Chapter 2 When It's Taken Off

Allison clenched her phone tightly, her knuckles turning white. She had to concede that Ethan had a point. She didn't know any foreign experts for her father's treatment. But she wouldn't yield to this jerk.

Taking a few deep breaths to steady herself, Allison replied firmly, "Expecting me to come crawling back to you? Keep dreaming!"

Ethan's sneer was almost palpable. "Fine. But be ready to see your father bedridden for life. And remember, it'll cost a fortune. Can you really handle that?"

"It's not your concern anymore. I've already figured out how to help my father," Allison retorted sharply.

"You mean with Dominic?" Ethan's voice grew cold. "Just make sure you didn't do anything foolish last night, or I might not be so gentle next time."

Ethan hung up abruptly, leaving Allison staring at the blank screen. She dismissed his threats with a flicker of scorn in her eyes.

Later, Allison visited her father in the ward.

Charlie's face lit up the moment he saw her. "Allison, what brings you here? Weren't you supposed to be at work today?"

Allison sat down beside his bed, gently lifting the blanket to massage his legs. "Dad, I missed you, so I took the day off to be here. Why? You don't want to see me?"

Charlie chuckled. "Of course I want to see you. I'd like to see you every day, Allison."

"You need to follow Dr. Chase's advice and cooperate, then. Once your legs heal, I'll take you home, and we can see each other every day."

A while later, Allison said goodbye to Charlie. She walked out of the hospital, her thoughts in disarray. She found a bench outside, pulled her head back, and stared up at the sky, her eyes vacant.

Earlier, while massaging Charlie's legs, she realized he couldn't feel anything. If this continued, his legs could never heal. She concluded she needed to move him to the sanatorium as soon as possible.

Allison remained on the bench until the sunset. Finally, she reached into her handbag, pulled out her phone, and saw a message from Madeline with a photo attached. "Allison, Dominic showed up at Glamour with a date. His friends are all here too."

In the photo, Dominic had an arm wrapped around a girl's waist, leaning in to whisper something. The girl's cheeks were flushed, clearly shy.

Madeline sent another message with just a number. "That's the room they're in."

Allison typed back. "Got it. Thanks, Madeline."

Allison rose to her feet and flagged down a taxi. "To Glamour, please..."

...

As the door to the private room swung open, the lively chatter halted abruptly.

All eyes turned to Allison as she stepped inside. Their gazes roamed over her boldly, taking in every detail.

The short, blue off-the-shoulder dress accentuated her long legs, her delicate skin, and her slim waist, a sight that seemed to challenge the men present.

Allison's eyes immediately sought out Dominic, who was lounging in a secluded corner. He reclined casually on a black leather sofa, one arm draped over the back, his designer watch peeking out from beneath his cuff.

Notably, there was no woman beside Dominic, leading Allison to surmise that his date had already departed.

"Excuse me. This lady claims that she was invited over by Mr. Clark," the waiter following Allison explained.

Upon hearing this, Dominic casually lifted his head. His expression shifted to one of interest when he spotted Allison at the doorway.

"Dominic, you truly are a magnet for beauty. Your previous date just left, and here's another," a man said teasingly.

Ignoring others, Allison made her way directly to Dominic.

With a poised grace, she sat on his lap and slowly traced her fingers from his collar down to his chest, her movements deliberately seductive. Her hand finally came to rest on his lower abdomen.

"I wore it especially to show you. What do you think? Do you like it?" Her voice was mesmerizing.

Dominic caressed her cheek. "I like it the most when it's taken off."

Allison's fingers traced patterns on his lower abdomen. "Aren't you worried your girlfriend might get upset about us being this close?" she whispered.

A slight pain tingled at the tip of her ear as Dominic nipped it gently, his voice deep, rich, and intimate. "She is not my girlfriend."

Dominic slipped his hand beneath the hem of her dress, easing it upwards along her thigh. The fabric lifted. Since Allison made the first move, he saw no reason to turn her down. Anyway, he didn't need to make a commitment.

The others in the private room averted their eyes, yet they stole glances at the pair from time to time.

"Did you come here just to show off your dress?" Dominic's voice was husky with implication.

Allison lifted her head and pulled his wandering hand away. "You bought it for me, so naturally, I wore it for you. Besides, I've missed you."

Dominic bent down and softly kissed the corner of her mouth.

Just then, Aaron Spencer, Dominic's assistant, appeared at the door. "Excuse me, Mr. Clark, I've checked with the front desk. Your room is ready."

This interruption sparked laughter among the others. "Dominic, can't wait, huh?" they teased.

"Spare him with this teasing. You're just wasting his time."

Laughter erupted from all the men in the private room. Having encountered countless beautiful women, they didn't take Allison seriously. Moreover, if Dominic had any regard for Allison, he wouldn't have treated her like this. That was precisely why they felt bold enough to joke about this.

Allison, unfazed as ever, followed Dominic out of the private room.

In the elevator, they held each other close, their silhouettes reflected against the wall. Dominic's warm breath surrounded her.

Allison tensed slightly. His large hands traveled along the zipper at her waist, descending slowly, exploring.

Allison rested her head against his chest. Dominic inquired, "Feeling shy now? Weren't you the brave one earlier?"

The elevator doors swung open abruptly. A group of people entered, quickly taking note of their intimate stance and sharing knowing smiles.

Dominic pulled Allison closer to his side, their bodies aligning perfectly. She could distinctly feel his reaction to their proximity.

Thankfully, the elevator soon reached the floor of Dominic's room. He zipped up her dress, wrapped his arm around her waist, and led her out of the elevator.

Inside the room, he slid the key card into the slot, and the room brightened instantly.

The next moment, Dominic pushed Allison against the closed door, his breath hot and erratic by her ear. "So, you were flirting with me, huh?"

Allison rested her hand on his chest, tracing the line of his zipper. "At least it worked, didn't it?"

No sooner had her words faded than her dress pooled around her feet. Dominic's hand caressed her thigh, silently urging her to lift one leg.

Allison shook her head. "Just a moment."

She reached into her handbag and produced a condom.

Dominic accepted it and tore open the packet. "Do you always carry one?"

"What answer are you expecting, Mr. Clark?" Allison was candid. She had a clear intention and felt no need to justify herself. Besides, she was reluctant to take pills due to the health risks they posed.

As they lost themselves in their passion, Dominic quickly took the lead.

Allison hadn't anticipated the toll her flirtation with Dominic would exact. By the end, she was utterly drained, collapsing onto the bed.

Dominic reclined against the headboard, idly twirling a strand of her hair, his gaze intense. "Do you expect me to help you confront Ethan?" he asked.

His question made Allison stiffen. She turned slowly to face him. "Yes."

She had no intention of keeping secrets from Dominic. After all, he would likely discover her connection to Ethan someday.

Meeting his gaze without flinching, she clenched her fists. "Are you willing, Mr. Clark?"