by S. L. Morgan
“I had Ethan hide you some pajamas,” Vannah said in a low voice. “He’s happy you’re surprising Dom.”
“Well, you both had a lot more confidence in me than I thought.” I chuckled.
“I knew you would do it. Your mind was more relaxed tonight. There are no more finals, and we’re officially on summer vacation.”
“Yes!” I nearly squealed. “I just hope Dom and I can go with you.”
“Stop thinking,” Vannah corrected me. “Focus on helping him tonight. We’ll worry about the rest later.”
“So, Lusa knows, and thank God Kat left for her vacation after finals today. I can’t believe we’ve been stuck with her this entire time.”
“What I can’t believe is it took a leprechaun for you to finally get along.”
“So damn true. She’s not all that bad, I guess. She just hates me for being with her guy,” I said with a laugh.
“Yet, somehow, you two are talking like decent individuals.”
“Well, we finally have one thing in common. We want the leprechaun transferred to a facility that deals with sociopaths.”
“I think anyone who’s watched her does. She is a leprechaun who’s showing her true colors. That’s never a good thing.”
“Yes.”
Vannah grabbed my arm before I walked down the hall to Dom and Ethan’s room. “You’re doing awesome with everything, but you haven’t really seen him all week. I know it’s naturally bugging you that he’s been with a chick…alone,” she stated. “Can you handle this little reunion?”
“Dom’s probably half awake, and all we’re going to do is snuggle up.” I grinned.
“Yeah, that’s what I’m worried about.” She arched an eyebrow at me. “So, who’s sneaking the food to you two if you both are hiding here until vacation?”
“Maybe we can get one of Dom’s friends to do it. Hopefully, he finished up with the stalker today, seems how I haven’t seen him since this morning. He wasn’t even there when we all shifted tonight.”
“Okay. You may have to keep it chill,” Vannah said. “Don’t want Ethan traumatized.” She clapped my shoulder, “Go.”
“True. Love ya, Vannah, and thank you!”
Vannah smiled and headed down the hall to our dorm room. I started thinking about how I needed to remember to cloak the room once I saw Dom on a personal level for the first time in what felt like a month.
I knocked softly on the door twice, and the door flung open. Dom stood there, seemingly annoyed by my presence. His eyes were dark and his face threatening enough to make me take a step back in confusion.
“Are you okay?” I peered into the room to see if Ethan was up.
“Fine. Get in here before someone sees you out here at one in the morning.”
He closed the door behind me, and I had never felt his alpha side pouring out of him so aggressively before.
“Where’s Ethan?” I asked.
“Asleep, like I was, and you should be.”
“I have a surprise for you, and it couldn’t wait.” I held my ground, knowing his attitude was the end result of Dom hitting an emotional rock bottom with that annoying leprechaun and us being separated.
“A surprise?” He looked toward the door to his right. “Was that what E was babbling on about so happily?”
“Yeah, I feel bad I’m so late,” I said.
“It can wait until morning, Jen. I have to sleep. Sleep is the only thing getting me through, resting my mind from the chaos.”
“Watch this,” I said.
I looked at the other side of the living area of this suite. It was the door that I was sure was Dom’s room, and I imagined it disappearing, all the energy gone and never existing. I had to do extremes, or this cloak wouldn’t work for me. Without the bubble we’d seen every time I tried this, it was an energy I felt leave my body, and suddenly the door was gone.
“That’s amazing,” Dom said. “Now, where do I go for the bathroom? You just got rid of it.”
I sighed. “I thought that was your bedroom. Besides, it doesn’t matter if it’s the bathroom or not.” I closed my eyes, held my palms up, and felt more energy leave to cloak the entire room and all of us in it.
I felt Dom’s sturdy hands in mine, and when I reopened my eyes, his somber gaze took my breath away. I missed this perfect face whether or not it was smiling. I could sense he was desperate, hungry, and craving to be with me—almost with a power that seemed stronger than what I’d used to cloak this place.
“I’m sorry I’m not reacting properly. I’ve been so frustrated that…”
I cut him off with a kiss and didn’t expect what was to follow. The kiss was harsh and strong, and I loved it. He pulled me up in his arms, and I heard a door open, and then my feet were on the ground, my back against the wall with Dominic gripping my hands, pulling them above my head as his lips left mine. My knees buckled, having my man yearning for more and his low growls erupting from deep inside him with each kiss he offered my aching body.
“Dominic,” I breathlessly ran my hand through his thick hair, his lips kissing my stomach. “I’ve missed you.”
Dom didn’t answer, the wolf was present in his eyes as they lifted to meet mine. He slowly lifted the bottom of my shirt, and I wasn’t going to get mad at all that he was helping me undress so I could change into my pajamas. At least that’s what I told myself while I enjoyed this aggressive side of Dom.
My wolf responded like the motorcycle we rode on our vacation last summer. She went from totally quiet to bouncing around with thrill, joy, and relief to have her mate close to her. This is where I couldn’t get lost. I had to try to tame my wild wolf, and this guy was definitely wild.
“Go slow, babe,” I said, letting out a breath, fighting my body reacting to him as he unzipped the back of my skirt and dropped it to the floor.
Dom licked his lips when he rose up, his hands trailing up my sides, eyes never leaving mine. “You have no idea how amazing it feels to touch you.”
I made the mistake of glancing at his abs and chest muscles, which were chiseled to perfection as usual. He was wearing his gym shorts and nothing else.
Okay, this is good. Let’s think about the fact that Dom and Jenna both sleep in their gym clothes. Cute. Cool. Crap!
Dom’s mouth captured and nipped at the side of my neck, his hands moving up my bare hips. We couldn’t go all in like this. If Dom was going to go for it, he would have told me.
“I need more, Jen. I can taste the feeling of our closeness,” his voice was low and assertive as we moved toward his bed. “I can’t do this anymore.”
That was the first sign that I knew Dom and I had spent too much time apart, and we could lose him. I could sense with the possessive way he covered my body with his—and yes, I loved it—that this had gone on too long, and I should have had this spell down much sooner.
“Dom,” I said as his lips started to explore my body, his deep growls of satisfaction, making this extremely difficult not to cave and worry about the rest later. “Babe,” I said, reaching for his cheek when he brought his beautiful face to meet mine. “We need to go slow. It’s going to be me and you for the next three days. I’m not leaving you, and you’re not leaving me. Got it?”
“Jen,” he let out a breath, and I could see his wolf and he were in a co-partnered, let’s merge with Jenna expression. God, I wanted him more than I ever had with his powerful look that made my heart almost stop. “I can’t disappear like you think, not that easily.”
“Trust me, we have it all worked out.” I smiled at him. “The leprechaun is really excited she was invited to go do a speech at Dark Water. It seems that Vannah has an inside connection here at IA, and they put the word out that she should go on tour this summer.”
Dom grinned. “Is that what she was trying to mandate I do with her because I was the face of Immortal Academy?” he laughed. “Oh, my God. She’s out of here, and all I have to do is finish this frustrating itinerary for next year’s pre-grad students?
”
I ran my hand through his hair. “You’re talking normal again,” I said, relieved. “I love you so much, and I’m so glad it’s over with her. Maybe she’ll find some hot guy to obsess over at another school.”
Dom’s face grew serious. “She’s the worst mistake in a friend I’ve ever made. Nothing happened between us, but I swear to God, she acts like it did and won’t leave me the hell alone.”
“Let’s not talk about her,” I saw his eyes going dark again. “Let’s heal our distance that almost screwed us both.”
I managed to use one of his sneak attacks to pull out of being in a pinned position, and I got him on his back. Dom’s head practically melted into his pillows as his eyes followed where his hands ran along my hips as I straddled his waist. I softly moaned after it grew silent, and I watched him intently studying where he gripped my waist, and his thumbs tenderly massaged my stomach.
“You’re perfect in every way.” His eyes lifted to mine, “I’m sorry I ripped your clothes off and got a little crazy. I feel like I’m trying to quench a thirst that won’t go away.” His brown eyes left mine while his hand brushed down the center of my chest. “I want you. I want this more than I’ve ever wanted or needed anything in my life.”
I pulled his hands into mine and smiled at him. “You have me, Dom. Right now, we just need to be together. We need to feel each other’s touch and kiss.” I licked my quickly drying lips, “If you want to go further, we’ll wait until tomorrow, and that wolf needs to leave your eyes when we make that decision.”
He nodded, and now I was on my back. Dom laid at my side with his arm as my pillow, and his leg draped over me.
“How do you do these maneuvers?” I thought I’d change the subject. His expression was too daring, and it was making my body and wolf begin to beg for us to bring this unity together.
He kissed my chin. “Always play the victim before you take your opponent. It will catch them by surprise every time. They think they have the win, and that’s when you take them down.”
“So, are you going in for the win?” I questioned his low voice and unpredictable tone. “Dominic Rossi, what are you planning?” Maybe a little first and last name game would snap him out of this.
Dom’s head tilted to the side, and then he smiled. “To kiss each and every part of you and let you know how desperately I’ve been craving your touch, your smell, and your company.”
“And?”
“Mind out of the gutter, Silvers.” He softly laughed, the silver brim of the wolf fading from his eyes. “We’re not going anywhere close to merging these wolves, but we will give them—and us—what they’ve needed since we left that cabin.”
That’s when I held on and wouldn’t let go. With every wild move and tasteful kiss, I returned it with as much passion as Dom. We never followed through where our bodies and wolves begged us to take them; instead, we relished in this moment of being together again, seeing the magnificent expressions of love we held for each other on each of our faces. It was more than merging our wolves, we were confirming that we were mates that could handle some crappy stuff and still hold it together in the wake of a storm.
Dom and I both jumped in the alpha roles, and that’s where we learned we were a unique force. It was a supposed fact that alphas couldn’t be compatible, yet here we were, proving that theory wrong. The man had moves and a way of touching my body that validated he was my other half, and I wished we could’ve just merged the wolves, our bodies, and our souls. I wanted to feel the sensations of taking our love for each other to that level.
For now, I would relax and enjoy every touch, kiss, and expression Dom had while practically worshipping my body. I loved him, and with each passing minute through the night, I could feel his aura changing and becoming stronger.
At least the leprechaun was gone for summer, and in a few days, Dom and I would be on vacation with our friends. After both of us filling each other’s separation through the night, I remained in his arms, my eyes closed, feeling Dominic molded against my back. His warm breath tickled my neck, and with each breath he took, I felt like I was going into a trance of soothing comfort. I finally drifted off, my mind letting go of our night together, and resting in the comfort and completion I felt in my man.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Dom was breathing heavily and in a deep sleep as the sun shone in through the window and onto his face the next morning. I rubbed his forearm he had draped over my arm and heard him moan while pulling me tighter into him.
“I know it’s late,” he said, burying his face into my neck again. “God, I haven’t felt this tired, yet rested, in all my life.”
“Well, you sort of went through hell and back since extracting that demon from me.” I twisted in his arms to face where his eyes remained closed. “Then having to deal with the severed merge.”
“Is that what we’re calling the magic bond of the wolves now?” He smiled, his eyes still closed.
“It’s all the same. You were affected by it, and you know it.”
“I had a great handle on it until Melanie forced us apart in the way she did.” His eyes opened at the mention of her name. He rolled onto his back and laid his arm over his forehead. “I swear she was the only answer for keeping the academy from asking too many questions. They were all focused on her, proving herself to be at this school prematurely. It was the best idea I could think of to keep their eyes on her and questions off me. At the time, it was a blessing in disguise.” His eyes drifted over to where I lay on my side, rubbing my hands along his taut stomach. “Now? I can’t tell which is the curse at this school. Her or the demon that’s waiting to come after all of us again.”
“Both.” I softly laughed. “Hey, you’re going to have to get up sometime today. We do need you to play one small role in us being able to hide out in your room and under my cloaking spell until we leave for vacation.”
“What’s that? After you showed up last night, it seemed like you had it all figured out.”
“Well, you have to clock out personally.” I kissed his shoulder. “We’ll have breakfast first—if it’s not already lunchtime, sleepyhead. Almost all of our friends are hanging back to derail everyone from following us onto the vacation Scott planned.”
He sat up. “You want to hit the shower first? Do you even have clothes besides—” Dom’s eyes roamed over the underwear and bra I was wearing, lying here like it was totally normal for me to lounge around nearly naked. I went to cover up but was stopped with a smile, smoldering eyes, and Dom’s hand. “If we can’t bond, I have to say I do enjoy living close to the idea like we have.”
My eyes met his as he ran his hand along my outer thigh. “Mind out of the gutter, Rossi.” I used his term against him. “Besides, you’ve seen a lot more of me than this, and I know your supernatural wolf mind hasn’t let go of that image of me topless while you saved my butt last summer vacation.”
He smirked. “Unfortunately for me, my mindset was completely different that night. I didn’t get the luxury of appreciating you topless. I was too busy saving your rebellious little wolf from a demon.”
I rose up. “Alright, it’s already past ten o’clock.” I glanced at the clock on the side of his bed.
“You’re not missing out on food, Jen,” Dom shoved the sheets off the bed, and holy crap, he made his dark boxer briefs look more than good. His butt, his muscular legs…
Dom stretched, giving me a full appreciation of every rigid muscle he had. I was down for skipping breakfast if he was.
“I think E is going to wonder where I am, and as I was saying before your thoughts of my butt in briefs entered in my head is that the school serves food almost all day long during summer vacation. Classes aren’t scheduled as they normally are, and it’s mainly for those who would rather stay in dorms than leave the campus.”
“That sounds great! Who knows, maybe we’ll stay here instead of heading off to vacation land?”
Dom walked toward another door in his room.
“Don’t tempt me,” he grinned. “I’ll be right out, but I have an idea of something we might do after we eat breakfast and I turn in the last of the new curriculum I drafted.”
“Sounds good.”
An abrupt knock at our door had me scrambling to throw something on. Dom’s closet was the closest place I knew to go to find clothes. Holy shit! This guy is Mr. Immaculate! I thought, seeing his clothes all sectioned off and separated by color and style. The majority of his clothes were his black instructor tees, so I yanked one down, threw it on, and now looked like I was wearing a shirt dress. Dom was a foot taller than me, so it was bound to happen.
“I got it, Jen,” Dom chuckled, watching me fumble around his closet. “It’s just E. Be careful with your panic, you might drop the cloak if you lose too much focus.”
“True,” I said, as I slid on a pair of gym shorts and cinched the drawstring at my waist.
“The president of Immortal Academy is looking for you,” Ethan said.
Dom nodded. “Wow, I guess he wants the curriculum right now.”
“He wants you to go with the IA staff to join his daughter on her tour. She’s struggling.”
“He told you all this?” Dom responded to Ethan’s distressed expression. “When?”
“This morning, when we ate breakfast. It’s almost lunchtime now, and you two can get in a lot of trouble if he knows Jenna kept you here.”
“We could be in a lot of trouble for far worse, E.” Dom glanced back at me, then looked at Ethan, “Tell Lusa to get you on the vacation Scott set up. You’ll be safe with her. Do you know what he planned?”
“Lusa said I will love the high mountains and the tents they made to live in the woods.”
“A camping trip in the middle of nowhere. Nice, Scotty,” Dom said to himself. “Alright, you’ll have a lot of privacy out there. Jen and I will catch up. If not, Vannah will beat us out there. Don’t worry about us. Worry about not shifting just in case the fairies put some humans out there too. You’ve got this.”