Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
The penthouse was empty when we entered. Blake was still handling HDC business, and wouldn’t be back until late evening.
“I’m going to shower and change,” Penny announced immediately, already heading toward his temporary room. “Jake texted—he and Sarah are catching a movie at seven. Marcus is driving us.” He paused at his doorway, shooting me a meaningful look. “We’ll be gone for at least three hours. Maybe four.”
The implication was clear: we’d be completely alone.
“Have fun,” I managed, my voice coming out breathier than intended.
Penny’s smile was knowing. “Oh, I think you’ll be the one having fun.” He disappeared into his room before I could respond.
Jake emerged from the kitchen, already dressed for the evening. “Movie night,” he explained unnecessarily, his green eyes darting between Dominic and me. “We, uh, we’ll text before we come back.”
“No need to rush,” Dominic said, making it clear he wanted the privacy.
Within fifteen minutes, Penny and Jake were showered, changed, and headed out the door to meet Marcus and Sarah. The moment the door closed behind them, the silence felt different—heavy with promise, anticipation, the electric charge of something about to break.
Dominic stepped toward the windows, his silhouette cutting against the glittering lights of the cityscape far below. I remained rooted across the room, unable to tear my gaze from the broad expanse of his shoulders.
Two weeks. He’d been sleeping on that couch for nearly two weeks, exiled because of choices I couldn’t easily forgive even though my body ached for him every night.
Tonight, I’d promised myself in the car.
But as usual, the words stuck in my throat.
So instead, I reached for the hem of my sweater, the soft wool sliding over my head to reveal the thin cotton t-shirt beneath.
Actions would speak where words failed me.
“I’m going to take a bath,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt. “I’m covered in attic dust from head to toe.”
Dominic turned from the window, his gray eyes finding mine with immediate focus. “Do you need help?”
The question was careful, respectful of my boundaries. But there was hunger beneath it—barely leashed desire that made the butterflies in my stomach flutter with interest.
“Yes,” I said simply.
His breath caught, and through our bond I felt a surge of hope mixed with caution. He was probably afraid to believe I was inviting him back in, afraid one wrong move would send me retreating again.
“Okay,” he said quietly, following me to my bathroom.
I watched as he prepared the bath—testing the water temperature, asking which scented bubbles I favored, making sure everything was perfect before turning to face me.
“Let me,” he said softly, reaching for the hem of my t-shirt.
I raised my arms, letting him slowly undress me. Each piece of clothing removed felt like shedding armor, exposing not just my body but all the vulnerability I’d been hiding. When I stood naked before him, his sharp intake of breath made me shiver.
“Beautiful,” he murmured, his hands skimming over my skin with reverent touches that didn’t linger. Still giving me space. Still respecting my boundaries even though I could see the strain it cost him. “So fucking beautiful, Leo.”
He guided me into the water, and I sank into the vanilla and honey scented warmth with a grateful sigh. The heat immediately eased the constant low-level aches that had become part of pregnancy, and I let my eyes drift closed in contentment.
When I opened them, Dominic was kneeling beside the tub, rolling up his shirtsleeves to prepare to wash my hair. His movements were efficient, practiced, but there was tension in his shoulders.
Something playful sparked in me then—the same mischievous instinct that had made me bold in the past, back before everything had gotten so complicated.
Back when I’d still been brave enough to reach for what I wanted.
When he knelt closer with the shampoo, I deliberately swept my hand through the water, sending a splash of bubbles directly at his chest.
He froze, water droplets darkening his expensive button-down. His eyes lifted to mine, and the look in them made my breath catch—predatory, possessive, promising delicious consequences.
But also uncertain. As if he wasn’t sure if this was play or rejection.
“Did you just splash me, omega?” His voice was careful, testing.
The endearment made heat coil in my belly. “Maybe.”
“Maybe?” His hand slid into the water, fingers trailing up my calf with agonizing slowness. “That sounds like a confession of guilt.”
I bit my lip, feeling reckless. This was it—my wordless way of saying what I couldn’t bring myself to voice out loud.
Come back. I want you back in my bed—in my nest.
“What are you going to do about it?” I challenged.
The uncertainty in his eyes shifted to understanding, then to that predatory focus that made my pulse race. “Depends. Are you going to do it again?”
In answer, I swept both hands through the water, sending a wave of bubbles and warmth cascading over his chest and shoulders. His shirt was instantly soaked, the fabric clinging to every defined muscle.
“Fuck,” he breathed, looking down at himself. “This was expensive.”
“Then you should probably take it off,” I said, my voice coming out breathier than intended.
His eyes snapped back to mine, blazing with heat. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.” The word came out as barely a whisper. “Please.”
He stood slowly, deliberately, his movements fluid and graceful as he began unbuttoning his shirt.
Each button revealed more golden skin, more defined muscle, the dark trail of hair that disappeared into his jeans.
Water droplets traced paths down his chest, following the contours of his abs, and I couldn’t look away.
When he shrugged the wet fabric off his shoulders and let it drop to the floor, I couldn’t suppress the soft sound of appreciation that escaped my throat.
He was magnificent—broad shoulders tapering to a narrow waist, defined abs that rippled with each breath, the V of his hips promising even better things below.
“See something you like?” His voice was smug, knowing exactly what effect he was having on me.
“You know I do,” I managed, my mouth dry despite being surrounded by water.
He knelt beside the tub again, bare-chested now, and the heat radiating from his skin made the steamy bathroom feel even warmer. His hand cupped my jaw, thumb tracing over my lower lip with possessive intent.
“You know what happens to omegas who splash their alphas?” he murmured, voice dropping to that dangerous register that made my omega instincts sing.
“What?” I breathed.
“They get punished.” His thumb pressed against my lip, and I opened automatically, taking it into my mouth. His sharp inhale of pleasure sent heat flooding through me. “Thoroughly.”
His words made me shiver despite the warm water. His other hand slid into the bath, fingers trailing up my inner thigh with agonizing slowness, making me gasp around his thumb.
“Is this what you want?” His voice was rough now, strained. “Want me to touch you? Claim you? Make you mine again?”
I released his thumb with a soft pop. “Catch me first.”
The words hung in the steamy air for a heartbeat. Then I stood in a rush of water and bubbles, stepping over the edge of the tub. Water sluiced down my body as I grabbed the robe off the hook, wrapping it loosely around myself.
“Leo—” Dominic’s voice carried warning and promise in equal measure.
But I was already moving, heart pounding, fleeing the bathroom on unsteady legs. Behind me, I heard him stand with a muttered curse, heard the predatory deliberateness of his footsteps as he followed.
I made it into the guest room, my wet feet leaving prints on the hardwood. The nest was right there—my safe space, my sanctuary, the place I’d been sleeping alone while my alpha suffered through his exile on the couch.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Dominic’s voice came from the doorway. I glanced back to see him standing there, shirtless and magnificent, water still glistening on his skin. His eyes had gone dark, pupils blown wide, as if something primal had shifted in him when he saw me run.
Something ancient and instinctive that made my omega hindbrain scream predator.
I dove into my nest, pulling blankets around myself like a cocoon, my heart racing with equal parts fear and anticipation. Through the fabric, I watched him stalk toward me with that fluid grace that made him look like a big cat on the prowl.
His breathing had changed—deeper, more measured. The careful, controlled alpha who’d been respecting my boundaries was gone, replaced by someone who’s allowed their feral side to take over.
“You shouldn’t have run, little omega,” he said softly, his voice carrying an edge that made my pulse spike.
“Oh, really?” I challenged, though my voice trembled slightly.
His smile was all predator. “Now my hindbrain thinks you’re prey.”
The words sent a thrill of fear and arousal straight through me. I could see it in his eyes—that ancient alpha instinct to chase, to hunt, to catch and claim what was his.
“Then come get me,” I whispered.
He lunged.
I tried to scramble deeper into the nest, but his hands were already on me, catching my ankles and dragging me back with inexorable strength. But instead of pinning me immediately, he reached for the edge of my carefully constructed nest.
“Wait—” I started, but he was already tearing it apart.
Pillows flew. Blankets scattered. My carefully arranged sanctuary—the nest I’d spent hours perfecting—was destroyed in seconds as he literally ripped through it to get to me.
“Dominic!” Shock hit me first, followed by dismay. “My nest—”
“Was built by an omega trying to comfort himself alone,” he growled, still tearing through the layers. “But you’re not alone anymore.”