All Part of the Service: Chapter 5

Why is He Here?

Naomi

After a short tram trip, I take my time walking to the club, letting the night air cool my overheated thoughts. I’ve spent the entire journey trying to shake Dominic Wylder from my mind, but he lingers. It’s maddening.

I need tonight. I need my friends, a few drinks, and a distraction that isn’t six-foot-three of infuriating, sexually charged trouble.

The moment I’m inside, I spot Jess dancing with her partner Adam, and Logan and Kristy dancing together on the crowded dancefloor.

A year ago, Jess was more of an acquaintance, someone I knew from high school, than a friend. While Kristy and I have always been close, Jess kept me at a distance. Something I found upsetting because I always wished we were better friends. When her life went to shit last year, though, she started talking to me and trusting me, and now she isn’t just one of my best friends, she’s also a client.

Jess grins when she sees me, pulling me into a tight hug.

“Hey.” Her smile slips as she studies my face. “Is everything okay?”

The thing about best friends? They can always tell when you have something on your mind. I’d been looking forward to catching up with my friends, but now that I’m here, I can admit that the last thing I feel like doing is dancing. I’m just…everything Dominic said in that interview keeps rattling around in my head. And I’m tired, the week catching up with me, and hungry. Right now, dinner then bed sounds perfect.

Kristy appears at my side. “Hey, Nay. What’s going on?”

“Nothing, I’m fine.” I force a smile. “My client had a big interview today, and I was so focused on that, I haven’t eaten much. I need food. I don’t think I can make it through a night of dancing without eating.”

“Why don’t we go to the pub, then?” Adam says, wrapping an arm around Jess’ waist from behind and pulling her against him. “Hooligans is just a five-minute walk from here.”

Jess arches an eyebrow at me. Fighting a yawn, I nod. “Sounds good. Providing you guys don’t mind leaving. I don’t want to mess up the evening.”

“Don’t be silly,” Jess says.

“It’s no problem,” Logan says.

Kyle, Jamie and Gemma, the rest of our little crew, join us when Jess waves them over; Kyle giving me a giant hug before I give Jamie and Gemma a quick hug and kiss each and we pile out of the club. I walk with Jess, Kristy, and Gemma while the boys hang back to talk about sport and Kyle’s new car. I thought Adam might have been exaggerating about the short walk time, but it feels like it only takes a couple of minutes to reach our destination. We arrive just as a large group is leaving, so we snag their table.

Once I’ve ordered my meal, and a glass of wine is placed in front of me, courtesy of Adam, I start winding down, the alcohol helping me relax. And when my dinner arrives, the stress of the week starts to melt away. There’s something about good food and good company that boosts my spirits. The alcohol keeps coming, courtesy of my friends buying rounds, and instead of feeling sleepy from the relaxation, I feel better, like this was what I needed all along. As I sip my wine, I contently watch all of my friends.

Kyle is at the bar, hitting on several women at once, not that they seem to mind. My friends did try to set up Kyle and me. Both of us had to tell them that just because we’re the only single two in the group doesn’t automatically make us a match made in heaven. I watch my friends interact, Jamie with his girlfriend Gemma, Kristy with Logan, and Jess with Adam, and I revisit my conversation with Kristy from Monday night.

”I’m so proud of you. You’re awesome. And I know you don’t need anyone else to make you happy. It’s just that you haven’t really dated since Devon. I know you’re busy at work and a huge kick-ass success, but I’d hate to think you’re holding back because of what happened with that man. Just tell me, you’re not lonely, Nay.”

”I’m not. Sure, it would be nice to have someone, but it really is just a case of being time poor.”

It was true when I said it. But this week has been a revelation. It’s been too damn long since I’ve had sex. Too long since someone’s touched me in a way that made me burn.

That interview today—sitting there, listening to Dominic talk about sex, about push and pull, about the way intimacy should be—I felt it. Deep in my belly. In the places I’ve ignored for too long.

It’s not just about him, I tell myself. It’s not just because I’ve spent the last five days consuming his books, his videos, his voice. Not because I can’t stop picturing him when I close my eyes.

Clearly, my poor neglected sex drive is to blame. And it’s time I did something about it. What my ex said has dictated my life for long enough. Even if Devon was right, even if I do lack imagination, I can change. I can learn, I can experiment.

Maybe once I start dating again, I’ll have better luck ignoring my wildly inappropriate attraction to my client. Maybe my libido will stop conjuring vivid, scandalous images of Dominic Wylder in my bed, in my ear, guiding me, teaching me…

I squeeze my thighs together, grabbing my wine.

Nope. Not going there.

“You know,” I say when there is a lull in the conversation down my end of the table. “I think I’m ready.”

“For what?” Jess asks.

I scoop salsa onto my chip before popping it into my mouth. I finish my mouthful, aware of my friends hanging out for me to finish my sentence. “To start dating again. To try balancing work and a love life.”

Jess looks at Kristy, who shrugs, but when Kristy looks at me, she smiles and there’s a gleam in her blue eyes that wasn’t there before my announcement.

Jess sits back in her chair. “Okay…Is this a sudden decision or something you’ve been mulling over for a while?”

“My relationship with Devon ended up feeling like a dismal failure, and I’ve just been happier focused on work, but…I think it’s time to get back out there.”

“Well, okay then. Cheers to you.” Jess raises her glass.

Grinning at her supportive response and amused by Kristy’s giant-arse grin, I raise my glass and clink it against both of theirs. It’s the perfect moment—until my gaze drifts across the room and lands on him.

Dominic.

At a corner booth.

Sticking his tongue down my enemy’s throat.

The sight of it is like a physical blow, knocking the breath from my lungs. As if it isn’t bad enough that I’ve been forced to read about him, watch him, think about him all damn week, now I have to watch him kiss someone else?

Not just someone else—Veronica.

Every muscle in my body locks up, my fingers tightening around my glass. I should be disgusted. And yet, I can’t look away.

The way he kisses her—slow, deep, filthy—like he has all the time in the world to wreck her. His hand grips the back of her neck, his thumb stroking idly over her throat as she tilts her head back, surrendering to him. My stomach clenches, a raw, ugly heat unfurling inside me.

The sharp spike of jealousy is humiliating. The burn between my thighs is worse.

I shouldn’t react to this. I shouldn’t feel anything but disgust. And yet, something in me betrays logic, betrays my better judgment, because my mind is already twisting the scene, replacing Veronica with me.

My breath catches.

Suddenly, it’s me beneath his hands. It’s my throat he’s stroking, my mouth he’s plundering, my body melting into his as he drags his tongue across my lips, coaxing me to part for him.

Heat slams into me fast and sharp. My pulse pounds against my ribs, a raw, needy throb settling between my legs.

The entire group turns to see what’s stolen my attention. Someone makes a disgusted noise when they spot the softcore porn show unfolding a few tables over.

I tear my eyes away, swallowing against the dryness in my throat. I need to snap the hell out of it. I need to stop imagining the way his mouth would feel on mine.

I need to stop wanting him.

“Do you know the people partaking in that disgustingly public display of affection?” Gemma asks.

“Hey, I think I recognise him. Isn’t that-”

“Dominic Wylder?” I cut Adam off, my voice sounding strangled. I try to clear my throat. “Yes, that’s Mr. Controversial himself, and my newest client.”

Jess’s eyes nearly bulge out of her head, probably because she’s heard about me rant about Dominic more than once. “When did that happen?”

“Monday. And if I want to make partner at the firm, I need to turn around public opinion quickly.”

Gemma’s obvious wince tells me she thinks that might be impossible.

“Who’s he with?” Adam asks.

“Naomi probably doesn’t—“

“That’s Veronica Dalton,” I cut my friend off.

Kristy gasps. “Your arch nemesis?”

“Yup.” I nod. “They’re…exes.”

“They don’t look much like exes to me,” Jamie mutters.

I paste a smile on my face. “Well, whatever they are, I don’t want to think about them. It’s Friday. End of the work week. TGIF and all that.”

“Mm, we can move on. But I have to say, I didn’t realise he was so hot,” Gemma says, fanning herself.

Jamie glares at his girlfriend. Logan side-eyes Kristy. Adam subtly checks Jess for a reaction. I roll my eyes. Not even my intelligent besties are immune to how attractive the man is.

I gulp down the rest of my wine.

“Another?” Adam offers.

After I nod in response, Kristy asks, “He was the client you mentioned the other day?”

“Yup.”

“And this afternoon’s interview?” Jess adds.

“The one and the same.”

Jess frowns. “I take it, it didn’t go well.”

“It went fine.” My smile feels forced, and from the expression on my friend’s faces, it shows.

Jess’ gaze flicks between Dominic and me.

“If you’re wondering if my new client has something to do with my desire to start dating, it doesn’t,” I tell her.

Okay, it sort of does, but not in the way I imagine they’re thinking.

“So, you really want to get back into the dating game?” Kristy asks.

“I do,” I say, my grin more genuine, because I’d rather be talking about dating than my new client.

The guys return, bringing more drinks, and as Adam lifts Jess into his lap and the conversation turns to dating apps and bad first dates, I let the topic carry me. I let my friends hype me up.

And when Jess and Adam leave for the night, Kristy and Gemma—who have been matching me drink for drink—manage to convince me that tonight is the night I put myself back in the game. That I should forget the dating apps and profiles and just go for it.

The chosen target is undeniably appealing. Reddish-brown hair, a tailored grey suit over a crisp blue shirt. Clearly a professional. His side profile is tempting. But as he suddenly meets my gaze, my confidence wavers. I muster a tentative smile as a rush of anxiety hits. It’s been ages since I’ve flirted.

“What are you waiting for?” Kristy asks.

“I think…” I exhale. “I might have forgotten how to do this.”

Gemma scoffs. “It’s like riding a bike. You can’t forget.”

This from the woman who has been in a relationship for the past five years.

“It’ll come back to you,” Kristy encourages.

“What will?” Logan asks.

“Naomi’s about to get back on the bike,” Gemma says.

“Start dating again,” I clarify.

“She’s worried she’s forgotten how to ride,” Kristy teases.

Logan smirks. “You’ll be fine.”

“Just don’t seem too eager,” Kyle adds.

“Or too shy,” Jamie pipes in. “Smile and play with your hair, right?”

Kyle shakes his head. “What is this? Primary school?”

“Make plenty of eye contact,” Gemma suggests.

“Yes! Seduce him with your eyes.” Kristy frowns. “But don’t look desperate.”

“No, we can smell desperation,” Logan says.

Kristy shoots him a sharp look, but it’s too late. The over-analysis has killed my buzz.

I push to my feet before they can give me any more advice, smoothing my skirt. I can do this. I’m successful. Smart. A grown-ass woman.

I take a deep breath, straighten my shoulders, and stride toward the bar. But halfway there, an annoying question slides into my mind: What would Dominic Wylder say?

I grit my teeth. No. I refuse to give him space in my head right now. I don’t need his advice.

I need this.

To prove I’m not still trapped by my ex’s words.

To prove I’m not falling prey to the very dangerous pull of my new client.

Even if I can already feel him slipping under my skin.

Get ready! The full book is dropping soon—only on Galatea!