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attempts to keep her conversation private. Stopping short of the door, she turns angrily, walks back toward Olivia, and hands her the phone.
    Olivia looks at her confused.
    “He says that if you don’t take his call he’s going to fire me,” Shannon explains, miffed at her employer.
    Olivia’s mouth drops open. “Can he do that?” she asks, surprised.
    “No, he can’t. But if you don’t take his call, you know he’s just going to get in his car and come over here.”
    A muted voice comes from the phone, “Fucking right I will!”
    Olivia looks at Shannon and sighs as she hesitantly reaches for the phone, “Ethan.”
    “I want to see you tonight,” he says, immediately taking control of the conversation.
    Olivia’s stomach drops at the sound of his voice. She wants to see him too, more than anything in the world, but she’s still trying to identify the defect in her brain.
    “Ethan, I’m just not sure it’s a good idea.”
    “Don’t be angry.”
    Olivia blows out a frustrated breath, “I’m not angry, Ethan.” How does she explain this to him? “I’m just not sure I can do this.”
    “You’re not sure you can do what?”
    “Be together.”
    “That’s nonsense. Nothing has changed. We just go back to the way things were. Take things one day at a time.” His voice is calm, commanding; nothing to indicate that he’s actually pacing the floor in his office trying not to lose his mind.
    “Ethan, try to understand. I don’t think I’m cut out to be in a relationship.”
    “Don’t!” he says, with growing consternation in his voice. “Don’t say shit like that! I’m not walking away from us. Get that thought out of your head, right now.”
    That commanding tone with his Irish brogue makes her feel nervous, unsettled, “Ethan, please. This is really hard for me.”
    Completely ignoring her, he changes the subject, “Have you bought a dress for the grand opening yet?”
    “Are you listening to me? I don’t think I should go to the grand opening.” Frustration furrows her brow, and she looks over at Shannon.
    “Not acceptable. Wear what you want but you will accompany me to the grand opening. It’s not open for discussion.”
    Olivia’s blood pumps through her veins at a rapid pace. Damn him! She desperately wants to fight his authoritative demands.
    “I’ll think about it. I have to go now.” Glancing over at Shannon, she frowns. She’s trying so hard to walk away and avoid the heartache, but he’s not going to let her.
    “Very well. I’ll talk to you later. But make no mistake, Olivia. I’m taking charge now. I’ll do whatever is necessary to put a stop to these ridiculous thoughts of yours. You and I are not over; we’re just beginning.”
    Her heart feels like it’s just been struck by lightning. Why does that happen when he takes control like that? Even over the phone, he affects her with his authoritative tone. She would have probably dropped to her knees in submission with her eyes to the floor had he demanded it.
    Then it happens. Olivia has a shocking realization. She has always felt like she was hardwired for dominant men. Now, she knows the truth. She’s not hardwired for dominant men… she’s hardwired for THIS particular dominant man. She is so screwed!
    “So you’re going to give him another chance?” Shannon asks curiously, as she takes back her phone.
    “I don’t know. He sort of frightens me,” she says raising her shoulders in a half shrug.
    Shannon starts to feel concerned by Olivia’s sadly spoken words. She knows she can’t discuss the details of his court case. John has already texted her twice to remind her of that. She wonders if Olivia can provide a little more insight into Ethan’s behaviors. If she’s going to represent him in a domestic violence charge, is there something about Ethan O’Connell that she should know? Just two little innocent questions, that’s all. “Why does he frighten you? Has he ever hurt you?” she asks, trying