Chapter 22
you remember the rule?
MIA
October
The scent of roasted coffee beans and caramel lingers in the air as I step out of the café, the warmth of my cup seeping into me. Chiara catches up, her shoulder brushing mine.
Jeff and Tessa are waiting for us on campus, where we plan to hang out before tonight’s bonfire.
If only I could dig deep and come up with an ounce of excitement.
I’m being a shitty friend, but my mind is too caught up on Dominic.
Not only on the text from Remi, but the moment we shared three nights ago.
For three days, I’ve only seen him in passing—and in my dreams.
And in those dreams? Fuck, I’ve never had sexual fantasies like this. It’s new and exciting, but I’m also desperate.
I’m desperate for him, for a moment alone.
I had no idea it would be this hard to spend time together while keeping our relationship a secret.
These days, I’m constantly busy with classes and he’s busy at the shop.
And when we’re home, we’re surrounded by family, and we’re so exhausted, it’s impossible to wait them out and spend time together after everyone is in bed.
Hell, most of the time, we crash before our parents do.
I hate it.
And then, there’s Remi. He wasn’t lying about the texts from his uncle, but that late-night text from her made it impossible to trust his words.
Chiara elbows me, bringing me back to our conversation about the bonfire.
“Last year, the DJ was awful. If it’s him again, I’m leaving.” She laughs, tossing her curly hair over her shoulder.
“That bad?” I ask half-heartedly.
“It was all early two thousands emo.”
I chuckle. “That’s definitely not your type of music.”
There are two routes from the café to campus, but only one of them leads past the shop. Dominic and Miles are working on a secret project, and curiosity is killing me. So, at the next street, I turn left, hoping to see him and get a peek at the project, even if it’s only from the sidewalk.
“Any particular reason we’re taking this way?” Chia loops her arm through mine.
“No.”
She pinches my bicep, and I shake her loose.
“Chiara!” I laugh. Halfway down the street, I squint at her and say, “Did you invite Ashley to the bonfire?” Ashley is a girl from one of her classes I’ve seen her flirting with more than once.
She stumbles a step, blinking. “Wh-what?”
“Ashley. The cute blonde from your math class. She was flirting with you.”
“Um, no.” Her face flames. “Yeah, we were flirting, but I didn’t invite her.”
“Okay.”
I sip my coffee, but it sloshes a little when I trip over a crack in the sidewalk. I’m cursing quietly and dabbing at my chin as we round a corner. My focus is fixed on my fingers when Chiara throws her hand out. She steps in front of me, her eyes pleading.
With a frown, I tip to one side and scan the street. Instantly, my stomach sinks.
Outside the shop, Remi and Dominic are standing close.
Her red curls look incredible against her dark green shirt.
She’s beaming at him as they talk, her body angled in close, her hand running up and down the sleeve of his coveralls.
He stands with his hands in his pockets, his expression controlled. Blank, even.
I bite my bottom lip.
Remi brushes her fingers over his cheek. He doesn’t react, but he doesn’t move either. He doesn’t tell her not to touch him.
A stabbing pain in my chest almost doubles me over. The green-eyed monster rears its ugly head, and I fucking hate that I feel this way.
He told me it was all in the past, that it was over for him, that she was the one who wouldn’t let go. I told him I wouldn’t put up with gray areas between the two of them. I encouraged him to make her listen, to make it clear she should leave him alone.
Yet, she’s here, standing too close, touching his face, flirting and laughing as if they’re still together. He’s letting her believe the lie she’s telling herself…again.
“Mia,” Chiara says in a soft voice. “Don’t go quiet on me. If you want, we can—”
I turn on my heel and head back to the café. Chiara likely has questions, but for now, she walks silently beside me, letting me process what I’ve just seen so I can decide what I want to do about it.
It doesn’t take me long to figure it out.
It’s time to make sure he understands how serious I am.
The bonfire glows in the distance, shadows flickering over the sand. The air is thick with heat, smoke, and salt, the beach crowded with locals and college kids. Chiara, Jeff, and Tessa are with me. We ran into Ezra and three of his friends on the way, so our small group has turned into a crowd.
I’m looking forward to a night out, and hanging out with my friends on campus today was exactly the distraction I needed. I’m still pissed at Dom, and thoughts about him and The Butcher have lingered in the back of my mind all day, but a few drinks and some dancing should help.
As we approach the fire, the unmistakable weight of his eyes lands on me, making my heart thrash in my chest. How fucked up is it that I feel him before I even see him?
“Mia!” Matt calls. He’s sitting on a piece of driftwood, a beer in his hand.
I glance at my friends. “One minute. I gotta go say hi to my brother.”
“Say hi from us too. To both of your brothers,” Jeff razzes.
Tessa rolls her eyes and pushes him gently as they pass me. “Don’t listen to him.”
Chiara walks past me next, one brow arched. I just shake my head. I can handle this myself. My plan is to drive my point home quietly and precisely.
I stop in front of Matt and nod politely at Miles.
He and I have never really spoken, but it’s clear he’s close with my brother.
I eye Dominic next. He’s kicked back, legs spread, wearing a black hoodie, worn-out black jeans, and white sneakers.
Our eyes meet as he brings his beer to his lips, but I look away quickly, fixing my focus on Matt.
“Hey.”
“Hey.” He smiles. “I didn’t know you’d be here.”
I shrug. “My friends wanted to come, so here we are.”
Matt’s eyes are mostly clear, his expression earnest. “If you need a ride home, let me know.”
“Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.” I turn to leave.
“And don’t drink.”
I whip around, glaring at him.
Miles puts his hand on Matt’s shoulder. “Dude. She’s eighteen. Let her have fun. We’re here; we can keep an eye on her.”
Matt glowers at his friend, but his shoulders sag as he looks at me again. “Find me if you need anything.”
“Thanks, Matt.” I nod and then grin at Miles, ignoring the weight of Dominic’s silent attention. “And thank you, my knight in shining armor.”
Miles laughs wholeheartedly. “I’m far from knightly, but I’m at your service anytime.”
Eager to avoid any more of Dominic’s scrutiny, I walk away, heading straight to where my friends sit on another driftwood log.
Beer bottle in hand, I listen to Ezra go on about which Halloween costume he’s going to wear.
Beside me, Chiara laughs at his ridiculous choices—he’s set on either a cowboy or an astronaut—and loses her balance.
She clutches my shoulder as she tilts to one side, and for a second, I’m sure she’ll take me down with her.
I instinctively grip Ezra’s knee, and he grabs my wrist and pulls me upright.
When I’m steady, he leans over me and helps Chiara too.
I drape an arm over his shoulders and pull him in for a side hug. “Thank you so much.” As I release him, his masculine scent invades my nose. I rear back, studying his face. Soft features, deep brown eyes, full lips—God, my life would be so much easier if I were into him.
Tugging at the hem of my dress, I plaster on a smile to hide my tumultuous thoughts. “You just saved me from giving everyone a show. You’re the best!”
He grins and winks at me. “Anything for you.”
Still smiling, I shift a couple of inches so we’re no longer touching. As I move, I feel his gaze on me. Not Ezra’s—Dominic’s. I ignore it, breaking into laughter when the rest of my friends do, even though I missed what Jeff was saying.
I’m still trying to focus on my friends’ conversation when the shift in the atmosphere becomes palpable. The air is heavy, the scrutiny I’m under dark and menacing once again.
My eyes involuntarily dart around the crowd. Dominic isn’t the only one watching. Miles is looking at me too. Only Matt, who stands up from the log and heads toward the cooler, is oblivious. My heart gallops, my pulse thundering in my ears.
I know what Dominic will do next. He’ll seize this opportunity while Matt isn’t watching.
The crackling sound of the bonfire fades, and the waves lapping at the shore go quiet.
The voices and music become static as he sets down his beer bottle and stands.
With controlled steps, he eats up the space between us.
Behind him, Miles’ eyes narrow, flicking from Dom to me.
When he catches me watching, he shoots me a wink and tilts the neck of his beer toward me slightly.
My heart lurches. Miles knows. There’s no way he doesn’t.
I’m still processing the implications when a shadow looms over me, and I force my head up. Dominic. Without hesitation, he grabs my wrist and pulls me to my feet.
“I know what you’re doing,” he murmurs, voice quiet.
I lift my chin. “Did I do something wrong?”
Ezra stands, confusion etched into his brow. “Hey, man, she—”
“She’s coming with me.”
Ezra scoffs. “I don’t think she wants to.”
I expect Dominic to growl out a command, to put him in his place, but he doesn’t. In fact, the voice that responds doesn’t belong to him.
“She does,” Miles says. His tone is low, but it doesn’t leave any room for negotiation.
My knees almost buckle. What the hell is happening?
Dominic pulls me away, and I don’t fight him, even if I’m still confused about Miles’ involvement.
Dom leads me past a row of trucks nearby, and the moment we’re out of sight of the bonfire, he pushes me against the cold metal of a vehicle and presses his body against mine, every muscle pulled taut, his hands gripping my waist.
“Enjoying yourself?” he asks in a low voice.
I narrow my eyes at him, ignoring the heat in his irises. “Yeah. What’s wrong?”
His fingers sink into my flesh, setting my skin on fire. “You let that guy touch you, let him put his hands on something that’s mine.”
A harsh laugh escapes me. “That’s rich coming from you.”
His lips turn down in confusion.
“He kept me from flashing the crowd,” I bite out. “And if we’re talking about whose hands are on who, let’s talk about how little you minded your ex’s hands all over you.”
He blinks, his grip loosening. “What are you talking about?”
“I saw you with Remi today. She was rubbing all over your arm and touching your face, and you let her.”
His jaw ticks, and he takes a long, controlled breath. It’s only then I realize Miles followed us over here. He stands a few feet away, leaning against a truck, blocking us from the view of people at the bonfire, but he’s watching us, his attention riveted.
His presence only makes the air thicker.
My breath hitches, and I clench my thighs to stop my center from throbbing.
Dom notices the shift right away, glancing at Miles and then assessing me. He slips his hand to the back of my neck, tilting my face up, forcing me to look at him.
“Who would’ve thought?” he murmurs, amusement clear in his voice. “That turns you on, baby? You like being watched?”
My pulse is in my throat, making it impossible to respond, but he doesn’t need my answer, because he already knows it.
He trails his fingers over my jaw, his thumb brushing my bottom lip. Then, he looks at Miles. Just a glance, that’s it, and Miles slowly pushes off the truck, a smirk playing at his lips.
“I’ll keep Matt busy.”
A few heartbeats later, we’re alone.
A few more, and he’s on me.
Our breaths mingle, setting my mind ablaze.
There’s nothing gentle about the way he kisses me.
His tongue slips inside my mouth the moment I let it.
His kiss is rough, powerful, claiming. We’re panting when he breaks the connection and covers my mouth with his hand.
“Be quiet, baby. Unless you want the whole party to hear how I wreck you.”
He slips his fingers under the skirt of my dress then pushes my panties aside and teases my clit.
“I should make you wait. Make you beg.” He hovers close, our mouths an inch apart. “But you’re already soaked for me, baby, dripping all over my fingers.”
Abruptly, he steps back, taking those incredible fingers with him.
I sag against the car, disoriented. “Wh—”
He drops to his knees and yanks down my panties. I step out of them, and he tucks them into his pocket, a sinful smile on his face.
“You remember the rule?”
I nod.
He drapes my leg over his shoulder, and when his face is so close to my center, I can feel his breath on my clit, he commands, “Be quiet, baby.”
He dives in, sucking my clit into his mouth. He curls his tongue around it slowly, teasing me, heightening my arousal. He sucks and licks, lapping at me with such intensity, my skin burns.
“No one else gets to touch you,” he says against my clit, slipping a finger inside me. He adds a second and fucks me slowly. When I grind against him, meeting his thrusts, he sucks harder and doubles his efforts, knowing exactly what I need.
A moan works its way up my chest, but before it can escape, I slap a hand over my mouth, muffling the sound.
There’s laughter in his voice when he says, “Good girl. You don’t want me to stop, do you?”
He dives back in, wrecking me in the best way. I come hard, my core pulsing around his fingers. Only when he feels I’ve had enough does he put my leg on the ground, fix my dress, and rise to his feet.
He kisses my jaw, then my neck, and bites my shoulder, leaving yet another mark on my body. I clutch his hoodie with both hands, refusing to let him go. I’m breathing hard, my body still thrumming.
But my mind is clear.
I release his hoodie and cup his cheek so he’s looking me in the eyes. “You didn’t like seeing another man’s hands on me.”
He narrows his eyes, his lips pressing into a straight line.
“I don’t like seeing another woman’s hands on you.” With that, I push him back.
His jaw tightens, but he doesn’t fight it. He lets me put distance between us.
I skirt around him and head back to my friends, peering at him over my shoulder. “Do something about it, Dom.”