Dominic: The Prince

by Mj Fields

  Laney smiles at her. “Thank you for the translation.”

  “He sometimes forgets others don’t know Italian.”

  It is quiet for a moment.

  “I forgot I have a call to make. I will see you both in the morning.”

  “Dinner will be ready soon, Valentina. Don’t leave.”

  The plea in Laney’s voice doesn’t go unnoticed. She doesn’t want to be alone with me, but it was too late. Valentina has already given me a kiss on each cheek and is walking out the door.

  When the door shuts, our eyes lock and the air in the room changes. My control is tested by her presence. It has been like this from the moment I saw her. There is an indescribable attraction.

  I am ready to grab her and take her into the bedroom, if I make it that far, when the timer goes off. It startles her and that makes something inside me need her, even more.

  She grabs the oven mitts and bends over to open the oven.

  “Let me get that.” I hold out my hand for the oven mitts.

  “I’ve got it.”

  “I would like to--”

  “I said I have it! I can do it, okay?”

  “Laney--”

  “No! No. I am capable of taking care of myself. I can take food out of the oven. I can pay my rent. I don’t need anyone to take care of me! I don’t want anyone to tiptoe around and worry about me, Dominic! Okay, so—so – just leave me alone! Just leave me--”

  She is trembling when I grab her and wrap my arms around her.

  “Don’t, God please just don’t!” she cries.

  She fights my embrace, for a moment, until she is crying against my chest.

  Holding her, smelling her; I feel her tremble in my arms.

  After a few moments, she stops and wipes her eyes. I slowly and reluctantly release her.

  “We need to talk.”

  “Don’t you see, I can’t? I don’t expect you to understand this, but for once in my life, I need to be alone. I need to put my needs before anyone else’s. I need to find me.”

  “I understand that you’re confused. Hell, I’m confused, if I sit and try to rationalize something as irrational as this.” I motioned between her and me.

  “I’ve been two people for years. I can’t be one of two, again. I want me, a strong me. Someone I can be proud of, not someone who puts herself behind the needs of someone else.”

  “Excellent, because that’s exactly what I want for you. See, we’re on the same page, Laney.”

  “You’re impossible. Let me ask you something. That woman who just walked out of here, you adore her. What advice would you give her, if a man expected her to be waiting in the wings, until said man was ready to take a break from his other sexual conquest?”

  “First, I’d kick the ass of the one who hurt her,” I say, walking around her to open the oven. I take out the covered casserole dish, set it on top of the stove and turn back to her. “Then, we’d sit and talk over dinner.”

  “Dominic, no--”

  “Dinner, chat, bed.”

  “Seriously? Why not just skip the dinner and the chat, so you can get right down to fucking me, then you can go back to her?”

  “To Jules?”

  “Are there more?” she gasps.

  “Dinner, chat, bed. In that order.”

  “I’ve lost my appetite. I’m going out.”

  She goes to grab her bag and I block her.

  “You haven’t gone out once in eleven days, Laney. Please--”

  “I have here. This is mine, Dominic. It feels like home. Now, I know better.”

  I grab her face and tilt it up. “This is your home. After we talk, if you don’t want me to stay, I won’t. I promise you that.” Her eyes go back and forth from my eyes to my lips. “You’re not making it easy to be a gentleman, Ladybug.”

  I let go and she steps back and turns around, fuck.

  She walks past me, sets her coat down, goes to the cupboard and takes out two plates. I watch the hem of her skirt rise, to a nearly indecent height, exposing her thigh-high stockings and the belt they attach to.

  I am gonna have to talk really fast, because I am gonna lose my restraint at any moment.

  She sets the plates on the table and sits. I walk over and grab the wine off the counter. I spotted it when I came in this morning.

  I pour two glasses and bring them to the table. I notice she has set my plate on the opposite side of the table as she is sitting. I hate the distance but will give it to her, for now.

  “What do you know about what went down that night, after you left the club?”

  “Only what was on the news, and what I found on the Internet-“

  She stops and looks up.

  “You Googled me?” I am amused, and also, more confident that this will end in the bedroom.

  She rolls her eyes and looks down.

  “Jules was a key part in exposing Benito’s scheme, one he has been running for years. If she hadn’t brought that information to me, I would have never known. For that, I am grateful. I always will be. But gratitude is where it ends with Jules.”

  “You were on a boat with her and a child.” She crosses her arms and sits back.

  “Jules and her daughter, Angelina, are safe now. I was simply making sure. Just like bringing Valentina and Franco here ensured you and my sister were safe. I am raising hell in Italy, going up against powerful men, bringing down men who have fucked me and my family for years.”

  “Who’s making sure you’re safe?”

  I can’t stop the smile, “I got my back. I’ve had it for years. I keep me safe, Laney, but thank you for your concern.”

  She looks down. “Go on.”

  “This information stays between us. I haven’t even talked about these plans with Valentina, yet. The only other person who knows exactly what is planned is, Rossi, my family’s attorney.”

  “Why are you telling me then?”

  I sit for a moment looking at her, “You have no idea, do you?” She doesn’t say anything. “I’m not one to deny myself what I want. Three things, safety for those I care about, my family business being in hands of people who love it, and you.” She looks up. “Do you understand me? I. Want. You. Not Jules. Not anyone else.”

  “A girl could easily get lost in a promise like that.”

  “Good.”

  “You’re not understanding me, Dominic. I am not looking at losing myself. I am on a mission to find me.”

  “I’ve already found you, you just need to let me show you.”

  God, he is good. Sexy as sin, he knows exactly what to say, and is strong, mentally and physically. Stubborn, maybe that’s another word.

  “I haven’t convinced you, yet, but I will. Now back to Italy. My family made their money in the vineyards. Their interests in art dealing became part of our family’s business, as well. When Grandfather died and Grandmother Isabelle married Anthony DeLuca, she immediately allowed him to buy a football team; you Americans call it soccer. The Stallions are a national team DeLuca owns. Benito played; his father wanted him to go professional. Long story short, when Benito realized the extent of the fortune his father married into, football became too much work.”

  “The winery, I bought with my inheritance from my parents when I was old enough to pull the money without gaining permission. It was a mess but mine. Little by little I put money into it with the hopes of finding myself again, Laney.”

  She nods. “I understand needing to find yourself. Okay. Go on.”

  “Unfortunately, I still continued enjoying the lifestyle I was accustomed to: parties, women, traveling on my boat, no responsibilities, with the exception of Valentina, but no rules. When I pulled my head back out of the water I was focused again. I borrowed money from Grandmother until my next trust deposit was available. I signed an agreement that if I failed to make the payment, DeLuca owned my ass until I did. DeLuca, who is now under twenty-four hour medical care and doesn’t know his head from his ass most days, signed everything of power o
ver to Benito when Grandmother became ill. My grandmother was many things, but her word was gold. Valentina and I stayed by her side and listened to her talk about her children. She was making amends. It was a very emotional time, then she died.”

  The passion and emotion in his voice and words touch me. He sits quietly for a few moments, lost in a memory. I stand to clean up the table and allow him a moment. When I walk over to grab his plate, he pushes his chair back and starts to stand. I put my hand on his shoulder to stop him.

  “When you’re ready to continue talking, please do. But I have this.”

  I carry the plates into the kitchen and clean them off, giving him time to collect his thoughts. Mask his emotions, whatever it is he needs to do. I understand needing a moment.

  I hear his footsteps behind me, and look up when he is beside me, handing me my freshly topped wine glass.

  “Do you want me to leave?”

  I shake my head ‘no.’ “I want to hear your story.”

  He walks over to the couch and lounges back. One hand is holding his glass of wine, while the other rests on the back of the sofa. “Things happened really fast. Within a couple weeks of her death, I met my cousins for the first time. I was told that Grandmother had gone to Rossi and set up a will. She owned eighty percent of the business, DeLuca held twenty. It blew my mind. She believed in her vows. She followed every damn wish of my grandfather and DeLuca’s. She turned her back on her daughter when she went against her father’s wishes. But business apparently was business. My aunt and her sons own fifty six percent of DeLuca and one hundred percent of Steel Incorporated. Benito controls twenty percent and is CEO of DeLuca Italy. Together, Valentina and I own twenty-four. Enough to never work again, but not enough to take control. But now, things have changed. Because of Jules, things have changed.”

  I hate hearing her name.

  “Laney, come sit please.”

  “I’m fine.”

  He leans further against the cushions and lets his head rest on the back.

  “I owed Jules a lot.”

  He sits forward then gets up and walks over to me, setting his glass on the counter I am leaning on.

  “She wanted out of a relationship where she was controlled. Her husband controlled everything. She married him hoping for a better life for her daughter. His money afforded her the best medical attention. Angelina wasn’t expected to live past five. When she did, Jules was setting up a room at their estate and had all intentions of being the one to give her that care. Benito threatened her with divorce. He didn’t want to look at a child who was only alive because of his family’s hard-earned money, or share the attention of the woman he expected to be his partner,” he hisses. “That would leave her penniless, and Jules would have been unable to continue the therapies Angelina needed. Today, Angelina can take a couple steps, smile, say Ma, and even seems to understand it when you talk to her. She is a beautiful little girl.”

  “I see.”

  “You see what?”

  “Why you helped her. Why you have feelings for her. Why--”

  “Anyone would have helped if they could. After getting to know her and not just the hardened exterior she hides behind, I came to care about her. Understand that these feelings are not as deep as you seem to think. I took from her too, Laney. She has a chance to be the mother she wants to be for Angelina. She doesn’t have to worry about money. I ensured she will be taken care of financially, but nothing else. That’s why she started trouble with you. She felt threatened by you. She thought if I was focused on you, she wouldn’t get my full attention.”

  “Pffttt,” I huff.

  “She knows I see you much differently than I see her, or anyone else. She knows less about this than you do.” He takes my hand and holds it against his heart. “You and I are not so different, Laney. We both suffered tragic situations growing up. I just so happened to open my eyes before you. When you are ready to open yours, you damn well, better be looking in my direction.” He lets go of my hand. “I have a meeting with my cousins and O’Donnell tomorrow. I’m gonna raise hell and would love to see you after. Do you know why?”

  I shake my head ‘no.’

  “Because I not only want you, but I need you. I won’t try to figure it out. I, sure as hell won’t doubt it, because it feels right. For the first time in years, Laney, something feels right.”

  He turns around, grabs his coat and then walks toward the door.

  I don’t know where it comes from or why I allow it to come out, but seeing him walk away causes me to panic. “Wait!”

  He turns around and looks at me. “If I don’t walk out this fucking door right now--”

  “Stay,” I whisper, as I close my eyes.

  “What?” he sounds shocked.

  “Stay. Just stay. God, Dominic, you are going to fucking ruin me. But stay.”

  “I can give you time,” he says, as he slowly stalks toward me.

  “No.”

  He stops and smiles.

  “Um.” I look around, avoiding eye contact, as I feel my face flush and my core starts feeling that slow knowing burn. “Thank you for the flowers. I left them at the office.”

  Small talk, I am making small talk.

  He walks up to me and with one finger lifts my chin. “You are beautiful.”

  “Right,” I sigh.

  “No expectations, let’s just see where this goes. Trust me.”

  No expectations? Dear God.

  “Question?”

  “Sure.”

  “Do you love your job?”

  “I do.”

  “How in love with it are you?”

  “Why?”

  “Just wondering.”

  “Why?”

  He lets go of my face and walks away, “Have you ever considered traveling?”

  Oh, please don’t. I plead with him in my head.

  “I am in love with this place. I have considered moving back down South, if my current landlord doesn’t cash my check.”

  He turns around quickly. “You’re stubborn, Laney, but you can be broken.”

  I shake my head and walk to the island to retrieve my glass of wine; this conversation may be easier if I am drunk. Everything may be easier if I am drunk.

  He walks over to the opposite side and fills my glass, “Do they have wine like this in the South?”

  “Nope.”

  “So, New York is better than the South?”

  “It’s been a rocky start, to say the least. But there are some things I find endearing about it.”

  “Endearing.”

  “Hmm.” I nod, as I look over my glass of wine at him.

  He leans over and rests his elbows on the countertop, so he is eye level to me.

  “I like you a lot. There’s definitely something endearing about you, as well.”

  “You too.” I stare back into his deep brown eyes.

  He takes the glass out of my hand and sets it just out of my reach, his eyes never leaving mine. He reaches out and grabs me under the arms and pulls me up, so that we are nose to nose. He inhales a deep breath, and as he exhales his throat hums.

  Dear God. The hot embers smoldering inside of me begin to rise into flames, blazing at my core.

  “We’re doing this.”

  “This?”

  “Us. We’re doing you and me.”

  “Don’t hurt me.”

  His lips start at my forehead and move down my cheek as he pulls me closer. I am standing, on just the tips of my toes, when I begin trembling. He pulls me across the island as his lips touch mine.

  His hands are at the hem of my shirt, and I am on all fours on top of the counter.

  He pulls me so I am sitting on the edge, as he lifts my shirt. His mouth is on my breast before I have both arms out of my shirt. He unsnaps my bra, as I pull my arms free from my shirt. I pull my bra off, as he bites down lightly on my already hardening nipple. I whimper and grab the back of his head, pulling him tighter against me.

  “You
r skin tastes so good, Laney,” his voice is thick and full of desire.

  His hand gently kneads the left as he sucks on my right breast, tugging and pulling at my other nipple with his thumb and finger. He grabs the hem of my skirt and lifts it before spreading my legs and standing between them. His lips move to my cheek, slowly down my jaw and across my shoulder blade.

  “I need to taste you.” His tongue runs between my breasts and down my belly, stopping briefly where the skirt is bunched around my waist. He lifts the skirt and rubs his thumb under my panties. “Tell me about this.”

  “Oh, um. My people. Initials, Nikki, Paige, Mel and me. I looked down as he rubs his finger gently over the L.

  “You sure?” I look at him, then close my eyes and shake my head ‘no,’ “She’s with you all the time, you know?” He bends and kisses my hip.

  “I wish I could. I wish that she could’ve lived. Her life would have been so happy. I know it. Things would have been different for her. She was the first one, the beautiful one, the nice one, the smart--”

  I don’t even notice him grab my shirt, until he is putting it back on me.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I want to talk about you.”

  I look down at his massive erection, straining against his jogging pants.

  “I don’t think we need to.”

  “Of course we do.”

  “Can it wait?”

  “No. No, it can’t.”

  When I pick her up off the counter and set her on her feet, she looks up at me and appears almost panicked.

  I take her hand and lead her to the sofa.

  “Have a seat and tell me what you are so afraid of.”

  “I’m not afraid,” she says, as she sits and takes the blanket from the back of the couch, covering herself with it.

  It reminds me of how Valentina had her special blanket as a child. The one I found her cuddled up in when she was sad. It nearly broke me to see her hiding inside of it. It did the same damn thing, seeing Laney hide her pain. I sit down and pull her against me.

  “Talk.”

  “What’s the sense? She’ll never come back.”

  “That is true, but until you open those beautiful brown eyes and see, you can’t fully come back, either.”