Page 12 of Sweetest Sin (Tempting Love #1)

Peyton

“Oh my God, this view.”

As we stand in front of the most breathtaking waterfall, I wish I had brought my phone so I could take pictures because my memory will never do it justice.

Three different streams of water fall smoothly into a natural pool of water.

Because it’s surrounded by nothing but lush vegetation, it creates an illusion of us being in the middle of nowhere rather than only a short drive from where we’re staying.

“It’s really something, huh?” Dominick says, never taking his eyes off me.

“Thank you for sharing this with me. I’ve never seen anything like this.”

“Well, it’s not just for looks,” he says, peeling his shirt off and tossing it onto the ground. “Let’s go swimming.”

I strip out of my shorts and shirt, toe off my flip-flops, and then take his hand in mine.

We make our way into the crystal-clear water.

Because it’s March, it’s in the mid-eighties, making the temperature of the water perfect.

Once we’re almost to the middle, Dominick lifts me into his arms, and I wrap my thighs around his waist, holding on to him while he walks us closer to the waterfalls.

“This is stunning,” I tell him, watching as the streams fall into the plunge pool, the sound creating the perfect, soothing background noise.

“It is,” he agrees. “But it’s got nothing on you.”

I roll my eyes and scoff at his flirting. “Okay, cheesy much?”

Dominick shrugs. “Maybe, but it’s the truth.”

He moves us toward the side and leans against the rocks so he can get comfortable.

Since he makes no move to release me, I stay in his arms while we watch the waterfall for several minutes in comfortable silence.

Surprisingly, there’s nobody but us here right now, and it makes it feel like it’s our own personal paradise.

“So, I know you are a flight attendant based in Coral Bay, and your ex is a cheating asshole, but that’s all you’ve given me,” Dominick says after a while. “Tell me something about you.”

I consider his request for a few seconds.

I’ve made it a point not to let him in because it would only make things harder.

We don’t live near each other, so we couldn’t have a future together, unless he was willing to move to Coral Bay.

And even if he did move, I’m not sure I would want to start something serious with anyone, even him, while my focus needs to be on my mom.

At the same time, I feel like I’ve been isolating myself from everyone since I moved home and my boyfriend and best friend broke my heart.

So, maybe, just for today, I’ll let Dominick in a little.

I’ll pretend like tomorrow doesn’t exist and make the most of our time in the DR. Because once I return home, reality will hit, and all I’ll have are the memories from our time together.

“This is the best non-date I’ve ever been on,” I blurt out, feeling my cheeks heat at my admission.

“I mean …” I try to backtrack, but really, there is no coming back from that, so I just go with it.

“Every date I’ve been on was kind of lame.

Dinner, drinks, sometimes a movie. Wash, rinse, repeat.

But this? This is amazing. Thank you for bringing me here.

We both know I would’ve slept with you, even without the sightseeing. ”

Dominick barks out a laugh. “I’m glad you like it. I’m not an expert on dating, so dinner and drinks sound like a normal date to me. Though I haven’t seen a movie in an actual theater in … well, ever.” He chuckles.

“What? You’ve never been to the movies?”

“Nope. And I honestly haven’t thought about watching a movie in years,” he admits. “I can’t even remember the last movie I saw.”

“Yeah, same,” I agree. “Between school and work and taking care of my mom, I don’t have time for much else.”

Dominick smiles softly and tightens his hold on me. “Clearly, your date expectations are high. No dinner or drinks or movies. So, what are we talking here? Trip to London? Paris?”

“No.” I laugh, slapping his chest playfully. “I’m not that high maintenance, I swear. I just feel like every guy I’ve ever gone out with was lazy when it came to courting a woman.”

“Okay.” He nods with a smirk. “If you could go on a date anywhere, where would you want to go?”

I think for a moment and then say, “It’s not about the perfect date. It’s about knowing me. I dated this guy for years. I would constantly talk about my love of books and poetry and art. When an art show came around, I got us tickets, and he looked at me and said, ‘You like art?’”

I look at Dominick, deadpan, and he laughs.

“Dinner and drinks are unoriginal. I want a partner to experience the world with. I want to visit museums and wineries and art galleries. Every night before bed, I read, yet I’d mention going to the bookstore, and he’d get annoyed.”

I shake my head. “Looking back, I’ve dated some clueless guys, and I was starting to wonder if all guys were like that, but you’re giving me renewed hope.” I slide my arms around his neck. “So, thank you.”

“Great,” he growls. “I’m glad I could renew your faith in men so you can leave here tomorrow and find someone else.”

I laugh at his words. “Well, I don’t know about that. But I will be holding men to a higher standard. If their first choice of a date—or non-date—isn’t taking me to see the beautiful waterfalls in the Dominican Republic, then I’m saying no.”

Dominick chuckles. “Good girl. So, books, art, museums, and wine. What else do you love?”

“The beach. When I have free time, I pack a basket and my current read and go to the beach to have a picnic. I love sports—mostly football and hockey—but I’ve never been to a game. What about you?”

“Truthfully, you make me feel rather boring. I run my family’s business and travel for work quite a bit, but I rarely sightsee.”

“Okay, so I’m throwing your question back at you,” I tell him. “If you could go on a date anywhere, where would you go?”

He thinks for a moment and then says, “I wouldn’t care where I was as long as I was with you.”

“Oh my God!” I splash him with water. “You are such a flirt. I’m being serious.”

“I don’t know.” He shrugs. “I’ve been so busy. I can’t even remember the last time I went on a date.”

“Ahh.” I nod in understanding. “You’re one of those guys. No strings or commitments. Catch and release.” I waggle my brows, and he shakes his head. “I get it.”

“It’s not that,” he says with a grin. “I’m not opposed to dating. I just haven’t found anyone worth spending time with. For the record, it’s been a long-ass time since I had sex.”

His eyes lock with mine, and even though I don’t know him well, I sense the honesty in them.

“So, school, huh?” he asks, changing the subject. “What’s your major?”

“I was double-majoring in business administration and hospitality at the University of Florida.”

“Gainesville,” he says with a nod. “That’s a good school.”

“I was a good student.”

“And now?”

“I dropped out to take care of my mom. I thought I’d go back after she recovered, but before I made it that far, we found out that she was dying.”

“And what would you have done with your degree?” he asks, focusing on school instead of my dying mom, for which I’m grateful because the last thing I want to do is taint this magical place with my depressing life.

“I’m not sure. I thought about going to work in the hospitality industry, maybe for a hotel or a restaurant.”

Dominick grins. “I own a few. I could get you a job.”

I laugh and shake my head. “In Coral Bay?”

“Soon. Give me your number, and I’ll let you know once we’re hiring.”

“You’re so ridiculous.” I playfully slap his wet chest and push away from him.

Instead of letting me go, he pulls me closer to him. “Tell me something about you that nobody else knows. A secret, a fear, anything.”

I swallow thickly at his sudden intensity. “You go first.”

He nods once and releases a harsh breath, then looks past me as he thinks about what to say. I start to think he’s not going to answer his own question when he finally speaks. “I’m terrified of failing.”

“Aren’t we all?”

“Probably,” he agrees. “But in my world, failure can mean …” His jaw tics. “In my world, failure isn’t an option.”

“I’m not sure I like your world.”

“It’s the only world I know,” he says, his tone filled with a darkness that sends a chill racing up my spine.

Before I can ask him more on the subject, he captures my mouth with his, kissing me with an intensity I’ve never felt before.

My hands delve into his hair, and his hold on me tightens, like he’s afraid to let me go.

This kiss feels different … deeper, darker.

His mood has shifted, and I’m not sure what to make of it.

But before I can think too hard on it, Dominick ends the kiss and says, “Your turn.”

When I groan, he chuckles. “Oh, c’mon. I just dug deep into the pits of my soul for my answer. The least you can do is give me something … anything .”

“Fine.” I sigh. “I’m afraid of … spiders.”

Dominick glares, but I keep going. “Seriously! They’re hairy, and they have, like, a million legs. I once read that the average person swallows, like, four spiders in their sleep every year!” I mock shiver. “It’s a valid fear.”

“I’m about to show you a valid fear.”

Dominick grabs ahold of me and starts tickling my sides, making me scream.

“That doesn’t even make sense!” I screech while I try to get away from him.

“Oh, it will. I’m about to tickle you to the point where you fear peeing in your pants.”

“Stop!” I yell through my laughter, kicking and flailing about.

“Give me a real secret, and I’ll stop.”

“Fine, fine!”

He quits torturing me and raises a brow while I catch my breath.

“I’m afraid of the cycle repeating itself.”

“What cycle?”

“The cycle of abuse. I read?—”

“In the same place you read about people swallowing spiders?”

“No.” I roll my eyes. “I read that daughters of mothers who were in abusive relationships are thirty percent more likely to end up in one as well.”

“You need to stop reading,” he deadpans.

“I’m serious,” I tell him. “My mom was in an abusive relationship for years before she found the courage to get out. And I’m scared I’m going to follow in her footsteps.”

“You won’t,” he says, reaching out and pulling me into his arms. “You’re too strong for that. And if any guy ever lays a hand on you, you come find me, and I’ll kill him myself.”

The seriousness in his tone causes goose bumps to prickle my skin, and I wonder if it really is possible that he killed Dale.

No, I tell myself. He’s just speaking metaphorically.

And then his words hit me. “… if any guy ever lays a hand on you, you come find me …”

Come find him . Because I won’t be with him. Because after tomorrow morning, whatever this is between us will be over.

The thought of never seeing Dominick again is sad, so I push it aside and focus on the now.

“You’re not killing anyone,” I scoff. “Now, enough of this deep shit. Let’s go swimming. I bet I can make it to the waterfalls before you.”

Without waiting for him to agree, I push out of his arms and take off toward the waterfall. Of course, Dominick quickly catches up and then passes me, making it to the waterfall a few seconds before me.

“I win,” he says once I arrive. “What’s my prize?”

“Me,” I tell him, swimming straight into his arms. “You win roughly eighteen more hours with me.”

“Now, that,” he says, pulling my face toward his, “is the best damn prize I’ve ever won.”

His mouth crashes over mine, and as we kiss, I say a prayer to the gods above that I don’t fall for this man. I’ve already had my heart broken once in the past year, and I don’t need to experience that again.