by Julia Wolf
He nibbled on my earlobe, breathing hot and heavy from his nose. “You have nothing to fear from me, Claire. I told you, you have all the power here.” He jerked his chin at our image. “I can’t even look at you for very long or I’ll lose it.”
“I’ve never seen myself like this.” I barely recognized my own voice. It had gone mellow and raspy, my tongue curling each word with sensuality.
His beard scratched my neck and cheek as he pressed his face next to mine. “And I am never going to forget you looking like this.”
“My body.” I trailed my hand to where his was spread wide on my curved stomach. When he touched me like this, I couldn’t even be bothered to hate any part of me. “I don’t know this body.”
“I know your body. If I could live inside you and feel every one of your soft places, I would.” His fingers flexed, pushing into my flesh. “You are Eden and damnation, Claire.”
That hurt, but I couldn’t really explain why. Not with my mind overloaded with pleasure and lust, every corner filled to the brim with Dominic’s name, face, his teeth on my skin, his voice...
I twisted my head to kiss him and relieve some of the ache his words had caused. He took control of my mouth too, his lips moving over mine sensually while he held my throat. He slipped his tongue into my mouth, tasting me and laving mine. Everywhere he touched seemed to have developed a direct connection to my core.
Dominic raised his hips, hitting an even deeper place inside me. I gasped, my inner muscles clenching hard around him. We wrenched our mouths apart to face the mirror as I came. My limbs and belly trembled like leaves from the storm Dominic had stirred within me.
“Beauty,” he growled. “So perfect.”
Some of his carefully crafted control fell away, and his grip on me tightened. Fingers dug into either side of my waist as he plunged into me from below. I rolled my hips again and again, my channel a live wire. Each pass of his cock sent shocks of electricity down my spine.
“Dominic...oh, that feels so good.” My hands covered his again, fingers locking between his like puzzle pieces.
“Yeah?” His eyes found mine in the mirror. He jerked his hips, making me shake like he’d hit a raw nerve. “Like this?”
“Yes, yes, just like that.”
We kissed again, our mouths moving together just as languidly as our bodies. I’d felt frantic with need when we’d arrived at the hotel, but now, I wondered if it was possible to keep doing this forever.
If the devil appeared at this moment and asked for my soul, I might have signed it over so I could stay here making slow love to Dominic Cantrell for the rest of my life.
My pleasure mounted again, this time from Dominic’s fingers circling my swollen clit. When I came, tears welled in my eyes, and he saw. He saw everything. He wouldn’t allow me to hide—and I didn’t want to.
His hips jerked, and then he started bucking beneath me in earnest. My ass slapped against his pelvis, skin connecting with skin. He grunted my name, called me sweet, told me I smelled like honeysuckle, then he clamped down on my shoulder, our eyes staying locked.
My receptors were set to pleasure only. The dig of his teeth in my skin and his cock pounding me so thoroughly I had to will my eyes not to roll back, felt like I’d been transported to paradise. Eden.
* * *
We showered together after, both of us moving slow. I laughed when I dropped my washcloth for the second time.
“Crap. I’m weak.” My arms fell limp by my sides.
He held up his big, soapy hand. “I’ve got you.”
Dominic rubbed soap all over me, not missing a spot. For some reason, I’d expected him to pull away after the intensity we’d just shared, but he hadn’t at all. I had been close to crying while he was inside me from how exposed and raw he made me feel.
I leaned into him, circling my arms around his waist. “You always seem to have me.”
He planted a kiss on my temple. “Tonight was good, huh?”
Warm water sluiced down my face as I pressed my cheek to his chest. “Mmm...yes.”
“You were going to tell me all about it.”
“I was.” My fingers drummed the rose tattoo on his chest. “But then you forced your way in.”
He squeezed my butt. “Are you trying to tell me you really had a problem with me being there?”
“I am not. I liked you being there. A lot.”
“Then tell me about it. Come to bed with me and tell me all about your night.”
We dried off, I threw on a T-shirt, Dominic a pair of briefs, then I climbed into bed, and he wrapped his arms around me.
“Tell me.”
My lips curved into a soft smile. I didn’t quite understand why he wanted me to tell him about the night since he’d been there too, other than he wanted to know exactly what I’d experienced.
“Well, it started with my man dressing up and looking really fine for me. He’s older, and kind of grumpy, but I like him.”
Dominic growled, giving my ass a quick smack.
“Then we met up with these people who’ve become my friends so quickly, I sometimes can’t believe it. Especially Marta. I love Marta.”
He kissed my chin. “She likes to go and make unwilling people love her.”
“True, except I wasn’t unwilling.” Our legs tangled together under the sheets, and my chest panged, but I shook it off quickly. I’d gotten way too used to this.
“After that, we went to this...den of iniquity. Beautiful, naked women everywhere. One in particular caught my attention. I liked her hair and her crazy curves. My friends tried to buy me a lap dance, but I wasn’t into it. I really loved when the man I was with stood down and didn’t try to impose any restrictions on my behavior or reactions.”
I wove my fingers through the side of Dominic’s hair, letting my eyes close as his warmth seeped into me. He brought me even closer to him and nibbled on my bottom lip.
“And then?”
My lids lifted, and we were face-to-face, almost nose to nose. “And then my man bought me a dance with that beautiful woman. She kept whispering how hot he and I were together. She told me my man looked like he worshiped me like a queen. I got so hot from everything she said, I thought I would combust.”
“But then,” I brushed my lips over his, “we got back to this room and you opened me up.”
His lips curved into a small, naughty smirk. I tapped them with my fingertips, a tired laugh slipping from me.
“Stop that. You opened me in every way. I can’t remember very many times I’ve been as vulnerable as I was stripped and raw in front of that mirror. But with you, I felt safe to lean into my vulnerability and explore the raw parts of me. And I think...I think once this is over, I won’t go back inside my shell ever again. That’s what I meant by being opened up.”
Dominic was still, the rise and fall of his chest his only movement. I mirrored him, waiting to see if I’d gone too far, shared too much.
He finally blinked and brought my mouth to his, moving his lips over mine in a slow, tender slide. When we separated, his forehead rested on mine so I couldn’t see his expression.
“It’s a fucking honor to be part of your journey, Claire.”
I couldn’t think of anything to say to that. The tight ball in my throat made it impossible to speak anyway, so I kissed him again. We fell asleep like that, embracing and kissing like it was the end of the world. Truly, it was almost the end of the world we’d created just for us.
Chapter Thirty
Claire
My phone rudely snapped me out of sleep. I rolled out from under the hot weight of Dominic’s arms to snatch it from where I’d plugged it in to the charger the night before.
Isabela.
I cleared my throat to rid myself of early morning croakiness. “Hello?”
“Hello, Claire. How are you today?”
“Um…” I rubbed the crust from my eyes, walking into the bathroom so I didn’t wake Dominic.
“Didn’t we ta
lk about saying ‘um.’ It’s unprofessional, and as women, we have to work harder than men to be seen as respectable.”
I wasn’t buying her women supporting women schtick anymore, but she wasn’t wrong either.
“Yes, I’m sorry. It was a late night and your phone call woke me up.”
We’d flown in from Las Vegas last night and were now in Dominic’s Los Angeles house. It was beautiful, set in the hills, with walls of windows and a pool that went on to infinity. Neither of us had made any pretense about separate rooms, even though Marta was just down the hall. I’d spent the last few hours in Dominic’s low, king-size bed, making love, and then sleeping in his arms.
But dammit, I hadn’t gotten nearly enough sleep, and now I was cranky as hell.
A short, humorless laugh came through the phone. “Oh my. I’ve forgotten about the time difference. It’s only six in LA, isn’t it? No wonder you were still in bed.”
She paused, perhaps for me to tell her it was okay, but I didn’t fill in her silence, finding it truly hard to believe she hadn’t remembered we were three hours behind the east coast.
“Well, now that you’re awake, let’s chat. How are things?”
“The same. A lot easier than when I first started. I’ve gotten the hang of my tasks. Marta is—”
Isabela hissed. “Marta is a nuisance. I don’t know why Dominic keeps her on.”
“That’s funny. I’ve had the opposite experience with her. I was going to say what a big help she’s been.”
Isabela tsked as if I was a fool for going against her. “That’s nice. Maybe Marta has finally grown up. Anyway, enough about her. I trust you’ve seen Dominic has the evening after next blacked out on his schedule.”
“Yes, I noticed. I didn’t ask what he’ll be doing since he’s made it clear how private he is.”
I didn’t know what Dominic had planned, but I did know a designer would be stopping by his house later today to fit him for a suit. Dominic wasn’t much of a suit guy, so I’d concluded he would be wearing it to the mystery event.
I couldn’t say it didn’t sting that he wouldn’t tell me where he was going, but we had one week left together. Every time I thought of our grains of sand slipping through the hourglass, my insides twisted into knots. I had no intention of spending the time we did have left arguing with Dominic or doing something that would make him push me away.
“You’re right. Dominic is extremely private, but this gala will be teeming with press, and I want you to attend. It’s black tie, so you’ll need a gown, but I’m assuming you can sort yourself out. Although, it’s probably not as easy for you—”
“I can find a dress,” I blurted, not waiting for whatever sideways insult she was about to dish out.
“Great. This particular gala is a fundraiser for a nonprofit supporting pediatric brain cancer research. Dominic attends every year and supports the foundation. I’ve gone with him in the past, which is how I know it’s important for you to be there to field any questions the press might have for him. I’ll send you information on the foundation, but as far as Dominic’s involvement, our answer is always that someone dear to him lost a child to brain cancer, so he’ll do anything he can to help. This isn’t something you’ll be discussing with Dominic, of course. Simply let him know I told you to attend, and keep to yourself as much as possible while you’re there. He’s always in a mood at these galas, so give him space. It shouldn’t be too difficult otherwise, but I’ll be available by cell if you need anything.”
Flummoxed by all the information Isabela had unloaded, I told her I understood and I’d be looking for her email, then we hung up. And the timing couldn’t have been better since Dominic knocked on the door once before walking right in.
He glowered at the phone in my hand. “Why are you out of bed in the middle of the night taking phone calls in the bathroom?”
I rolled my eyes at the blatant accusation in his question and brushed by him to plug my phone back in. Then I crawled into bed, pulling the covers over my head. Naturally, he yanked them off and scooted my body over with his until we were all tangled in each other again.
I shoved at his chest, but there was no heat to it. “Isabela called. She pretended she didn’t know it was only six here.”
He laughed. “She can be a real cunt when she wants to be.”
“It seems she wants to be quite often when it comes to me.” I tugged on his beard. “Why were you married to her? I don’t see it.”
The humor drained from his features. “We met at a time in my life when I was pretty decimated. She was there when I needed someone. I learned too late it’s easy to mistake love and need. I pulled back from her, she cheated to get my attention, then when I couldn’t bring myself to give a shit, she left. The divorce was a relief, but we keep circling back to each other.” He kissed me softly. “That’s done now, and I’m even more relieved to have her completely out of my life. It’s better for her too. I think I make her crazy.”
I snorted under my breath. “You do have that way about you.” My eyes lifted to his. “My ex cheated too. For over a year before I found out. Although, I think I knew and was lying to myself so I didn’t have to make the decision to leave. Like you said, love and need are two sides of the same coin. I thought I needed him, but it turns out, I really didn’t.”
Shadows of wrath passed over Dominic’s eyes, and his brow pulled into a taut line. “Fucking dick. Damn right you don’t need that shit, baby. If you’re going to be with someone, it has to be because of want—and cheaters should all burn in hell.”
I threaded my hand through his under the covers. “No redemption?”
“Not with me. I don’t forgive easily. It takes a lot for me to let someone in, so when I do, and they cross me, I’m pretty much done.”
“Before Derrick, I would have said I was a forgiving person. But once I found out about his affair, I shut him out of my heart without looking back. So maybe we’re alike in that way.”
“No reason to forgive someone who steps out on you.”
“Yeah,” I whispered. “By the way, Isabela has commanded I attend the gala with you, so I’ll need a couple hours to find a dress today and—”
He gripped my chin. “She what?”
“She said there will be a lot of press there, and she usually goes, so she felt I should be there.”
His hand shook, but he didn’t hurt me. “What did she say?”
My fingers curled around his wrist. “She didn’t tell me anything personal.”
His nostrils flared. “Did I tell you where I am going that night?”
He gave nothing away in his flat, detached tone. I couldn’t tell if he was angry, worried, or something else.
“No, you didn’t.”
“Then she told you something I did not give her permission to reveal.”
“I would never repeat a word she said, Dominic.”
He stared at me hard, his eyes pinning me in place. “I know you wouldn’t. Your NDA is ironclad.”
I slapped his hand off me and shoved myself to the other side of the bed. When that didn’t feel far enough, I clambered to my feet and made it as far as the door before Dominic was on me, banding his arm around my waist.
“Get back in bed,” he growled.
“I’m done sleeping.” I jabbed my elbow behind me, hitting him in the ribs. “Let go of me. You’re scaring me.”
His arm dropped, and the heat of his chest on my back disappeared. I looked over my shoulder to see him leaning against the wall, hitting his forehead with the heel of his hand.
“I’m sorry.” He said it so quietly, I barely heard. “I trust you. I’m pissed at Isabela, but that isn’t in any way your fault.”
I leaned against the opposite wall, sliding my bare foot next to his. “Don’t ever touch me in anger again.”
He lifted his head, remorse burning sharp in his gaze. “I won’t.” He straightened and took a tentative step toward me. When I didn’t stop him, he took another
and reached out to cup my face. “I don’t give interviews about the charity. I go to support a friend and having my name listed as a donor pulls in more money for the foundation.”
“I’ll be working, Dominic. I won’t be your date, and you won’t have to worry about me. I’m capable of being professional, even around you.”
“You’re amazing at your job. I’m being a reactionary asshole right now.” He bent to kiss me. “Come back to bed. It’s too early and I can’t sleep without you.”
“I’m a little bit mad at you.”
“I know, baby.” He gathered me to his chest, holding me tight. When he didn’t try to talk me out of my anger, I forgave him.
“Fine,” I mumbled.
Instead of allowing me to walk like a normal man, Dominic swooped me up in his arms with barely a grunt—and I wasn’t a featherweight—and carried me to our bed, depositing me in my spot. Flushed with pleasure from being carried, I kissed him hard, then settled back in his arms.
“Gorgeous girl,” he murmured into my hair as he stroked it, lulling me right back to sleep.
* * *
Marta and I went dress shopping together, and it hadn’t been as soul-sucking as I had expected. She called ahead to a high-end department store, securing a personal shopper for me. I had given them my measurements, so when we arrived, there were two racks of dresses to choose from.
I’d gravitated to a black dress, while Marta had tried to steer me to a flaming red number. My personal shopper had convinced me to try on one I wouldn’t have without a nudge, and that was the dress I’d bought.
Now, with my hair and makeup done, and my dress and heels on, I had my doubts.
“It isn’t too much? Shouldn’t I fade into the background?”
Marta rolled her eyes. “No, kidlet. That should never be your goal, no matter the circumstance. You look amazing, and Dominic will piss his pants.”
Smoothing my hands over the sequined flowers on my skirt, I exhaled. “Okay. I believe you. Will you go tell Dominic I’ll be ready in a couple minutes?”