Seven Nights of Sin (Penthouse Affair #2) novel Chapter 10

Later, I roll my suitcase down to Bianca’s little sedan, and we make the short drive to Dominic’s luxury high-rise building.

“Okay, I have to ask. Are you sure you want to go through with this?” Bianca’s hands are on the wheel and her foot is on the brake pedal. We’ve just arrived outside of Dominic’s apartment building and I’m about to step out.

My hand slips from the lock on the door. “What do you mean?” I’m not used to Bianca being the voice of caution in our friendship. Actually, she’s the opposite.

She lowers her sunglasses to the tip of her nose. “I know things have been shaky . . . between work and Mr. Man. I just want you to be sure about it. You don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”

I sink back into my seat, grateful for her concern. “I’ll admit, I’m kind of nervous. This isn’t really me . . . or it isn’t who I thought I was.” I meet her eyes, continuing in a braver voice. “But now, I’m learning things about myself on the daily. This new Presley is someone I’d like to get to know a little better. So I figure, why not follow my instincts and go on an all-expenses-paid trip with the hottest guy I’ve ever met?”

Bianca throws her head back and laughs at that.

“And,” I say, “I feel like leaning into this.”

“The adventure?”

“Yeah.” And the guy.

Bianca leans over and wraps me in her arms, and for a second, I feel safe and warm and loved. After the tumultuous few days I’ve had, it’s nice. Having her approval during this wild chapter in my life is everything to me. I squeeze her tight.

“I’m thankful for you,” I say, finally pulling back.

“Aw, I’m thankful for you too. Now go get some dick.”

I bark out a laugh and exit the car. Yeah, right . . .

Unfortunately, Bianca doesn’t get to examine Dominic in person like she wanted. After being let in by the doorman, I ride up to the twelfth floor alone, just me and my worn-out suitcase. I pause at his front door, my fist hovering inches from the door.

Come on, Presley. It’s hardly leaning in if you can’t even knock on his door.

Before I can make a decision, the door suddenly opens.

“Thought you’d be there,” Dominic says, those sharp eyes appraising me. “Come in.”

I follow him inside, taking note of the comfortable clothing he’s wearing for our flight. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him in a pair of jeans. But, damn, his tight glutes are just as awe-inspiring in denim as they are in dress pants. And to make everything worse, the cotton T-shirt he has on perfectly hugs his broad shoulders and firm biceps.

I can’t help but wonder what he’d look like peeling it off.

I don’t have a lot of time to ogle this new look before I’m distracted by Lacey and Emilia’s small voices down the hall. They’re not the cheerful voices I remember from my brief visit with them.

Of course, they wouldn’t be happy to lose their father for an entire week, I get that. They must be so confused. Work trips aren’t really within the realm of a two-year-old’s understanding. I wonder how Dominic is feeling, having to leave his two little girls for an extended trip like this.