by Jenny Siegal
When I turn around, he is right there, inches from me, and I have to take a step back against the truck. Leaning forward his palms press against the glass either side of my head as he keeps me there. Green eyes spark dangerously and judging by the tightness of his jaw, I know he is seriously pissed off. A shiver passes through my body when I look deep into his brooding eyes and I open my mouth to ask what has gotten him so worked up. I don’t get the chance when his lips seal over mine and his tongue delves into my mouth, taking me unaware.
At some point, my hands move from clenched fists at my side to hook into the waistband of his jeans and pull him closer to me. So close that the heat from his body teasingly radiates onto me, chasing away the slight chill that is in the air.
“Come on,” he growls, breaking our kiss just as I was beginning to forget about him being so angry. Tugging me by the hand, he leads me around the side of the house and along a path toward the beach. It’s a struggle to keep up as his long legs stride determinedly down the path. I stumble a couple of times, but when we hit the sand, it slows him down.
Tired of him dragging me along like a little child, I flop down on the sand, forcing him to stop. Eyebrows arch and a hint of a smile curl the corners of his lips when he sees me stubbornly sitting there.
Heaving out a sigh, he sits down beside me, arms resting on his bent knees as one hand runs over the sand.
“Right, what’s up with you? You’ve been in a foul mood since we left my mom’s,” I blurt out because I can’t keep quiet any longer. “You’ve hardly said two words in the past hour, and it’s starting to freak me out. If you have something to say, just spill it. I’m a big girl; I can handle it. Is it because of what happened earlier?” I cross my arms and narrow my eyes at him, putting him on the spot.
“Why do you always assume it is something bad? Are you always going to be waiting for me to finish with you because you think I can’t handle your past? I don’t care about it. I want you regardless. I love you,” he shouts, exasperated.
The impact of his words causes me to rock back. Oh, my God. He just told me he loves me. I am stunned into silence, but my insides are jumping for joy. He loves me.
“Very smooth,” he mutters. “Not how I was planning on telling you that I love you for the first time.” He tugs his hand through his hair, clearly frustrated.
When I turn to look into his cloudy green eyes, I see the emotion that I haven’t been able to place since I first saw it weeks ago. He loves me, and he’s not leaving.
A slow smile starts to spread over my face as the impact of his words sinks in. Overcome with happiness, I shift to take his face in my hands and gently pull him toward me. My lips are almost on his.
“I love you, Dominic,” I whisper and press a soft kiss to his lips.
“You mean it? You love me, too?” he asks when we break apart, not believing me. And why would he? I’ve never given him much of an indication of the true depth of my feelings. I’ve never let him see exactly how much I want him.
I give him a small nod and warm, insistent lips press against mine, pushing me back down onto the sand. Dominic lies cradled between my legs, taking my hands in his, he holds them firmly out to the side. The proximity of his hard body and the fact that I can’t reach out to touch him increases my desire, and I squirm underneath him in the sand.
“Your past doesn’t bother me,” he rasps, kissing down the column of my neck, his tongue flicking over my rapidly beating pulse. My breath catches in my throat as I fight to breathe normally, but it is impossible. The teasing flicks of his tongue as he moves along my collarbone makes the feeling building in my core intensify. My fists, still in his grip, clench and unclench with frustration at not being able to touch him.
“Please, Dominic,” my thready whisper sounds in the darkness. The answering chuckle hums against my sensitive skin before he pulls back up to look at me through hooded eyes.
“What do you want, baby?”
“You,” I rush out breathless. “To touch you.”
With another soft laugh, he loosens his hold and I can finally touch him. Without wasting another second, my hands disappear under his T-shirt to feel their way over his smooth, warm skin, and the flex of his back and shoulder muscles as he shifts his weight on top of me. His hard length presses into my thigh and when he rocks his pelvis, my desire escalates. As I try to pull up his T-shirt, he breaks our kiss.
“Not here.”
My lips curl down as what he is saying sinks in. “But...”
Shaking his head, he smiles at me. “I want this, too, but not here on the beach.” He moves off me to stand. Puzzled, I don’t move.
“Why not?”
“Just because.” He reaches down for my hand, and I begrudgingly let him pull me up to standing.
The journey back to the house is thankfully short, and Dominic, who’s obviously been here before, leads us up a path at the back of the house. It brings us to a set of French doors, which Dominic opens.
“What are you doing?” I ask in a hushed voice, not wanting anyone to hear us.
“This is our room. Maddie left it open in case we were late getting here.”
Without turning on a light, he throws me down on the double bed. The room is bathed in moonlight, and I can see him clearly as he bends over to pull off my chucks then unbuttons my jeans and drags them down my legs. Pulling me up to standing, Dominic pulls my T-shirt over my head and throws it with the rest of my clothes before reaching back to undo my bra. He exhales roughly, as his eyes settle on my bare chest.
“Do you know you have the nicest tits I have ever seen?” he says. That is not what I was expecting, but I like that he does.
“I bet you’ve seen enough.”
“I’ve seen my fair share, and yours are by far the nicest,” he murmurs in a low voice as his eyes travel slowly over my naked body.
“Just as well because you won’t be seeing anyone else’s now.” I pretend to be offended and try unsuccessfully to scowl at him.
“Now you’re getting the idea.” He takes his T-shirt off, and my eyes linger on his naked torso. It is impossible not to reach out and run my hand down each dip and ripple; his green eyes flicker and his breathing falters as if I am causing him pain. My finger follows the stretch of dark hair that disappears into his jeans. Standing motionless, except for his chest rising and falling rapidly, he watches me through his dark lashes as I pull apart the buttons on his jeans to reach inside and slide my hand over his thick erection. The deep groan that comes from deep in the back of his throat echoes in the darkness, and I ease his jeans and boxers down over his gorgeous backside. Now that he's half-naked, I bring my lips to his cock and swirl my tongue around it. His hands bury themselves deep into my hair, and he pulls my head up to move me up the bed.
Dominic struggles out of his jeans, nearly falling over in his haste to disentangle his feet. When he straightens, he takes a moment to look at me lying there naked. The animalistic look in his eyes makes me squirm and my body temperature rises. I should feel self-conscious, but I don’t; he makes me feel beautiful and wanted. Most of all, he makes me feel loved.
Starting at my calf, he begins to kiss up my leg, never taking his smoldering eyes off me. Soft, barely-there kisses leave me panting by the time he reaches my inner thigh. Easing my legs apart, he nestles his shoulders between them and blows gently on my clit sending a shiver through me. Dominic trails a finger over me, feeling how wet I am, and grins wickedly as he sucks his finger. I close my eyes briefly and take a steadying breath; he has me so worked up that I think I’m going to come right away. The tip of his tongue touches my opening, and I feel it inside me before it moves slowly up to my clit. I moan loudly and clutch my inner thighs; my fingernails dig into my flesh just so I have something to keep me grounded.
My back arches off the bed as his tongue circles and flicks me in a relentless pattern that leaves me gasping for breath. As if that wasn't enough sensation to cope with, his fingers sink into my wetness as
his tongue continues its assault. I am so close; my body is on fire and only he can douse the flames. His tongue presses on my clit and my body jerks.
“Dominic, I’m going to come. I want you inside me,” I say panting. I’m positive he laughs against me; he does not intend to stop what he is doing. Instead, he continues to push me closer to the edge. As my muscles being to shake and my core clenches, I come undone, pulsing around his tongue. I throw my head back with a loud moan and my legs that have seized up flop apart, my limbs all soft and limp.
He kisses up my tummy to my breasts, his tongue teasing my nipples until they harden again. His hard cock presses my entrance, sliding over my clit, arousing me further. I raise my hips to meet his, waiting for that glorious minute that he pushes into me. He smiles down, checking that I’m sure. As if there was any doubt in my mind. To reassure him, I wrap my legs around his waist and pull him toward me gasping as he thrusts into me. My hips meet each thrust and his hands find my breast as his index finger flicks my nipple, bringing me closer to my second orgasm. I hold onto him, nails digging into his shoulders.
“Dominic, fuck me please, harder.” My orgasm builds quickly as he pumps into me, and I didn’t think it was possible that I would be ready to come again, but I am. It’s as if my last orgasm didn’t happen, and I’m desperately craving the release that he can give me.
“Hold on, baby,” he growls, bringing his lips to mine. Our tongues collide, and I can’t take any more. Sensation takes over and my orgasm starts to consume me.
“Dominic,” I wail as he thrusts into me again and the dam breaks as long rolling waves of pleasure wash over me. Still holding onto him tightly, my fingers grip the muscles in his back as my body convulses and seconds later, he stills, pouring into me. I’m unable to move as the intensity of my climax renders me useless.
“Babe,” he murmurs into my hair and holds me close. Dominic rolls off me, our skin slick with sweat. He keeps his arms around me, his fingers knotting in my hair.
“This is the bit I like.” He squeezes me tighter.
“What bit?”
“Lying with you in my arms.” I squeeze him back because I like this, too.
“I didn’t think you would be the type to want to cuddle.”
“I never used to. I couldn’t wait for them to leave, which is why I never took them to my house. But with you, it’s different.” He nuzzles my hair, and I feel tears prick my eyes. It hits me how alike we really are, and I let him hold me tighter.
The next morning, I get to fully appreciate how beautiful our room is, with duck egg blue walls and white shutters framing the windows. The French doors lead out to the garden, and I can make out the path we followed from the beach last night. The rest of the house is just as gorgeous. Bright and airy with big windows showing off the magnificent views of the sea at every opportunity.
Thanks to Dominic and his bedroom aerobics, everyone is already sitting around the pool when we walk out to the deck, arm in arm. He places a small kiss on my forehead before he goes to sit with the guys.
I haven't seen any of them since the picnic. My bum has barely hit the sun lounger when the interrogation starts.
“So, you and Dominic? Are you still just friends?” Grace asks with a twinkle in her eye.
Exasperated and more than a little amused I throw my hands in the air. “Okay, okay, we're not just friends, not anymore.”
Grace gives me a pleased smile. “About time.”
“How was your date?” Bonnie asks.
“It was good.” I smile at her, but it falters slightly when I remember what happened afterward.
What?” Grace doesn't miss the look on my face.
There is no point in hiding it, these girls are becoming friends, and they probably know most of the story from their boyfriends anyway.
“The date was good but then we went back to his house and...”
“And...” Grace prompts me.
“His ex-girlfriend turned up.”
“Mia?” Maddie asks in surprise.
“Yeah, do you know her?”
“I know of her. Zak met him one morning near your place. He was pissed off and mumbled something about Mia ruining everything.”
“Yeah, that was after our date, and I had told him to forget it.”
They each give me a sympathetic look. Luckily, Iris saves me from saying anything more.
“But it all worked out in the end, didn't it?” she prompts me.
I give her a grateful smile. “Yeah, it did.”
“I'm glad.You two are good together.” Grace gives me a pleased smile.
“Huh?”
“Oh, come on, Charlotte, you are good together. He's different with you.” Grace waves her hand in the air.
Now she has me intrigued. “How so?”
Looking at the others for confirmation, she carries on, “He actually gives a shit. Before you, he kept girls at arm’s length. He never let them get to know the real him. They only wanted him because he was in a band; he was never interested in any of them.”
I try not to take her bluntness to heart and hope my wince doesn't show on my face.
“Even the guys noticed the difference as soon as he met you. That night at the party, he couldn't take his eyes off you, and you didn't even realize.”
“But he was with that girl,” I point out.
Bonnie gives a little chuckle. “No, if it hadn't been for her, he would have spent all night with you. Every time some guy came up to you, he looked like he was going murder them.”
“How do you know?” I am looking back and forth between them all in disbelief. Am I that oblivious to everything going on around me?
“We were in the kitchen,” Bonnie explains. “It was so funny. Dominic is never like that, even with a girl he's trying to score with. But with you, wow.”
“His face was a picture.” Grace laughs.
“I told you; you were a challenge,” Iris adds smugly because she was right all along.
“I guess you were right.”
“So, it's all good now.” Bonnie gives me a sly smile.
I can't fight the smile that is tugging at the corners of my mouth. “It's all good now.” The blush creeping into my cheeks is unexpected, and they all laugh at me.
Dominic chooses that moment to saunter over and drape his arms over my shoulders, pressing a kiss on top of my head. “What are you all talking about?”
“You.” I tip my head back and smile up at him. The flare of desire in his eyes is instant, and he lowers his lips to meet mine. Biting down gently on my lip, I fight the moan that is building in my throat as he kisses me upside down.
All the girls grumble, good-naturedly, but when I straighten, they are all smiling happily at me. They go back to their magazines and previous conversations to give us some privacy.
Dominic sits behind me on the sun lounger and wraps his arms and legs around me. Leaning back into his warm body, I relax completely.
“Hmm, I've got a great view from here.” His wicked laugh reverberates through me.
“Aren't you getting tired of looking down my top? You've been doing that since the day I met you.”
He leans closer to my ear. “I'll never get tired of looking at you or down your top. I'm a man; it's instinctive.”
• • •
After a day of lazing around the pool and a night of barbecue, we all go down to the beach to enjoy the last of the evening. Once the sun has set, it grows cooler so Zac and Pete build a fire. Iris and Bryan are the first to leave to go back to the house. Dominic sits with me between his bent knees, and I lean back to rest on his chest, arms wrapped around me holding me close. The heat from his body helps chase away the chill that is in the air.
The conversation flows around us, but we sit quietly watching the fire, lost in our own thoughts. Some of the others move away further down the beach for a walk or back up to the house leaving Grace, Pete, Dominic, and I. Not paying any attention to what they are saying, I continue to gaz
e into the fire when Dominic’s hand creeps under my sweatshirt and slowly draws over my warm skin, which instantly breaks out in goosebumps. The relaxing feeling of his touch makes my body sink further back into his.
A quick look confirms that Grace and Pete aren’t paying us any attention. Grace’s head is in Pete's lap while he pokes at the fire with a stick. They talk about the band and song choices for their next gig. After a while, Grace and Pete leave, and we are alone at last.
Dominic takes full advantage, moving his hand higher still, brushing over my breast so my nipple pebbles through the fabric of my bikini top. I let out a shuddery breath and close my eyes.
“What's wrong, babe?” Warm breath ruffles my hair as he plants a kiss on my neck.
“Nothing.” Still distracted, I chew my lip.
“Come on, Charlie. I can't do anything about it unless you tell me what's wrong.”
His fingers start their slow distracting circles that get him exactly what he wants. At the moment, all I can think about is what his amazing fingers are doing to me. That, and I don’t know how much longer I can take it without wanting to jump him. It doesn't help when he starts to kiss up the back of my neck.
“I was just thinking about my mom and how I don't want to have to stay at Lincoln's. It's nice of him to offer and all, but it's not my home.” I hate how pathetic I sound, but that's what's been bothering me.
“Hmmm.”
“It'll be okay this year because I can stay in the dorms. I'll look for an apartment when school finishes and then I don't have to go back except for a visit.”
The silence stretches for a minute before Dominic speaks. “You could. Or you could move in with me?”
The air leaves my body and I turn around to kneel in front of him, my jaw hanging open in astonishment. “Are you serious?”
“Yeah. I've realized that I don't like being apart from you,” he grumbles.
“You don't think it's a bit soon? I mean we've only just...”
“Only just what, Charlie? Started sleeping together?”
