Page 15

Gwen

M y cell phone rings, and a text from Maddie lights up my screen. I’m finishing up my curls yesterday’s troubles are behind me, and today, I’m a ray of freaking sunshine. Maybe it’s the dick. Maybe it’s just that life looks different today. Dominic has wormed his way into my head, and I don’t know if I should be doing this. I told myself I wouldn’t get attached. I’m trying, really trying, but he’s making it impossible.

I turn on my speaker and crank it up to the highest volume, letting the upbeat rhythm pulse through me. The music is getting me in the mood I need for the night. I line my lips with precision, perfecting my face. Eyebrows sharp, jet-black lashes long and thick. There’s something about getting dressed up that makes everything feel different especially when I have the keys to a blacked-out Maserati with a red interior and two thousand dollars in cash. I didn’t know what to say when he handed me the money. Honestly? It’s nice to be spoiled. I’ve never had that luxury with a man besides my daddy. When he left us, my mother wasn’t much for spoiling. It is what it is. I guess I can’t blame her for how she chose to grieve.

I walk out of my bathroom in a T-shirt and a pair of panties, rummaging through my closet for something to match Maddie. I know she’s going to be dressed in her best she always is. I slide on a tight, long-sleeve white shirt, a tan vest that drapes down to my hips, blue jeans, and my black knee-high boots. Tossing my hair over my shoulder, I take one last look in the mirror. I don’t recognize myself. I look different. Happier, maybe? But there’s a whisper in the back of my head that this won’t last that I’ll have to pay for what I’ve done.

He will find me one day. Because it’s his life or mine. He’s made no contact. No attempts. Maybe he had to face his transgressions. Maybe they got him. Maybe he’s dead in a shallow grave somewhere. Shaking my head, I push the thoughts away. I don’t need to go there. I need to stay happy, stay in the moment. I hate when my mind does this spinning memories like a broken record, sabotaging my good thoughts. Fuck it. Let’s get out of this house. I grab the keys and head to the car, sending Maddie a text as I go.

TEXT: Maddie: On the way.

Dominic's car roars to life beneath me, the powerful engine vibrating through my hands on the wheel. I should have known this machine would be a beast to handle. It’s been a long time since I’ve been in the driver’s seat, and damn, if it doesn’t feel good. The wind rushes past as I weave through traffic, my mind unwinding with every sharp turn. This this is freedom. Something I’ve missed dearly.

Following Maddie’s directions, I pull into a quaint little coffee shop on the corner. A wooden sign displays the day’s specials, and the shop’s darker walls and wooden tables exude warmth. Greenery hangs from every available space, and a bookshelf stuffed with books lines one wall. The rich aroma of mocha and vanilla fills the air, teasing my senses I can almost taste it already.

Maddie is already at a table, her attention locked on her phone as she sips her iced coffee. She looks up when I pull out the chair across from her, a bright smile breaking across her face. “There you are! This place is so cute. How in the world did you ever find it?” She chuckles, lifting her cup tall, filled with iced coffee, a creamy foam topping, and caramel drizzle cascading down the sides.

“I’ve been coming here since I was a little girl. My momma loved to grab coffee after we finished spending all of Papa’s money.” She shoves an identical cup toward me. “Here, you’ll love it.” I take the cup, swirling it for no reason other than instinct. I’ve never been one for fancy coffee, but I take a sip. Then another. My god. This is heaven in a cup. “That is so good,” I murmur, savoring another sip.

We’re a few towns over from where my house is. Maddie grins, her eyes twinkling with excitement. “Down this street, there are a ton of boutiques. We’re hitting them all up while you spill the details on what the hell is going on with you and Mr. Tall, Dark, and Dangerous. Also, when did you get a Maserati?”

We step out onto the street, diving into every store along the way trying on anything and everything, laughing, buying whatever catches our eye. I fill her in on the whirlwind that is Dominic. “Girl, I don’t know how you’re walking after him taking a belt to you.” She chuckles, shaking her head.

“Me neither. And he handed me money this morning to get whatever I want,” I say, watching her expression shift from amused to intrigued. She hums, swirling her drink. “He sounds like he’s straight out of a dream. I never thought he was a nice guy always came off as the ‘do not talk to me’ type. But apparently, he’s got a thing for you.” “Yeah… but why?” I ask, more to myself than to her.

“Seriously, look at you, Gwen. You’re a walking Barbie doll, and you’re a sweetheart. You give off that all-American girl vibe why wouldn’t he?” We walk side by side, and maybe she’s right. Maybe I just don’t see myself as anything but dirty a drug dealer’s girlfriend, a girl in handcuffs with mascara running down her cheeks in a mugshot. “Tell me, the sex is out of this world, right?” she asks, giggling like a schoolgirl. “Even better,” I admit.

“So, you’re telling me he hands you money, lets you take his car, and fucks you like you’re his personal whore, and you’re still wondering if this is a bad idea?” She raises an eyebrow at me. “Haven’t you heard of ‘too good to be true’? Plus, there’s a lot I don’t know about him. My mother made it a point to tell me I should stay away from him. I don’t know if it was for my safety or because her skank of a best friend is Dominic’s ex.”

“Who are you talking about?” she asks. “Lily Whatts. She came to dinner just to make sure I knew she knew him. And that’s not even the worst part she was kissing him at the gala.” I replay that night in my head, feeling the sting of it all over again.

“Stay away from her, Gwen. She’s no good. She does some partnering with my father she’s not a good person,” she says seriously as we keep walking. “What kind of partnering?” I ask, wondering if Dominic knows what kind of person that makes him. Does he work with her?

“She owns the spa down on Third. She isn’t the nicest to the girls who work there. There are a lot of rumors, but she’s like the wicked witch of the West. And let’s just say the facials aren’t just facials, if you catch my drift.”

“Seriously? Yeah, my mom is going into business with her, I guess.”

“Well, just stay out of her way,” she warns.

“Yeah, I will.”

My mind goes back and forth as we walk into a boutique. “Okay, let’s head into this shop. They’re fabulous,” Maddie says, bouncing through the doors. We spend the next few hours shopping and talking, but I can’t shake the feeling that my mother is dipping her toes into something she shouldn’t. By the time I pull up to Dominic’s house, exhaustion weighs on me. Walking up his steps seems like a task maybe because I have fifty bags hanging from each arm.

Just as I’m about to punch in the code, the door swings open. He’s standing there. Grey sweatpants. No shirt. Abs glistening. Pick up your jaw, Gwen. He’s just a man. Just a man with a six-pack, no shirt, and grey sweatpants clinging to every inch of him his bulge was visible through the fabric.

My eyes betray me, flickering down. “Eyes up here, princess,” he says, chuckling as he takes the bags from my arms. Stepping inside, I hear music playing in the background, but I can’t tell where it’s coming from. “I didn’t think you’d be here yet,” I say as he sets my bags down. “I let Bash handle some business for me at the last second,” he says, raking his eyes over me, head to toe. “You’re looking extra stunning today. I like this look on you.”

Blushing, I mumble, “Thank you. Don’t get used to it.” I said jokingly. “Oh, I’m sure you’ll be keeping me on my toes, baby.” He steps in close, inhaling the scent of my hair, sending shivers down my arms. God, why does he do that to me? I can smell his cologne mixed with sweat. If I had to guess, he was working out before I arrived.

“Where’s the music coming from?” I glance around. “My gym in the basement. A workout clears my mind.” He smiles. “Oh? What do you need to clear your mind from? You have everything you want.” I smirk, tilting my head. What could possibly trouble a man like him? He’s in control of every aspect of his life.

“You, princess. You fog up my brain until I can't think straight.” His voice is low, almost a growl. “Even while I’m working out, all I can think about is bending you over the bars of my weight bench.” What did he just say to me?

I stand there, frozen, waiting for his next words because my mouth isn’t working properly. “It’s aggravating,” he continues, stepping closer. “Having so much to do, yet all I can think about is your body against mine.” I press my thighs together because, damn, the heat is building. I don’t say anything as he grabs the bags and carries them further into the house. “Did you have a good time out on the town?”

I nod, unable to form words, just watching him walk. But my brain keeps circling back to what Maddie told me about Lily. She’s bad news. And he used to be with her. Does that mean he’s bad news too? He opens the bedroom door and sets the bags on the bed. “Show me what you got,” he says.

I blink at him, confused. Why does he care what I bought? As if reading my mind, he smirks. “I want to see what you like. And I’m sure you’ll look beautiful in all of it. Besides, you have to get naked to change.” He winks and leans back on the bed. Someone taking this much interest in me feels strange. When you're only ever seen from the outside, it’s hard to believe someone actually wants to know more.

“Alright,” I laugh. “I’ll give you a fashion show.” I grab a few bags and head to the bathroom. One by one, I show him each outfit. He watches, completely captivated, praising every piece the shoes, the earrings, all of it. I twirl, letting him take it all in. “Okay, last one,” I announce.

I saved the best for last. A baby pink babydoll set. Sheer lace cups with a delicate bow in the middle, the fabric cascading down, leaving my stomach exposed. A pink lace crotchless thong completes the look. I open the door. Dominic’s eyes widen. He doesn’t say a word.

I step in front of the bed, waiting for his reaction, just like with the others. But this time, he shifts onto his knees, his gaze dark and heated. “Show me, princess,” he growls, his voice thick with restraint. Slowly, I spin, letting him take in every inch of the outfit I bought just for tonight. He licks his lips, rising to his feet, towering over me.

“On your knees,” he orders, his tone pure command. I do as he tells me, my knees sinking into the carpet. I look up at him, waiting for the next command. He stares down at me, his expression torn between torment and control. “I want you to be a good girl for me and take my cock in your mouth, baby.”

Nodding, I grasp the hem of his sweatpants and pull them down slowly, freeing him. His hard cock springs out as I push his pants to his feet. He steps out of them and kicks them aside. “I was going to give you a break tonight, let that little ass recover,” he murmurs, running his fingers through my hair. “But I just can’t. Take it in your mouth, baby. Let me feel how good that throat opens up for me.”

I wrap my fingers around his thick shaft, teasing the head with my tongue. I lick up both sides while he stands before me, willing and ready. “Open.” His command is sharp, leaving no room for hesitation.

I part my lips, opening wide to accommodate his size. He shoves himself into my waiting mouth, thrusting deep until I gag. “That’s it, princess. Gag on my dick. Show me how much you want it.” His voice is thick with lust. “Oh, that’s it. Be a good girl and try to take it all for me.”

I suck harder, taking as much as I can. My head bobs as I work him, my throat stretching to accommodate his size. Tears sting my eyes, trailing hot down my cheeks. “Up.” His voice is firm. I rise to my feet, gazing up at him as he towers over me.

“On the bed. On your back.” Climbing onto the bed, I lay back, watching as he moves to the closet. He retrieves something unfamiliar a set of cuffs, four in total, linked together by chains. “What is that?” I ask, my pulse quickening. “This is going to keep those pretty little legs up for me.” He secures my wrists and ankles, binding them together. My arms are tied to my legs, leaving my pussy and ass completely exposed. I shiver, anticipation thrumming through me. Pleasing him makes me feel good, knowing he enjoys every moment of my submission.

He grabs my hips, pulling me to the edge of the mattress until my ass is barely hanging on. His cock is hard, standing tall, eager to claim me. “This baby doll outfit, you tied up in chains any man would be at your feet, begging for a taste, sweetheart. But I’m not just any man,” he growls, his gaze dark and possessive. “And I’m going to break this little pussy of yours in.” No words leave my lips. My body trembles as I watch him reveal something else from behind his back. “You’re going to feel some pressure, baby. Deep breaths for me.” His voice softens, coaxing.

“W-what do you mean?” My voice shakes as I feel something cool and smooth slide against my puckered hole. I try to lift my head to see, but the restraints keep me firmly in place. He spits on it, then presses it against me. The intrusion is cold, solid, and unfamiliar. “It’s a plug, baby. It’s going to stretch that ass out for me while my dick is buried deep in your sweet cunt.”

A shudder runs through me. I’ve never had anything like this before. I’ve heard about it, but never experienced it. My heart pounds, panic threatening to take hold. “Hey, princess. It’s okay.” His voice is softer now. “Look at me. I need you to breathe through this, okay? No attacks tonight. Just keep your eyes on me.”

I do as he says, inhaling deeply, then exhaling slowly. His presence steadies me, keeps me grounded. Sliding his cock to my entrance, he coats himself in my arousal. Then, he pushes in, stretching me inch by inch. “God, Gwen,” he groans, his voice thick with pleasure. “This pussy was made for me.” A moan escapes my lips as he fills me completely, pushing my body to its limits. “You’re doing so good for me, princess. Keep breathing.”

The added pressure of the plug in my ass and his thick cock in my pussy has me teetering on the edge, my senses overwhelmed. When his fingers find my clit, circling it with slow, deliberate strokes, I spiral into oblivion, every nerve in my body igniting with unbearable pleasure.