Identity: …………..People aren’t always who you believe them to be (Miss Taken Identity Series Book 2)

by Scornavacca, Cleo

  Joseph spoke first.“It’s okay, Rain. Dominick should have never started this crazy vendetta in the first place. God knows we both tried to stop him, but when he gets something in that thick head of his, it’s virtually impossible to change his mind. The only good thing that came out of all this is that he found you.”

  “I understand what you’re saying, Joseph, but walking out on him has never solved any of our problems in the past. It only made things more complicated than before and has been nothing but a waste of time. Time we could have spent getting to know one another, instead of fighting.”

  “All that matters now, is that you and Dominick love each other and that you are both going to work out your problems together from this point on. That’s what really counts when everything is said and done.”Anna’s words were comforting and her warm smile made me feel just slightly better.”

  I settled back in my seat until Joseph pulled into the drivewayof Dominick’s shore house. Dominick’s car wasn’t there. I climbed out quickly with Max in tow. Anna and Joseph gave me the keys. They said they would look around town and that I should wait here at home for him to show up. I told them I would call them if he did. They said they would do the same, should they find him first.

  I went inside and turned on the lights and raised the heat. It felt good to be here. The warm yellow glow of the sconces on the walls reflecting off the whitewashed bead board made me feel at home, safe.

  I made a pot of coffee knowing it was going to be a long night. Then I realized that I couldn’t have any coffee. I opted for hot chocolate instead and settled down on the sectional in Dominick’s bedroom.

  I glanced around the room. Nothing had been touched, so I knew he hadn’t been here since last week when I walked out. I couldn’t sit still, so went into the bathroom and changed into one of Dominick’s dress shirts and some old sweatpants that I had left here. I held the collar up around my nose and took a deep breath in and closed my eyes. The scent of his cologne made me feel better immediately.

  Just as I was about to settle in on the couch once again, I heard a man and a woman laughing and struggling to get the front door open.

  A sick feeling started build in the pit of my stomach. So, he would give me all the time in world, would he? This was how he was going to occupy his time? That’s what he thinks. I went into the living room just as the door opened to reveal a very drunk Dominick and a very capable Darian Mann holding him up.

  When they both saw me standing there, Darian froze and Dominick walked away from her immediately and directly over to me. He stopped in front of me. He said nothing, not knowing what my reaction to the two of them would be. I surprised myself by how calm and collected I was. I looked up at him and kissed his cheek, then I whispered in his ear.

  “I’m glad you’re okay.”I smiled at his beautiful face.

  “I’m glad you’re here, Angel.”He put his arms around me.

  His embrace was more for me to hold him up and less for the hug he was trying to give me. I turned around and knew I needed to get rid of this bitch once and for all.

  “Not so nice to see you again, Darian.”My words bit right through her.

  “I’m not sure I know what you’re talking about, Rain.”Darian was trying to be her calm, cool and annoying self. Time to fuck with her.

  Just then Anna and Joseph appeared in the doorway. They looked at Dominick, then at me, then at Darian and then back to me again. I hoped they would enjoy the show.

  “Darian, please, you know exactly what I’m talking about. You were told by Dominick himself never to set foot in this house again. Yet I suppose picking him up at the local bar and bringing him home doesn’t count.”

  Joseph and Anna remained awkwardly at the door waiting for her to leave, while Dominick walked up behind me and snaked his arms around my waist. He didn’t interrupt. He let me have my say. I think he was too drunk to get involved in the conversation anyway.

  “I was only trying to help,Rain. He looked like he was in a bad way and I didn’t think he was capable of driving himself home.”Darian acted as if I insulted her. I haven’t even begun to insult her yet.

  “Look, I don’t want to hear your excuses. You’re a smart woman. If you saw that he was in a bad way, then you needed to call one of us or call him a cab. I suspect you had a different outcome in mind.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” She snapped.

  “Hmm........it appears I’ve struck a nerve.” I grinned.

  “Well, if you’ll excuse me, I’m leaving.” She stated as she tried to leave.

  Not so fast, I’m not done with Darian Mann, just yet.

  “Oh Darian, one more thing. If you so much as come near my boyfriend or the people he loves again, I’ll ruin you.”My voice cut through her as if it were a hot knife that sliced her skin.

  “How dare you speak to me this way!”She turned back and started to approach me, so I broke away from Dominick, effectively bringing me and Ms. Mann nose to nose. Well, she was shorter than me, but whatever.

  “Listen to me, you bitch. I’m going to say this one more time, so we’re clear. You’re going stay away from anything or anyone remotely related to Dominick Kane or I’m going to make sure that the only things you’ll be designing are the shelves at the local dollar store. Do I make myself clear.”I stated with a smile of satisfaction on my face.

  “You can’t speak to me this way.”She huffed.

  “I just did. Now get the fuck out.”My voice was eerily calm, which was probably why she left with her tail between her legs.

  Joseph and Anna turned there heads and watched her leave. Then he slammed the door behind her. They both turned and looked at me, smiling. I was also grinning from ear to ear. Dominick was very quiet, so it wasn’t at all a surprise when I turned around to find him passed out on the living room couch.

  I tilted my head to one side and smiled at him and chuckled.

  He looked so peaceful and relaxed. His facial expression was so soft. He rarely appeared like this when he was awake. He carried so much hurt inside. I knew that we had to have our talk as soon as possible. I also knew and in some way dreaded, that everything that I was about to reveal to him may cause more tension between us. It might pull us apart even further. It was a chance I needed to take, though. I needed to help him get better and to heal, for both of us and for our son or daughter.

  It was so hard to read Dominick. His emotions were all over the place much of the time, but I knew by his touchand by the way he reacted to me, when he first saw me this evening, that he still loved me and needed me. I knew because I had the same reaction to him. I wasn’t angry anymore.

  Instead of being pissed off about him wanting to take down my dad, I wanted to straighten the situation out. All of this bullshit between us was in truth created by other people, mainly our parents.

  His mother adopting him, his father ignoring him and my father helping to keep their secret, made this situation what it was today. My reaction to things were created by my mother’s ability to make me feel guilty about getting better and in her eyes not needing her any longer. I always felt I had to fight back.

  It seemed the past had invaded our present and could possibly ruin our future, if we let it. If I had anything to say about it, I wouldn’t allow it to happen. I was fooling myself to think I could be without him. I know I can’t. I loved him. It was time to stop walking away. It was time to face my fears head on with no regrets.

  “Anna,”I whispered.“Can you get me a blanket that I can cover him with?”

  “Sure, my dear.”She paused in front of me and placed her hands on my upper arms. She looked into my eyes andsaid:“It’s so good to have you home here where you belong.”Then she kissed me on the cheek and left the room to get Dominick’s blanket.

  Home....

  Anna returned with the blanket and both she and Joseph decided to turn in after such a long and eventful evening. After I said goodnight to them, I turned my attention back towards my handsome man
. He was sound asleep. I removed his tie, his socks and shoes and covered him with the throw Anna had given to me. I kissed him on his forehead and stared at him for a while.

  When I knew he was okay, I went into the bedroom and called Tommy to let him know we found Dominick and I revealed to him the details in between. I eventually got settled in Dominick’s bed. Max climbed up onto the mattress to sleep there next to me. Finally, I felt my body relax into the cool sheets and I started to drift off to sleep, as well.

  I woke up to the smell of just brewed coffee. I really could have used a cup after last night, but I knew in my current condition, that was not something I should do. I needed my pregnancy to be as uncomplicated as possible. I needed to forego the coffee for the next seven and a half months. It was a very small sacrifice considering the outcome would be our healthy baby.

  Once I got my senses in order, I realized that Dominick was seated at his desk working on the computer. I found it odd that he didn’t come to bed or even acknowledge me for that matter. Now what? I got up and walked over to him. Our eyes locked, he appeared intense and seemed like he wanted to say something to me, but then he returned his focus to the screen and said nothing. I knew what he was doing. He was putting up a wall to protect himself from what he thought I was going to say. Why would I stay the night or sleep in his bed, if I was going to walk out on him?

  Just as I was about to surprise him, he spoke first.

  “What are you still doing here, Rain?”His voice was bland, no emotion. Just as I suspected, building up that wall, so he didn’t get hurt,though I could see his body language showed that he was struggling not to touch me.

  “I was worried about you, so I came down here with Anna and Joseph last night.”I said as I kept my focus directly on his face.

  “Okay, so you can visibly see that I’m fine. Now you can go.” He rudely tried to dismiss me, but I wasn’t buying it.

  Even though I knew he didn’t mean it and it was all part of this act of his; it still hurt to hear him speak to me the way he did. It also confirmed my feelings even further. I could never leave Dominick. I loved him way too much.

  “I’m not going anywhere.”I stood my ground.

  Nothing.......he didn’t even look up. Alright Mr. Kane, time to get your attention. I came around the desk and swipe everything he was working on, including his laptop, effectively to the floor. Then I sat on the surface, where his work used to be, crossed my legs, folded my arms and cocked my head to one side; as I waited for his next move.

  “Shit! Rain, do understand how important all of that work was? He seemed annoyed, as he stared at the mess on the floor. Then he looked up at me and ran his fingers through his hair. Good, I finally have your attention, Mr. Kane.

  “Perhaps, but what’s more important to you? What’s lying on that floor, or what’s sitting on this desk?”My voice was low, calm; but heated and he knew I wanted his answer.

  He approached me cautiously and looked deep into my soul. He brought his hands to my throat and he skimmed his thumbs gently, but nervously across my jaw and lower lip. It sent chills through my entire body. I had missed our physical connection so much. The emotional connection was always there, but I knew I needed all of Dominick.

  “What am I going to do with you, Miss Medici?”There was that smile that made my insides turn to liquid. He leaned in and kissed me. Oh so slowly. I uncrossed my legs, so that he was now sandwiched in between them. I put my arms around his neck and slid my fingers up and into his hair, so I could pull him even closer to me.

  He brought his arms around my waist and across the curve of my back and tugged my body gently forward. His lips never left mine. It sent me slightly off balance.

  I released his hair and placed my hands behind me. I rested them on the top of the desk. Then he let go of me and moved to unbutton the shirt I was wearing, his shirt. He easily reached in and slid the fabric off my shoulders and down my arms. The material from it’s sleeves settled at my wrists. He broke our kiss and looked into my eyes, assessing my thoughts.

  “Do you want this as much as I do, baby?”His voice was calm and his eyes were black.

  “Even more.”I looked at him and smiled. Then I moved forward towards him and took his mouth again.

  Our kiss was hot and long and unbreakable. Our breath became one. One fluid sound in sync with each other.

  I heard Dominick rip the foil pack, as I reached down to release his cock from his pants. He slid the contents over his erection and slowly moved my panties to the side, so he could take what was his. I said nothing about the condom, because this was not the time nor the place for that discussion.

  As Dominick slipped deep inside of me, I softly moaned. He felt so good. I needed him. I leaned back onto the desk as he came over me, bracing one hand on the surface of the wood and the other hand on my hip bone, to keep me in place.

  “This belongs to me, Rain. No more leaving, baby. We’ll work it out, I promise; we’ll work everything out.”His jaw tightened as he watch himself take me. I knew that he was not too far from his release. He was going to come fast this time. He didn’t want to wait. He needed to mark me. He needed for me to fully understand his words with his body.

  I brought both the heels of my feet to the edge of the desk and spread my legs wide for him. This made him start to move. I could feel all of him in this position and my climax was building.

  Suddenly Dominick lifted me up and stalked over to the bed. He ripped my panties off and slammed back inside of me full force. I arched my back and I knew I couldn’t hold on much longer. My breath became quick and very shallow.

  “Come, Rain.”He commanded. It was all over. That was all it took for me. Those two words had my body spinning out of control, as Dominick followed with his own powerful orgasm.

  Afterwe’re both complete, he pulled out of me and discarded the condom in the waste paper basket next to the bed. Then he brought me closer to him. He held me tighter than I’ve ever felt him do before.

  He was scared, but he didn’t have to be. Especially, when he found out he that was going to be a father. His fears would hopefully evaporate, but knowing him they would be replaced by a whole new set of crazy, but that was something I knew I could handle.

  “This is going to be a better New Years than I expected it to be.”He kissed the top of my head and left his lips there to linger.

  “Better than you know.”Even though I did believe it would be a great holiday, my concern was more about what Dominick’s reaction would be when I told him about his father’s letter to me. As much as I wanted to stay silent a while longer, I also wanted all of this news out of the way so we could move forward in our relationship.

  Dominick pulled away and got up to grab his clothes. As he started to dress, I rolled towards him, smiling.

  “Now that’s what I like to see.”His smile was so bright. It melted my heart.

  “And what might that be, Mr. Kane?”

  “You in my bed. Content and with that beautiful smile that I know I’m responsible for.”He was being sexy and playful.

  “I can’t disagree. I’m very happy and after that hot sex, I’m definitely content.”

  “I thought it might be because you kicked Darian out of here on her ass last night.”He smirked at me.

  “No, my great mood is definitely because of you and the hot sex. But now that you bring it up, why was Darian bringing you home last night?”

  “She was at the restaurant having dinner with some clients when I arrived to continue my drinking binge I started in the city. And no, I wasn’t meeting her there, if that was the next question you were going to ask me?”

  “No, I wasn’t going to ask you that. I know you didn’t pursue her. I know it was all her. She saw an opportunity and decided to take it. I’m just glad I was here to prevent her from going any further.”

  “I wouldn’t have slept with her, baby. Drunk or not, I know who I belong to and who belongs to me.”He leaned down and kissed me softly.

/>   “I’m glad to hear it.”I smiled back at him.

  “I’m going to get a cup of coffee, I’ll bring you back one.”

  “Dominick........I”

  “I know, lots of sugar.”

  “No, um…… Dominick, wait.”I needed to tell him now. It was going to kill meif I didn’t.

  “What’s wrong,Rain?”He sat down next to me on the bed.

  I didn’t have my sleeves to pull on. So I grabbed Dominick’s hands.

  “What it is, Rain?”He voice was laced with concerned.

  “I can’t have any coffee.”I kept staring at his hands wrapped around mine.

  “Why? You love coffee? What’s wrong? Are you sick?”Dominick’s tone became shaky.