Rummaging in my dresser, I find an old pair of pajama pants. Domina watches me as I disappear into the bathroom and shut the door. The look in her eyes? She’s numb. It kills me that the fiery, proud woman who kicked me out of her apartment that first night is hidden underneath a shit-ton of pain and fear.
I shuck my pants and toss them into the small hamper. Scars crisscross my legs. Electrical burns, cigarettes, dozens of small—and large—cuts from all manner of knives, and five surgeries on my knee and ankle. What’s under my t-shirt is even worse.
How the hell did I expect to have a relationship with her? She’ll take one look at me and run.
When I emerge from the bathroom, she’s sitting with her back against the headboard and her knees drawn up to her chest. “Come here, baby,” I say and stretch out next to her. “Let me hold you.”
She fits herself to my side, her arm around my waist. “If something happens tomorrow…”
“Shhh.” I press a kiss to the top of her head. “Nothing’s going to happen.”
“You cannot promise that.” The sorrow in her tone cuts deep. Domina sighs, her fingers curling around the hem of my t-shirt. “There will be thousands of people at the rally. If someone is after Manuel…”
I nudge her chin up and brush my lips to hers. “We’ll stop it. I’ll keep you safe, Domina. On my life, I’ll keep you safe.”
For a moment, I think she’s about to argue with me, but then she blinks, and her entire demeanor changes.
“Kiss me.” Her voice is pure sex and desire, making my dick twitch in my boxers.
“Are you sure?”
“Leo…” Her nipples pebble against my chest, the thin fabric of her tank doing nothing to hide her arousal. I’m already at half-mast, and any second now, she’s going to feel it. “I want this.”
Sliding one hand to her ass and the other around the back of her neck, I ease her onto her side. Domina’s lips part, inviting me in, and I don’t hesitate.
She tastes of mint, and I take the kiss deeper. Her fingers rake through my hair, a tiny moan deep in her throat sending blood rushing lower until my boxers can barely contain my hard-on.
She takes more than she gives, and I amherefor this side of her. This bold, willing woman who wants me, despite knowing I’m damaged goods.
A lance of fear cools the fire burning through me. If we go any further, she’ll see…everything.
“Domina…” I’m out of breath when I break off the kiss. Ready to strip her naked so my fantasies can become something real. But I can’t do that if I’m not willing to let herseeme. “We can’t take this back.”
“Do you think I want to?” Her eyes are bright with desire, her nipples so hard, they’re begging for my touch. The sweet scent of her arousal fills the small bedroom. “I have not had many…relationships,” she says, a hint of defiance to her tone. “But I am not so inexperienced as you fear.”
“It’s not that.” Putting a few inches between us, I squeeze my eyes shut and swallow hard. Lights. If I turn off the lights, she won’t have a chance to be repulsed by what she sees. Reaching over, I flick the switch on the bedside lamp. Darkness surrounds us, and I reach for the hem of her tank. “I want to taste you, baby.”
Her body trembles as I lift her shirt. The material tangles at her shoulders, and she wriggles until it slides free. Exploring her body with the tips of my fingers, I find the smooth skin of her shoulder, then trail down her arm until I reach the heavy fullness of her breast. Domina shudders when I skate my thumb over her nipple. “Leo…”
“What is it, baby?” I ask, leaning in to kiss the hard nub. Only once. A tease. A promise of what’s to come. She arches her back, and I chuckle. “More?”
“Yes.” She reaches for my waistband, but I stop her, one hand capturing both of hers.
“Not yet. You come first.” Carefully, I lift her wrists over her head. “No touching until I say.”
Her sharp inhale stops me.
Shit.
“I like to be in control.” Cupping her face, I relish the way she turns into my touch. “If that’s not okay…”
“I am yours, Leo,” she whispers. “I…trust you.”
With a low growl, I kiss her until she’s breathless. “Tell me to stop if anything is too much.”
I feel, rather than see her nod, and trail my lips down the curve of her neck, along her collarbone, and over to her breast. When my teeth close over her pebbled nipple, she makes a sound something between a cry and a whimper. Her legs move restlessly under the sheets. A light dew breaks out over her skin, a hint of salt mixed with a delicious sweetness I might never get enough of.
I replace my mouth with my fingers, pinching lightly so I can lavish attention on her other breast. She’s panting, the occasional Spanish curse escaping her lips.
