I hear him on the phone, so I knock on the door, quietly.
“Come in.” He’s still talking to whoever when I open the door.
“Martin, I have to call you back.” Grinning at me.
“What’s with that look?” I smirk.
“I need to work from home more often.” Now he’s full on smiling.
“Why is that, may I ask?” Leaning in the doorway holding both mugs in my hands.
He gets up and walks over to me. “Pretty lady, barefoot, wearing just a tee shit comes looking for me. Who could ask for more?”
“Here’s your coffee.” Handing him one of the mugs.
“Thanks.” He raises his cup, taking a sip.
“What the fuck is this?” Making a sour face.
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s loaded with sugar.”
“Ah, try this one.” We switch mugs.
“Much better. How do you drink that shit?”
“I like things sweet.”
“I love sweet things too, baby, but just not in my coffee.”
“So what’s on your schedule for today?”
“I’m so backed up at the office, I decided to get stuff done here. Where it’s quiet. What are you doing today?’
“You know perfectly well Tommy is coming for a visit. I guess we’ll head outside and get some shots of the island. Can I take Gerard with me today?”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” He grins.
Bastard.
Just then I hear a car horn beep. I squeal. “Tommy!” and quickly run outside in just my tee shirt and underwear.
There he is. Leaning on the driver’s side of his black Camaro convertible. Legs stretched, tattooed arms crossed over his chest, hair tousled from the ride. Tommy has a smile that could melt steel and it’s all directed at me. I stop on the top step. Dominick is right behind me. I can feel him. Tommy straightens up, removes his aviators and tucks them in his tee shirt.
“Rain baby, what are you waiting for? Get over here and kiss me.”
I laugh. Smiling and shaking my head.
Then I rush down the steps and leap into Tommy’s arms. He feels so good, so familiar. I don’t want to let him go. I missed him so much. Tommy makes everything seem normal.
Tommy leans back slightly. “Let me get a good look at you.”
I smile. “See, I’m fine.”
All this time Dominick’s expression is thunderous. Yet, he doesn’t cause a scene. He waits for Tommy and me to reach him on the porch. Tommy has one arm around me and he’s holding his bag in the other hand. He drops the bag and extends his hand to Dominick, without letting go of me.
“Kane, we finally meet.”
“The pleasure is all mine, Conte.”
The meeting is tense, yet uneventful. Dominick has Joseph show Tommy to his room. Tommy kisses me on the cheek and disappears up stairs with Joseph. As I watch them leave, Dominick grabs my hand and pulls me down the hall into the dining room. He closes the door behind us. Once we are both inside, he starts in on me. He’s breathing very heavy by this time.
“You told me you were just his friend.” Obviously really mad.
“We are just friends. Good friends.”
“BULLSHIT! I see the way he looks at you. He wants more.”
“What’s wrong with you? Tommy’s my best friend in the whole entire world. He’s my family.”
“A deal is a deal. You are mine.” His voice is demanding and hungry. “I don’t like him touching you.”
“Get over it.” I said, turning to leave.
Then he pushes me up against the wall, hard. His eyes are wild and unfocused. He leans in and kisses me. His tongue finds mine. It’s so hot and wet, I just can’t stop, but I know I have to because if I become his I’ll lose my control forever. I push away from him.
“Not part of our terms, Dominick.” I’m still breathing heavy.
I open the door and walk out. I stop and lean against a wall to get my bearings. Once I pull myself together I head into the kitchen. Tommy is sitting with Joseph and Anna. They seem to be getting along just fine.
“Rain, Tommy’s been telling us that you’re having a show to display your work in the New Year.” Anna is excited.
“Well let’s hope so. With everything that has happened I’ve lost valuable time, not to mention the roll of film being destroyed. I don’t know when I’ll be able to get back to Capri and get replacement shots with the way my life is turning out.” I sound very bitter. No one says a word. Closing my eyes to compose myself, I shake my head, like that will get rid of the negative thoughts and feelings. “I’m so sorry. Please forgive me. I didn’t mean to take this out on any of you.” I hurry out of the room as Dominick is coming in.
“Rain, Rain, what’s wrong?” He’s startled by my actions, but I don’t stop to answer him.
I go into the bathroom in my room. Open the door to the shower stall and curl up on the floor and cry. I put my head on the cold tile floor to get some relief from the pounding in my head. I could have stayed there all day. I want everyone to go away, Dominick, Tommy, everyone. I just want some peace.
I hear the door to the shower open. Tommy bends down and lifts me up into his lap. He settles on the shower bench.
“You’re not really okay, are you?” Tommy quietly asks. He knows when to be cautious with me.
“No, I’m not okay. I’m not okay with this agreement, but what choice do I have? If my dad finds out about any of this he’ll probably make me join a convent.”
He smirked. “You can’t be a nun, Rain. You’re not a virgin.”
I laughed. “That’s true.”
“Baby, why don’t we take some photos here? LBI is beautiful and you know the ocean is your specialty.”
“Let’s do it.” I perk up.
“That’s my Rain.” Smiling back.
Sliding off his lap we get to our feet and walk out of the bathroom hand in hand. When we get to the living room I pull Tommy back towards me.
“What is it, Rain?” he has a playful smirk on his face.
I put my arms around his neck and bring him close. “I missed you, Tommy, so much.”
“Me too, baby. Not let’s go get those shots before the light is against us.” He leans in and kisses my cheek. He holds the kiss longer than usual. Then we’re interrupted.
“Rain, can I have a word with you before you go out?” Dominick was sounding more like my dad with each passing moment.
I look at Tommy. “You deal with Kane and I’ll get my gear from the car.”
I nod in agreement.
“Kane, don’t fuck with her head or I’ll make it my business to fuck with you.” Tommy delivers a lethal threat.
“Conte, I really don’t give a shit what you think, but I don’t want Rain hurt either.” He comes across exhausted.
Dominick directs me into my bedroom. Not again.
“What’s this about?” My patience is at an end.
“I need to discuss something with you. Please, Rain.
“There’s nothing to discuss, Dominick.”
“Why because you don’t want to admit that you feel it too? You want to deny it because it’s easier to hate me. You want to keep yourself as far away from me as you can and keep an agreement with no feelings between us at all.
“Listen, I don’t hate you, but I’m just not mixing business with pleasure. It would never work.”
“How do you know? You’re too afraid to try.”
Someone is talking with Tommy in the living room. It sounds like Darian Mann. I’m not really fond of her, but her timing is perfect. It allows me to walk away from Dominick and all of his dangerous questions.
When I appear she’s all over me.
“Rain, how are you? Do you remember me? I’m Darian Mann. I absolutely adore your photographs and the work you have done for my design company. Dominick said you are staying here with Tommy Conte tonight and I thought I could persuade both of you to have dinner with us this ev
ening. What do you say?”
Holy shit! She got all that out in one breath. I can’t stomach women like her, but I’ll be charming. What choice do I have? Maybe then she’ll disappear in a puff of smoke.
I look at Tommy and Dominick. I grin deviously. Dominick’s face becomes panicked.
Tommy smirks and mouths the words: “Be nice, baby.”
I look back at Darian and smile at her. “It’s so great to see you again. My sister, Raven, said she saw you just last weekend. She told me how excited you are about the new show. I’m always honored by the fact that people admire my work. I will definitely make sure you are on the private guest list.” My voice is dripping in dramatic emphasis.
I thought Tommy would die holding back his laughter. Dominick is somewhat relieved and amused as well.
“Really, that is so kind of you. I’ll clear my schedule to be there.”
“Fantastic, but unfortunately Tommy and I have plans for dinner alone tonight. We appreciate your invitation, though. Perhaps another time?” I sound calculating, although she doesn’t notice.
Dominick interrupts.
“Darian, you can use the shower in my suite to get ready. Dinner is at 6. So you have plenty of time to relax before then.” Dominick is being so sweet to her it makes me sick.
Angel, my ass. What kind of fool does he play me for? So he is working both of us? He says he wants more of me. He doesn’t want me to pretend. What does that make Darian? The woman he’ll turn to if I reject his advances or is he trying to deliberately make me jealous. I can’t let him see it’s working even a little bit. Let him sleep with her. Once the plan is over with it will be easier to walk away from him.
Tommy and I spent the day running around the island with Dominick’s goons. Then we ate a late supper and went to bed. Dominick and Darian were gone by the time we came home to eat. I was thrilled because there is only so much Darian I could take.
Around midnight, my all too familiar screams flooded the house. I heard footsteps roar down the stairs and my door flew open. Tommy gets in the bed and curls around me within seconds. I hold on like I always do. Anna and Joseph stand there frozen. They’re in shock and don’t know what to do for me.
I hear the front door open. He comes to my room, stopping by Anna and Joseph, “What happened to Rain?” He sounds worried.
Joseph answers first. “She had a nightmare. She woke up screaming. Tommy said it happened frequently when she was young. He’s with her now.”
“Dominick, go be with her. Then she’ll know everything is okay.” Anna prompts him.
He comes in the room and I look up at him. He has a terrified expression on his face. He walks to where I am on my bed and Tommy releases me to him.
“Be careful with her, Kane.”
Dominick acknowledges Tommy with a nod.
“Can I stay here with you, Rain?”
“Yes.” I nod.
Then once he sits on the bed I climb into his lap and cling to him. I’m surprised by my own actions, but I need to be close to him. I need to feel his body against me. He cradles me close and kisses the top of my head. He starts to rub my back and I begin to calm down, yet I feel something build deep within my belly. I’m having second thoughts about the agreement. I don’t know why I am feeling like this. I wanted the agreement to be a fake. I wanted to pretend to feel for him but after seeing him with Darian and all of the emotions that I have been going through for the last week, I guess it’s just too much to handle. I want Dominick in my bed. I need to let him know. No more games.
“Hey, are you better now?” Kissing my face gently.
“Yes, now that you’re here.”
“You have Tommy, baby.” He’s being sweet.
“I know, but I want you.” My confession makes him smile against my face.
“I’m here and it’s going to all be okay, I promise. I should have never grabbed you like that today. I did this.”
“Dominick, you didn’t know about the nightmares. I rarely get them anymore. It’s just something that happens. It can be stress-related or I may be thinking about the past but I never truly know what brings them on.” I burrow closer into him.
He tilts his head down and he puts his face into my neck. I turn so my cheek is against his. Then he pulls back and I see his mouth. I know I would have to be the one to make the first move. He’s too scared since he hadn’t predicted he would come home to such an emotional firestorm. I brush my lips against his. Then I kiss his mouth. My breath hitches. He looks at me and leans in and gives me his mouth again. I open up so his tongue can find mine. It’s slow and tender, but there is a raw ache between my legs. I want him deep inside of me to make the ache go away. I moan into his mouth. His kiss isn’t enough. I need more.
“Dominick, please.”
He lies me down and stretches his body over me. I kiss him deeper than I’ve ever kissed any man. He slid up my nightshirt and took my nipple in his mouth. His erection is growing against my thigh. The ache inside me is worse. I need him. I want him. I lifted my hips to show my intentions.
“Dominick, please don’t stop.”
“Angel, are you sure about this?” He’s ready, but needs to know that I’m okay.
“I need you inside of me.” Breathing hard.
Dominick goes to take my top completely off. Then he stills. I see the horror on his face. When I follow where his eyes are focused, I can see they’re settled on the bruises that developed from him grabbing me so forcefully this afternoon in the dining room. He puts my shirt back on and leaves my bed.
“I did that to you. I don’t want to hurt you like that anymore.” Then he walked out.
You just did, by leaving me.
It’s Sunday and the sun is shining. I go over to the window and notice the beach is all but empty. Kids are back to school and most vacations have ended. I try to replay the events of Wednesday night over and over in my head. Tommy left the next morning, but he promised to be back down in a week or so. He has a job out in California that had been scheduled for a while now. He told me if I needed him he’s only a phone call away.
I haven’t seen Dominick since the night he walked out. I don’t know where he is. Maybe he’s at his apartment in the city, or maybe he’s staying with Darian. I walked out to the kitchen like I had the past three mornings. There’s never any news. I tried texting him but he never writes back.
I finally have come to realize that I’m done. If he’s just going to leave me here wondering what’s going to happen next, then the fucking deal is off. I’m going to pack my shit and head out to wine country in California to meet up with Tommy. I can’t stay here when I don’t even know what’s going on. I’ve had enough of that shit to last me a lifetime.
Every day is a gift. When you choose to not to accept what life has to offer, it’s an opportunity missed.
After some breakfast and much needed caffeine, I stalked back to my room fully irritated and intent on running. I walked through the door to find a large bouquet of white roses on the night table by my bed. Where did that come from? I didn’t hear a delivery at the front door. I walk over to it and notice a card sticking out of the top of the arrangement. I reached cautiously for the card, as if it would burn my fingers. I open it up. It reads:
Rain,
Forgive me.
Dominick xo
Two simple words. I stare at the card, examining it, then I turn to get my phone from the table by the French doors when I stop dead in my tracks by the sight of Dominick sitting there. He’s holding one single white rose in his hand. He immediately gets up and crosses the room to me.
“Well do you?” He whispers in anticipation of my answer.
“Do I what?”
“Do you forgive me?”
“I can’t forgive you if I don’t know what you want to be forgiven for.”
“I bruised you.” He’s ashamed.
I put my hand over his heart. He closes his eyes, as if my touch hurt him.
“There’s
nothing to forgive. It wasn’t done out of malice or to inflict pain. It wasn’t intentional. I told you, I bruise very easily. Physical bruises heal. They are an unfortunate but part of my life. I’m used to them.” Trying unsuccessfully to ease his guilt.
“I grabbed you, Rain.” He words sound tortured.
“Stop it Dominick.” My voice firm. “Stop this now.” Softening my tone. “I know you would never physically hurt me on purpose. I know I’m safe with you.”
He doesn’t even look at me.
“Dominick, where have you been for the last four days?”
“I stayed in the city. I knew you were okay here.”
“I’m not okay. I needed you here with me. Stop using the bruises as an excuse to avoid me. We had an agreement. You started this. You put it in motion. Now you want to stop. Why because you have to see the real me? The part that’s not always healthy. That’s just a little too ugly. You can’t just walk away when it gets uncomfortable. You hurt me, Dominick.”
“See, I did hurt you.” He exclaimed as if to make the point that he was right.
“NOT BECAUSE OF THE BRUISES DOMINICK, BECAUSE YOU LEFT ME!” My turn to yell. Then I stopped.
“You left me.” I whispered and my tears begin to fall.
He comes closer and wipes my tears. The moment he touches me again I feel that ache build inside me. His lips are close to my mouth. Then he softly speaks with his lips touching mine.
“I should’ve never left you, baby. I promised to take care of you and I haven’t done a very good job of it. Do you forgive me, Rain?”
“Yes, I forgive you.” He draws me into his body and I close my eyes to savor the feeling of him next to me.
“Stay with me?” He’s asking, not demanding.
I nod and smile at him.
“What are you doing to me, Rain?” His voice heated.
“I didn’t think I had that kind of effect on you Mr. Kane.” I smile and tease him.
“More than you know, Miss Medici. More than you know.” He leans in and takes my mouth in his. It’s soft and gentle at first, but then it’s greedy and dark, almost as if he can’t get close enough to me. Our breath becomes labored. I want him more now than ever. He picks me up and carries me out of my room and in to his. Then lays me down on his bed.
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