We were stopped at a red light. Dominick looked over at me, his eyes slightly wide, his mouth partially open, "What?"
I just indirectly said I loved him. Time to focus. "What I mean is I don't have a lot of what you would call friends." I stopped, "I just tease when I feel comfortable with someone. It's a reflex."
The corners of Dominick’s mouth twitched. His eyelids lowered, and he went back to driving. He didn't say anything and seemed content to let the overplayed holiday jingles belt out of the radio. Doing the smart thing for once, I shut up.
It took a bit of time to get to their home. The roads were truly awful. Driving by the accident site where the Shadowed Man attacked didn't trigger a panic attack the way I thought it would. I just felt numb. Too many things had happened.
My phone buzzed. I had a few calls and messages from Roth. The texts all sounded worried about my health. I shot him back a message, "Just healing up."
He immediately sent back, "You aren't answering your door?"
"I'm at a friend's place," I texted. He was at my apartment? Maybe I had two stalkers. Swell.
"Where are you? I'll come to you." His text sat blinking at me. Then the phone rang. Shit.
Dominick kept driving.
"Uh, this is my ex. It ended badly so if you could stay quiet. He doesn't know about my-" I stopped at a loss for words, but Dominick nodded.
I picked up the call. "Hello?"
"Dianna!" His voice didn't sound tipsy, but his voice was thick with his Irish accent. He shouted, "Woman, I have been worried near to death!"
I winced. "I appreciate your concern. I'll be back work-"
He cut me off. "Fuck that! Dianna, you wanted space. I gave it. Now, I need to see you.” Roth’s voice was calm, “Tell me where and I'll be there on wings."
"Roth. I can’t." My chest tightened.
He started saying things rapidly, with an accent so thick, I couldn't understand him.
"Roth. I can't understand you. Please, slow down."
"Dammit, Dianna! I care!" He started the rapid-fire heavily accented speech again and became incomprehensible.
"Right. Like how you cared when Casteele died?" I heard the phone crack as my grip tightened.
Dominick stopped at a red light. He mouthed, "Say goodbye."
"Roth, I can't do this. Goodbye." I hung up.
Dominick said, "Cut it clean."
I screamed into my hands. "That is easier said than done. Roth is my boss."
Raising an eyebrow at me, Dominick said, "You never choose the easy path do you?"
I sighed and waited, but Roth didn't call back.
One problem solved?
Dominick pulled the minivan into the actual garage. It was empty except for my car, and an old late 90s sedan, that was half rust. The rust had been covered in bumper stickers of local bands, indie bands, and bible quotes.
He said, "See, Alec's car. His music."
Damn, Dominick was worse at letting things go than me. That is saying something. "I'm sorry for offending you."
The walk to the house was cold, and the snow made it hard to see. Alec had the front door open. We rushed inside and started peeling off our covered jackets and boots. There were fewer boxes than before, and a shoe rack, coat stand, and bench now sat in the foyer. The rug on the under it had a plus sign inside a circle in the center and the images of cross spears woven into it. It looked like an antique with the wear on it.
Standing up from the bench, I left my boots on the rug. "Hey, Alec, should I move my boots, so they don't ruin your rug?"
He shook his head, "No. That's its job." His eyes smiled.
I smiled at Alec, "Did you get some boxes unpacked?"
He held his head, so his newly dyed lavender streaks fell in his face, "Yeah. We have a lot left to do."
Dominick said, "Alec, I have to get some rest before work."
"I liked the dark blue-violet color but lavender works for you," I said to Alec.
Alec took a step forward and was about to say something when Dominick demanded, "Come with me."
I followed Dominick, and waved to Alec, "Sorry."
Dominick led us to a study full of built-in bookshelves, and a window seat. A large, fairly plain wooden desk and matching chair were the only furniture. He sat at the desk and started up the laptop. A large rug was on the floor. It looked like a mimic of the modern art period, with bold straight black lines separating white and primary colors in an asymmetrical grid. As I entered the room, he shut the door.
"I have to finish a report, so make it quick."
I started to wonder what in the world I liked about him.
There was no other chair. I wasn't going to sit on the floor, and the window seat would be cold. I stood opposite Dominick. Grinding my teeth, I said, "You brought me here. You told me to come with you.” I tapped my foot. “I do have a couple questions. Why were we only in our underwear?"
He glanced at his monitor. "It was because Doctor Yamada said skin contact would help you heal faster. She wasn't sure why." His face was a mask. He was hiding something. His normal grumpy face was blank.
"You know something else. What is it?" My imagination was one of my own worst enemies. I didn't need to constantly wonder if something was wrong.
He looked up at the ceiling, and said, "Give me strength." He stood up, and came around to me, "Dianna, I sorry if waking almost nude with me made you anxious."
Confused I asked, "Huh?"
He didn't meet my eyes, "About your past."
"No. It didn't. You could have just said it was something recommended by the doctor. Why did you get evasive?" I walked closer to him and crossed my arms. "What is it?"
His dark brown eyes filled with worry. "Dianna." He moved away shifting his gaze.
"What?"
He ran his hand through his hair and walked to the large window seat. He looked out the window, "Being in bed with you was difficult."
"Huh?” My head tried to make sense of his actions. “But you rejected me? You said no when I said yes?"
Dominick didn't turn around, "You literally pushed me away." He turned around. His face was strained as his voice grew louder, "I don't want to talk.”
"Wow." I shut my open mouth and tried to process this. "So, you do want to have sex with me?"
"Yes! Are you slow?" He put his head down. He put a hand over his face. He breathed in deeply five times before looking back up, "I didn't mean that.”
I went to him, not caring and said, "Kiss me."
His eyes darkened, and he said, "Your dream man?"
"Dominick, there is no other." I moistened my lips. "I have an ex and a dream stalker. I'll tell you about it later.”
Dominick's jaw had a muscle twitching as he said, "What are talking about?"
"You're the slow one, Dominick!" I bit my lip.
"You need to go." His tone was harsh and his muscles stiff.
"I want you too."
"Dianna," he turned his head away.
Deciding to take the initiative, I took off the metallic shirt Whisper had lent me, leaving my chest bare. The room was mostly warm, but it was winter in an older home. My nipples were a rosy pink and hard from the burst of cold. Dominick's eyes moved from my bare chest to my eyes.
"Dominick. I want y-"
In one motion, Dominick lifted me, pressing my body to his. My legs wound around his waist. His arms held me; one at my waist one holding my back. His mouth was hot as he kissed my neck. He slowly bit and sucked. The feel of the pull of my skin into his mouth made me sigh, then cry out. His teeth had bit down slightly. He leaned back. His eyes lit with a triumphant sparkle. He'd marked me.
My hand came up and felt the spot. It felt warm and wet. A larger mark over the one Kian had made. Dominick put me down, but one arm stayed at my waist.
Impatient, I moved back and unbuttoned his shirt. His breathing changed. It was longer between breaths.
He wore an undershirt. He pushed me back and took off both shirts. His
pinkish-brown nipples were hard. As were his muscles. Sighing, I moved forward, hands touching him. The air was filled with his scent, sandalwood.
"Dominick." He moved us behind his desk, and sat in the large dark wooden and cushioned chair. He pulled me down with him. I was astride him. We were eye to eye.
Before I could move, he pulled me forward for another kiss. Dominick's tongue pushed into my mouth. Saliva dripped from the corners of my mouth.
His chest hair tickled my nipples and breasts while he continued to kiss me. The too tight borrowed jeans started to feel uncomfortable. Dominick's hard shaft pressed against the jeans and that spot and made me cry out. He swallowed the sound then lifted his head.
“You are so beautiful.”
Dominick started to caress my breasts with one hand, while the other arm held me. My hips moved, grinding that spot, feeling his heat through the layers. He squeezed my breast.
I rubbed against him again. The tightness of the jeans became too much.
Dominick held me to him crushing my mouth with his again.
Strong arms kept me in place while he pushed against me. His mouth swallowed my sounds as my body begged for more. Dominick lifted up, saliva trailing between us.
His eyes were intent, focused on me. His lids were half down, and his normally carefully controlled bangs were waves framing his eyes. Lips slightly puffy from all the kissing were more red than pink. His mouth was slightly open revealing his white teeth. His large muscles were begging to be touched. The dark work pants he wore didn't hide his large erection. Dominick groaned, rubbing me against that unyielding hardness.
Suddenly, there was a pounding knock at the door. Dominick lifted me up. His grip loosened and I moved back.
I wanted to continue. My skin ached in anticipation.
"Hey, D, is Dianna there with you?" Alec's voice asked.
Looking for my shirt, Dominick cursed. "One second," Dominick muttered. Then he grabbed and kissed me his tongue invading my mouth. Moaning, I pressed into him.
"Let me get rid of little brother," he said.
Dominick went to the door, while I put on my shirt. I said, "What about your shirt?" as he opened the door.
Alec took in Dominick's appearance and flinched. "The boss called for you on my phone. Captain Agnes." Alec met my eyes. His cheeks flushed.
Dominick said, "I'll go call him." He turned to me, "Stay." He grabbed his shirts as he left the room.
Did he just order me like a dog?
There was a phone in the room. But Dominick’s cell was on the entryway's table. Who was Captain Agnes? Police? Or the precious order?
I nodded to Alec as he came into the room. I blushed and couldn't meet his eyes anymore. It was too embarrassing and awkward. I put on the jacket and crossed my arms to hide my nipples.
Alec tracked their movement. He appeared different. The happy mask had gone. Alec used his speed and grabbed me, pinning me to the wall. His eyes were full of desire and anger.
"I have to know." His voice broke.
He pressed his lips to mine.
For all the force he was using to pin me, his lips were gentle. His lips quested, searching for something I couldn't give him. The heat that Dominick had ignited was still there, but it felt wrong that Alec had kissed me.
"Alec?" My voice was shaky as he lifted up.
His eyes were hard as he kissed me again.
My body started to respond, lingering desire from Dominick seeking an outlet.
I pushed him away. I held the back of my hand over my mouth.
Alec made a strangled noise saying, "You are special." His gaze scorching me as he said, "But you taste like my brother."
"Alec!" I blushed even more and tried to make sense of what was going on.
He shook his head, "Don't say anything." He stood up straighter, "I can't be around you."
I reached out to him, but he stepped back.
Torn, I watched him go upstairs. I couldn't stay after Alec's kiss. I got my boots on.
Dominick had ordered me to do something. I didn't like that. I especially didn't like that I wanted to sit in his chair and wait for him obediently. So, I left.
My crossover handbag was on the table. I unzipped it. All my stuff. Keys, wallet, money. I grabbed the very pink scarf and headed outside to the rental.
The Zachar brothers could go fuck themselves.
Chapter Twenty-Six
The drive back to my apartment sucked. The roads still needed to be sanded and plowed, but the upside was most everyone had decided the storm was too horrible for driving. I saw a few non-city vehicles.
As I opened my front door, I tossed my bag on the loveseat. Shutting the door, I keyed in the code for the security box. I went to the shower and brushed my teeth. I took a shower, scrubbing myself.
Brad wasn't around. He wouldn’t come into the bathroom when I was in it, but he would have said hello by the door outside.
Julie's voice kept screaming at me to save her, but I ignored it. Nothing like having to deal with a panic attack on repeat. Slapping both my cheeks, I rinsed off the soap.
The encounter with Alec had made me feel guilty and ashamed. I gargled with mint mouth rinse. My desire was still there for Dominick but put on hold while I tried to work out my emotions.
I'd thought Alec was becoming like a brother to me, but I'd obviously not been seen as family to him.
As I toweled off my wet hair, something felt wrong. I wrapped a towel around my torso and realized what was wrong. The scents of smoke and lilies hit my nose.
Sitting on my bed, dressed in black slacks, wearing an open green button down shirt was Kian. He was stretched out while flipping through a magazine, his feet bare. He glanced up. His eyes were glowing, casting a chartreuse glow on his tan face. It brought out his strong cheeks but made under them look hollow.
He said in a reproachful voice, "Were you cheating on me?"
My pulse quickened. Kian was not harmless. Trying not to panic I decided to diffuse the situation by acting normal.
I got dressed. "So, you decided to move up from stalking to breaking and entering?" I put my back to him and put on my bra and undies.
He laughed. "Very clever."
I went to the closet, taking out a sweater and long sleeved tee. As I started to put on the tee, Kian was on me. I didn't even hear his footsteps. His arms crushed me into his body from behind. His breath was hot on my ear.
"Dianna," his voice was so low it was hard to hear, "you played with that detective, didn't you?"
Trying to stay calm, I focused on breathing slowly. "Kian, why don't you move, so I can get dressed?" Calm. "We can discuss this over some food.”
Kian pressed into me. "I think the time for talk is past."
"You said you need my consent," my voice wavered slightly. Feeling his hard body against my own softer one made my pulse race. I was petrified.
Kian started licking my ear. As his tongue touched my earlobe a wave of disgust and loathing filled me. I trembled as he whispered in my ear, "You are mine."
He spun me around so fast I was off balance. His lips crushed into my own. They parted my lips, and his tongue pushed in fighting with mine. He stopped the kiss and licked his lips. I wanted to fight him, but terror held me immobilized. Kian lifted his head up. His lids were lowered, and his eyes felt like they were searing me with their desire.
He lifted me like I weighed nothing, "Tell me what you desire right now."
"Let me go," the words flew out of my mouth.
Kian roared, his eyes burning like fires, taking away all semblance of the human eye. No iris, no pupil, just blue-green flames licking out from his face.
He threw me across the bed with enough force that I skimmed the bed and hit the chest of drawers next to the wall hard. The dresser creaked. Pain flared up from my hip.
He was next to me, cradling my body before I could finish catching my breath. He sat in a squat and held me so that my face was pressed against his chest.
/> No. Not again. Never again!
I put my hands over his arms on me. Without holding back, I slammed my head into his.
His arms didn't move. Kissing my hair, he said, "You are mine, Dianna. Say it."
I clawed at his arms, and he lifted me up and slammed me into the floor. My breath left in a whoosh.
"Say it!" Kian's voice was barely audible.
"I am," my breath was still struggling from having had it knocked out. "Not yours." The words were halted, but I managed to get them out.
Standing, Kian dropped me on the bed. His face was still, betraying the rage that lit the fires inside his eyes.
His hand lit with the same blue-green flames. "Don't move." He said in a deadly soft voice, "This will hurt."
He thrust the burning fist into my stomach. It went through me, incorporeal. The flames hit my insides, and agony filled me. The firestorm spread like lava being poured over every inch of me. My insides were on fire, burning without end. I screamed over and over until I felt my vocal chords give out. Instinct had me twisting to try and run from the torture.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Uncertain how long it lasted, all pain finally vanished. Kian withdrew his fist. I breathed in and out. Every nerve in my body felt more alive than it had in years.
I stopped myself from jumping on him as desire poured through me. Moaning, I looked at his chest. Pure desire to be devoured by the inferno that was Kian.
"You are mine again," he whispered. He leaned over and kissed my cheek gently.
I lifted up to touch my body to his.
His sea-green eyes were lit with satisfaction. His hair was a mess of waves falling around his face.
His full lips descended on my own. His tongue pushed into mine. It felt like liquid heat, infecting me with lust.
The smells of the jungle were everywhere. Rain, sweat, florals, and the musk of Kian. Moving to press against him, I fought whatever it was that made me long for his ardent touch. Even with my body ignited in passion, my mind was still my own.
Kian's face changed. His ebony brows lowered. His eyelids lowered, and he frowned. "You can fight it," he said.
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