Page 59 of Between Love and Loathing

I lifted my chin and raised an eyebrow just to piss him off.

“See, and already I think you’ll like defying my rules. I can put you in your place nice and rough though.”

On the last word, his fingers thrust up into me, and he cut off my oxygen supply. He whispered in my ear to squeeze his wrist three times if it was too much. I just shook my head over and over, my eyes shutting as fireworks burst through my body, the adrenaline of not breathing but having pleasure delivered instantaneously wasn’t too much like I thought it would be. It was too good.

I clawed at his wrist, tears streaming down my face, and then he lowered his head and bit one of my nipples just hard enough. The pain, pleasure, and adrenaline moved through me as he let go of my neck so I could gasp and then scream in ecstasy.

I crumbled against him as he murmured, “That pretty pussy is only going to want me from now on. I’ll fuck you soon, little fighter, but only if you listen.”

All I could do was nod as he grabbed some soap and added it to the loofa. He rubbed it softly over my body, practically holding me up as I shivered at his touch.

Honestly, I might have blacked out or nodded off once or twice as he washed me, his hands massaging every part of my body, getting rid of aches and pains I didn’t even know I had. I coughed a little when I stirred in the shower where he’d sat me down to finish shampooing my hair. “Let’s get you to bed, cupcake,” he murmured.

Then, he toweled me off, mumbling something about mold in the bathroom.

“Oh, right. The landlord is—”

“Working on it?”

“Um. Yes.”

“It’s a health hazard. You should move. If you need a place to stay for a while, I’ve got room.”

Did I hear him right?I chuckled and pulled the towel tight as I stared at him drying off. “I don’t really think it’s that big of a health hazard. And this is LA. You can’t find an apartment that fast.” Well, not one within my budget. I yawned and coughed a bit again.

His jaw muscle ticked up and down, up and down. “I’m not kidding, Clara. How long have you had that cough?”

“Oh. No, not long. I think it’s just allergies from—”

“You always cough like that after showering in there?”

“I…” Now that I thought about it, probably. “No. Are you the health police?” He was worrying me with his eyes roving over my body like he was checking for ailments.

“You’re a fucking terrible liar, Clara. I swear to Christ.”

“I’ll figure it out tomorrow, Dominic. We need to put boundaries in place. This sleeping over isn’t realistic. So, just this once you can sleep in my bed.” Because my heart wasn’t going to survive much more of it. I grabbed a sleep shirt and didn’t bother with much else as I plopped into bed.

He barked out a laugh and didn’t even consider putting clothes on as he slid under the blankets. “You know I never sleep with women in their bed?”

I frowned, half asleep and half confused. “Why?”

“No reason to get close.”

“So why are you now?” I asked softly.

“Well, you said just this once, cupcake.”

“Right. And I’m serious. And I’ll probably be up early, but feel free to sleep in. I have to make sure I’m on time when I meet Valentino at the market for produce.”

I was drifting off to sleep when I heard him mumble, “When he meetsusat the market.”

CLARA

Ihadn’t dreamt him saying that. I also hadn’t dreamt that Dominic took me home the night before and that the cats loved him. They were purring loudly in the room with me bright and early the next day. Except I didn’t feel their fur.

And I’d swear he closed the door last night to my room.

I peeked over and saw the door was now open and both cats were beside him.