Unconditional Read Free Page B

didn’t like being handed something that appeared so dazzling, on a silver platter, and that was exactly what SIMS management was doing. “When a deal like this looks too good to be true, it usually is too good to be true. With the credit crisis being what it is, I’m not inclined to risk walking into a minefield. These bastards are hiding something bigger than a credit problem. Let’s consider the information discussed tonight, and in the interim, keep your ears to the ground for more information. We’ll review in our next meeting.” Dominic continued to scrutinize the report in front of him. Something about the proposal by the SIMS management was gnawing at him, but he couldn’t put a finger on it. His sharp focus had been shot to hell with the encounter with Rinah still so fresh and strumming his senses, his every thought.
    “Okay everyone, get out of here. We’ll reconvene in two days.” Although his mind had already wandered back to his encounter with Rinah, he didn’t miss the surprised looks on the faces of his employees.
    Their meetings usually ran well after 9 p.m. Since he’d been back at the helm, the past two months had been completely chaotic for everyone around him. He worked fifteen-hour days to free up his weekends to spend time with his children, and he expected all of his top executives to work on his schedule. So to be given this early dismissal was unexpected. He smiled as his team quickly stood and filed out of his office as if they were afraid he’d change his mind.
    Once the room was silent, he got up from his desk and stood facing the double-glass window overlooking the Nassau Harbor, his hands thrust deep into his pockets. Against the scenic backdrop was the island’s largest resort, the Atlantis Hotel, along with the Paradise Island Bridge—recently renamed the Sir Sidney Poitier Bridge, and numerous boats and yachts anchored about. His apartment was situated among the hotel’s million-dollar villas. He had owned and lived in the penthouse apartment before he was married to Rinah and once again it had been his home since he’d been forced to leave their house eight months ago.
    For the first time since seeing her at lunch, Dominic had the time to reevaluate what had happened that day. He was still reeling from the surprise encounter. After months of deprivation, his senses were raw from the volatile reaction that had ripped through him upon being confronted with that flawless face and figure. Even now, his body hummed with simmering desire.
    He finally accepted that he needed to see her again, to touch her, to hold her. He sighed in exasperation. Today hadn’t come close to appeasing those foremost desires. He wasn’t supposed to still feel like this about her, to have a relentless need to be with her.
    It was ironic that he’d recently congratulated himself on only thinking of her once a day, instead of every waking moment. Despite his efforts to control or limit the impact his love and need for Rinah had on his decision-making, that control proved pointless now, after seeing her. The sight of her had hit him too hard.
    After all these months, he still smarted from her lack of trust in him. He was disappointed in her lack of faith in him. No, disappointed was too mild an emotion. He was furious. They had been married long enough for her to know him better and not be swayed by anyone or anything. He was also more than pissed at being cheated out of participating in the everyday lives of their children. While he acknowledged his extracurricular activities made living with him difficult, he totally discounted the part he’d played in her insecurities with his secrecy about it.
    No, she should know better!
    It was time he dealt with her as he had intended before the Mendoza debacle occurred. Dominic was ready now to assert his ultimatum. Either she trusted him fully or she didn’t. There was no middle ground when shit like this could happen again. He had over five thousand