“Stop, Dom.” He squeezes my fingers tightly before letting go. He doesn’t turn to face me, but runs a hand through his hair. I can tell from his taut muscles and tense movements that he’s angry. “It’s okay?—”
“No!” Dom spins to face me, fury in his gaze. “It’s not fucking okay, Penelope!”
His body shakes with anger and I’m struck by the thought that Dom might be more hurt by what just happened than I am. The empathy alone lodges a lump in my throat. I place my hands out to him, palms up. “Take a deep breath and take my hands.”
Dom glares at me as if he’s searching for an ulterior motive. I motion with my hands again and he sighs, reluctantly placing his hands in mine. “I’m a big girl, Dom.” He opens his mouth to deny it, but I cut him off. “No, I am. Literally and figuratively.” I squeeze his hands tight and look him in the eye. “It’s a fact I’ve been painfully aware of most of my life. And I’m okay with what happened tonight. No, I really am. If this had happened last summer, I might be a mess, but I’m not. Ask me why.”
He slides his hands up to my wrists and tugs me forward, placing my hands on his chest and leaning down to press his forehead to mine. I can feel his reckless heart pounding beneath my hands– it matches the wild beat of mine.
“Why?” Dom whispers reluctantly.
“Because now I have you. The way you see me… it’s changed the way I see myself.” Emotions catch in my throat but I have to say this. “You make me feel like the main character, Dom. I’ve never felt special like this, not until you showed me it was possible.”
“Pea.” My pet name is a gruff plea as he cups my face in his hands and presses his lips to mine.
Fisting his shirt in my hands, it takes a few moments before we part, breathless. “Take me home, Dom.”
The rest of the walk home is a blur– I only know the strength of Dom’s hand in mine and the hurried pace of our footsteps. When we make it to my house, I fumble with the key before pushing through the front door. Carl hardly greets me from his spot on the couch, just the standard tail thump to indicate he’s happy I’m home. I turn to Dom as soon as he follows me in, ready for him to take me in his arms again, but, to my confusion, he walks past me.
“Um…”
Dom walks to the couch and leans down, whispering something in Carl’s ear. Carl’s tail thumps harder as he jumps down from the couch, doing a big stretch before trotting down the hall. Dom returns to me, pressing a chaste kiss on my lips before murmuring, “Get this pretty ass in your bedroom. I’ll feed Carl and let him out. Give me ten minutes.”
He smacks my ass before heading down the hall after Carl. Okay, my heart is officially a puddle on the floor. How is this man so good?
Snapping out of my moment, I hustle to my bedroom. It’s not messy, per se, but I certainly wasn’t prepared to host an adult sleepover tonight. My focus is shoving the clothes on my floor into my closet and ensuring none of my toys have been left out. Once the clutter is clear, I head to the bathroom to take stock of, well, me.
My hair is a frizzy mess from being out in the humid evening air, so I throw it up into a ponytail. I take a few body wipes and run them along my arms, pits, neck, and boobs— I don’t stink, but I’ve definitely been sweating. Aw hell, might as well take the bra off now since it smells like humid summer sweat. But now my skin is damp from the wipes, so I lift my arms, flapping my hands frantically trying to get my skin to air dry. Finally I brush my teeth, desperate to have a few layers of freshness between my body and my mouth for Dom.
I don’t linger in front of the mirror— if I did, I would probably spend another hour and still not feel ready enough for what’s about to happen with Dom. Taking a deep breath, I open the door and step back into my bedroom. Whatever I was expecting, I was not prepared to see Dom on my bed, wearing only a pair of black boxer briefs.
There just doesn’t seem like there’s enough room on my bed, his broad shoulders, lean, corded forearms, and those incredibly strong thighs. I've seen some of his tattoos before, but now, without his shirt, I can see the right sleeve extends up his shoulder and across his chest. The most striking one is an elaborate dragon soaring with one wing outstretched. Dom is so damn gorgeous, I physically ache for him– and not just my core.
Dominic Miller’s hazel eyes spark as he gazes at me, crooking his finger to gesture me closer. “Come here, Pea. I’ve waited long enough.”
TWELVE
june
DOMINIC
The incidentat the festival left me seething with anger. Even though Pen insisted it didn't bother her and claimed that I somehow influenced her self-perception, I was on the verge of losing it. Fortunately, I use Carl as an excuse to step away and calm down. As Pen retreats to her room, I take care of Carl, feeding him and letting him out in the yard for a bit.
After bringing Carl back inside, I make my way to Pen's room, gently knocking before entering. The room is empty, and assuming she’s in the bathroom, I sit on the edge of her bed to wait.
I only last fifteen seconds before standing up and shedding most of my clothes. Though my earlier anger has subsided, a powerful desire has taken its place. I’m more than ready to worship Penelope— my Pea— the way she fucking deserves.
When she finally emerges from the bathroom, I’m almost disappointed to see she’s still wearing that soft, flouncy peach dress. I extend my hand, motioning for her to come closer. "Come here, Pea. I've waited long enough."
Truthfully, I’m not certain if I'm talking about tonight— being around her in that dress that accentuates the enticing curves of her tits, hips, and ass has been torturous— or if I mean the fifteen years we've been apart since we were kids. It really doesn’t matter, because Pen steps forward and places her hand in mine.
Pen’s just the right height to be level with my face while she’s standing and I’m sitting. She places her free hand on my shoulder tentatively, brushing against my ink-adorned muscles.
"This is beautiful," she whispers, gently tracing the dragon tattoo spread across my shoulder and chest.
Though she doesn't ask, I explain, "It's about embracing the fire. Not letting the flames destroy me.”
Penelope starts to speak, but I gently hold her face and draw her nearer. I crave the comfort of her lips on mine, the way she grounds my shattered, fragmented self, both physically and emotionally. What begins as a soft, sweet kiss quickly turns into a passionate clash of lips, tongues, and teeth. Her soft moan vibrates against my mouth, and in that moment the depth of my longing for her crashes over me like a tidal wave; I realize just how desperately I need this woman in my life.
