Betrayal Read Online Free Page B

damage. For starters, I want to help you get Brandon back.”
    Tamia eyed him skeptically. “And just how do you propose to do that?”
    He smiled wryly. “I’m sure you remember what happened the last time I came over here. When Brandon saw us together, he lost his damn mind—”
    â€œâ€”and fucked your ass up.” Tamia smiled narrowly, savoring the memory. “You had it coming. You violated the restraining order and tried to choke me.”
    Dominic grimaced. “I’m not proud of my actions that night, but I had my reasons for behaving the way I did. The point is that Brandon went crazy when he thought you were sleeping with me again. If you want to get him back, make him think you’re moving on.” He paused. “With me.”
    Tamia’s eyes narrowed. “If you think I’m gonna start fucking you again—”
    â€œYou don’t have to.” Dominic ran an appreciative gaze over her. “That is, unless you really want to.”
    â€œI don’t,” Tamia snapped, pulling the robe tighter around her body.
    Dominic smiled like he didn’t believe her. “Anyway, we only have to pretend to be involved to make Brandon jealous. Once he sees us together a few times, he’ll come running back to you.”
    Tamia sucked her teeth. “You don’t know that.”
    â€œ I would.” Dominic took a step toward her. “If I were Brandon and I knew there was a chance I could lose you to another man—especially a man I hated—I’d waste no time putting a ring on your finger. See, as long as lover boy thinks he has no competition, he can take his sweet time deciding what he wants.”
    Tamia was silent, pondering his words. Hadn’t her best friend, Shanell, given her the same advice not too long ago? Could Shanell and Dominic be right about Brandon?
    â€œI know how men think,” Dominic drawled. “After all, I am one.”
    Tamia looked at his stubble-roughened jaw . . . his washboard abs molded by the white undershirt . . . his thick, tattooed biceps.
    She swallowed hard. “How are we supposed to ‘pretend’ to be involved with each other?”
    Dominic’s eyes gleamed. “Does this mean you’re interested in hearing my proposal?”
    Tamia wavered, biting her lower lip. She couldn’t believe she was even giving him the time of day. Hadn’t she learned her lesson the first time? The man couldn’t be trusted.
    And yet . . .
    â€œYou’ve piqued my curiosity,” she grudgingly admitted.
    Dominic smiled. “Like I’ve said before,” he murmured, reaching out to stroke her cheek, “Brandon Chambers is a very lucky man.”
    Tamia pushed his hand away. “Don’t touch me.”
    He arched a brow at her. “Aren’t you the one who jumped onto my lap five minutes ago?”
    She scowled. “I wasn’t thinking clearly. Seeing you on the sofa caught me off guard. Anyway, can we get back to the matter at hand? How are we supposed to convince Brandon that we’re involved?”
    Dominic smiled. “By becoming business partners.”
    Tamia frowned. “Business partners?”
    â€œYeah. Do you remember the time you told me that one of your long-term goals was to start your own advertising agency?”
    She nodded.
    â€œWell, I’d like to give you the funds to make that happen.”
    Tamia went still, staring at him. “Are you serious?”
    â€œVery. If you hadn’t gotten involved with me, you wouldn’t have been charged with my wife’s murder—which means you’d still have your job at Richards Carruth. I feel responsible for costing you so much, so I’d like to make it up to you by giving you the start-up capital for your business. That is, if you’re still interested in going that route.”
    â€œI am,” Tamia blurted, her heart racing with excitement. She’d always