Drunk and Daring I Kissed a Tycoon novel Chapter 283

Vespera stared at Dominic in disbelief and pointed to herself. "You want me to go?"

He seriously expected her—a defenseless woman—to face some mysterious, possibly terrifying creature? Was he out of his mind?

"Ms. Gildon, I'm scared," Dominic said, his deep voice brushing warmly against her cheek, his breath soft and dangerously close.

His hand around her shoulder tightened just a bit, like a frightened child clinging to comfort.

Tall, powerful, and helpless.

"I'm scared, too!" Vespera shot back. She yanked herself out of his grip and spun to flee.

"Don't run," he said calmly.

Before she could escape, Dominic caught her and pulled her back, locking her securely in his arms like he genuinely feared she'd bolt.

His broad chest made her feel even smaller, and his lips dipped toward her ear again, his voice dropping to a hushed tease. "If you run, what'll happen to me? I'm counting on you to protect me."

Vespera's ears turned flaming red. She looked like she might cry.

Could someone please arrest this lunatic of a boss?

"Call Calvert! He wrestles bears for fun!" she said, grabbing her phone to make the call.

But before she could dial, Dominic plucked the phone from her hand and slipped it into his pocket. "He's not in Halewick. Ms. Gildon, come on, be brave. You've got this."

With that, he gently but firmly started guiding her toward the lounge.

Vespera looked like she was being led to her doom, her face screaming no with every step. Only God knew what was under that bed!

Her imagination instantly offered up rats, spiders, centipedes, bats, snakes…

The blackout curtains in the lounge were fully drawn, cloaking the room in shadows. The only light came from the soft glow of a motion sensor near the bed and a narrow silver of brightness from the doorway.

Under the bed? Just darkness—deep, shadowy nothingness.

"Go take a look," Dominic said, nudging the small of her back.

She stepped forward ten inches, then immediately stepped back 11 inches.

He chuckled.

"Can you at least describe what it looks like?" she asked nervously, heart pounding.

Vespera pulled off one of her high heels and held it like a weapon, her eyes sharp and serious.

Dominic pressed his lips together, trying not to laugh. "That's a pretty intimidating weapon. Learned that move from Mr. Reid Senior?"

Already on edge, Vespera glared at him, speechless. She was done. Done with this man.

Seeing her puffed-up cheeks and sulky expression, Dominic gently patted her head. "Alright. I won't tease."

He turned on his phone flashlight and slowly swept it under the bed.

Vespera's heart was practically in her throat.

"Mew—" Then, out of nowhere, a tiny muffled mewl echoed from the shadows.

The light landed on a fuzzy little creature curled into a trembling ball in the far corner.

Its head was round, eyes wide and glossy, nose pink and twitching. It had stubby legs and thick golden fur across its back, with soft white fluff from its neck to its belly.

Vespera melted instantly. She dropped her "weapon" without hesitation and crouched lower, gently reaching out, cooing in the sweetest voice, "Aww, come here, baby. Don't be scared. Come here, kitty…"

Dominic watched Vespera softly coaxing the kitten and thought bitterly to himself, "Even a cat gets more affection than I do."