Page 14

Dominic

T he water runs hot, steam fogging up the sliding door and mirror. My girl is tired, leaning against me as the water cascades down her back, her head resting on my chest. I grab the shampoo, lather it in my hands, and run it through her long blonde hair, my fingers threading through her locks, massaging her scalp. She whimpers. She likes this. I like this.

It’s new to me the domesticity of it all. A feeling I never wanted before. Running my business and indulging in the occasional distraction was always enough. I like my life structured, controlled. But Gwen has me all over the place. She has me thinking that maybe this could work.

How do I bring her into my world without sending her running for the hills? How do I make her see I’m a bad man who does bad things but I would never hurt her? Do I let her in or keep her in the shadows? Does she need to know just enough to keep her in the dark, or do I pull her fully into my world?

I rinse the suds from her hair, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. She looks up at me with those ocean-blue eyes, and I know I can’t take the chance of her running. So, I decide, right then and there, she doesn’t need to know the work I do or the people I kill. She has her own demons. Adding to her nightmares isn’t something I’m willing to do. I turn off the water, grab a towel, and wrap it around her, then reach for one for myself. She chuckles, and my chest tightens in a way I don’t expect.

“What’s so funny, princess?” I ask, eyeing her flushed cheeks. “My towels definitely aren’t as nice as your big, fluffy, glamorous ones.” Smirking, I make a mental note. Get my girl the ones she likes. Check. “Any other requests, princess?”

The smile fades from her face, and the air shifts, turning thick, serious. “Stay the night with me?” Her voice is quiet, her gaze on the floor. I lift her chin. “Whatever you need, baby.” Her smile returns, stunning as ever. We move to the bed, and I pull her beneath the covers, settling behind her. Her perfect ass presses against my crotch, her back molding to my chest, one of her legs tucked between mine. Within seconds, she’s lightly snoring.

Tomorrow, she’ll feel the soreness from the way I claimed her tonight. I hold her closer, inhaling her scent. She’s like a drug addictive, inescapable. Like venom in my veins, pumping through my heart until I’m completely consumed. The bed is too damn small for my liking, but it’ll do. Hell, I’d sleep on the floor with her if that’s what she wanted.

Early in the morning, Gwen is still sleeping. I had a few hours to rest up. It’s back to business now, though. Moving through her house, I place cameras all over. I need to keep an eye on my girl. Lori texted me about the little altercation between Gwen and Lily. I must say, I’m proud of my girl for standing her ground. We officially ain’t a thing yet, but she's mine. To me, we are, and I just about have Gwen convinced we are. My girl was jealous, and it’s quite cute. She doesn’t know that I know about the conversation between the two.

Lori is loyal to me. I provide protection to the diner and whatever it needs. Lily has always been a shady bitch; that’s why I cut her off last year. She has a big mouth and likes to flaunt that she thought I was hers. I never was. She was a booty call and an arm piece when I needed one.

After I got some sleep, I had Bash drop the cameras off to my car. Her mother’s house is a lot bigger than it looks on the outside. I find my way to a study her father’s, I’m guessing. Now her mother’s, considering she’s going into business with Lily. I always knew they were friends. I just purposely stayed away from any of Lily’s friends.

In the study, I place a camera beneath the bottom of a picture hanging on the wall. All the cameras are linked to my phone and my computer system at the Chophouse. Papers are stacked on the black desk. A picture of her father hangs on the opposite wall. I can see she resembles him. Placing my last camera, I turn the light out and make my way through the house, putting them everywhere I need. She’d be pissed if she knew, though I’m not worried about the little tantrum she’d throw. Fucking that attitude out of her has become my new obsession. She needs her rest, or I’d head back to her room and wake her just for a repeat of last night. I’ll let her sleep, though. It’s still early.

Finding my way to the kitchen, I clean up the dishes and pick up the pizza boxes from last night. No reason to leave things undone, plus a clean kitchen is easier to cook in than a dirty one. I start the bacon, laying each strip into the pan one by one. I scramble some eggs and pop a can of biscuits in the oven the best I can do on short notice. With breakfast started, I wipe down the countertops and set the table.

Footsteps sound from the stairs. My girl is up. Walking into the kitchen, her hair is messy and tangled, a large t-shirt and tiny shorts hugging her lean legs and ass. Witchcraft. I’m stunned at her morning self. She’s gorgeous, and I’m the fool under her spell. She rubs her eyes and catches my gaze. “What are you doing? It’s so early?” she asks sleepily.

“The early bird gets the worm, baby, and I figured you needed some food after I fucked you into a coma last night.” I wink at her. Her face turns red, and she quickly looks away. Okay, maybe her being embarrassed is my favorite look on her. Standing against the island with my arms crossed, I watch her walk over to the stove and take in a deep breath, letting the smell of everything seduce her. “Mmmmm,” she mumbles.

I walk over to her, inhaling her scent. “Smells almost as good as you,” I whisper in her ear, watching the goosebumps rise on her arms. She chuckles, grabs the spatula, and mixes the bacon together. Grabbing the spatula out of her tiny hands, I smack her ass with it.

She flinches. “Ouch!” Oops. Forgot her ass is probably still bruised. “Don't touch a man's bacon when he’s cooking. Plus, how’s it going to get done right if you scrunch it all together?” Straightening it back out, I shake my head. Lord, she’s going to drive me insane. She just goes with the flow of everything. It’s exhilarating and maddening all at once. I couldn’t jump off this train ride now if I wanted to. She doesn’t need to know that, though.

She rubs her ass cheek before going to sit at the table. She’s going to be reminded of me every time she sits down today, ya know, keep me fresh in her mind. I wink at her. She rolls her eyes. Well, now I guess my girl didn’t learn her lesson. That’s okay. I’m more than willing to teach her again. As many times as I need to. “So, tell me, what plans do you have today?” I ask. She sits down carefully, and I bring her a plate.

"I don't have to work today, so Maddie and I are going out to get some coffee and do some shopping. Ya know, a girls’ day.” Cute. A girls’ day. I have a lot to do today, so maybe I’ll keep my mind off her for a few hours and get things done. Trey informed Bash last night that a few more details had surfaced. I want to get this rat taken care of, get back to normal. Back to everything running smoothly except now, I’m adding my girl into the equation.

She finishes her plate while I watch her, sipping coffee from a cute little mug I found in the cabinet. “Do you want to take my car?” I ask. She just looks at me. “Ha. Funny.” She brings her plate to the sink and sets it in there. Not bothering to wash it. Instinct kicks in, and I grab it, rinsing it off.

“I’m not joking, princess. Take my car. This way, you can leave or go as you please today.” Silence. She studies me, waiting for me to say sike or something. I don’t. “Yeah, alright,” she finally says, realizing I mean it. “If you need me, text me. Anything you want. I’ve got a few meetings and things to handle today.”

She laughs. “And let me guess business, nothing I should worry about, right?” “Beauty and brains. And you are correct, princess.” She smirks and turns to walk away. “Meet me at my house this evening. I'll send you the code you can go in and make yourself at home.”

She stares a hole into my eyes. “I don't think that’s a good idea.” Walking up to her, I inhale, catching her sweetness. I press a kiss to her cheek. “8 p.m. sharp. I'll be home.” Reaching into my pocket, I pull out some cash and place it in her hand. “Here. Buy yourself something nice.” Another kiss. Then I’m out the door.

Bash has been waiting on the street for thirty minutes. I open the car door, and his music is blaring. Sliding in, I shut the door. “Geez, think you took long enough?” Bash shouts, throwing it into drive. We’ve got a few stops to make before the real fun begins.