by Jenny Siegal
“Dominic, I can’t think with your fingers on me. Please sit on the other side of the table,” I plead with him, hearing the wobble in my voice.
He leans in closer. “That’s the whole point, babe.”
My breath catches as I look into his eyes, blown away by the depth of emotion in them. I will myself to look away and focus on his lips instead. Wrong move, the thought of them on my body has me burning up.
“Please,” I whisper, closing my eyes to break the spell. If he refuses, I know I will give in and succumb to him.
“For you,” he whispers and his lips brush against mine. It is the barest of touches yet it passes through me like a high-voltage shock. I jerk back slightly, and my eyes snap open.
After a minute, he moves to the other side of the table and watches me through lowered lids as I pretend to study the menu. I’m not hungry, so I order a grilled cheese sandwich and a Diet Coke.
“Where were you going when I saw you tonight?” he asks breaking the silence.
“The movies. Bryan is staying the night and I don’t really want to be there.” I screw my face up. As much as I love Iris, I don’t want to witness some things, and what she and Bryan get up to is one of them.
His brow furrows. “Where will you sleep?”
“There’s a midnight Twilight marathon showing. I'll still catch it.” I take a drink, and he narrows his eyes.
“Uh-huh. You’re coming home with me. I don’t know why you didn’t just call me in the first place. You know you can always stay with me.”
“Is that a good idea?” I raise an eyebrow at him.
“Hell yes, it is. Come on, Charlotte. You've slept in my bed before.” He winks at me and leans back, stretching out his long legs so they bump against mine.
“Along with countless others,” I mutter, although I don’t know where I get off judging him or giving him a hard time, given my past. But the thought of him with any other woman makes me a little psycho. A scowl replaces his smile and he folds his arms on the table to lean toward me.
“That is where you’re wrong, Charlotte. None of those other girls have even been to my apartment, much less stayed in my bed. Only you.” His deep voice is tight with anger.
I stare at him, and realize he’s not lying. My heart soars at his declaration.
“I’ve never slept with anyone in my bed. I always stayed at the house. I would never bring them back to my apartment.”
“But why me?” My voice is barely audible as what he's saying sinks in.
A heavy sigh leaves him as he scrubs a hand over his face. “There’s something so different about you. We’re friends, and I am never normally friends with girls. At first, you seem kind of innocent. Maybe it’s the way you dress, how you hide that gorgeous body of yours under jeans and a T-shirt, but you still look hot even in that. You are beautiful and you don’t see it, which makes you even more beautiful,” he rushes out.
Stunned, I sit there, pretty sure my mouth is hanging open.
“But I’m not any of those things.” I finally manage to speak despite my throat constricting.
My heart races as he gives me a sly grin.
“There is something about you that makes me think you are no way near as innocent as you appear. You don’t take any of my shit. None of my innuendos or jokes make you uncomfortable; you don’t even blush at them. In the pool hall, you gave as good as you got. You knew exactly what you were doing.” He winks at me. “The only things that make you uncomfortable are the little things, like me holding your hand and telling you that you are beautiful. Why is that?”
The silence stretches on while Dominic watches me, waiting patiently.
“I’m not used to being told that I’m beautiful. Well, my mom does, but the she has to. PDA’s makes me uncomfortable. Even with my mom, I find it awkward. I’ve never been much for handholding, and I don’t like physical contact. Until I met Iris, I wasn't one for hugging, either, but she does it all the time so I kind of had to get used to it.”
He arches his eyebrow. “You don’t mind when I touch you, though.” It’s not a question—he knows that I don’t mind.
“No.” I bite my tongue to stop myself from finishing the sentence and telling him just how much I like it when he touches me. It would just make this impossible situation worse.
Reaching for my hand, he says, “You see right through me.” His thumb brushes over my knuckles.
How can I tell him that it’s because we’re the same. Neither of us gets close to anyone so we don’t get hurt, and having one-night stands ensures that.
I sigh wearily. “You’re a player, Dominic, and you’re in a band. That alone means women will throw themselves at you. How can you resist? What man would? I have some self-respect. I doubt any of those girls do; they can say they’ve slept with you and do any of them really expect you to call?” Hopefully, my smile softens my words. I don’t want to hurt his feelings. He looks down at our joined hands, his long dark eyelashes fanning his cheeks.
“I want you, Charlotte.” He raises his head to look at me, and I see the desire there. A look I'm familiar with; I’ve seen it just before I have sex with someone. There is something else there, too, which scares me because I don’t know what it means.
“It’s only because I’ve said no to you. I enjoy spending time with you. We have fun together, we're friends.”
“We’re more than friends,” he points out, and I know he's right. “Tell me you feel it, too.” His stare penetrates deep into me. Meeting it head-on.
“What?” I play dumb as if I don't know what he is talking about, but I know only too well what he means.
“The chemistry between us, you feel it, too.” His eyes search mine for any indication, and I fight to keep my expression neutral. Of course, I feel the chemistry between us; I’d have to be dead not to. It's the only way I can explain how I am with him. But we need to keep it as friends or I will lose him and I don't want that. Although maybe I will either way.
“Will you still come home with me?” He squeezes my hand.
“Okay,” I agree softly. I do want to be with him, even if it is dangerous and feels like I’m torturing both of us.
Neither of us is hungry anymore and we pick at our food. What little appetite I had is gone, and I pull apart my sandwich.
“Why were you glad that I didn’t go out with Bryan’s friend?” I have been desperate to know.
His mouth curls down at the sides. “I can’t stand the thought of you being with someone else. You are mine,” he says simply. Why did I ask? Now I'm even more tied up in knots.
We leave money and our half-eaten food on the table and walk out to my car. The night air is cooler now and the breeze makes me shiver. Dominic takes off his navy hoodie and puts it on me, leaving him in just a T-shirt that clings to each gorgeous muscle. The arm around me pulls me closer, and I allow myself to rest against his chest.
“Do you want to drive?” I ask, peering up at him. His face breaks out into a huge smile, and he looks like a little kid on his birthday—the awkwardness from the diner forgotten.
“Does this mean that I’m worthy?”
“Getting there,” I tease him, but I understand his double meaning. He is breaking down my resolve, and he knows it. I need to be stronger, but part of me doesn’t want to be. Because I want him too much.
“You feel it, too.” Does he really need me to answer; surely, he knows I do. I have from day one.
My small nod seems to suffice. Which will be why I don't stop him when his arms circle around me, and he draws me against him. It also explains how my arms end up on his chest, feeling his heart pounding beneath my palms.
Green eyes stare into my blue as his hand cradles my head. His eyes flick from mine to my lips and back again. Nerves start to take hold and I feel like a teenager waiting for her first kiss. Anticipation builds inside doing funny things to my stomach. It's finally going to happen; he's going to kiss me. I start to freak out slightly, which is strange because
it's not like I've never been kissed. Dominic has kissed me before, fleetingly, but this kiss will change everything. Nothing will be the same because he'll know. Despite trying to deny how I feel, he already knows how much he turns me on. When he kisses me, he'll know that my feelings run deeper.
The warning signals are there, but I ignore them—I want this. I want a first proper kiss with him. All other kisses will pale into insignificance compared to this one. What's the point of kidding myself, even though I wasn't supposed to be thinking about him, I have. I'm only human after all.
Almost in slow motion, his head lowers and after a pause, his lips press against mine, soft yet possessive. Our mouths mold together perfectly and my eyelids flutter shut while I commit every little detail to memory. His grip on me tightens, and I melt further into him. When his tongue runs over my bottom lip, they part to allow him in. Giving into it, I open myself up to him and enjoy being in his arms with his lips on mine. I have pretty much been wanting this since I first saw him, but this kiss exceeds all expectations. The cool air on warm skin causes goosebumps, although I think a lot of that has to do with Dominic. Desire uncoils in the pit of my stomach, warming me from the inside as I let him consume me.
Our kiss softens and ends with a gentle brush of his lips before he pulls back to look at me. Wow, what was that? I don't think I've ever been kissed so thoroughly. His glazed eyes meet mine, and I'm guessing I have the same look. I actually feel a little lightheaded. Quickly, he presses a kiss to my forehead and runs to the car. That's decided then, he can pretty much drive my car whenever he wants if he's going to kiss me like that. I stand there, breathless, while he climbs in the driver’s side.
“What are you waiting for?” He winks at me, and I stagger to the car on wobbly legs.
Even I can admit that Dominic is a good driver, and I can tell how excited he is that he is finally getting to drive my car.
“Do I still get to drive it when we go out next?” he asks, with a frown.
“Yes, don’t worry. I get the feeling I’ll have to fight you for a chance to drive from now on.”
His eyes glint with amusement, and I know I’m right.
The journey back to his apartment is quiet, apart from the sound of 'Addicted to you' from my mix CD playing in the background. It's pretty much how I feel when I'm with Dominic. Before I know it, we're at his apartment.
“What do you want to do now?” he asks when he shuts off the engine, bringing me out of my daydream.
“Veg out in front of the TV.”
“I think we can make that happen.” With a flash of his killer smile he opens the driver’s door. I grab my gym bag out of the trunk and Dominic takes my hand, leading me up to his apartment.
• • •
Glad that I have other clothes with me, I change into yoga pants and a tank top in the bathroom, taking my time to wash my face and brush my teeth. Hmm, well maybe they're not such a good choice, after all. The tank top is tight, and you can see just about everything through it.
After one final deep breath, I pull open the door. The tension that has been simmering under the surface is back once I step into the bedroom. We are dancing around each other, not wanting to cross the friendship line, but we’re clearly becoming more than friends.
Dominic leans against the headboard, arms folded behind his head, wearing sweatpants but no shirt. Holy fuck, he really is making this hard for me. A tanned muscular chest and biceps distract me; he is truly gorgeous. All I can think of is how much I want to run my hand over his chest and touch every rippling muscle of his abdomen. To follow the stretch of black hair that disappears into his pants.
The tattoos on his shoulder grab my attention. This is the first time I've seen them, and they are gorgeous. With great difficulty, I drag my eyes away before my staring becomes too obvious. Hearing me enter the room, he looks over. The sharp intake of breath is audible as his eyes sweep from my head down to my bare feet. Taking in my thin white top, his eyes linger on my breasts and my nipples harden under his gaze.
Usually I wear T-shirts or loose tank tops, not the sort of tops Charlie would wear, but I like the way he looks at me, like he finds me attractive, not leering. Maybe I might start wearing tighter tops.
“Come here. I won’t bite.” He holds his arms out to me.
Giving in, I crawl onto the bed to sit beside him; leaving plenty of space between us. With a sigh, Dominic moves closer to me and wraps an arm around my shoulder to tuck me into his side. Heat radiates through me, and it is a struggle to breathe because I’m so close to him. My focus shifts to the maze of tattoos on his shoulder and down his bicep. There is another one over the left hand side of his chest down to his ribcage. How is it possible that he just became even sexier?
As if they have a mind of their own, my fingers trace the black ink decorating his torso. Dominic’s breathing hitches as the current flows between us. When I look up, he is watching me with dark, smoldering eyes.
“You like tattoos?”
“They’re beautiful,” I whisper in awe as my hand glides over his chest and his ribs. His heart hammers beneath my palm, giving away how my touch is affecting him.
“Do you have any?” he asks, his eyes never leaving mine the whole time. They burn into me as I touch his hot skin. With a nod, I sit up to turn my back to him and show him the tattoo on my shoulder. Although I have a few, this is the only one I’m willing to show him. It’s the only one I remember getting.
“Angel wings,” he says, tracing them with his finger over the small and very detailed tattoo and causing me to tremble under his touch. His lips press against it and scorch my skin; my eyes close as I mentally try to hold myself together.
At that moment, I finally admit it to myself. We are more than friends, but we can't be. Dominic would be so easy to love, but it will break my heart when I tell him everything and he rejects me. Pushing all thoughts of loving him to the back of my mind, I open my eyes and turn to him.
“What movie are we watching?” I ask, changing the subject. He knows what I’m doing, but he lets it go and presses PLAY.
A thriller starts, but I’m not paying attention to it. Not when his body curls protectively around me and his arms hold me to him. I enjoy being in his arms and the physical contact that he craves, I feel safe and wanted. He wants me for me and not because he thinks I’ll sleep with him.
Dominic’s eyes are on me the whole time; he’s not watching the movie, either. The attraction we feel is too real, and we are both trying to fight it. I don’t know how I manage it, but I fall asleep in his arms.
A warm palm runs up my side and the sensation drags me from the deep sleep I was enjoying. It tickles and I giggle, rolling over to look up at him, all disheveled from sleep. My fingers run through his hair and down his face, tracing each feature beneath my fingers, memorizing every bit of him. His hands slide down to cup my ass, watching to see how far he can push me. A challenging smile plays on his lips, daring me to stop him or maybe to let him continue. Should I call his bluff and let him go even further? The problem with that is I don’t think I’d be able to stop him, I wouldn’t want to.
“Hudson, friends don’t do this,” I warn him.
“Friends don't feel the way we do about each other. I want you, Charlotte.” His voice is thick with emotion. This is the second time he's admitted it, and I can't deny the feelings his words induce. He brushes his thumb over my trembling lower lip.
“I’ll be like all the rest.” It comes out as a whisper.
“You couldn't be.”
In a swift movement that I don't see coming, he rolls me under him.
“I'm getting to you, aren't I?” Somehow he is managing to break down all my barriers.
Never in a million years did I think it would be so hard to resist him. I dip my head, but he catches it with his finger and lifts it up, making me look deep into his green eyes.
“Charlotte.” It is impossible to break away from his gaze. It holds me, and my mouth moves of
its own accord.
“Yes,” I admit breathlessly, "you're getting to me."
“When are you going to let me take you out?”
“Not on a date,” I remind him my eyes grow wide with alarm.
“Yes, on a date.” His voice rises with exasperation “I've told you that I want you, Charlotte. We're more than friends, and I'm going to prove it. You won't be like all the rest; you’re way too special.” He is being bold even for Dominic. Our attraction is too real, and I can't deny it anymore. The first brush of his lips is soft, hesitant, and when I don't object, he presses his warm lips against mine, his tongue dipping into my mouth and softly brushing against my eager one. I arch my back into him, and tighten my grip on his shoulders. A small moan slips out as electricity courses through me. Dominic breaks the kiss, looking down at me with dilated pupils.
“Come on, I'll make you breakfast.” Leaning down, he gives me a quick kiss on the nose before pulling me out of bed. It's just as well that he has some self-control, stopping it when he did. Otherwise, who knows what would have happened. Well, I know exactly what would have happened.
Chapter Seven
The weeks pass and somehow Dominic and I manage to keep things within the realms of friendship. God knows how. The flirting is just as bad, he is just as affectionate, and we spend all our free time together. Even Iris is getting used to seeing us together. Now that she knows I won't succumb to him, she has stopped warning me off him at every opportunity. It’s not that she doesn’t like him, but she doesn’t want to see me get hurt. I am grateful every day that Iris is my roommate. No one else would bother if I slept with Dominic, but she cares about me and more importantly, she doesn’t take any of my nonsense.
It is Friday morning and someone banging loudly on our door drags me from my Dominic related dream.
With a groan, I swing my legs over the bed. “Okay, okay, I'm coming.” Still half-sleep, I open the door to find Dominic standing there, poised to bang again. Startled, I take a step back, while his eyes roam leisurely down my body. The edges of his mouth curl up in a sexy smile as he takes in my thin tank top and pajama bottoms.
