A Good Girl

by Jenny Siegal

  Iris is dancing with Bryan and as much as I’m glad she’s having a good time, I hope she won’t regret this in the morning. I’ve been there, done that, and knows how it ends.

  “I’m going home. Will you be okay?” I shout over the music when I finally catch her attention. “Call me if you need me.”

  She nods, not really listening, and turns her attention back to Bryan before I can finish my sentence.

  • • •

  Ear-splitting quiet envelops me along with darkness when I step outside. The cool night air is a welcome contrast to the sweltering heat inside.

  “Where are we going, Charlotte?” Dominic’s smooth voice asks from the shadows, making me jump slightly. I didn’t see him leaning against my car in the dark.

  “I don’t know about you, but I’m going home. I’m not drinking, and being surrounded by drunken strangers isn’t really my idea of fun.” I rub my temples, trying to ease my growing headache. The bass is still pounding in my ears, and I think I’ve gone slightly deaf.

  “You should have said something earlier. We didn’t need to stay.” He pushes off the car and slowly walks toward me. Instinctively, I want to back up and put some distance between us, but I stand my ground and cross my arms over my chest.

  “Why would I do that? We weren’t there together, and you were busy all night.” Try as I might to hide it, disdain manages to come out in my tone.

  “We came here together,” he says with a sigh. “I’m sorry I couldn’t get away. Although, you weren’t short of male attention, though.” The corners of his mouth droop into a frown, and I can’t help but laugh at his expression, which turns his frown into a scowl.

  “They were just making small talk.”

  “Yeah, until they could get into your panties.” He pokes his lower lip out slightly.

  “No, they weren’t.”

  “Only because you shot them down. That last guy wanted you to go outside with him, didn’t he? I could see the annoyance in your eyes when he was being too persistent.” His voice drops, along with my stomach.

  I gape at him open-mouthed. “How did you know that?”

  “Just because I wasn’t with you doesn’t mean I didn’t know what was going on. I was watching you the whole time. I couldn’t take my eyes off you.” His eyes narrow as his gaze turns possessive, and his voice lowers to almost a growl.

  The heat in his eyes ignites a slow burn that sweeps over me, and I’m not sure if I should be pleased or pissed off. “Why were you watching me?”

  He looks past me into the darkness and runs his hands through his hair, messing it up more and making him look even sexier. “Because I can’t help but watch you. You’re all I see.”

  “Oh.” For once, I’m speechless. The confusion I can see in his expression mirrors my own feelings, which confuse the hell out of me because I hardly know him.

  “Oh…is that it?” The faintest hint of a smirk curls his lips, before Dominic closes the small distance between us. His hands reach for my hips and come to rest on the waistband of my low-slung jeans under my shirt. His thumbs slowly stroke the bare, sensitive skin on my waist and I forget how to breathe properly. The heat that had begun building washes through my body like a tidal wave and my hands have somehow moved to rest on his biceps. What am I doing? It’s almost as if I no longer have any control over my body or my brain, for that matter.

  As his stroking continues, I can’t remember what I was trying to fight. Desire slides through my body, lower and lower until it pools between my legs. I bend my head forward and rest it against his chest and his delicious scent assaults me. He smells of aftershave mixed slightly with sweat and a hint of smoke. At my touch, his body relaxes slightly and he drops a kiss on the top of my head then rests his chin on my hair. The tingle travels all the way down my spine to the soles of my feet, gathering intensity along the way. When I lift my chin, he’s watching me with a predatory smile on his face.

  “Dominic.” His name falls from my lips, and my voice is hoarse.

  “Yes, babe,” he murmurs as he continues to stroke my skin and my stomach clenches at his voice.

  “I can’t concentrate when you do that.”

  He laughs softly. “That’s the whole point.” He leans forward, his minty breath grazing my cheeks, and I realize there’s no alcohol on it.

  “You’ve not been drinking,” I whisper, surprised. We must be the only two people at that party that weren’t drinking.

  “No, I haven’t. Can we go now? I want you to come home with me, Charlotte.”

  I try to come up with a good argument as to why I shouldn’t but fail miserably. His fingers are driving me crazy.

  “Okay,” I say reluctantly, but then blurt out, “But I’m not going to sleep with you.”

  He tilts his head back and laughs—a low, sexy rumble I can feel through his chest. “I wasn’t expecting you to.”

  “You didn’t need to leave; you could have stayed with the girl from earlier.” As the words leave my mouth, I’m instantly mentally kicking myself. Why can’t I just leave it alone and accept that he wants me?

  “I’m not interested in her.” He slides a finger along my jawline and traces my bottom lip gently. “I didn’t want to stay, and I don’t do what I don’t want to.”

  Then, in an abrupt change of mood that startles me, he taps the tip of my nose playfully and asks, “When can I drive your car?”

  I shake my head and flash him an apologetic smile. “Sorry, no one gets to drive Daisy.”

  His eyebrows shoot up in mock offense. “You’re kidding, right? I’m a really good driver. She’d be in safe hands.”

  I can well imagine; I’ve seen him touching my car. “Hmm,” I tease, “you’ll need to prove yourself worthy.”

  He laughs a warm, rich laugh. “Okay, what do I have to do to prove I’m worthy?” Judging by the way his eyes sparkle, I get the feeling it’s not just my car we’re talking about.

  “I’ll need to get back to you on that one,” I mumble. With a nod he opens the driver’s door for me then walks around and slides into the passenger seat. Apart from the directions he gives me, he doesn’t say much.

  • • •

  Fifteen minutes later, we pull up outside an older apartment building. Looking around, I realize it’s not far from our dorm.

  “Sorry, I’m on the top floor,” he says as we walk through the front door into the foyer.

  “That’s okay, I’m sure I can manage.”

  His hand slips inside mine, warm and comforting. As we walk up the stairs, I hold our joined hands up to look at them. He glances at me, checking it’s okay, and when I raise my eyebrow in response, he laughs. I’ve never reached the handholding stage before, since I’ve always skipped straight to the sleeping-with-them-and-then-sneaking-out stage. This is actually quite nice, which is surprising considering my reluctance for physical contact.

  Dominic pushes open his front door into a large open living space with kitchen off to the side. What surprises me is how tidy it is; really tidy, much less cluttered than the dorm room I share with Iris.

  “Do you live here on your own?” As I wander around his living room, picking up a book or two and checking out the framed posters on the walls, Dominic leans against the kitchen counter, his gaze following my movements.

  “Yeah. I roomed in a house with the rest of the band for about six months, and they drove me crazy. Too many people hanging around, and I couldn’t be bothered with the parties all the time. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind a party, but I like being on my own, too.”

  “I live in the dorms with Iris. It’s like having a sister, which is nice because I’m an only child.”

  “How do you like being away from home?” he asks walking into the kitchen.

  “It's good. I couldn’t wait to get here.”

  “Yeah, tell me about it. So, what about your family?” He hands me a soda, and I sit in a chair to the side of the couch.

  “It’s just me and my mom. My gr
anddad was pretty involved in our lives, but he died recently.” I take a sip from the can, trying to swallow the wave of sadness that threatens to overwhelm me along with the icy soda.

  Dominic flops on the couch and pats the spot next to him. When I look at him with uncertainty, he reaches over and takes the soda out my hands before pulling me out of the chair to sit beside him. I curl my legs under me and lean against him slightly.

  “Where’s your dad?” he asks bluntly. Not that I mind, but most people don’t ask.

  I shrug. “I don’t know, never met him. I don’t actually know if my mom knows who he is.” Usually people look horrified when I tell them this, but not Dominic.

  He stiffens slightly. “You’re better off just the two of you.”

  I slant a sideways look at him, surprised by the harshness in his voice. “I guess I’ve never known any different. My mom has had to put up with endless gossip about her, first for being a young single mom, and now for being an attractive older woman who dates a lot. She’s a good mom, though.”

  “If she’s as gorgeous as you, they'll all be jealous of her.”

  I can’t help but stare. He thinks I’m gorgeous? Surely not, not looking like this. Uncomfortable with the unexpected compliment, I make a face.

  Dominic reaches over and tugs gently at a wisp of my hair. “Do you want to watch a movie?”

  “I should probably go,” I say with some reluctance.

  “Come and watch a movie with me.” He stands and pulls me up with him. His hands rest on my waist, red-hot palms on my already warm skin. I think about it for about a second. Seeing my indecision, his thumbs begin to stroke my skin in small, barely-there circles. The same lust from earlier fogs my brain, and I can’t put together a coherent argument as to why not.

  “I suppose I could.” God, I’m such a pushover. He gives me a satisfied smile and slides a hand into mine then leads me to his bedroom.

  At the sight of his bed, I pause in the doorway and tug on his hand. “I thought we were going to watch a movie?”

  “The TV in my bedroom is bigger, plus the DVD player is in there.”

  “Convenient,” I mutter, and he shoots me a grin.

  The bedroom is just as tidy as the rest of the apartment. One door I presume leads to a bathroom, and another set of double doors must hide a closet—a very big closet by the looks of it. The wall-mounted TV is huge and below it is an entertainment unit with every conceivable piece of video game technology.

  The only place to sit is on his massive king-size bed. I take off my shoes and lean back against the headboard. This is one comfy bed, and I wiggle down, making myself more comfortable. He holds up the case for Jaws and waves it at me.

  I laugh heartily at his choice. “That used to scare the shit out of me as a kid.”

  Dominic turns on the components and inserts the DVD then flops down on the bed beside me and crosses his long legs at the ankles. His arm rests on my shoulders and he pulls me closer to him. I fall against his chest and my hand rests there, feeling the hard muscle underneath his T-shirt. His breath catches and my stomach squeezes with desire at being so close to him. An uncomfortable though niggles at the back of my brain, and I can’t help myself. I sit up and turn to him. His eyes move from the TV, and he looks at me expectantly.

  “Dominic, you could have any girl you want. Why did you want me to come back with you? You only just met me,” I ask, seriously wanting to know. He reaches out to tuck a lock of hair behind my ear, focusing intently on that before meeting my inquisitive gaze.

  “There’s something different about you. You’re funny and interesting and a total mystery. Not to mention gorgeous and sexy as hell. You don’t look at me like all the others. You act like you can barely tolerate me, plus you won’t sleep with me. It’s not that I wouldn’t, but it’s a nice change,” he says candidly.

  “My heart bleeds for you. It must be so hard to resist all those girls throwing themselves at you.” I can’t hide my sarcasm and with a laugh he pulls me back against his chest to lightly rest his chin on my head. I could certainly get used to this.

  “That’s what I’m talking about. I can talk to you without having to pretend to be something I’m not. I want to hang out with you and for us to get to know each other better. We could have fun together. I miss that,” he says wistfully, sounding almost sad.

  “I guess we could do that.” His rewarding smile goes a little way to ease the self-doubt I experience. Can I do that? There is something different about him that I've never experienced before and I do enjoy being with him. Maybe too much.

  The movie starts, and we watch in comfortable silence. I can feel his heart beating against my cheek and I chance a look up at him. His strong jaw is relaxed and he has the beginning of a five o’clock shadow. Without thinking, I reach out and trail my finger along his jawline, feeling the roughness before moving it down the smoothness of his throat. His Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows thickly.

  “Do you have a boyfriend?” he asks quietly, peering down at me through his thick dark eyelashes. His words bring me out of my trance.

  “Nope, never have.” I tear my eyes away from his to look at the screen, but his finger tilts my head up so I have no choice but to look at him.

  “What? Never?” His face has astonishment written all over it.

  “Never.” I shake my head for emphasis.

  “How come? You’re gorgeous and funny and all the rest.”

  I shrug in response; I can’t tell him that I’ve only ever had one-night stands. That back home I have a reputation that rivals his and I’m determined not to earn the same one here.

  “Are you a virgin?” The nervousness in his voice is hilarious. He gives me an odd look while I try to control my laughter.

  “I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I’m not a virgin.” Suddenly worried about the possibility, I ask, “Do you have a girlfriend?” If he does, I definitely wouldn’t feel right about being here alone with him.

  “No, I don’t,” he says abruptly. I study his profile for a moment, knowing there’s more to this than he’s willing to share with me just yet.

  “But you used to, didn’t you?” I can see it in his face. “It’s okay; you don’t need to tell me. It’s none of my business.” Turning back to the TV, I chastise myself silently for putting him on the spot.

  “It’s a story for another day,” he says tightly, and I let it go. I’m in no position to force someone to share their secrets, not when I’m holding on to mine for dear life.

  We turn our attention back to the movie. Maybe it isn’t the best idea to stay here with Dominic, but I’m comfortable being with him even though we’ve just met. The steady rise and fall of his chest and the way his fingers stroke my hair lulls me into a deep relaxation. Soon my eyes droop and I realize I’m about to fall asleep. Wanting to get comfortable, I curl up on my side with his arm around me, holding me close.

  “Good night, Charlotte.” I feel him kiss the top of my head, but I’m too tired to complain.

  • • •

  Bright morning sunshine peeks around the blinds, piercing through my light sleep. I lay still for a moment, thinking about last night. Of course, I’m not hung over—I wasn’t drinking, I’m fully clothed, and I remember every detail of last night. More importantly, I remember coming home with Dominic and falling asleep in his bed.

  Dominic’s strong arms are wrapped around me, still holding me close to him. His head rests against my neck, and I feel his breath brushing softly against my nape. I relax for a few minutes longer, enjoying being in his arms. This simple intimacy is so new to me. I’ve never spent all night with anyone, well apart from that night with the two guys, but that was a freak occurrence. I certainly don’t normally feel comfortable getting this close. Usually I’m out of there well before they wake up. It feels different with Dominic, not just because we haven’t had sex, but because I like it when he holds me. I feel safe with him, and I don’t want him to let me go.

  He stir
s behind me, his hand moving under my shirt. In an instant my skin burns under his gentle touch. Softly, his fingers brush back and forth over my tummy. With each pass, he moves further up my body. My insides flutter and pangs of pure lust make my breasts tighten and cause me to draw my thighs together. I’m certain he’s awake because I heard his breathing change and that erection pressing against me is hard to miss. Maybe I should be worried but I’m not—he won’t try anything.

  I lie completely still, enjoying the sensation of him touching me, and say nothing for fear he will stop. His fingers stroke up my ribs and my breathing hitches when they lightly brush the underside of my breasts through my bra. The feeling in the pit of my stomach grows, as need starts an ache between my legs. It would be so easy to turn around and give in to all these delicious sensations.

  Sure, I’ve had sex with guys who I’ve been much less attracted to, but I’m not doing this. As much as Dominic tempts me, I won’t be swayed. I need to stay strong.

  “Hudson,” I say softly, a warning tone in my voice.

  “Morning, sunshine,” he breathes in my ear. I shiver, despite the heat that is radiating from his enticing body.

  “What are you doing?” I ask, even though I know full well what he’s doing and how much I’m enjoying it.

  “I was sleeping.” He tries to sound innocent but fails miserably. He is anything but.

  “Your hands are under my shirt,” I point out.

  “I couldn’t resist,” he says softly. “Does it bother you?” His breath tickles the back of my neck.

  Pulling away slightly, I say, “No, but I don’t want you getting the wrong idea.”

  “I’m not. We just fell asleep.”

  His arms never leave my body as I turn to look at him. How does he manage to look so good this early in the morning? His hair is a little more tousled and his five o’clock shadow has graduated to dark stubble, which I like. Without thinking, I reach out to run my hand over his chin, feeling the roughness. He closes his eyes for a moment, as if he enjoys the feel of my hands on his face. When he opens them again to look at me, very little green is showing around his dilated pupils.