Dom Fever (Devlin Black #2) by Alaska Angelini Read Free Book Online

eyes only made my throat tighten. I paced, slowly, keeping the movement that had Ava’s face burying into my neck. It didn’t take long before her soft snores filled the room, but I didn’t want to let go. Didn’t want to put her down or go on my date. I sure as hell didn’t want to leave Victoria alone with Daniel. This situation was bizarre—but I reminded myself I couldn’t be with a woman who was deceitful. At least not in that way.
    Ava barely stirred as I eased her into the crib. Those full lips, just like Victoria’s, moved as if she still drank her bottle and I smiled as I watched her. It hurt to know all that I’d missed, but I had her now. That had to count for something.
    I turned off the light and left her door cracked while I went across the hall to my room. Sophia’s old room. It was a decent size for what I’d brought. My clothes fit in the small closet and that was the majority of what I had piled in my car.
    I grabbed a pair of a jeans and a black , button-up, long-sleeved shirt. A new date. A new woman I’d never met before. Supposedly she was into the BDSM lifestyle. I’d intended to take her to the club downtown, but something stirred inside of me. A sense of dread that made me want to pick up my phone. Dammit. I couldn’t put off another date. No matter how much I wanted. Victoria couldn’t fill my needs. So as torn as I felt, I had to keep going forward for myself.
    The restroom was at the end of the hall and I went in, locking the door behind me. All of my essentials were already in place. Shampoo, soap, toothbrush. I flew through the shower routine in a daze, all of my thoughts wrapped around the two main people in my life. I ached to for them, even though they were both right here. I had both of them, but something was off. It wasn’t enough. My anger might have still been present regarding Victoria, but now it was nothing more than a nuisance in the background. I’d forgiven her too quickly and I didn’t even seem to care when I should have.
    As I wrapped the towel around my waist, laughter had me pausing from wiping the steam from the mirror. I opened the door, hearing a man’s voice. A man, in my house… Nothing else registered. Not the fact that this wasn’t technically my home, or that I wasn’t dressed.
    Before I could stop myself, I was walking toward the living and kitchen area. Victoria paused from cutting the lettuce and Daniel looked up from the table. A flicker of fear replaced her happiness, but I didn’t focus on her. I turned to the man who wasn’t looking at me the way he had at the diner. This stare was different. Almost…challenging.
    “Beast. Interesting tattoo choice. ”
    I looked down at the ink on my lower stomach.
    “Very nice,” he said , under his breath. The slight sarcasm had my eyes narrowing and my dislike for him growing by the second. I would have let it go had he not met my stare with something all too recognizable. Anger pounded into my chest as he didn’t break his gaze.
    “ Victoria seemed to think so. If I recall correctly, she liked it a lot.” My lack of control and the words I’d spoken didn’t register until after I said them. I clamped my mouth closed as hurt washed over her features. But it was more than that. Embarrassment? Betrayal?
    “Excuse me.” The knife fell to the cutting board and she stepped around the counter.
    What was wrong with me? Was one-upping this man more important than the emotional stability of the woman carrying my child?
    She headed for her room and I stepped forward, searching for something more meaningful. Something to right my wrong. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say that.” Fail .
    “Sure you didn’t.” I heard the bedroom door shut behind her and I glanced back at Daniel, who was looking at me like the bastard I was. I had a feeling I’d walked right into his little trap and even though he appeared unfazed, he was probably laughing his ass off on the inside.
    I headed for her door and he