Vespera was trapped in Dominic''s sturdy embrace. His intense, masculine scent had hints of woody notes, which seemed to overtake herpletely.


    Dominic tightened his grip on her waist as he gently tilted her chin upward. She saw the dangerous glint in his narrowed eyes.


    "Why are you so eager to grab Reba?" Dominic sounded unusually gentle.


    "I want her to protect me." Vespera wore a tormented expression as she spoke pleadingly.


    Dominic leaned forward, and his cheek drew closer to Vespera. She could smell the liquor in his warm breath fanning her cheeks.


    "Why do you need protection? Ms. Gildon, are you in danger? Why don''t you let me protect you?" His low voice sounded gentle and affectionate, yet his grip on her waist was terrifying.


    Vespera felt like she was done for. Dominic was really furious.


    She grabbed his arm without hesitation. "Don''t be angry. Let''s go somewhere else. I''ll exin it all to you." She even shot him a sweet smile.


    Dominic looked at Vespera, who seemed guilty and insincere. He leaned forward and pressed his lips roughly against hers.


    He pulled away and spoke, his voice tinged with hurt. "Ms. Gildon, I saw it with my own eyes. What else is there to exin?"


    With that, he released her and walked away.


    Vespera steadied herself as she watched Dominic disappear in the distance. She suddenly looked dazed. What was going on? He was throwing a tantrum at her. Had he forgotten how aloof and intimidating he usually was?


    Meanwhile, Dominic walked toward the car. Seeing that she hadn''t caught up with him, he turned around and stood there gracefully. His gaze was inscrutable as he stared at her.


    Vespera sighed. Dominic was hard to please. Anyone who dealt with him would know!


    Vespera walked toward Dominic. "Mr. R..."


    As soon as she spoke, she noticed the inscrutable expression on his face, so she called out sweetly, "Dominic."


    Since he did not respond, she gritted her teeth and whined. "Dominic!"


    After saying that, Vespera could feel goosebumps all over her arms.


    Dominic''s hurt expression seemed to have eased slightly. He merely said nonchntly, "Get in the car."


    "Sure! Since didn''t drink, I''ll drive," Vespera knew she was at fault, so she offered to drive as if she worked for him. She took the car keys from his pocket and even opened the car door for him.


    Vespera had opened the car door at the back, causing Dominic''s


    expression to darken. He


    nonchntly walked toward the


    passenger seat and opened the car


    door before getting in the vehicle.


    Vespera was speechless. She wanted him to sit at the back because it would be safer.


    She was starting to be


    irritated. If she knew getting with


    Dominic meant going through so much trouble, she would have resisted the temptation from the start.


    But it was toote for regrets. Vespera opened the car door, got into the driver''s seat, and sped off in the direction of the condominium.


    Once they had left themunity, Vespera had driven for some time before she heard Dominic mutter pitifully, "I don''t want to go home."


    Vespera asked, "If not home, where do you want to be?"


    "I''m not very happy now."


    "Would you like some bananas? I heard those can boost your mood because of their potassium content."


    Dominic went silent. His gaze spoke volumes as if he wereining about how ruthless Vespera was.


    She couldn''t stand his tormenting gaze. "Where do you want to go? I''ll go with you."


    Dominic gave her an address, and Vespera slowed down the car so she could input the address in the GPS system.


    As they drove past a convenience store, Dominic suddenly asked, "Aren''t you going to buy me some bananas?"


    "Sure. I''ll buy them right away." Vespera made a U-turn ahead and drove back toward the convenience store.