Chapter 5

At work, a couple from Connecticut were determined to find the perfect ensemble for their daughter’s birthday. Which meant there was no chance to change. After flying into the house, Sheila only managed to peek at the foyer mirror while gathering her hair into a ponytail.

As such, when her husband appeared on the stairs, with the boys in tow, she was still in one of the dresses Elaine sold. “Good marketing,” she’d said before handing it and several others to Sheila before leaving the store.

Sleeveless, the mauve wrap dress had a crocheted top with cheeky gaps over ribs and a daring neckline. Similar crochet flourishes lined a short, flirty hem. Although the heels she wore weren’t that high, heat flooded her cheeks when Stanley inspected her sore legs. The open-toed brown leather sandals had enough lift to accentuate them.

“Damn, babe, I feel underdressed,” he joked while scanning his denim jeans and green polo shirt.

Despite neither of the boys speaking, they both gave her lingering gazes. At Dolan’s subtle wink, flames roared to life inside her. Deep inside her. Before she could comment, retort, or even muster a feeble response, Stanley took her by the hand and led them from the house.

“Hmm, I like this movie date already,” he murmured while scanning her as he helped her into the passenger side.

Again, things wobbled into a semblance of normalcy. Once the boys had piled into the back, they discussed a video game while her husband settled into the driver’s seat. As they talked in the rear, he drove. She struggled to focus her thoughts.

Was there any rationality in play? Not really. Each time she glanced in the rearview, Dolan was waiting. With a slight grin on his face, his eyes twinkled in the dimness. While he exuded utter calm, her heartbeat continued to thunder. Plus, of course, Edward was again watching.

Once they arrived at the cinema, it was a mad rush through the crowd to purchase two large tubs of popcorn. One for the boys. Another for her and Stanley. While the brothers shared a sugary frozen slush drink, she and her husband split a diet soda. Concessions in hand, they weaved their way to a cluster of four seats high in the already darkening theater.

Once Stanley sat, she flipped down a seat next to him. At the last second, Dolan swapped with Edward to sit beside her. As the entire place wavered, her pulse rippled. While easing his enormous bulk downwards, he lifted the armrest between them.

“More room,” he murmured just before the screen came alive.

As the credits appeared, she tensed. But other than his thick thigh against hers—though not that small, the seat still cramped him—Dolan did nothing. While watching the film, he shared the popcorn in his lap with his brother.

“Fuck.”

At Stanley’s whisper as he tugged the buzzing phone from his pocket, she gulped. One glance at his narrowing brows as he read the text had air halting in her throat. When he looked over, she already knew.

“It’s Harriman,” he whispered before flashing a wan smile. “Something’s come up. Gonna take a call in the lobby. Shouldn’t be long.”

Every nerve in her body ignited. Her waxy lips parted, readying to beg him to stay. With what excuse? When he rose into a crouch, she gulped and did her best to return his grin. As he slid past her, he dipped for a quick peck at her lips. In a flash, he was shuffling past the boys and disappearing downward into the gloom.

No sooner had he left the theater than Donal moved. First, his arm unfolded, sliding behind her shoulders. However, when she looked at him, he was still focused on the screen. As his thick fingers played along her upper arm, her pulse stumbled.