by Ginger Ring
Setting her carefully on the ground, he turned on the water in the shower and tested the temperature. Dom lifted his shirt over his head and threw it on the floor.
“Your turn,” he teased, but she was too busy staring at his chest to care. She reached out to touch him but he caught her hand in his. Shaking his head, he reached for the hem of her shirt and eased it off just as easily as he did his.
Standing there under the heat of his gaze was intense, and even though she still had on a bra and shorts, her hands automatically came up to cover herself. Dominic took her hands in his and pulled them behind her back as he dropped light kisses to the top of her shoulder and then worked his way to the top of her breasts. She was giddy with sensation as his whiskers fluttered across her chest.
“Take this off.” He didn’t say what but she knew he meant everything she had on.
Before she could act, he dropped his pants and got in the shower. All she could do was stare. The man was perfection. As the warm water trickled down his skin, she unconsciously wiped the imaginary drool from her chin.
Shaking the cobwebs from her brain, she unhooked her bra and dropped her shorts. When she looked up, Dominic stood unmoving. Stephanie carefully stepped into the shower and he stepped behind her. The water felt heavenly but not anywhere as good as the man behind her. He held a bar of soap in his hand and began to move it across her skin. Along her spine, across her breasts, and down her legs.
Steam filled the small room along with the citrus smell of the soap. Stephanie tried to keep her hair from getting wet but it was a losing battle. Over the rush of water, thunder rumbled in the distance. After thoroughly cleansing both their bodies, Dominic rinsed them off with the shower head.
As the water trailed down her legs, Dom twisted her around and took her mouth again. He twisted one hand in her hair as he kissed her deeply. She moaned as he tightened the hold around her waist. Ending the sweet assault on her lips, Dominic gazed down at her with half-closed eyes. “We’d better get out. The storm’s getting closer.”
“What storm?” Stephanie barely noticed it. How could she concentrate on anything other than the intoxicating man holding her close? He turned off the water and held her hand so she wouldn’t slip.
A soft, fluffy towel enveloped her as he dried every drop from her skin.
“I’m clean.” Dominic turned the towel on himself.
“I sure am.” Stephanie blushed.
He laughed. “No, I mean health wise. I’ve never been with anyone without using a condom.”
“Oh, I haven’t either.” It was that awkward safe sex conversation.
“Are you on the pill?” Dom draped the damp towel over a hook.
“Yes, Madison hooked me up with the family’s doctor.” She motioned between the two of them. “We’re good.”
He stepped closer. Close enough that her breasts were pressed up against his broad chest. “Good, because I don’t want anything to ever come between us.”
“I don’t either.” She placed her hand on his heart. It beat strong and just as wildly as hers.
“If we do this, you belong to me.” The Caponelli crew were all the same way. Intense, demanding, and loyal. Roman would give his last drop of blood to protect and keep Madison, and it would be the same with this man.
“I already do.” As much as she fought it, he was under her skin, in her soul. He was dark to her light and together they were complete.
This time his kiss was filled with passion and love. Something that neither of them had had much of in their lives. Something she was eager to make up for. The lights flickered again and Dominic took her hand and led her to the bed. He was being gentle with her, she could tell. Probably calmer than he wanted to be, and it warmed her heart even more.
As she settled into the center of the bed, the onslaught of light kisses continued. The whisker rubs along her neck drove her crazy. His hair trailing along her skin as he went. When his lips touched her hip and continue farther, her hips bucked off the sheets. He held her tight as his mouth tormented her where no man had before. Licking, sucking, and creating havoc within her soul. It was too much and over too quickly as the most intense orgasm of her life rippled through her.
Crawling back up her body, he framed her face with his hands. “You’re so beautiful. It makes my heart ache.”
Who would have thought this man could be so tender and sweet? An overwhelming contentment filled her, but that wasn’t to last. His hands moved to her breasts, caressing the globes before lowering his mouth to her nipples. She swallowed as her head moved from side to side on the pillow as he teased the nubs to tight peaks.
Dominic’s hand stimulated the bud between her legs and she was on fire again. He could’ve spent hours tormenting her like this but he’d reached his threshold. Pushing her legs farther apart, he settled between her thighs. Gazing into her eyes, he filled her with one thrust. Her eyes closed as an overwhelming feeling of love filled her heart.
Slowly, they moved as one, but soon he took over, moving harder and faster. Blood rushed in her ears, the muscles in her thighs tightening as she got closer and closer to climax. Their pants and moans were drowned out by the raging rainstorm outside. All that mattered was the two of them. Stephanie screamed when she peaked and Dominic’s grunt of pleasure soon followed. He collapsed before rolling over, taking her with him.
They both breathed hard as he pushed her hair back from her face. So many emotions floated through her mind but the main one was contentment, of finally finding her new home in the world. Resting her hand on his chest, she snuggled in closer. He stroked her hair and dropped those sweet, light kisses to her temple that she craved so much. A rumble of thunder sounded in the distance, later followed by a brief flash of light. It was as if they were the only two people in the world and the cabin was their oasis.
“I think the storm has passed.” Dominic’s voice was raspy and deep.
“What storm?” Stephanie rose on her elbow and touched her fingers to his chin. “I didn’t hear a thing.” He cured her of those nightmares from so long ago and gave her sweet dreams she would always remember.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Dominic
It was the first time he’d ever woken up next to a woman. Even years ago, when he and Angelia dated, they’d never spent the night together. She’d come from a very overprotective family. He’d tried to be the nice guy. Before every date, he’d shown up with flowers. Little good that did. The last time he bought flowers was to lay them at her grave.
Kissing the head of the woman next to him, he erased those thoughts from his mind. From now on the past was dead and buried, just like all those he’d killed, either directly or indirectly. Stephanie snuggled closer and his heart threatened to jump from his chest. She’d agreed to be his. At least he hoped so and that it wasn’t just the heat of the moment. Either way, he was keeping her. He may sound like a kid who brought a stray cat home and was declaring it to his parents but it was true. The woman by his side was where she belonged, now and forever.
“Good morning.” Stephanie peeked up at him through a curtain of soft blonde hair. Her green eyes had never been more beautiful. Even her cheeks were a pretty pink. Her fingers weaved their way across his chest before resting below the whiskers of his beard. He noticed very quickly that she loved to touch the hair on his head and his chin.
“Morning.” Not very romantic words for how he was feeling right now. All he could do was stare at the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. He hugged her closer, as if she might disappear into thin air.
“Morning.” She blushed and nuzzled his neck.
“Hungry?” He sure had worked up an appetite.
“Only for you.”
He kissed her again and she laid her head on his chest. Her long strands of gold hair spread across his chest. He felt like a king. He had everything a man could want in the world. The phone on the bedside table buzzed and reality hit him in the gut. Today was the day.
A quick glance at the screen
told him exactly what he knew it would be. It was a text from Jasper, short and sweet.
The results are in. Roman’s office, 10:00 a.m., and bring the girl.
The girl? When did she become “the girl” and not Stephanie? Did they find out the same story she’d shared with him last night? Or would he be finding out a different story?
“What is it?” She rose on her elbow and flipped her hair over her bare shoulder. His eyes automatically narrowed in on her full breasts. A man would have to be dead below the waist not to.
“It’s nothing.” Dom looked away. His stomach was in knots.
“It’s something.” Her hand forced his gaze back to hers. “What’s wrong?”
“I’ve got to go to a meeting at Roman’s. It’s at ten and you’re coming with me.” He sat up, tossed the sheets aside, and put his feet on the floor, but she wasn’t letting him go. Her arms wrapped around his waist as she rested her head against his back.
“Is this the end?”
Dominic patted her hand and turned her way. “He just wants to talk. Let’s get dressed and get it over with.” The last thing he wanted to do was look her in the eyes. For years, emotions were something others had, but right now fear was all over his face. He couldn’t lose her. Not now, not ever.
Stephanie quietly dressed. She must have sensed something was up but didn’t ask any questions. Not bothering to make breakfast, they stopped at the Genoa Java Shop. They both deserved the good stuff to prep for what might come later.
The drive through town was uneventful. It was peak tourist season but most were either in the shops or out on their boats. In no time at all, they were waved through the gate at the Caponelli compound. He parked his truck in the shade and walked around to open the door for Stephanie. It was the first time he’d noticed how she dressed. In a black skirt and ivory blouse, she looked like she was going for a job interview or was on trial. Her wavy hair was pulled back into a ponytail. Both hands held her coffee cup tightly as she took a sip.
“Don’t worry. Everything will be fine.” He pressed a hand to her lower back and guided her toward the front door.
Arlo opened it before they even started up the steps. “Dominic. Stephanie. Roman is waiting for you in his office.” He gave no inclination of what was to come.
“Is Madison here?” Stephanie stopped in front of the man.
“No, the seamstress called in sick so she had to go into work. Jasper is with her.”
As soon as they stepped inside, Stephanie took hold of his elbow. “That’s not good. Because of me, she had to go to the store. Roman will be pissed.”
“It’s her business. If she didn’t want to run it, she should sell it.”
“But I work there.” She frowned. “At least I used to.”
Her future was unknown and they both knew it.
The doors to Roman’s office were wide open. He sat at his large desk. His focus was divided between the papers in his hand and the computer. When he saw them approach, Roman dropped the papers and stood up. It was morning and he was already dressed in a three-piece suit and tie.
“Thanks for coming.” He motioned for them to take a seat in the two chairs in front of the desk and Arlo closed the door behind them.
Roman sat back in his desk chair and Arlo sat to the side.
“First of all, I don’t like secrets.” He rested his elbows on the desk and addressed Stephanie. “I like to know who I’m dealing with so I know what to expect. Anticipation and knowledge are the keys to staying ahead in the business and to staying alive. Wouldn’t you agree, Miss Barclay?”
Dominic turned to Stephanie. She wiggled in her seat and peeked his way before turning her attention back to his boss.
“That sounds reasonable.”
“And yet you’ve not been forthcoming with us, have you?”
Most men would have been timid under the gaze of the notorious mob boss, yet Stephanie seemed to sit a little taller. “Sometimes you keep things secret to protect the people you care about.”
“And would that include my wife?” His eyebrow lifted as he leaned back and crossed his legs.
“Yes, and everyone in this room.”
Roman reached for the file on his desk and flipped through the papers inside. “We ran your prints.”
“What?” Stephanie stood up. “How? When?” Her fists were at her hips. “You had no right.”
Roman rose and towered over her, even from the other side of the desk. “I have every right to protect my family.”
“Easy.” Dominic reached for her hand and asked her to sit. She did and Roman followed suit.
“Like I said—” Roman started before he was interrupted again.
“How did you get my prints? Was it Madison?” Her eyes teared as Roman nodded in Dom’s direction. Stephanie sighed and looked at the ceiling. “How could you?”
“You wouldn’t tell us anything. I wanted to protect you. I will protect you.”
“So you know who she is?” This time it was Dominic whom Roman addressed the question to.
“Yes, she’s the daughter of a mob boss. She’s just like us. Her father wanted her to marry a monster. A man who deals in trafficking women. You don’t approve of that any more than I do. I know you don’t.” Dominic pleaded her case.
“If only it was that easy.” Roman grabbed the file again. “Are you going to tell him, or am I?”
Stephanie crossed her arms in front of her chest and reached to twirl her hair but it was up in a ponytail.
The office doors flew open. It was Madison. “What the hell is going on here?” She walked to Stephanie’s side. “Are you all right?” A sheepish Jasper followed her in. It was pretty obvious where she found out about the meeting.
“There’s nothing to worry about.” Roman brushed it off.
“Nothing? You have one of my employees and best friends here in your office and don’t bother to tell me?”
“Former employees,” Roman corrected.
Madison crossed her arms and glared at her husband.
Roman took a deep breath. “Jasper, close the doors.”
He did as told and went to stand by Arlo.
“Madison, please take a seat. We were just about to go over the result of Stephanie’s fingerprint analysis.”
She finally took a seat next to the two men. “Analysis? You did this to one of my employees without telling me?”
“An employee that you have been illegally paying all these years,” Roman snapped.
Madison crossed her legs, her foot swinging back and forth.
“Is this what this is all about?” Stephanie asked. “I would have just quit if you needed me to.”
“I can no longer pay you in cash. We could be audited. We’ll get it straightened out.” Madison rose and came over to lay a comforting hand on her friend’s arm. “You just have to get me a social security number and everything will be fine. Won’t it, Roman?” She returned to her seat.
“So back to where we were,” Roman started again. “We ran your prints and came up with a very interesting result. You are not and never were Stephanie Barclay. The fingerprints belong to Anastasia ‘Stassi’ Bravikova. Only heir to one of the biggest Russian crime families on the West Coast.”
“What?” Madison gasped. “That can’t be true.”
Stephanie didn’t look her in the eyes but nodded.
“I don’t understand. You gave me crap from the beginning about getting involved with Roman and all along you have a background just as shady?”
“Because I know what they are capable of. I was running for my life.” She filled them in on what happened and why she’d kept her identity secret for so long. “There’s nothing left but for me to go to the police and tell them what happened.”
“No,” everyone in the room said at once.
“We take care of our own,” Roman added.
“But I’m not part of this family.” Stephanie frowned and Dominic reached for her hand.
“As Dominic’s
woman and my wife’s friend, you are.”
Madison’s mouth dropped open as she turned her attention to the two of them. Slowly, she grinned like a cat and sat back in her chair.
“So what do we do?” Dominic wanted the matter dealt with and to get out of there as soon as possible. He just wanted to take her back home. He’d never heard of the Bravikovas before so it meant nothing to him. The name Stassi fit, but would she still want to be called Stephanie? That was all he’d ever known her as.
“We put out some feelers. See if Maksim is still in business. Is Stassi’s father part of it?” He shrugged while pushing buttons on his computer. “I have my doubts about it since her escape, though hard, seemed too easy. Also, Al Handy is still alive.”
“Thank god.” Stephanie smiled for the first time since they’d arrived.
Arlo’s phone rang and he answered it. “Who’s with him?” Arlo turned to Roman and handed him the phone.
“It’s the guards,” Arlo told them.
“Send them to the house.” Roman ended the call and handed the phone back.
“What’s going on? Who’s here?” Madison asked.
“Ivan Bravikova and Maksim Kozlov.”
Dominic jumped to his feet and pulled a gun from behind his back. She didn’t know he had one but it made sense if he was wearing a long-sleeved shirt over a tee on such a hot day. Arlo and Jasper grabbed him before he could run out of the room. There was no doubt in her mind that he would kill Maksim and her father after what she’d told him.
“Sit down.” Roman came around the desk and stood in front of the door. “That’s an order.”
“How did they know I was here?” Stephanie stood, eyes wide. Madison put her arm around her shoulder. The room spun with the thought of having her go back with those men. “Please don’t make me go. I’ll die first.”
“Like Roman said, settle down. We need to find out why they’re here.” Madison was the voice of reason.
“No one is dying,” Roman announced. “At least no one in this room is.” He took the gun from Dominic’s hand and handed it to Arlo. “Maddy, please take Steph to our bedroom and wait. Jasp and Arlo, bring our guests in here.”
