Page 9

Chapter Eight

Lux

I wake up to Dominic’s hot chocolate eyes gazing down at me.

His dark hair is tousled, a thin ray of sunshine illuminating him from behind. It casts a warm glow across his golden skin, as well as his strong, broad shoulders and thick arms. I note a smattering of hair across his granite-like chest.

I pull the covers up to my eyes, feeling shy all of a sudden. Who was I last night?

I’ve never taken control in the bedroom like that, but with him, it felt right. He chuckles at my shyness, trying to pull the blanket back.

When he leans in and kisses me, deep and hard, I forget everything and wrap my arms around his neck. I breathe in the rich, smoky scent of him, sliding my hand down the hard planes of his back.

“Morning,” he whispers into my neck. His hand is already tracing the curves of my waist, gliding down my hips, curling over one thigh. I moan, sparks shooting through me, and spread my thighs further for him.

He trails kisses down my collarbone as his hand slips between my legs, circling the wetness. I arch, whispering his name, needing him again. His breath is hot against my skin, sending swirls of desire through my belly.

I’m so focused on my pleasure that I barely hear my phone ringing in my purse. Suddenly, I connect the sound with the meaning and spring forward, pushing him away.

“Shit!” I cry, climbing out of bed and searching for my purse. “What time is it?”

Dominic rolls over, glancing at his watch. “Just after six.”

“Oh no, no, no.” I start madly pulling on my clothes, hopping on one foot, my sock twisted.

“It’s early,” he says with a sleepy smile. “Come back to bed.”

“I’m late for work!”

I manage to get myself dressed and climb across the bed to give him a deep, lingering kiss. He tries to pull me down, seduce me back into those silky sheets, but I pull back.

“When can I see you again?” He leans up on his elbow, and goddamn, he looks beautiful. “Better yet, call in sick and let me take you out for breakfast.”

I consider the invitation, wanting so badly to ditch my responsibilities and spend the day with him. All my current problems and money woes come flooding in, bringing me back to reality.

“I’m sorry, I can’t,” I tell him, gathering my purse. “But I’m free this afternoon if you want to grab lunch?”

I lean over his nightstand and scribble my number down on a notepad. “Call me around noon!”

I’m halfway to his elevator when I hear him calling for me. I pause, watching him stumble toward me, half-awake. His pants are unzipped and he’s trying to get a sweater over his head and walk at the same time.

For a second, I feel myself falling in love with him. Then I snap out of it. You don’t even know him. One night of amazing sex doesn’t equate to love.

“God damn it!” he swears, struggling with his clothes. “Your car is on the other side of town, remember?”

Shit. Of course it is. I’m so fucking late already.

“Wait, I’ll drive you.” He finally gets his clothes in place and slips on a pair of leather loafers.

We speed through the empty streets across town, beating the early morning rush hour traffic. Dominic takes speed limits as a mild suggestion and I’m beside my car in less than ten minutes. I thank him, my brain feeling frazzled, and get into my car.

When it starts on the first try, I send a prayer up to every deity in existence. He taps lightly on my window, and I roll it down.

“Sorry I’m in such a rush, but…”

I never get to finish my sentence because he dips his head in and kisses me so deeply that I forget words exist. That hum of electricity pulses in my veins, setting me on fire. I melt into my seat as his soft lips caress mine.

He pulls back with a grin, flashing that dimple at me, and I sigh. “I can’t wait to see you later, Lux.”

I can’t even form a sentence, so I nod and he strolls back to his sports car. Before I abandon my clunker and climb back into his arms, I force myself to drive away.

Thankfully, the warehouse is just across the river and I get to work without any incidents—other than being thirty minutes late, of course.

I’m grateful when the foreman just shakes his head at me and loads up a small cart. There are only a few deliveries today and they seem to be concentrated in my favorite neighborhood. I finish up quickly and swing by a local coffee shop, admiring the slower pace of life here.

Glancing at my phone, I realize I still have two hours before noon when Dominic will—hopefully—call me.

Dominic .

I grab my iced latte, thank the barista, and practically float out of the cafe.

The way he just appeared at the bar last night was a stroke of good luck for once. I smile, sipping my coffee, as I remember our playful banter, his deep laugh, and that dimple. I probably look like a giggly middle school girl but I don’t even care.

And the sex, wow. My bad luck didn’t just affect my life in general, it affected my love life too. I had had a string of terrible relationships, boring one-night stands, and abysmal first dates over the years.

Lately, with all my jobs and my determination to get into art school, I’d simply given up trying to meet someone.

I wander down the quaint streets, popping into random shops to browse, while I dream of Dominic Wolf. I imagine us getting married one day, buying a little yellow house somewhere around here, and starting a family.

A family. I freeze on the sidewalk causing someone to bump into me, shooting me a sideways glance. We didn’t use a condom last night. I thank my lucky stars I got that IUD a few years ago, mentally reminding myself to check when it needs to be replaced.

Eventually, I circle back to my car and head home to shower and get ready for the day. The magic of last night lingers around me, shimmering like a golden haze.

I hum in the shower and spend way too long in front of my mirror, trying to choose an outfit. For once, I actually blow dry and curl my unruly hair, making it shiny and bouncy.

Just as I finally settle on a white cotton sundress, my phone pings. It's a text from Dominic.

Ready to go, beautiful? I can’t wait to see you.

My heart melts a little and I grin to myself. He’s almost too perfect. God, I hope he doesn’t have some fatal flaw, like being a serial killer or eating chips in bed.

I type out a quick response and we agree to meet at a little cantina in midtown that’s an equal distance from both of us. I float down the stairs in my cotton candy cloud daze, smiling from ear to ear.

Twenty minutes later, I’m pulling into an empty space down the street from Caliente Cantina.

I spot Dominic by the front door, already waiting for me. He’s wearing a chambray button-down with the sleeves rolled up, soft grey pants, and brown leather loafers. His dark wavy hair is artfully brushed back, looking just a little bit wild.

A thrill shoots down my spine at how delectable he looks, my pussy already warming up for him. I scold myself, reminding it I have to work tonight. He beams, a giant grin spreading across his face when he spots me walking toward him.

He sweeps me up in his arms, twirling me around, right in the middle of midtown as bankers and lawyers take their lunch breaks. Some give us the side eye, others smile. It feels like I’ve been plucked from my gritty life of survival and plopped into a romance novel.

He eases me down on the sidewalk and kisses me, his lips soft and welcoming against mine. It feels like home. How can that be? I just met the man.

We stroll into the restaurant and slip into a booth. As we peruse our menus, our bodies seem to gravitate to each other. By the time the waitress comes, he’s right beside me, his hand protectively resting on my thigh.

The next few hours pass by in a blur of interesting conversation, way too many tacos, and a few secret kisses.

I can’t get enough of his touch and by the time we exit the cantina, I’m riding on a heady high. The sunshine blinds us, and we laugh, falling against each other.

“Wolf, I really like hanging out with you,” I tell him, using his last name as a term of endearment. He gazes down at me, smiling softly.

“Me too,” he says, leaning down to kiss me. “Even more than I thought possible.”

We make out shamelessly in the middle of the sidewalk, the streets empty at this time of day. Soon, midtown will be a chaotic mess of people trying to get home from work. But for now, it’s our own little slice of paradise.

I finally pull back, my lips tingling and protesting. “I need to get home to change for work.”

He sighs, running his fingers through my loose curls, and puts his forehead to mine. His dark eyes, flecked with specks of gold, mesmerize me.

“I know,” he says finally. “I have a lot to do tonight as well.”

I nod as he pulls away. “Let me walk you to your car.”

“It’s just right there,” I say, pointing to my little red eyesore.

“I still want to.” He grins, slipping my hand into his. We stroll half a block to my car, hand in hand, and life feels good for the first time in years.

“I want to cook dinner for you,” he says as we get to my car. “Are you free later this week?”

My night shifts at The Velvet Room make meeting for dinner a little tough.

“I work nights at the bar,” I say hesitantly, “but if you don’t mind eating dinner at two a.m.…”

“I don’t,” he says, grinning down at me. “I’ll even help you deliver packages the next morning if we stay up too late.”

His wink sends bolts of electricity through my core and memories of last night flood my mind. I wouldn’t mind repeating that. Not at all.

With a final kiss, I climb into my car and head home. I know I’m getting ahead of myself. The crash and burn will be painful if this ends badly, but I can’t stop. I spend the rest of the evening with my head in the clouds, daydreaming about Dominic.

Please, universe. I’m begging you. Let him be a good one.