want.”
I slid my hand down until it was over his heart. “Say it again.”
“I want to dance. I want to love and be loved. I want to be free.”
Dropping my forehead to his, I closed my eyes and breathed him in. The vanilla he wore wasn’t there; a hint of cologne was. “I love watching you dance. Whether Perry wants us or not, I want you.” I opened my eyes and gripped the back of his neck. “I’m not letting you go, Dom.”
He nodded. “You know where I’ll be.”
Dominic slipped from my grip and went out the door, closing it behind him.
Out of the three of us, he was being the most levelheaded. I understood why he wouldn’t be able to stay here if it didn’t work out with Perry. I’d spent most of my life making sure Perry was safe. I couldn’t stop now. It would be akin to not being able to breathe if I did.
I also couldn’t force Perry’s hand. He had a decision to make. One that would impact all of us.
16
PERRY
The only reason I landed in a chair and not on the floor was thanks to Peyton. “He’s leaving,” I whispered.
Peyton crouched in front of me, his eyes searching mine. He looked ridiculous down there in his perfectly pressed suit. “You’ve seen him dance. He was born to do it.”
“But all those men, their eyes on him…” Why did the thought send anger through me? My fists clenched. I could feel my blood pressure rising.
“It’s not for us to decide. Besides, they can look, but they don’t get to touch.”
“The private rooms, anyone can book him.” Fuck, those rooms. He could do anything in them with anyone.
“No one’s allowed to touch in there.”
“You did. I did.”
“That’s us.” Peyton stood and pulled a chair close, so I was still in front of him.
“Did you know he was going to do this?”
He shook his head. “I’m as shocked as you are. He’s been doing everything for you, everything for Fawn for so long, it’s time for him to do something for himself.”
Why did Peyton have to make so much sense? Dominic did do that. He always put others before himself. Up on that stage, that was for him. I couldn’t deny how it fit, howhefit. The thought of him not being here hurt though.
“Did he need to do it today?” I asked. “The sky’s falling, and Dom produced a shield for one.”
