“I’m already feeling tired. I’ve had my bath, so all I have to do now is hop in bed.”
She smiled.
He crawled onto the bed, his side barely touching her. She drew nearer and placed her head against his shoulder.
They both stared at the ceiling.
“Today was an interesting day,” she said, breaking the silence.
“Yes, it was,” he replied. “I need to tell you how sorry I am that I couldn’t help you.”
“I’m your therapist, Dominic. I know about your injuries.”
“But what if the boys hadn’t been there?”
“Let’s not deal with what could have happened. The fact is they were there. But I’m positive that if they were not there, you would have reached me. You’re stubborn and determined.”
He didn’t know what to say. She was a truly amazing woman. With a few simple words, she’d made him feel as if he’d been the one to rescue her, and she was right. He would have done whatever he could to get her out.
“I’m sorry about your friend,” she said. “He died so young.”
“Yeah, it’s sad. I didn’t even make an attempt to contact him when I left. He was my best friend. I don’t even know how he died. I could have helped him.”
“Maybe you can ask Brandon. I’m sure he’d tell you. He seems like a nice boy. Hopefully, he’ll stay that way.”
“I sure hope so. With the drugs and influences he probably has, it’s going to be a close call. Even back then, when I was a kid, his father and I made the choice to stay away from those things. I hope Brandon did.”
“So what are you going to do about the boy?”
“I know I have to do something. He’s my best friend’s son.”
“I’m sure you’ll think of something.” She yawned.
“Are you feeling sleepy, like I am?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Then let’s get some sleep. I can barely keep my eyes open.” His yawn echoed hers.
“Me, either.” She giggled.
Dominic turned slowly on to his side and used his hand to draw her to him. She curled her body into him, wanting to be close to him.
He smiled in the darkness. He’d always found images of couples lying the way they were so romantic. He felt that way right now.
A soft snore escaped Aaliyah’s lips. It was sort of cute the way she snuggled up to him, a hand resting on the curve of his behind.
What the hell was going on with him? He was being all romantic. It just wasn’t him.
Or was it? In the past, his focus had been on his career. He’d had no time for love or romance. In fact, he wasn’t even sure if those things existed, especially for him. He had the occasional exclusive companion, but he had no problem moving on after things came to an inevitable end.
With Aaliyah, it felt different. She was different. From the time she’d stepped out of the car when she’d first arrived from the airport, he’d noticed the way she carried herself. There was an innocence and vulnerability about her that made him think about her long into the early hours of morning. Despite those traits, she was sexy. It was not that bold, blatant sexuality he saw in the women who were part of his celebrity lifestyle. It was a sexiness that came out of not knowing that you were sexy.
His thoughts about her were becoming crazier with each day.
Time for him to go to sleep and see what tomorrow would bring. Now he was looking forward to each day and what it brought him. He couldn’t imagine his life without Aaliyah. Even the thought that he could have lost her today made him sad.
He moved his neck from side to side, feeling the weariness of the day resting on his shoulders. He needed to sleep. He raised himself on an elbow and kissed her on the cheek.
Closing his eyes, he was soon fast asleep.
* * *
In the middle of the night, he woke to the sound of rain hammering against the roof. He’d grown accustomed to the sound. The rain had been active in recent months, a reflection of the season.
He’d never adjusted to the four seasons in the U.S. Here it was only the dry and the rainy season. He loved them both, but there was something about the time when the rains came that he found more appealing. It was the time when the sugar canes swelled with intake of water, which was necessary to create the sweet liquid needed to make sugar.
Those were the nights, like tonight, were he would sleep with his window wide open. The ocean breeze caressed him with its gentle hands, until he would sleep like a baby.
Next to him, Aaliyah stirred and he looked over, only to find her eyes wide and staring at him.
“I want you.”
“I may hurt you,” he replied.
“You won’t. I’m not some fragile porcelain doll.”
To demonstrate how she was feeling, she raised herself on her elbows and moved herself above him. He gazed up at her, searching for the need for him in her eyes. He reached up, gently pulling her head downward, claiming her lips. He crushed her to him, her breasts against him. His tongue traced the softness of her lips and she responded freely to the shiver that raced through her body.
He slipped his tongue inside her mouth, kissing her with a hunger he could not understand. All he wanted to do was taste her sweetness, feel her trembling with passion.
His lips left hers to nibble gently on her earlobe. She shivered again and he trailed his lips along the curve of her neck, to the soft hollow by her shoulders.
He did not stop there, shifting his position so he could plant kisses at the curve of her breast. His tongue caressed a swollen nipple, before he covered it with his lips, suckling firmly until she writhed. He shifted to the other nipple, showering it with equal attention.
When he was done, he moved even lower, his mouth tracing a line down her taut stomach until he reached the soft down between her legs.
She shifted slightly, her legs widening with welcome. He inhaled deeply, the still-lingering scent of her bath soap tantalizing him. When his tongue probed her entrance, she moaned hoarsely, her hand gripping his head and drawing him deeper inside.
He pushed his tongue inside, finding the firm nub. He flicked his tongue against it, tasting the sweetness of her honey and wishing he could taste her without stopping.
“I need you inside me,” she whispered.
He withdrew his tongue, moving upward to capture her lips again. He plundered, devouring her softness, stirring when she responded with the same abandonment.
When their kisses no longer eased the need inside him, he shifted beneath her, reaching for a condom in the chest next to the bed.
When he moved toward her, she reached for the condom, taking it from him. He complied, knowing that she’d put it on with less effort.
He watched as she took it from the foil packaging, his penis jerking in anticipation. She laughed.
She reached for his hardness, rolling the condom onto it gently, laughing again when it jerked in her hand.
He didn’t feel like laughing. His body burned like a furnace. He wanted to shout out loud, scream at the top of his voice, but he was sure the whole house would hear his cry.
Lying on his back made him feel open and vulnerable, his throbbing penis standing erect and straight. He started to shift his body, waiting for her to move over him.
She startled him when she pushed him back onto the bed.
She raised herself above him, holding on to his hardness before she slipped on to him, her muscles immediately clenching and releasing him.
When he was all the way inside her, she started a firm strong movement, her body going up and down on him.
There was something purely erotic about her movement and he felt his erection harden even more inside her.
Inside, the pressure continued to build and he moaned and groaned with the pleasure heating his body.
Raising his hand, he stopped her, watching as she paused momentarily. She rolled off him, lying on her back as she waited for him to shift position. He raised himself over her, pla
cing himself in a kneeling position, which felt comfortable, and pulled her between his legs, her legs straddling his buttocks.
He eased himself inside her, but she moved forward, forcing him deep inside her. He gasped with the wave of energy that flowed through him.
Then he started to stroke, easing himself in and out, the sleek moistness of her vagina sending pleasure and pain along the length of his penis. She moved with him, enjoying the feel of him deep inside her.
Aaliyah felt the sweet pressure build inside her and felt Dominic increase his pace, thrusting into her with a deep, strong stroke. She reveled in the power and fullness of each stroke.
“I love being inside you,” he groaned. “You are so tight and wet.”
Aaliyah felt her body tighten, knowing her release was near. When he tensed and groaned deeply, she joined him as he shouted his release.
She drew him closer as he trembled and shivered on top of her, hearing his words of love. She held him tight, not wanting to let him go. She wanted to feel him near, to still feel him inside her. When he tried to shift his body off her, she tightened her arms around him.
“Don’t move,” she pleaded. “I want to feel you close to me.”
Soon his breathing slowed and she realized he’d fallen asleep.
“I love you,” she whispered into the silence.
Chapter 12
Aaliyah shifted slowly from the world of dreams and fantasy, realizing Dominic was no longer beside her.
Movement caused some discomfort, but it was definitely not like yesterday. There was only the slightest throb at her temple, but nothing she could not bear. She could take the medication as the doctor had recommended, but she hated any form of drug use. Over the years, and especially when she lived in the home, she’d seen the effect of drug use on others.
She could have easily been one of those kids, but her dream of being reunited with her sisters had kept her focused. Andrew, too, had convinced her that they had to make something of their lives.
Before she rose from the bed, she sent a silent prayer upward thanking God for sparing her life and promising that she’d do a better job of getting to church now that she was on the island.
Aaliyah decided she would cancel Dominic’s session today and spend it relaxing in bed, as he’d suggested yesterday. She definitely didn’t think she could work today.
She walked to the bathroom quickly, taking care of her daily routine and headed downstairs for breakfast. No one was there, so she ate quickly and then went in search of Dominic. She suspected he was in the workshop, so she headed there.
She walked slowly into the room, coming to stop just before him. He was so committed to what he was doing he had not heard her enter.
He was using both hands, his injured one moving slower, but he was beginning to use it more.
Tears sprang to her eyes. She knew that he must be in some kind of pain, but knew that with his newfound determination, he would work through it as he was doing now. She just needed to caution him to take it easy.
At times, he breathed deeply, his frustration evident, but he calmed himself, taking control, until the clay under his hands started to take shape.
He worked for a bit longer, and then stopped.
He immediately turned around. “Sorry, hon,” he said. “I didn’t want to stop until I was done.”
“That’s fine. It’s good to see you using both hands.”
“I’ve been trying. It’s a bit uncomfortable, but I manage it.”
“Just don’t overdo it.”
“I won’t. In fact, that’s why I stopped. I think that’s enough for the day.”
“So what are our plans for the rest of the day?”
“Want to go for a walk along the cliff?”
“That’s fine. I’m sure Nugget would love that.”
“Yeah, I was planning on taking the little guy along. Just let me clean myself up and I’ll be down.”
“I’ll go get Nugget and meet you.”
When they exited the room, she headed toward the kennels.
When she got to the kennels, Nugget was biting on a toy bone. Upon hearing her footsteps, he immediately looked up. The expression of concentration on his face turned to glee and he rose and raced to her.
“You want to go walking, boy?”
He yelped and wagged his tail in confirmation.
She opened the gate and let him out. Outside, he stood before her, his tail going at an even faster pace. As always, she could see his excitement. When Nugget saw Dominic, he raced toward him, unable to contain his adoration.
He barked and circled his legs until, tired from his exertions, he flopped to the ground.
“You’re tired already? I’m going to have to put you back in your kennel.”
As if understanding his words, the pup turned and headed for the gate.
Aaliyah and Dominic laughed, following an exuberant Nugget.
“He’s something else,” Dominic said. “He has a mind of his own.”
They had reached the path that led to the cliff and eventually to the rock where she’d seen him sitting that first day.
Nugget was waiting patiently on them, his eyes focused on the wide expanse of space for his recreation. He gave an eager yelp.
“Go ahead,” Dominic shouted.
Nugget didn’t have to be told twice. With the speed of lightning he sprinted across the rocky surface, stopping abruptly at a crab’s hole and waiting.
“The crabs are probably already shivering in their shells,” Aaliyah said.
Dominic laughed in response. “Can’t understand the attraction, but he’d be happy to sit there for the next couple of hours and crab hunt despite his last encounter.”
“He must be a glutton for punishment, or he’s working on his battle plan.”
They walked over to one of the few almond trees that dotted the landscape.
Two large boulders of limestone offered them nature’s seats. Aaliyah sat and Dominic lowered himself next to her.
The earthy, woodsy scent of his cologne wafted through the air, making her even more aware of his impact on her. She inhaled deeply. She loved the scent. It was strong and manly...just like him. He tried so hard to live up to his celebrity image, but she’d caught a glimpse of the man behind the facade. While the accident had left him uncertain and vulnerable, she could tell that this time in his life would be significant in determining the man he would later be.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked.
“About you,” she replied.
“About me?” A strange look flashed across his face.
“Yes, you.”
“You should really leave your thoughts for more pleasant things. I’m just a worn-out shell of a man who’s reached the end too early.”
“But you are so much more,” she emphasized.
“I am? When I look back at my life for the past ten years, the only thing I’ve done that I can really be proud of is saving that little girl’s life. Everything else was selfish and about me.”
“But you did so much before. Movie stars work hard and while their work is confined to a two-hour movie, during that time, some of us get the chance to forget the outside world and be transported to a world that we enjoy.”
“I’ve never thought of it like that.”
“Maybe I haven’t, either. I looked at the work you did and belittled it, but the reality is that the world is made up of diverse individuals with different dreams and ideas.”
Overhead, an aircraft flew by, its noise drowning out the sound of her voice. She paused, looking up as the airplane moved farther and farther away.
“When I was a little boy, I used to come up here. I would sit under a tree and watch the airplanes rise into the air as they took off. I would dream of getting on one of those aircrafts and flying as far away from the island as I could.”
“You did?”
“Yes, I did, but I never thought it would happen. I never thought my mom would die so young
. But most of all, I never thought I would be on the cover of the most important magazines all over the world.”
He paused.
“Do you believe it? This poor boy from that village just beyond those trees has enough money to buy that village and everything in it.”
“You should be proud.”
“Then why am I not proud of what I’ve accomplished? All I can think of is that I didn’t even know that my best friend had passed away. That it would take a persistent woman to make me think of who I am and who I want to be. I’m not too sure I like the person I was, but I’m going to make sure I like the person I want to be.”
There was a loud bark, and they saw that Nugget was coming in their direction. A smile of contentment covered his face as if he’d found some strange treasure. He flopped down on the ground and was soon fast asleep.
“The sun will soon be beating down. We should head back to the house.”
“What do you want to do for the rest of the day?” she asked.
He grinned at her, his eyes aflame.
“While I do have a suggestion, it’s really not advisable at this time. The doctor did say I shouldn’t exert myself. I did disobey him last night.”
“That’s true. So you want to watch a movie or something? I have a large collection.”
“That’s fine. But we have to do your session first and then we can decide how to spend the day.”
He groaned. “I thought you weren’t feeling a hundred percent.”
“I’m not, but you’re doing fine. I’ll put you through the paces. You just follow my instructions.” He heard the hint of humor.
He chuckled, amusement flicking in his eyes. “I was hoping you’d want a break.”
“Not taking any time off is how I’m going to be able to have you walking and using that hand in no time,” she snapped. Her expression stilled and grew serious.
He remained silent.
“I’m sorry,” she said softly. “I shouldn’t have snapped. I know you’re serious about your therapy. You’ve been working really hard. I’ll go up and change and meet you in the gym in about thirty minutes.”
She turned and walked away, leaving him standing alone.
He’d had every intention of working out. He’d made progress in the past week. He knew his hand and leg were getting better.
touch my heart Page 11
