Before Ava could blink, a hand wrapped around her throat and she was pinned to the tile wall of the shower. Dominic leaned closer, his eyes glittering. A muscle twitched in his jaw. “Don’t you ever, ever threaten me.”

“If Joseph was really your father, then why did you make a point to screw his wife? Answer me that.”

His hold relaxed on her throat, but he didn’t let go. “Contrary to what you think, I am not a male escort. I do have a thing for older women and I may enjoy their company from time to time, but I don’t sell my body for sex. I have more respect for myself than that.”

Ava swallowed against his hand. “You still haven’t answered my question. Why did you have sex with me? To get back at Joseph for being a horrible father to you?”

“No. The only reason I’m here is because I had a bad breakup with a woman I cared a great deal about and a friend suggested I come along as an escort for the company he works for. Having nothing else to do, I agreed. It wasn’t until you walked into the ballroom I even realized you would be here.”

Ava shook her head. “I don’t believe you.”

“Why am I not surprised? Are you this suspicious of everybody?”

“You show up at my house and threaten me. Now you’re here spying on me. What are you doing? Trying to get something to blackmail me with so I’ll give you a part of my daughter’s inheritance?”

“I never threatened you. I simply told you what I wanted. And again I had no idea you would be here. But even if I did, there’s nothing I can use against you in an estate dispute and besides, I’m not going to call undue attention to what I’m doing here either.”

Ava stared at him. In her mind, his words made sense, but in her gut, she still didn’t trust him. Dominic had an angle and she needed to find out what it was. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Rule one of life, Ava. His thumb caressed her neck. The hard look in his eyes softening.

“Why did you choose me?” Ava asked.

“Why not? You’re a breathtaking woman. Any red-blooded man would be attracted to you.”

“There has to be more to it.”

“Like what?” Dominic asked. His hand trailed down her neck towards her breasts. Ava tried to ignore the havoc his touch was wreaking on her body.

“To find my weakness. Something you could exploit.”

His hand cupped her right breast. She glared at him. His head cocked to the side as he rubbed her nipple. A small laugh escaped his throat.

“I already found your weakness.”

“I don’t have one.”

“Liar. Of course you do. We all do.”

Her nipple puckered in his hand. She cleared her throat ignoring the slow rising flame in her belly. She couldn’t afford to be distracted. Not now. “And what’s my weakness?”

“Sex.”

“Sex? I can assure you I’m fine without it one way or another.”

“Maybe. Maybe not. From the way you responded to me it was obvious it’s been a while since a man touched you. I also could tell that my old man wasn’t doing you right. Those old-school guys aren’t known for being very inventive in the bedroom.”

“I’m not discussing my sex life with you.”

Dominic shrugged. “You don’t have to. Your body already told me everything I needed to know. Besides I’m sure that from now on, when you think of a Martelli, it won’t be my old man who crosses your mind.”

“Fine. We slept together. Add that to the notch on your belt, but it doesn’t change anything. I don’t like you and if you persist in fighting me over Joseph’s estate you’re going to lose.”

“I think you like me a lot, Ava. In fact, I think if I were to get down on my knees and put my tongue between your thighs again you’d like me even more.”

“You…You…”

“Speechless. Nice to know I have that effect on you.”

Ava slapped his hand away from her breast. “This is over.” Pushing past him, she stepped out of the shower. She didn’t get far, before Dominic grabbed her by the arm spinning her around to face him. She stamped her foot in frustration. “Why won’t you just leave me alone? You got what you wanted.”

He shook his head slowly. “No. Not yet.”

“If you’re still waiting for some of Joseph’s estate, don’t hold your breath. My lawyer is going to wipe the floor with you.”

“That’s a possibility, but my birthright is not the only thing I want.”

“Your birthright? That’s rich. Come on, humor me. You can’t possibly think you’re going to get his territory. Angelo has that and I’m sure he’s not going to share with a nobody like you.”

She waited for him to lash out at her. To call her names and threaten to wreak havoc on her life. None of that came. Instead, still holding her arm, he maneuvered her over to the bathroom counter until her butt was against it.

“Call me crazy but regardless of how these legal proceedings turn out between us, it’s you that I want.”

Ava’s eyes stretched wide. Had she just heard him right? He wanted her? No. She wasn’t buying it. She stared up at him. “What kind of game are you playing?”

“I’m too old to play games. I’m just informing you of my intentions. I. Want. You.”

Ava shook her head. “But why? Do you think you’ll be better accepted into ‘the life,’ if you’re sleeping with Joseph’s widow?”

“This thing between you and I, has nothing to do with my old man.”

“This thing between you and I—” Ava almost choked on her words. “There’s nothing between us but sex. Was between us.”

He grinned at her. “It’s still there, lingering.”

Dominic released her arm. His hands raked through his hair as he paced around the confines of the bathroom. Despite the tenseness between them, Ava couldn’t help but admire his naked physique. The molded buttocks and muscled thighs. The well-defined abs. Not to mention the more than adequate appendage hanging between his legs. Head out of the gutter, Ava. That boy is almost a decade younger than you, not to mention he might actually be Joseph’s son. She shook away her thoughts, waiting for him to speak.

“You want the truth. The truth is that at first I thought you were just mean and frigid. I’ve been watching you ever since Joseph died, trying to decide the best way to approach you. Of course I found you extremely attractive, but you give off an ice-queen vibe.”

“And you don’t think I’m mean and frigid now? What changed?”

“The time we spent together. I saw a different side to you. Yeah, you’re mean and feisty, but you’re not frigid. You’re passionate about what matters to you and whether you and I agree or not, that doesn’t change anything. Not to mention the fact that with your looks, it wouldn’t take much for a man to fall for you.”

Ava folded her arms. “Anything else, Dr. Phil?”

“Yeah. Whether you want to admit it or not, you like me too.”

“Now I know you’re crazy.”

“Not crazy. Just honest,” Dominic said, coming to stand in front of her.

Ava sighed. This was absurd. Really it was. “And what are you proposing? That I just welcome you into my bed? That I give you everything you want and we live happily ever after? Sorry, I’m not made that way. I learned a long time ago that fairy tales don’t exist.”

Dominic caressed her cheek. His voice grew soft. “I can be your happy ever after.”

And then his lips were on hers. Taking. Consuming. Forcing her to admit the truth that her body had already decided. She wanted him. He gripped her face tight as he kissed her with ardent passion. Ava moaned against his mouth as his other hand slid between her legs. Rubbing. Caressing. She pressed herself into his hand. His tongue slipped into her mouth, mimicking what he was doing with his finger. Her breasts were crushed against his chest. Her hands gripped his shoulders pulling him closer to her. She whimpered when he stopped kissing her.

His eyes burned into hers and she was surprised when he picked her up and placed her on the counter. He wedged himself between her thighs. Her bottom lip trembled as he played with her breasts.