by Debbie Civil
Chapter 18
Carmen
A knock on the door wakes me up. I don’t bother saying a word. Maybe, this person will get the hint, and I’ll be invisible, just like I’ve been for the last eighteen years of my life. Maybe, I won’t have to fake a smile. Ever since Jake left the mansion yesterday, the place seems like an oversized, luxurious, crowded prison. I want to go home because it is closer to him. But I can’t do that. I’m no longer chasing guys that play with my emotions. It’s time that I get over Jake. That’s cheap talk since I can’t even get out of bed.
“Carmen, can we talk?” What in the hell does Dom want? Yup, he’s definitely being ignored. I don’t understand what his game is, but I’m not playing. “Carmen, it’s important. Just let me in.” Nope. He’s the last person that I want to see. “Carmen, it’s really important. Just open the door.” I grudgingly slip out of bed, and without caring about the awful morning breath that I’m carrying around, I walk to the door. Is it called morning breath if it’s four o'clock in the afternoon? I have no flipping clue, and it doesn’t matter.
“What do you want?” The question is delivered with aggression. He’s woken me up, after all. Dom’s blue eyes take in the pink tank top and matching shorts and widen. Oh, no, he must be getting an eyeful since I’m not wearing a bra. It takes everything for me not to cover my chest with my arms.
“Are you still not over me?” This conversation isn’t happening. Please, someone pinch me now. Maybe that would wake me up from the nightmare.
“What would make you ask that?” The question throws Dom off which shows that he doesn’t know me at all.
“Is it too hard for you to see Bridget? Because, I don’t want you to get jealous or anything. I just…” My glare causes him to freeze. This isn’t normal. I shouldn’t lash out at Dom. But I need someone to blame for the mush that’s my life. Jake and I were so happy on the patio. I had been on the verge of telling him that I indeed did want to try with him. But then his father had interrupted us. For once, I wish that I had eavesdropped when I had the chance. But no, I had been too concerned with how Jake would have felt if he caught me. So I was blindsided when he told me that he didn’t want to pursue our relationship anymore. If only this had been easy for me. The last two days have been filled with movie marathons, romance novels, and sleeping. Aside from Peter, Chelsea, Kailey, and my parents, no one else came to this room. Eli had been MIA and wasn’t answering any of my texts. And now Dom waltzes in here, without a shirt no less. No wait, how had I missed that detail? His hair was damp, and he wore black swim trunks and flip-flops. What? Couldn't he have put on some clothing before seeing me? Anger took hold and at this moment, it just felt so right to take everything out of Dom.
“Eli and I were talking about you by the pool. She was telling me that Jake took you out to dinner the first night that Bridget and I came here. She told me that you were angry at me for bringing her. When I asked why. Eli explained that you had this crazy crush on me. So that’s why I’m asking you if you’re over me because you have to get that way. Carmen, I’m happy with Bridget. I…”
“I’m not even thinking about you, Dom. You are irrelevant to me. Eli’s mistaken.” The words are delivered with such malice that the boy steps back.
“Carmen, I…”
“Why would I be interested in someone that’s as dumb as a doorknob? Come on, Dom. Even I noticed that Danny was just using you as eye candy. But you went and proposed to her anyways. And when she went back to Malcolm, she didn’t even bother breaking up with you face to face. You were so irrelevant that you got a text message. If you can’t even hold the attention of someone as dull as Danny, why would you ever hold mine?” This is mean. I know that. But this anger feels good. Hurting Dom is like a balm for my broken heart. I would slap him, just to feel even better, but why risk it. Some men will hit you back if you strike them and I’m in no shape for a fight. I haven’t worked out in two days. This needs to be remedied. I’m so upset that the treadmill would do me some good. I turn my back on the idiot and head to the closet. Since he probably isn’t gone, I close the door on the walk in and change into yoga pants, a white t-shirt, and white running shoes. When I’m fully dressed, I rush out of the closet and see that Dom hasn’t moved in inch. His eyes appear tired. Guilt rushes into me. He isn’t the reason I’m in this state. But for once, I can’t bring myself to apologize. I just don’t have the energy.
“Carmen, I…” He’s lost for words. I guess no one has ever told Dom that he was a fool before. He sure made me chase after him like one. He knew that I had a thing for him. In fact, I bet that he was counting on me professing my love for him. I guess he likes the attention. Part of me stupidly wishes that I liked Dom. Then, I wouldn’t feel so lost. I still haven’t decided where I belong. Without Jake, I’m lost, and I hate that.
“You’re still here?” Dom’s eyes fill with determination.
“You look pretty when you’re upset,” he comments in a husky tone. My pulse quickens because I know what’s coming. Dom’s eyes darken with desire and it’s clear that he’s going to act on his emotion. I feel trapped, trapped, like I’m under water. He can’t act on this. I can’t handle it because everything that it’s in me is screaming that I belong to Jake. Yes, he has rejected me and said that he doesn’t want to enter a complicated relationship with me. But, he has something that not even Dom ever truly possessed. Jake has my heart.
“Don’t,” I plead. But, Dom isn’t getting the hint. He walks toward me, and I’m frozen, unable to move. If I move backward, I will be pressed up against the wall. Goodness knows what would happen then. Dom ignores my plea and grabs my cheek. No, this isn’t right.
“Carmen, I’m sorry for hurting you. You have to know that I treasure our friendship. What you just said was done out of anger, I understand that. I’m even willing to forgive you because you’re just so sexy,” he whispers in a husky voice. If he had said this two months ago, I would have rejoiced and thanked the heavens. Finally, Dom Oliver doesn’t see me as a child anymore. But since I’ve experienced something amazing, his words sound more like an insult. It seems like he’s talking to a slab of tasty meat.
“Dom, you should probably…” He crushes his lips down on mine. I try to push him off, but his arms tighten around my wrist. This is all wrong. His lips are rough, clumsy, and selfish. He’s taking everything and is giving nothing. This is the worst kiss in the history of disastrous first kisses. His tongue, a thick piece of muscle that is just too wet probes for an entrance. But my lips are unresponsive. One moment, panic begins to set in. The next, Dom has stopped kissing me. I open my eyes, which were closed in fear to see Dom on the ground, Peter standing over him with a clenched jaw. His dark eyes are hard and unforgiving. Part of me wants to know what kind of move the guy used for Dom to end up flat on his back. Dad flies through the open door, his blue eyes alarmed.
“What’s going on? I heard a bang.” Normally, he wouldn’t be so concerned. But ever since Chelsea’s abduction, he’s been a bit overprotective. Peter looks over at the man and tells all.
“I was going to check on Chelsea, when I heard Dom in here. Carmen was telling him not to do something, and she sounded scared, so I came in. He was forcing himself on her, so I took care of him,” the gentle-spirited guy explains. Okay, my father may be a docile man who is more interested in reading than talking to others, but he’s still a dad. His face flames with red and when Dom catches sight of him, he quickly gets to his feet. He probably doesn’t want to be trampled.
“She wanted me to kiss her. He’s lying,” Dom protests. He makes me sick.
“I told him to stop and he wouldn’t,” I insist.
“Peter, take my daughter out for dinner,” Dad orders, which surprises us both. I glance down at my yoga pants and t-shirt and frown.
“Dad, I’m…”
“Go to a fast food restaurant,” he amends after spotting my outfit. Peter nods but I rush into the bathroom and vigorously brush my teeth be
fore following the kind man out of the room.