Isla Del Cruz. How had he ever forgotten her? Back then when they were kids, she had been awkward and impulsive, a combination that had somehow made her unforgettable. But now, seeing her again, he realized she hadn't changed much at all. That impulsiveness was still there, as sharp as ever. He felt a flush of guilt. How had he failed to recognize her the night they'd slept together? And even the day after, when he'd seen her, he'd let his ego speak for him. Now that he knew exactly who she was, there was no way he was going to let her slip away.
She had walked into the lion's den herself. Could she survive what was coming?
"Go ahead. Entertain me," Dominic said, fixing his gaze on her.
She stayed silent. Her cheeks flushed pink, and that irritated him. What was she waiting for?
"Are you here for a staring contest?" he demanded, his patience thinning.
Isla exhaled sharply and then held out something to him. His eyes widened in shock.
A test strip?
What the hell was she doing here?
"What the hell is that?" he asked, rising to his feet. He hated games like this. Especially when they came from the daughter of his enemy.
"I'm pregnant," she announced, her voice steady as if she was stating a fact, not confessing a secret.
The tension in Dominic's brow eased, replaced by a flicker of amusement. She was pregnant?
"Really? That's why you followed me around? Let me guess, you fled your own wedding just to tell me this," he said, watching her grit her teeth, her green eyes flashing with annoyance.
He stepped closer and she stumbled back, blinking several times. Damn, she was still fragile-looking, but fire burned in those eyes, he thought.
"Is the baby really mine?" he asked, closing the distance between them.
Her frown deepened, her lips trembling. It was a sure sign that she was furious. Good. He'd hit a nerve.
"You're the only man I've slept with in a year," she hissed.
"Are you sure about that? You threw yourself at me that night. Maybe you did the same to someone else-"
Before he could finish, she slapped him hard across the face. The sting was sharp, and he could almost feel the imprint of her palm.
Rubbing his jaw, he pushed his disheveled hair away from his face, his mind racing.
"You asked me to marry you a few weeks ago," he said coldly. "How do I know you're not lying about being pregnant?"
Tears welled up in her bright green eyes. Damn it. He hated seeing those tears, but he forced himself to keep his expression hard.
"Will you be convinced if I take a pregnancy test? You can come with me if you think I'll fake the results," Isla said, her voice trembling but defiant.
Dominic narrowed his eyes. What exactly was she running from? What desperation had driven her here? Judging by how she'd fled her wedding ceremony, it had to be something to do with her groom.
...
The next day.
Dominic glanced at his wristwatch again, impatience gnawing at his insides.
How long would it take for her to get the test results? He'd gone with her to the hospital, but waiting was torture.
At last, footsteps approached. He looked up to see Isla coming towards him, her steps small and hesitant. In her hand was a brown file.
He watched as she pulled out the result and skimmed it, her face draining of color.
She stopped right in front of him.
"What does it say?" he asked, raising a brow.
Isla didn't answer.
His patience snapped. He snatched the paper from her and scanned it quickly.
NEGATIVE.
She wasn't pregnant?
It was clear from her expression she had truly believed she was. Part of him wanted to mock her, hadn't she been so sure? But looking at the broken look on her face made him pause.
"There's no reason for me to marry you now," he said flatly.
She blinked, tears welling up her eyes.
He hated seeing those tears, but he hated himself more for feeling that way. He handed her the paper and turned away from her to leave.
"Wait," she called, her voice desperate.
He hesitated for a second, then he glanced back at her. The rawness in her voice made his jaw clench. Why did he care?
"I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice shaking.
The vulnerability in her tone grated against his nerves.
"I know you don't want to get involved with someone like me. I wouldn't do this if I wasn't so desperate. But..." She sucked in a shaky breath, her eyes fixed on the floor.
"Can't we strike a deal?" she asked.
Dominic clenched his fists, narrowing his eyes.
"You really want to marry me," he said, and she nodded, still avoiding his gaze.
"Look at me," he demanded.
Slowly, she raised her head and met his eyes.
For a moment, he found himself lost in the curve of her lips, a flicker of memory stirring deep inside him. He remembered their softness and the moans that had slipped from them.
His wolf growled in protest, desire flaring up inside of him. He hated how much her innocent face affected so.
Tightening his fists harder, he forced himself back to the present.
"Do you really think you can handle me?" he asked.
She swallowed hard, blinking rapidly.
When she said nothing, Dominic turned and stormed toward the hospital exit.
Just as he slid into his car, Isla rushed to block him, her arms spread wide. Her chest heaved, her eyes blazing fiercely.
Cursing under his breath, Dominic opened the door and stepped out.
"I'll do anything you want," she panted.
He furrowed his brows. Was she stupid? Desperate? Both?
He had just given her a chance to walk away from this mess. It was no use dragging her into the war between her father and him. But clearly, she didn't understand how dangerous he was.
"Why are you so desperate?" he demanded.
She exhaled sharply, brushing her trembling hands through her red hair.
"I can't marry him," she blurted.
Dominic growled low in his throat.
"And you think I'm a suitable substitute?" he snapped.
She flinched.
"Do you even know what kind of man I am?" he said, stalking toward her.
Isla stumbled back, her eyes wide with terror. He hadn't meant to scare her so much. When she nearly fell, he caught her, steadying her with an arm around her waist.
Her small hands rested against his chest. She avoided his gaze, trembling.
They were so close he could smell her vanilla and peach scent. It was both intoxicating and maddening.
Why did it have to be her?
He was used to women who satisfied his desires, and then vanished without consequence. But he couldn't shake the image of her naked, fragile body from his mind.
"This is you turning me down again, isn't it?" she whispered, pulling away.
His wolf protested, furious at the loss of her warmth. He dug his nails into his palm to stay in control.
"I'm sorry I bothered you," she said bitterly. "For a moment, I thought you'd help me just because of that one night."
Her voice turned icy, but Dominic realized she was no weakling. Maybe she could be useful after all. And breaking her father through her....that thought stirred a dark thrill inside him.
"Three years," he said, watching her frown.
"What?" she asked.
"Let's get married for three years," he said.
Her eyes widened.