10. Day Five
CHAPTER 10
Day Five
SEA DAY
KATIE
Why does it feel like a million birds are pecking at my brain?
That’s the first thought that filters through my head when I wake up.
I crack my eyes open and realize I’m staring at a very nice chest. One that I can only hope belongs to Dominic. Otherwise, I’m in big trouble.
Moving my head slowly, I look up and find Dominic still sound asleep. Glancing at the balcony door, I can see the sun shining which means he’s slept in.
That’s not like him.
He has been waking up before the sun to work out every day on this trip.
I don’t move for a moment, trying to remember what happened last night. Rubbing my leg against his, I realize I’m not wearing pants.
I lift the blanket slowly, frowning when I realize I’m in a T-shirt I assume belongs to Dominic and no pants. I am wearing panties though. The same ones I put on last night.
I let out a breath of relief. Not that I would have minded having sex with Dominic, but I would have been embarrassed if I didn’t even remember it.
After a moment, I try to slip out of bed, but Dominic’s arm is wrapped around my shoulder, keeping me pinned to him.
When I try again, he tightens his hold. After a moment, his eyes pop open.
He looks down at me and smiles. “Good morning, baby doll.”
The nickname that used to annoy me has grown on me. Now whenever he says it, it makes me want to smile.
His baby doll.
I wouldn’t mind being that.
“Morning,” I whisper.
“How are you feeling? You should probably take some medicine and drink some water.”
“Yeah. Probably. Um, how did I get in your shirt?”
“You don’t remember?” His eyebrows raise.
I shake my head, but then wince.
Dominic moves slowly, sliding out from beneath me to climb out of bed. When he comes back with some pills and hands me a bottle of water, I smile gratefully. After taking them, I sit up slowly.
“You were pretty drunk. I asked if you wanted to change and you kind of stripped. I averted my eyes for your privacy, but then got you one of my shirts so you could sleep.”
“Then you climbed into bed with me?”
He shakes his head. “You asked me to stay. I knew I shouldn’t, but I was worried you might need me in the middle of the night and if I was on the couch, I wouldn’t have woken as easily.”
“Did I need you?”
He considers me a moment. “You may have ended up in the bathroom for a bit.”
I try to think back to last night. Bits and pieces come back to me. I remember crying at some point. I bet my face is a mess. Then I remember being in the bathroom with Dominic holding my hair back.
I groan. “I’m so embarrassed. Why didn’t you leave me?”
He moves closer, sitting next to me before cupping my cheek. “What kind of man would I be if I let you suffer on the bathroom floor by yourself? You might have needed me. There was no way in hell I would leave you alone.”
“That’s really sweet, but I am mortified.”
“You shouldn’t be. It happens. Nothing to be embarrassed of. How about you go take a shower and freshen up while I head upstairs and get you one of those fancy coffees you like from the café? Maybe even a croissant if you can handle it.”
I consider my stomach. I still feel like dog shit, but I might be able to handle it. I shrug.
He smiles before kissing my forehead. “I’ll be back.”
After he leaves, I make my way to the bathroom. After taking care of business, I start the shower before looking in the mirror.
I expect to find my face a mess of black, but instead, I find some left over eyeliner under my eye, but the rest of my face looks clean.
I try to remember the night before. I vaguely remember Dominic having a cool washcloth. Did he clean my face?
He must have.
My heart warms at the thought of him taking such good care of me. He didn’t have to, yet he did.
Barrett never did that. I remember when I got food poisoning a couple months ago. Barrett refused to even come visit me. He said he couldn’t stand the stench of vomit.
Yet Dominic sat in here with me the entire time last night.
You’re falling for him.
Stepping into the shower, I try to forget about that nagging thought. I know I’m feeling more for Dominic than I want to.
I take my time in the shower, letting the warm water ease my muscles. Once I’m bathed, I step out and dry off. I realize I didn’t bring any clothes in with me, so I slip Dominic’s T-shirt back on.
When I step back into the room, he’s there, sitting on the couch watching television.
“Do you feel better?” he asks, giving me his full attention.
“Yes. Thank you.”
Moving to my bag, I try to hold the back of the shirt down as I bend to find clothes. I decided against putting on my underwear since they were dirty.
It only takes me a minute to find a pair of sleep shorts. I pull them on quickly, noting that Dominic has turned his attention back to the television. Whether it’s because he’s not interested or trying to respect me, I’m unsure.
When I move to the side of the bed to sit down, I smile as I see the coffee I like. Picking it up, I take a sip.
“This is perfect. Thank you.”
“The croissant is in the bag. I’m going to take a shower, but then after, do you want to rest some more or find something to do?”
“Can I decide when you get done?”
“Of course.”
He moves toward me, pressing a kiss to my cheek. Whatever happened last night, he seems to be being more affectionate with me while we are in private. I think I like it.
“I like how you look in my shirt,” he whispers, making my body shiver.
He steps back with a smile before grabbing some clothes before locking himself in the bathroom. As I hear the shower start, I reach out to grab the croissant to nibble on.
Yesterday after talking to my sister, I kept my distance from Dominic. I wanted to take time to get a handle on my thoughts.
At some point after we started drinking, Nessa and I talked again. This time, I wasn’t as hesitant. I think at that point I knew I wanted him for however long I could get him.
Then he showed up. I remember him grinding behind me. I remember the way he took that tequila shot while licking my body.
I was desperate for him.
What I don’t remember is when I crossed that line from tipsy to drunk. I don’t even really remember coming back to the room. I get flashes of last night once we got back, but it’s not a clear picture.
What I do know is that he could have taken advantage of me. Barrett would have. There’s been many times I think Barrett was trying to get me drunk so he could do things I wouldn’t agree to sober.
Not Dominic. He helped me change and put me to bed.
He’s perfect.
So why am I still nervous to tell him I don’t want this to be fake anymore?
I’m still lost in my thoughts when Dominic reappears. He’s freshly showered, wearing a pair of board shorts and nothing else. The way the shorts are hung low on his hips should be illegal. My eyes take in his strong chest and chiseled abs. I felt bad he missed his workout this morning, but damn, the man looks like he hasn’t missed one in years.
“You have a little drool slipping out.” His tone is filled with amusement.
I snap my mouth shut, wiping my mouth, finding nothing. I shoot him a glare.
He holds his hands up. “Hey, you can objectify me as much as you want. I don’t mind your eyes on my body.”
As if to accentuate his statement, he rubs his hand down his chest.
I shake my head, getting up to find something to distract myself with.
“What are we doing today?” I ask him, keeping my back to him.
“Whatever you want. Do you want to hang by the pool? They have some trivia events in a little bit. I’m sure we can find something to do.”
I sigh. “The sun doesn’t sound like a great idea right now. Maybe the trivia? What kind of trivia is it?”
He smiles, pulling out his phone. After a moment, he clears his throat. “We have general knowledge, nineties music, cartoons, pop culture, then after a short break they are back with eighties name that tune, and ends with pet trivia.”
“Oh. Hell yes. I think I can probably win at least three of those.” I turn to face him, holding a pair of shorts and a tank top in my hands.
He smiles warmly at me. “Well then get dressed. We have about twenty minutes to get to the first one.”
I hurry by him, not missing the way he doesn’t move so I have to brush against him. The tingles in my stomach start up again.
I dress quickly, deciding to fold his T-shirt instead of throwing it with my dirty clothes. I think I might want to wear it to bed again. He may never get it back.
When I step out, I set the T-shirt on top of my bag, putting my dirty clothes in the separate trash bag I brought for them.
“Let me guess, you want to keep my shirt?” Dominic asks.
I shrug. “I figured I could sleep in it again tonight. Didn’t you say you liked the way I looked in it?”
Heat flashes in his eyes. “You can wear every single one of my shirts if you wanted. Who needs shirts anyway?”
I shake my head, laughing. “Let’s go, Casanova, before you decide pants are optional too.”
He only grins wider, grabbing a shirt from his bag to throw on. He also grabs a couple bottles of water and shoves the ibuprofen into his pocket.
Once outside the room, his hand easily finds mine.
For a moment, I think about this being real.
That Dominic is mine.
When I look up at him, he turns and smiles at me.
I’m so fucked.
DOMINIC
I was not prepared for Katie and trivia. I thought this would be a fun little activity, but she’s very competitive. We barely lost round one and even though the prize is some cheap little trophy, Katie is determined that we will win nineties music.
So much so that she keeps sending dirty looks to the table next to us, who had won the general knowledge trivia.
As the next song plays for three seconds, I look to Katie, who is already writing her answer down.
While I helped with the first one, this one she doesn’t seem to need any help with. Still, I smile at the little furrow in her brow.
She’s adorable.
My heart swells as my hand absently twirls her hair. She doesn’t seem to notice, but I can’t help but touch her.
I don’t know if she let me hold her hand earlier for show or if she’s starting to feel this connection I know we have. I should just ask her, but if it’s only for show, I’m not sure I’d be able to take the rejection.
Especially sharing a room with the vixen. She said she had wanted to fuck me since we met last night when she was drunk, but fucking and having real feelings are two different things.
Trust me, I know. The number of times I thought I was building a real relationship only to find out the girl only wanted a ride on my dick or found out I owned a successful security company exceeds more than anyone should ever have to deal with.
Still, Katie is different. I’m not sure if she really knows what I do for a living, but even if she did, I don’t think it would matter. She hates being pampered. Even letting me pay for as much as I have, she has complained about it. I also didn’t miss the hundred-dollar bill that found its way into my wallet. She’ll find it stuffed in the cup of one of her bras.
Still, watching the way she is determined to win this now only makes me want her more.
I think I’m falling in love with her.
I’ve always been attracted to her, and I knew if she’d give me a chance, I’d like her, but I never imagined this.
She’s more than I expected.
“Ha. I bet I got them all and even the extra points.” Her melodic voice brings me out of my thoughts.
“I’m sure you did, baby doll.”
She gives me a shy smile, turning back to the announcer. I noticed she no longer glares or complains about my nickname for her. I think she might like it now.
Or am I projecting my feelings onto her?
This situation is messed up.
As they replay the songs and call out the names, I can’t help but smile at Katie. She sings and dances along with each one. She’s even the loudest calling out the answers.
Once we get to the end and add up the points, there are several teams who are tied, having gotten them all right.
“Okay. I need each team to send up one person. Choose wisely,” the announcer says.
Katie turns to me, her eyes wide. “You have to go, Dom.”
“What? You got the answers correct. What if I get it wrong?” I shake my head.
“I have a fear of being in front of a room of people. I can’t go. I have to have faith in you.”
“What? Seriously?”
“Please?” It’s the pleading in her eyes that does me in.
I stand, making my way to the front of the room. I cast a look back at her, smiling when she gives me two thumbs up.
Fuck. I hope it’s a song I actually know.
The thought of disappointing her doesn’t sit well with me.
After a few more seconds pass, the announcer comes out to stand in front of us.
“Normally, I would have another song to play, but today we are going to do things a bit different. It seems we have five teams up here. Each one sent up their male team member. So for our entertainment, we are going to have a dance-off.”
A what?
I glare at Katie, who is covering her mouth with her hand. The humor in her eyes is hard to miss.
“Now, the audience will be our deciding factor. So we are going to call this ‘Twerk It.’ I’ll call you up one by one and when we are done, a winner will be crowned.”
I shake my head, glaring at Katie, but I know I’m going to do whatever I can to win this for her. She wants that stupid piece of junk trophy? She’s going to get it.
I watch as the first man goes. He looks embarrassed and awkward. I don’t blame him.
When the second man, who happens to be part of the team Katie has been glaring at, goes, he gives it a bit more, looking like he is actually trying.
Then it’s my turn.
The music is thumping as I squat with my hands on my knees, shaking my ass. I take it one step further though. Not only do I shake my ass, but then I drop to the floor, doing my best version of a stripper, grinding on the ground as I shake my ass.
It’s ridiculous.
I feel like a complete idiot.
Yet, when I jump back up once the song stops and look to Katie, the joy on her face makes it all worth it.
The last two men go and then it’s time for judging.
I don’t expect too much, but when they get to my name, the entire place goes wild.
Katie is standing, clapping and hooting for me.
In the end, I win. The announcer gives me my trophy, which I walk straight to my girl.
“For you, my liege,” I say, holding out the trophy.
She smiles, bypassing the trophy to jump into my arms. “You were amazing. Thank you so much. That meant the world to me.”
Then she presses her lips to mine. I don’t hesitate, kissing her back as fiercely as she is kissing me.
The announcer starts talking again, introducing the next round, so I reluctantly pull back.
“Want to try for a second one? I’m not shaking my ass again though.”
She smiles. “That’s okay. If it comes down to it, we can let it go. We already have one trophy. No need to get greedy.”
I help her settle back into her seat before taking the chair next to her once again.
This time, the smile never leaves my face.
This girl has done a number on me.
Never would I have ever gotten up there and done something like that before her.
Yet when I’m with her, I find myself being willing to do just about anything to make her smile. Even if it’s something I know I’ll hate.
I’m truly and utterly fucked.