I smiled, appreciating Dominic's effort to lighten the mood. Despite all our interactions, the ‘accidental’ meetings, and his undeniable charm, I had been standoffish, even hostile. My mind flashed back to the last angry words I hurled at him. Had I actually said I’d kill him? What the fuck was I thinking?
“You going to stare at that screw all day or actually drill it?” Lucas’s voice, tinged with a hint of impatience, snapped me back to the present.
“Oh, yeah. Sorry,” I muttered, quickly refocusing on securing the plywood.
Dominic, never one to miss an opportunity, leaned in closer to Lucas. “You’re quite good at this, Lucas—very good with your hands. I wonder how good they’d be at other tasks,” he mused, his voice dropping to a suggestive whisper.
The comment hung in the air, charged and provocative. I found myself smiling, surprisingly free of the jealousy that had gnawed at me when Jeremy flirted with Lucas or that annoying twink was all over Dominic. The lack of that familiar twinge was startling yet liberating.
“You okay there, kitty?” Dominic’s voice broke through my thoughts.
I jerked my gaze to him, realizing I had growled, not out of jealousy, but out of frustration from earlier encounters. Lucas and Dominic both stared at me, confusion marring their expressions.
“Um, sorry. Just was thinking about something,” I managed, embarrassed.
“We have more windows to do. Do you think you can control yourself a little longer?” Lucas asked, his voice carrying a mix of jest and seriousness.
“Yeah, it… No. I need to tell you. Both of you, I’m sorry. Please. I know I have a lot to explain, and you want to wait to finish this, but please, let me say I’m sorry. I have to apologize.” I couldn’t stop the words. I needed to clear the air.
Lucas swallowed and glanced at Dominic, who appeared to be weighing my words. Turning back to me, Lucas responded, “Apology accepted. But we need—and will talk—after we get the work done.”
“I accept your apology, too,” Dominic added with a wink. “And I agree with everything the fuzzy bunny just said.”
Lucas rolled his eyes, and I couldn’t help but grin. “That works for me.”
Thunder rolled in the distance again, reminding us of the urgency. Lucas nodded. “Okay, let’s get this done.”
The tension seemed to dissolve as my apology was accepted, replaced by a lighter, almost playful atmosphere as we resumed our storm preparations. Dominic’s earlier flirtations, rather than stirring jealousy, now sparked a curious anticipation within me. I watched him and Lucas interact, their exchanges dotted with laughter and teasing glances that made the air around us feel charged.
Dominic, ever the provocateur, suddenly tugged at the hem of his shirt. “Is it just me or is it getting hotter out here?” he quipped, pulling the shirt over his head in a smooth motion that left his toned torso bare. The muscles of his chest and abs were perfectly defined, his skin glistening slightly with sweat from the labor and the humid air.
I couldn’t help but pause, my eyes tracing the contours of his body. The sight sent a warm thrill through me, and I grinned appreciatively. “Yeah, definitely hotter,” I agreed, feeling a flush of heat that had nothing to do with the weather.
Lucas laughed, shaking his head at us both. “You two are something else,” he said, though his eyes lingered on Dominic a moment longer than necessary before he turned his attention back to the window we were boarding up.
Dominic winked at Lucas, then at me, his demeanor playful yet seductive. “Just trying to keep things interesting,” he said, walking over to where Lucas was measuring another piece of plywood. He leaned close, ostensibly to help, but his proximity was clearly more about continuing their flirtation. “Need a hand with that, or maybe a few more suggestions on how to use your hands?”
Lucas flushed, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth despite his attempt to appear focused on the task. “I think I’ve got it, but I’ll let you know.”
The easy banter continued, and I joined in, the earlier awkwardness fading away. The dynamic between us was evolving, becoming something new and unexpectedly exciting. Each laugh and shared look built something, a connection that felt both wild and strangely right.
As we secured the last board, I caught Lucas's eye, and an unspoken acknowledgment of our newly forged bond flickered between us.
“We did it,” Dominic announced, stepping back to survey our work.
Just then, the skies darkened ominously, and lightning sliced through the clouds. Simultaneously, our phones beeped with urgent alerts.
Lucas grabbed his phone, his expression turning serious. “We need to take cover now. There’s a tornado on the ground.”
Fuck. Just when I thought we might catch a break, the storm had other ideas.
Hunkering Down
Dominic
SteppinginsideLucas'sbeachbungalow, I was immediately struck by its cozy charm. The living room unfolded with a welcoming embrace, filled with furniture that promised comfort at first sight. Each piece, from the overstuffed sofa to the inviting armchairs, seemed to beckon for a moment of relaxation. The walls were adorned with beach motifs—framed photos of sunsets over the ocean, shells arranged in artistic patterns, and paintings of serene seascapes. It was clear Lucas had created a sanctuary here, a perfect reflection of the calm yet vibrant spirit of Crystal Cove.
I paused for a moment, taking it all in. The storm outside might rage, but inside, the atmosphere was calm and oddly reassuring. This was Lucas's world, a stark contrast to the chaos that often followed me like a shadow. As I wandered through the small, open-plan space, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy. Here was a place shaped by a clear and peaceful vision, so different from the ever-shifting sands of my own life.
