I had sent Dominic a message last night before going to bed that I would be driving myself to work this morning but that I would stop off and get his coffee like I always did.

I hadn't gotten a reply, but I did see that he read it so I took that as his 'Okay'.

After my alarm went off, Preston joined me for my morning shower. We touched, we kissed, we bathed and then we got out.

I wasn't even upset that all weekend we hadn't slept together. It felt nice to wait for someone. It felt nice to be wanted for something other than what was between my legs.

"You ready," he asked as he stood next to the front door.

I finished putting in my earrings and grabbed my purse and keys from the counter.

"I guess. Do I look okay?"

I was wearing something I usually didn't—pants.

Not jeans, but light grey, high-waisted, wide-bottom slacks. I was wearing a tight red long-sleeved blouse with a neckline that came up to the base of my throat and a pair of black heels. My hair was in a sleek ponytail at the nape of my neck and the earrings I was wearing were onyx stones.

Preston smiled and pulled me to him for a kiss, "It's a little tighter than I'd like, but you look great."

I smirked, "Gotta show off for my man now."

He hummed in agreement, "And you gotta show off that you're mine."

"Of course. I thought that was a given," I chuckled and pulled away, "Come on, you're gonna be late for your flight."

***

"What time do you usually leave work?"

He was shifting gears through the city and it was too early for me to be feeling some type of way, but I was.

"Usually whatever time Dominic decides he's done for the day."

I watched his eyebrows knit together, "I'll be sending a car to pick you up at 4:30. You shouldn't be working 10 to 12 hour days just because he does."

I looked out the window and lowered my voice, "He's not going to let me leave that early, Preston."

"Tell him I said you could."

I laughed at his nonchalant tone, "Oh yeah? And you think he'll go for that? Just because his brother said so?"

"You trust me, don't you, Kitten?"

I blushed at the pet name, "Of course, but—"

"—Just get up at 4:25, tell him to have a good day, and walk out. I promise he won't say a word to you."

I bit my lip as he pulled up outside the daunting black building, "He'll just let me leave?"

"Yes, Princess, but if he gives you any trouble just call me and I'll handle it. Otherwise, I'll call you at 5, okay?"

"Okay," I whispered.

"I'll miss you."

I sighed and felt the anxiety I had been feeling since getting in the car almost multiply. My stomach hurt when I realized that this was it. Our weekend away was over and it was back to the real world. He claimed everything would be okay because he would handle it, but he wouldn't be here at 4:25, would he? No, he would be in Houston doing God only knows what.

"I'll miss you, too."

"Have a good day, Kitten," he leaned over and kissed me and I made sure to put so much emotion into the kiss that he wouldn't be able to help himself against thinking about it.

"You too."

***

"So, you go from one to the other? Are you gonna go through all of them?"

I looked at where the snarky comment had come from and of course, it was Dariah.

"Excuse me," I asked, completely confused as to who the fuck she thought she was talking to.

"You jump from Dominic to Preston? Are you gonna go after Elijah next? Maybe Nathaniel too, but wait, he's not much older than you, is he? I forget you only like 'em older."

"Again, bitch, excuse me? Who and what I do is none of your business."

Why does it even matter to her? I thought she wanted Dominic to herself? Isn't that what her deal with me was anyway?

She picked up something from her desk and slid it over the counter towards me, "Just thought you'd like to see."

I picked up the magazine and looked at the front page.

There, on the cover of this very popular magazine, was a picture of a very drunk me and a sober Preston with a bold caption.

The article inside stated that there was an exclusive photo of the two of us 'cuddled' together at the bar and that he spent a 'whopping' one million dollars just to get in my bed. It stated what my name was, how old I was, and even speculated if I was having a secret affair with my boss.

I felt the blood run from my face. I was on the cover of this gossip rag and it painted me out to be a whore.

"Oh, God," I groaned.

My anxiety seemed to quadruple and I was feeling lightheaded. What the fuck was I suppose to do? My only option was to call Preston.

After having pulled out my phone and found his contact, I pressed his number and waited.

"Hi, you've reached Preston Blackstone. Leave a message at the tone and I'll call you back."

I sighed and waited for the beep, "Preston...can you call me back, please? Something's happened..."

Dominic walked in the building then and when his eyes met mine, his face hardened, "Good morning, Ms. Carlyle, Ms. Wells.

"Morning, sir," Dariah answered with a smile.

He began walking to the elevator, "Come, Genevieve, we have a lot to do today to get ready for tomorrow."

"I'm taking this," I told Dariah as I held up the magazine and followed after Dominic.

The elevator doors were already opened by the time I reached them. I got in and put my back against the wall. I didn't know what to expect but I was ready for anything.

He didn't say anything, which I hadn't expected at all. I even expected him to say something about Preston, but again, nothing.

I clutched the magazine to my chest with one arm as I held the drink carrier in the other. I felt like somehow the magazine would protect my heart from any insults he decided to throw my way, but he stayed silent. I was slightly more afraid of this Dominic. I couldn't help but take in his daunting stature. The navy suit he was wearing showed off the muscles of his arms and back, as every suit he wore did, of course. The suit jacket ended right at the top of his butt and I noticed how tight his pants were. His cheeks and thighs were on display and I couldn't help how my body was feeling.

I had loved digging my nails into that same ass when he was on top of me and I couldn't help but feel my cheeks redden at the thought. I tried to slow my heart rate to an acceptable level, but the task was challenging, to say the least. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly, hoping he hadn't noticed the inner turmoil I was experiencing.

The elevator stopped on the 10th floor and Jasmine entered.

"Good morning, Dominic," she said cheerfully as she wrapped her arms around his arm.

His face never changed and I felt no pity for him in his unhappy relationship. I had my moment to freak out. I threw up and got wasted and now I was over it. I still lusted for him, but he made his choice as did I.

I cared about him and maybe if she wasn't pregnant and maybe if they broke up we could start something, but that was never going to happen.

"Good morning, Jasmine," he stated dryly. She seemed unfazed by his tone.

"Thank you for the amazing weekend. I had a wonderful time," she was beaming at him and it made my skin crawl.

"Yes, it was nice," he muttered.

She turned around and looked me up and down before settling on the magazine clutched to my chest, "And what's this?"

She plucked it from my arm and turned around and read the caption out loud.

"What," Dominic asked as he took the magazine from Jasmine and flipped through the pages to get to the article.

I held my breath waiting for his reaction. Would he flip out? Surely not with Jasmine in the elevator...

"Did you fuck him while at your parents," he turned around and asked through clenched teeth.

"Why do you care," Jasmine asked, hurt evident in her voice.

"Shut up, Jasmine," he didn't even look at her, his almost black eyes on me, "Answer the fucking question, Genevieve."

"No, Dominic. I didn't sleep with Preston this weekend, but if I did it wouldn't be any of your goddamn business! You have a pregnant girlfriend," I gestured to Jasmine, "in case you've forgotten and besides, he's my boyfriend and I'm allowed to sleep with my boyfriend!"

Dominic came closer and towered over me, but I stood my ground. I felt my heart pick up speed again as I felt my cheeks redden. He had no control over me anymore. I would never let that happen again.

"Boyfriend," he chuckled, "Must I remind you who you belong to?"

"Dominic," Jasmine cried out. The emotions on her face shifting between disgust, anger, and sadness. I was shocked he was saying all of this in front of her.

"I safeworded you Friday night, but I guess you must've forgotten. I don't belong to you anymore! So, back the fuck up, Sir!"

"Who do you think you're speaking to, Princess? Need I remind you, I write your checks."

I pushed my forefinger into his chest with the next three words, "Fire me then."

He scowled but didn't have anything to retort back. Jasmine was staring at him in disbelief and I felt bad for her that she had to listen to the father of her child declare his ownership over his mistress.

The elevator doors opened to her floor and she hurried out.

"Go console your girlfriend, Dominic," I said, trying my hardest to control my heart rate.

"You're really dating him now?"

His face had softened as he let the doors shut and all I saw in front of me was a tired man with bags under his eyes, his hair a little too messy, his suit a little too wrinkled.

"I am, Sir. I really like him and I think he's good for me."

I wanted him to get the point that there was no use in fighting anymore, no matter how much seeing him try so hard made my insides feel weak.

"I'm good for you, baby," he whispered as he moved even closer.

"You aren't, though. You cared more about a contract than me. You don't like me like Preston does. You lust after me. He calls me beautiful and you call me sexy. He lets me speak my mind and you punish me for being crass. You don't care about me like he does. You don't know me like he does. I had the most perfect weekend with him and none of it involved his dick."

Dominic shook his head while listening to me but waited for me to finish before speaking.

"It's not just lust for me, though, Genevieve, and I'm sorry I made you think that. It may not be love just yet, but eventually, it will be. I want to spend the rest of my life learning all there is to know about you. And I don't just think you're sexy, I think you're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. Please let me fix this mess and then we can be together. I just need you to be patient and trust that I'm doing all I can for you, for us."

I felt tears sting my eyes. He was speaking the words I wanted before I made my decision and I hated that they still affected me the way they would've before. I needed to be strong though, for Preston, for what we could have.

"I want you to learn everything there is to know about Jasmine. I want you to focus all of your attention on her because she is the mother of your unborn child and she deserves so much more than her boyfriend claiming his mistress. You could never love me. You would just love my body and after a while, you would grow bored and throw me away. You are no good for me, Dominic, so for the love of God, please just let me do my job and live in peace."

He said something under his breath and then muttered, "I will get you back. Mark my words, Genevieve."

I sighed, "You can try, Dominic, but no amount of trying is going to make up for the fact that you got her pregnant so maybe you should just think about your baby and focus on your future."

He turned around and punched in the code as the automated voice had asked for it three times already.