Chapter 18 - Dominic
The sun barely begins to crest over the horizon, casting pale light through the curtains of my bedroom. I’ve been awake for hours, if I ever truly slept at all. My mind refuses to rest, haunted by the events of the night before. Jayden is gone.
His severed finger was a warning, and I knew—I fucking knew—the moment I saw it. But I couldn’t let Isabella find out, not yet. Not when I still don’t know who the rat is.
And not when I know exactly what she’d do with that information.
She’s too reckless. Too brave, even when she’s supposed to be afraid. She doesn’t think twice before throwing herself into danger, and that terrifies me more than anything. I meant to kept my distance from her from the beginning, make it clear that she was a pawn in this war, not a piece I was unwilling to sacrifice.
But it’s too late for that now.
I run a hand over my face as I force myself to sit up. I know what I have to do. I have to push her away before she gets hurt, before she gets caught in the middle of a war that could destroy her.
But before I do…
I need her.
I don’t deserve her—not even for a single moment more—but I’m too selfish to care. I need to feel her one more time, to have her under me, around me, before I do the only thing that might save her.
I push out of bed, my steps muffled as I leave my room and head toward hers. The hallway is quiet, the house still cloaked in the eerie stillness of early morning. The only sound is the faint echo of my own breathing as I turn the handle and slip inside.
She’s there. Sleeping.
The sight of her nearly brings me to my knees.
Her body is sprawled beneath the sheets, the silk of her nightgown pulled up slightly, revealing the smooth curve of her thigh. Her breathing is slow, deep, lips parted slightly as she shifts in sleep. So fucking innocent, even after everything.
She looks so soft like this, so untouched by the world that I would burn down for her.
I should walk away.
But I don’t.
Instead, I move toward her bed, stripping off my shirt as I do. I slip beneath the covers, the warmth of her body drawing me in like gravity. She stirs as I press up against her, my hands sliding down the curve of her waist, my lips finding the tender skin behind her ear.
She makes a soft sound in her sleep, one that sends heat licking down my spine.
Her eyes flutter open, still dazed, still half-dreaming, and fuck, she’s even more beautiful like this—sleepy, warm, her skin glowing in the dim light of dawn.
"Dominic?" Her voice is husky, thick with sleep.
I kiss her.
I swallow her sleepy gasp, my mouth moving over hers in a slow, deep kiss. She tastes like warmth, like temptation, and when she sighs into my mouth, her body pressing instinctively into mine, I know I’m done for.
I move over her, kissing her lips, then her cheek, then down to her neck, letting my breath fan over her skin.
She’s still drowsy, her movements slow as she arches against me.
I groan as I slide between her legs, parting her thighs and pushing up her nightgown. My hands roam over her soft skin, my mouth following, claiming every inch of her.
As the silk of her nightgown gathers at her waist, I finally see her—laid out before me like a fucking masterpiece. She's wearing a delicate black lace bra, the cups barely containing the fullness of her breasts, and matching lace panties that hug her hips. She’s perfection, all soft curves and smooth skin, her breath coming in slow, sleepy waves as I take her in. The dim morning light filters through the curtains, casting golden shadows over her body, highlighting the slight flush creeping up her chest.
I reach behind her, unclasping her bra with practiced ease, letting the lace straps slide down her arms. Her breasts spill free, the peaks already hard, begging for my mouth. Fuck. My cock throbs at the sight of her, so effortlessly beautiful, so mine—even if she doesn’t know it yet. She exhales shakily as I slide her panties down her thighs, exposing every inch of her to me.
Her breath hitches as I lean down, cupping one of her breasts, rolling the stiff peak between my fingers while I take the other into my mouth. I flick my tongue over her nipple, sucking gently before dragging my teeth over it. She gasps, arching into my touch, her fingers threading through my hair, holding me against her. Needy. Perfect. Mine.
Her legs shift beneath me, parting slightly, an invitation she doesn’t even realize she’s giving. I growl low in my throat, my hands sliding down to grip her thighs, pulling them around my waist. She moans softly, wrapping them around me, her hips tilting up as if she’s already begging for more.
And fuck, I plan on giving her exactly that.
She’s mine.
And for this moment, she’ll know it.
I look up at her as I hook my fingers around the thin band of her panties, tugging them down slowly.
"I really want to go down on you," I murmur, my voice husky with want.
She shudders beneath me, her hands threading through my hair, her hips lifting in invitation.
Good girl.
"Fuck," I groan as I brush my fingers over the soft, wet heat between her thighs.
She’s already soaked.
Already ready for me.
I grip her hips, pulling her toward my mouth, and then—I taste her.
Her moan fills the air, breathy and desperate, as I slide my tongue over her slowly, savoring the way she trembles beneath me.
She tastes sweet, intoxicating, mine.
I groan into her, sucking her clit between my lips, flicking my tongue against the sensitive bundle of nerves until she writhes against me.
"Dominic—" Her voice breaks, her hands fisting the sheets.
I pull her closer, my grip firm, refusing to let her run from the pleasure.
I want her helpless.
I want her completely undone.
And fuck, she gives it to me.
Her moans turn higher, sharper, her body tensing beneath my hands. She’s so close.
"Do you want me stop?" I tease her.
She shakes her head frantically, panting, her nails digging into my shoulders.
"No," she breathes, her body tightening, coiling. "No, Dominic—don’t stop—"
I growl, my tongue moving faster, harder, until—
She shatters.
Her release slams into her, her body convulsing as she cries out, her pleasure spilling over my tongue.
I don’t stop.
I lap up every drop, my hands gripping her thighs, forcing her to take it as the aftershocks roll through her.
She’s trembling, gasping, completely wrecked.
And I’m not done.
I move back up her body, catching her lips in a bruising kiss, letting her taste herself on my tongue.
She’s still panting, her body boneless beneath me, but I can feel the hunger building again.
I reach between us, roughly unbuckling my belt and throwing it aside. I unzip my pants, freeing my cock.
She moans against my mouth, her hips rolling up to meet me, her body already craving more.
I guide myself to her entrance, teasing her, letting her feel the head of my cock rubbing against her slick folds. She holds my cock in her soft hands and guides it towards her entrance.
Her nails sink into my back, her legs wrapping around my waist.
"I want you… inside me," she whispers, her voice shaky with need.
I groan, my control snapping, and thrust deep inside her, making her arch.
She gasps, her head tipping back, her lips parting as I fill her completely.
Her walls grip me tight, hot, perfect.
I hold her there, savoring the way she feels around me, like she was fucking made for me.
Then—I start to move.
Slow, deep thrusts at first, my hands gripping her hips, holding her still as I claim her.
She moans, her fingers digging into my skin, her breath coming in short, desperate gasps.
"You’re mine," I growl into her ear, my pace quickening.
Her only response is a broken whimper, her body tightening around me, pulling me deeper.
I fuck her harder, deeper, my name spilling from her lips.
My hands grip her hips tighter, my fingers digging into her soft skin as I thrust deeper. Her moans turn into gasps, her nails scraping down my back, her body tightening around me like a vice.
"You’re mine," I growl into her ear, my pace quickening.
Her only response is a broken whimper, her breath coming in short, desperate bursts. Her back arches as I drive into her, her legs wrapping around me, pulling me deeper, demanding more.
I can’t hold back. I don’t want to.
I reach down, gripping her thigh, spreading her wider for me, grinding my hips against hers with every deep, punishing thrust. She’s soaking me, her arousal slick against my cock, her body trembling beneath me.
And then, a wicked thought grips me. I want more. I want to see all of her.
Without warning, I slide out of her and flip her onto her stomach. She gasps, caught off guard, but when I press my palm against the curve of her back, guiding her up onto her hands and knees, she shudders, her breath shaky with anticipation.
“Dominic—” she starts, but her voice cuts off into a moan when I drag my cock over her wetness, teasing her entrance.
“Stay like this for me,” I murmur darkly, my hands skimming up her spine before gripping her hips firmly, pulling her back against me.
She’s so fucking beautiful like this—her back arched, her ass pushed up, her slick heat spread open for me. I run a hand down the curve of her ass, squeezing, before positioning myself at her entrance again.
And then—I slam into her.
She cries out, her fingers clenching against the sheets, her body rocking forward with the force of my thrust. I don’t give her time to recover—I grip her waist and set a brutal pace, fucking her deep and hard, watching the way her body takes me.
"Fuck," I groan, my hands spreading over her hips, keeping her in place as I pound into her.
She moans, her head dropping forward, her back arching deeper as she meets my thrusts.
"Look at you," I rasp, my fingers trailing up her spine before fisting into her hair, tugging her head back just enough so she hears me. "Taking me so fucking well."
She whimpers, her walls squeezing around me, her body desperate for release.
I reach around, slipping my hand between her legs, finding her clit, circling it with slow, teasing strokes.
"Dominic," she gasps, her voice breaking, her body trembling beneath me.
"Come for me," I order, my voice rough as I bury myself inside her. "I want to feel you fucking lose it on my cock."
And she does.
Her entire body shudders, her moan turning into a sharp cry as her orgasm slams into her, her pussy clenching around me so tight I almost fucking lose it right there.
But I don’t stop.
I thrust through it, dragging out every second of her release, chasing my own high as I fuck her harder, deeper, until I feel my own pleasure boiling over.
With a final, punishing thrust, I bury myself deep inside her, groaning her name as I come, spilling inside her, claiming her in the only way I know how.
For a moment, neither of us moves.
The only sounds in the room are our ragged breaths, the quiet murmur of the city outside, the pounding of my heart.
Her breath slows, my body melting into her as the last tremors of pleasure fade. I put my arms around her, holding her close, grounding myself in the warmth of her skin, the way her body fits against me like she was made to be here.
She exhales softly, moving toward me. She presses her face against my neck, her lashes fluttering as sleep pulls at her. I feel the stress in her body ease, the weight of exhaustion overtaking whatever unspoken thoughts linger between us.
For a moment, I let myself indulge in this. In her.
My fingers trail down her spine, slow and intentional, memorizing the curves of her body, the way she breathes when she’s wrapped around me like this—peaceful, trusting. I hate that I have to leave.
But I know I have to.
This isn’t safe.
She shifts slightly, her lips parting as she murmurs incoherent words, but she doesn’t wake. Her breathing evens out, soft and rhythmic, each inhale and exhale like a quiet plea for me to stay.
I don’t move right away.
Instead, I just watch her.
The way the dim glow from the city outside casts soft shadows across her face, the faint rise and fall of her chest, the small crease between her brows as if, even in sleep, she can sense something slipping away.
I reach up, brushing a strand of hair away from her face, tucking it behind her ear. Her skin is warm beneath my fingertips, and for a second, I let them linger.
Then, reluctantly, I pull away.
I slip out of bed carefully, ignoring the ache in my chest, the one I can’t explain. I pull on my clothes without making a sound, my movements slow. When I glance back at her, she’s curled onto her side now, one arm stretched toward where I was just lying.
I swallow hard.
Forcing myself to move, I reach for the blanket and pull it over her, tucking it around her frame, shielding her from the icy air that seeps through the room.
I stand there for a second longer than necessary.
Then I turn.
With one last look at her sleeping form, I step out of the room, shutting the door behind me with quiet finality.
And just like that, I leave.
Even though every part of me wants to stay, I know I can’t.
I tell myself it’s for her sake—that Isabella deserves more than this, more than me. More than a man who only knows how to take, to destroy, to consume.
But deep down, I know the truth.
I can’t let her be my weakness.
Not when enemies are circling, not when blood has already been spilled, and certainly not when the war I’ve been fighting my whole life is closing in around me. If I let myself hold on to her, if I let myself believe even for a second that I can have this—that I can have her—then I’ll doom us both.
She’s done what she needed to do. She painted the damn painting.
Tomorrow, I’ll transfer the money to her account, and then... this ends.
She can go back to her life, untouched by the violence that stains mine. She can move on, live in peace, find someone who can offer her a real life.
And I’ll do what I do best.
Forget.
Pretend she was just another moment of distraction, a temporary indulgence. Another name in a long list of things I can’t afford to keep.
I let out a quiet exhale, rubbing a hand over my face as I step away from her bed, away from the only softness I’ve felt in years.
Because that’s all this was, wasn’t it? A fleeting moment. A temporary escape.
And I?
I have no place in a world where love exists.
I never have.