Page 128 of Scorned Beauty

“You saw our text stream, right?” Bianca laughed. “He’s anxious to see you.”

Giddiness buoyed my chest, making me sit taller. I stared at my teary face in the mirror. “Can I see him before you fix my face?” I asked Rob because I couldn’t wait any longer to tell himhow these past few weeks had been. How difficult it must have been for him to be patient given his personality and position.

Someone barged into the room, and I saw Dom’s panicked face in the mirror.

When he saw my tear-streaked face, the way he glared at every single person around me turned the room silent. Poor Rob hid behind Ivy, the only person who could probably take Dom down in case he went nuclear.

“Who made you cry?” He rushed to my side so fast, Sera had to get out of the way just as quickly or be tossed aside.

A smile formed amidst the onslaught of powerful emotions and I touched his arm placatingly. “These are not tears of misery.”

His scary face melted into an endearing wariness that warmed my heart. Here was a man of status, power, and money, but all he wanted was for me to be happy. But Dom couldn’t make me happy unless I was happy with myself first.

“Then what?” He tipped his chin at Sera, his meaning clear.

“Okay, everyone, let’s have some lunch first,” Sera said. She didn’t need to repeat herself as the room emptied, leaving me with Dom.

But I could be as dramatic as him. I studied his beseeching, searching gaze. It was as if he was afraid as well as hopeful. It was as if his happiness hinged on mine. After the extended pause, I exhaled a long, ragged breath. “I think I’m open to giving you a second chance and?—”

“Oh, Sloane,” he growled, clasping my shoulders and helping me to my feet. He framed my face, and the instant our lips touched, the yearning inside me exploded.

He groaned into my mouth, devouring me in scotch-laced ravaging kisses. Shocked with how my body was reacting to what was new while at the same time familiar. I emitted a distressed moan.

He reared back, brows cinching together. “Sloane?”

“I…can we take this slow?”

Palpable relief crossed his handsome features. “I’ll go as slow as you want.” His hand shook as he brushed the hair that fell across my face. “I’m glad you didn’t cut it too short. It suits you.”

The intensity in his gaze made breathing difficult.

“Uhm, I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate the space you’ve given me. And the girls, having them take the lead…”

He continued to caress my face as if he couldn’t stop touching me. “I want to make your life better because you deserve it, but you have to see it for yourself that you deserve it. I can’t do that for you.”

“You’re an amazing man, Dominic De Lucci,” I breathed.

“I don’t know about that. I fucked up royally.”

“I forgive you.”

“I’ve learned my lesson in case you’re wondering.”

“And what is that?”

“Never put Sloane in a corner.” His mouth quirked up. He kissed the tip of my nose. “Just know that a second chance with me means all in. I’m not letting you go.”

“What happened to taking it slow?” I let out a light laugh. I wanted to be all in too, but belonging to someone was an unfamiliar concept to me. Staring at the face of this ridiculously handsome man, I had trouble believing he was choosing me.

Wait. Scratch that.

Not hard to believe. I was flipping the script on that.

He earned me.

He must have sensed the amusement in my thoughts. “What are you thinking about, Firecat?”

“I think we should let everyone back into the room.”