Page 92 of Bound in Ruin

"Because I just wanted you to have fun tonight," I say honestly, shifting the giant tub of popcorn to one arm. "And I noticed you weren't really enjoying yourself up there."

A flash of guilt crosses her face. "Dominic, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you feel like⁠—"

Before she can spin out into an apology, I lean down and press a quick, hard kiss to her lips, cutting her off completely.

"Don't apologize," I whisper against her mouth, pulling back just enough to look into her eyes. "It's my job to make you happy. Now let's go."

We spend the next ninety minutes sitting in the dark, crammed into plush cinema seats. She leans her head against my shoulder, her hand buried in mine as we share the popcorn. To my complete surprise, the rom-com playing on the screen isn't even that terrible—or maybe it's just the fact that every time the main character says something absurd, Rosalia giggles, her laughter vibrating straight into my chest.

When the credits roll and we head back out, she wraps both arms around my elbow, looking up at me like I just hung the moon.

"This was the best night ever," she sighs softly, resting her cheek against my arm as we reach the car.

I unlock the doors and glance down at her with a smirk. "It's not over yet."

She blinks, stopping in her tracks. "What?"

I just open her door for her. "Get in."

I pull out and drive us straight toward a local fast-food spot a few blocks away. I pull up to the drive-through speaker, turn to her, and ask, "What do you want?"

She gives me her order with a laugh, still looking at me like I've completely lost my mind, and I order it all without batting an eye.

"Where are we going now, Dominic?" she asks, leaning over the center console as I grab the warm brown paper bags from the window.

"You'll see," I repeat for the third time tonight.

Not much later, the scent of saltwater hits the air, and the sound of crashing waves echoes through the open windows. I turn off to the dirt path leading to the beach—completely secluded, bathed in moonlight, and entirely empty.

The second she realizes where we are, she squeals again, kicking off her heels before the car even comes to a complete stop.

I park the car right near the edge of the sand, kill the engine, and lean back against the leather seat, watching her practically bounce out of the car.

I am so fucking proud of myself right now. Well... thanks, Eleonora.

She races down to the shoreline, her bare feet sinking into the cool sand, before turning around and running back to the car.

She grabs the lapels of my jacket, and kisses me hard—a deep, laughing, breathless kiss that leaves my head spinning. We climb up onto the wide hood of the vehicle, popping open the greasy takeout bags between us.

The ocean breeze is cool, carry the heavy salt scent of the tide, but with her sitting flush against my side, sharing a greasy box of fries in the dark, I don't feel the chill at all.

“Dominic, this is a real date. I love it.”

To my horror, I feel my face heat. “I just wanted us to get to know each other more.”

"Okay," Rosalia says, wiping a stray drop of ketchup off her thumb with a napkin. "Since we're doing this whole getting to know each other thing properly... what was your absolute worst first date?"

I snort, leaning back on one elbow against the windshield. "Bold of you to assume I went on traditional dates before you."

She nudges my ribs with her elbow. "Don't dodge the question, Kane. Everyone has a terrible date story."

“I never did. I’ve never taken a girl out.”

She gapes at me. “I’m your first?”

“Very much so.” I shift uncomfortably.

Rosalia throws her head back, her melodic laugh ringing out over the sound of the crashing waves.