I can’t fathom how poorly his so-called best friend and fiance treated him. Dominic isn’t showy or flashy with his feelings; he may be stoic but he’s intentional. He shows how much he cares through his actions. And he deserves the very best kind of love and friendship this world can offer.
“Fuck them,” I murmur.
“Strong words from a relatively tame mouth like yours. But yeah, basically.”
Before I can overthink, I straddle him, wrapping my arms around his neck. My knee nudges Carl’s nose and he hops off the couch with a huff. Startled, Dom looks up at me, his hands hovering over my hips, but not touching me.
“Who said I’m tame?” The words, spoken low and seductive, are out of my mouth before I can process. This isn’t me. I must be having an out-of-body experience. Maybe I fell on the walk and hit my head, and this is all a dream? My fingers twist in the hair on his neck and I suddenly feel a flush of shame. “Shit, I don’t know what the hell I’m doing. I’m sorry.”
Closing my eyes, I move to shift off his lap, but his hands grip my hips tightly, holding me in place. “What did I tell you about saying sorry?” His tone is low, dangerous, and I’m afraid to open my eyes.
“I don’t know what I was thinking,” I admit. “In my mind, it made complete sense to get on top of you. But, now that I’m here… I feel like an idiot. Is this really how I’m following up your story?” Leaning back, I cover my face with my hands.
“Don’t do that,” Dom whispers gruffly, his fingers flexing against my hips. “Open your eyes, Pea. Look at me.” I shake my head. “Please?”
Reluctantly, I lower my hands and slowly open my eyes. I am completely unprepared for the blazing fire of desire in Dominic’s eyes. “There she is.” He breaks into a warm smile and I simply melt.
“I’m so?—”
“Ah-ah.” Dom flexes his fingers again, pinching my fat rolls and I yelp because damn— that tickles.
“Okay, okay!” I can’t help the giggle that erupts, the smile that arrives so naturally on my face. “I’m very much not sorry now!”
Dominic rubs his hands on my sides, keeping a solid hold on me. “Good girl.”
Tilting my head knowingly at him, I ask, “Oh really? And just how many audiobooks have you listened to now, Romeo?”
Smirking, he responds, “You’ve created a monster.”
Shifting my hips in his lap, I can feel how hard he is beneath me and he groans. “Dominic, I… I don’t know how to do this.”
He rests his head against the back of the couch, an expression of pain on his face. “Really? Because it feels like you know exactly how to do this.”
Unable to resist giggling again, I give him a soft smack on his chest. His incredibly firm, toned chest. “I’m serious. I’m not good at being with anyone. It’s not exactly like I have guys lining up to?—”
Dominic acts swiftly, scooping me up into his arms and laying me down on the couch with him above me. I struggle to catch my breath, his gaze is so intense that it causes a lump to form in my throat from all the emotions swirling inside of me.
“Penelope Elizabeth Adams.” His voice cracks with raw emotion. “You were the one I could never shake, no matter how much time passed. Always in the back of my mind. And honestly…I never thought I was good enough for you.” Dom gently caresses my cheek as tears well up in my eyes. “I don’t care about any guys from your past. I just want to be the one for you. The fanfic Draco to your Hermione. Can you give me that chance? Please?”
Words are impossible so I take his face in my hands, pulling him down for a kiss. And that’s when Dominic and I begin our relationship, making out in a desperate, passionate frenzy on my couch in early May.
TEN
may
DOMINIC
Being with Penelope is a dream.One of those floating, free-falling, beautiful kind of dreams that you never want to wake up from. And no, I don’t think I’ve ever described anything this beautiful or amazing in my life. Our days are spent working side-by-side at the store, taking Carl for long walks, and discussing everything from books to politics.
It’s not like we announced that we’re together, but we aren't hiding anything either. Aunt Gloria gives me secretive smiles when I talk about Pen, but she doesn’t pry.
Tonight, Pen joins us for dinner. And, because the Midwest temperatures have been awfully mild this late in the spring, we’re eating al fresco. There’s something so comforting and relaxing, being with Pen in my aunt’s home— a hint of nostalgia for the summers of our childhood and many nights spent out in this yard for barbecues.
“I hope you enjoy homemade pasta,” Aunt Gloria says as she carries a serving bowl of carbonara through the sliding glass door from the kitchen to the patio.
“You actually make your own pasta?” Pen’s eyes light up as she bites her lip in anticipation.Damn, if that doesn’t make my dick twitch. Shifting in my seat, I try not to think about how all Pen and I have done in the few weeks we’ve been together is makeout. I want nothing more than to take things further with her, but I don’t want to scare her off by moving too quickly.
“I sure do, Penny. My mother taught me when I was about your age.” Aunt Gloria gives me a knowing look. “I should probably teach this young man soon.”
