26. Dominic
CHAPTER 26
Dominic
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
18 YEARS OLD
“ W hat’s all this?” Ellie’s smiling brightly, blushing the prettiest shade of pink, as she takes it all in.
Strings of fairy lights are looped between trees, surrounding a picnic blanket. I skipped last period to race over here and get it set up. I’ll probably get hit with detention for it, but the look on her face is more than worth it.
“Do you like it?” Normally, I ask for Scottie’s opinion before surprising Ellie, but she’s been out of town at an acting workshop.
Ellie comes up to me and wraps her arms around my neck, crashing her lips to mine.
After I met with Jack, he eased up on the rules and has allowed us to hang out alone again. We’ve been so busy with our senior projects though, this is our first time truly alone since we got in trouble. And, fuck, did I miss her.
I slip my tongue in, coaxing it to hers, and she moans into my mouth, opening up even more for me. My hands travel over her body, kneading her hips, grabbing handfuls of her breasts, before pinching her nipples through the thin fabric of the black cotton dress she’s wearing.
I want her so badly, but if I don’t stop now, we’ll get too carried away.
With all the strength I can summon, I pull back, breaking our kiss.
Her lipstick is a little smeared, lips beautifully swollen. I love the way she looks after I’ve messied her up. And once she opens her birthday present, I plan to make her even messier.
My forehead rests against hers, our breaths tangling with each other.
“Ready for your present?”
Her smile stretches. “You mean there’s more? You already did so much.”
I grab her hand, guiding her over to the picnic blanket where we both sit.
She kicks off her sandals, tucking her legs under her as the blanket crinkles beneath us. The late afternoon light filters through the leaves, casting golden flecks across her shoulders, her cheeks, her hair. She looks unreal, like adream, and every goddamn thing I’ve ever wished for.
“I couldn’t let our first legal birthday pass without getting you a present,” I say, reaching into the picnic basket for the little velvet box I’ve kept hidden.
Her eyes go wide with panic, lips parting just slightly. “Oh my god. Are you?—?”
I bark out a laugh, shaking my head. “Just open it,” I say quickly, grinning. “It’s not what you think. Not yet.”
Color blooms in her cheeks again, but she relaxes, biting her bottom lip she opens the box.
Inside, nestled in soft velvet, is a delicate gold chain. Two slender initials—an E and a D—are looped through the center.
“I know it’s not that exciting,” I say, suddenly self- conscious. “I just thought since we’re going to be apart this next school year, it’s like we’re still?—”
“It’s perfect,” she cuts me off, lifting the necklace out of the box. Her fingers tremble slightly as she tries to loop it around her neck, the thin chain slipping through her grasp.
She turns around without a word, sweeping her hair to the side. I step in, brushing my fingers lightly against the back of her neck as I fasten the clasp. The chain settles against her skin, the initials resting just below her collarbone.
She spins to face me, eyes shining as she lifts her chin. “I love it,” she whispers, and then, softer, “and I love you.”
“I love you too,” I whisper back, capturing her lips in a kiss—slow, delicate, torturous—until she’s breathless.
She laughs against my mouth, pulling back. “We must’ve been on the same train of thought.”
“Oh, yeah? Why’s that?”
Reaching into the pocket of her dress she produces a nearly identical velvet box.
I take it, opening it to reveal a gold chain.
“I know you’re not really a jewelry guy, but I think it would look good on you.” She blushes, chewing on her bottom lip. “You don’t have to wear it all the time?—”
I kiss her cutting her off.
“You like it when guys wear chain necklaces?”
“No.” She giggles. “I like the idea of you wearing one. Only you.”
If my girl wants me to wear a chain around my neck, looks like I’m wearing it for the rest of my damn life.
“Happy birthday, querida mía.”
“Happy birthday, Dominic baby.”