Chapter Two
Dominic
“So-o-o, when are you going to do something about this obsession you have for Bella?” Isaac plops down beside me on the sofa, causing the leather cushion to whoosh under his weight.
I glare at him out of the corner of my eye while scanning the room to gauge whether anyone heard his comment. No one appears to be listening to our conversation. “I’ve told you before nothing is going on. Never has been. And never will be. She’s Ben and Sam’s little sister, and I don’t see her as anything else.”
“Then why does your head whip around the second you see her?” He arches his eyebrows. “If I remember correctly when she pulled up, you could’ve snatched the ball before Sam did, but you weren’t paying any attention.”
“That’s bullshit.” I elbow him in the ribs, eliciting a curse.
Typically, we don’t hit full force when messing around, but I’m not in the mood for this conversation. If he and Xavier keep flapping their jaws, Ben or Sam will hear it and beat my ass. She’s off-limits, and we all know it.
However, Xavier and I seem to be the only ones who don’t listen. Xavier can’t keep his hands off her, and I can’t keep from wanting to break his fingers off one by one.
Isaac tips his head toward Bella and Xavier, who’re standing in the kitchen doorway. “If you don’t do something soon. Xav’s going to poach on your territory.”
“Bro, she’s a person, not an object, and she’s not my territory. Besides, she’s like my little sister.” I figure if I say it enough, I can make it the truth.
As Isaac stands, he cuffs my shoulder. “But you’ve never wanted to fuck your sister.”
“Enough, asshole.” I launch off the sofa, and Isaac backs up, placing his hands up in a self-defense stance. “You know I don’t have a sister.”
“That’s not the point.”
Fuck it. Fighting him isn’t going to solve my problems. I march across the room. As I approach the kitchen doorway, Xavier laughs at something Bella says and squeezes her shoulder.
“You’re the best.” Bella’s gaze darts to mine and then back to his. “Unlike certain other people.”
Do. Not. Engage. It won’t do you any good anyway. I shift to move past them, but neither of them budge . Jesus. When I brush past Bella, my arm grazes her breast, and heat floods over me until the tips of my ears are burning.
“Sorry,” I mumble without acknowledging her, nearly sprinting into the kitchen like I’m attempting to avoid a fire.
If I veer from my destination, I’m liable to yank off my shirt and shove it over her head so that no one else can see her and then drag her to my room. Except if I did that, I’d get punched in the jaw by Bella and tossed out on my ass by Ben and Sam.
Not to mention, I haven’t taken off my shirt around them for years.
Ben grins at me over his shoulder while stirring a wooden spoon in a pot on the stove. “You hungry?”
Yeah, I’m starving for a taste of your sister so I can officially save my place in hell. I straighten my shoulders and cough, “Starving. It smells amazing in here.”
“Thanks.”
My mouth waters. I thought the ‘Freshman 15’ was bad. Luckily, I was on the football team and could combat it by bulking up on muscle versus gut. But living with Ben is a different story. My roommate is a chef at a 5-star restaurant in the city. And when he’s not cooking there, he’s fattening us up at home by using us as guinea pigs for new recipes.
Ben narrows his eyes. “I thought it was hot in here, but I assumed it was the stove.” He walks to the thermostat and adjusts the temperature. “That should do it. We can’t have you looking like a tomato in here.”
There’s no way I’m telling him the reason I’m burning up is because all I think about is the different ways I’d love to defile Bella. In the kitchen. On the stairs. Her on top. Me on top.
I yank open the refrigerator, causing the condiments to clink together, and grab a pint of beer. There’s no use wishing for something to happen between us. I snap the lid off, toss the cap into the trash, and guzzle half the contents.
Xavier rubs her shoulder and walks away, leaving her alone by the door. She wouldn’t choose me even if I wanted to lose both of my best friends. I should’ve never stopped seeing her as a younger sister. Back then, she wasn’t a problem. She’s four years younger than me and spent most of her time playing Barbies while we were playing football or video games. Everything was fine then.
Granted, I always came to her defense when her brothers gave her a hard time. I hated seeing her sad and would include her in whatever we did when I could. But as she got older, she spent more time in her room and hanging out with her friends, so I didn’t see her as much. And then, I was busy in college.
But everything changed when she turned eighteen, and we all came together for a BBQ at their house. When I walked outside her parents’ house to see her carrying a tray of Kansas City-style barbeque ribs, the world tilted on its axis, and I’ve never been the same.
She was wearing a skin-tight white T-shirt with a pair of cutoff denim shorts and pink shoes made with some glittery stuff. Her long dark blonde hair looked like she’d just returned from the beach. And those ‘fuck me’ lips…. Jesus.
When her green eyes caught mine, my heart squeezed in my chest so hard I thought I was having a heart attack. She looked like a Victoria’s Secret model with the longest legs I’d ever seen. And I’ve wanted them wrapped around me ever since.
“What’re you making?” My stomach growls as I inch closer to the stove.
“Au jus for prime rib.” He grabs a bottle of red wine and pours a steady stream before easing up and returning the bottle to the counter.
I groan as my eyes close. I won’t be able to fit through the front door in a few months. A regular Sunday dinner is not supposed to be this good.
“How’s work going?” Ben asks. I reopen my eyes and watch as he stirs the aromatic sauce.
“Great. I love it. Rob is the best boss I could ask for, and the rest of the team are top-notch artists. And Rissa….” I chuckle as visions of the pintsized pixie who rules the tattoo shop with an iron fist takes front and center in my brain. “She’s amazing. I’ve never seen anything like her.”
“Pretty?” Ben turns to face me.
“Yes, she’s pretty. Pink hair and lots of attitude. But that’s not it. She’s intelligent and one hell of a business-minded woman.” I drain the remaining beer and toss the container in the trashcan. “Later this month, she has an art show in New York.”
Bella’s jaw is tight as she leans against the door jamb. She stretches her neck from side to side and shoves away from the door. Ping. Ping. Her back goes rigid as her phone notifications kick-off.
Who’s calling her, and why does she look so upset? I frown as she fishes her phone out of her back pocket.
“Damn,” Ben whistles. “That’s impressive.”
“Yes, it is.” I’d love to see my drawings get top billing somewhere. I’ve known I wanted to be an artist since Santa brought me a step-by-step drawing book in first grade. I love the feel of a pencil as I sketch across a piece of paper.
After I received my degree in graphic design, I took what I learned there straight to the most prestigious tattoo shop in the city and applied. It took months to get my chance, but once I did, I’ve never looked back. I love the customers and the designs they want inked on their skin. But if I lived in a fairytale land, I’d be back in front of a sketch pad, bringing my fantasies to life.
Ping. Ping. Bella’s phone continues to go off as she glances around the room. My hands ball into fists. It’s probably Xavier asking her to sneak off during the meal and ride his dick. Fucker. Is she naive enough to think he’d fall for her?
“Why don’t you tell the guys dinner will be ready in 15 minutes?”
“On it.” I march toward the living room only to stop in mid-step. Bella’s expression as she types on her phone screen is not one of unbridled lust. Her shoulders are curved inward as if she’s fending off a blow.
My heart skips a beat. Even now, when she’s anxious or upset, it makes me sick.
I’m at her side in less than a second. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing.” She shoves her phone back into her pocket.
“Bella,” I growl and grasp her upper arm. Her bottom lip trembles, and fury surges through me. “What’s going on? And don’t tell me it’s nothing. You don’t get upset over nothing. Your phone was pinging repeatedly.”
If someone hurt her, I swear to God, I’ll break every bone in their body. My jaw flexes as I grind my teeth together. Get it together. Find out what’s going on so you can take care of it.
I inhale and loosen my grip on her. “And now, you look like you’re defeated. You didn’t even look defeated when your brothers used to tell you that you sucked, that no one liked you, and to go away. So what gives?”
The corners of her mouth arch upward, taking some of the edge off her worried expression. “You were always there to tell me they were wrong and that I didn’t suck.”
“That’s because you didn’t.”
Her eyes glisten, causing my stomach to cramp. Fuck. “Don’t cry. I can’t handle it if you cry.”
“And that I had friends,” she sighs, “And then, you’d try to con them into letting me tag along.”
“That’s me.” I chuckle to lighten the mood and tap on my chest. “Your knight in shining armor. So, what’s going on?”
Her phone goes off again, causing her entire body to still. “It’s Brock.”
“The guy you were dating?” When she nods, I ask, “What did he do? If he hurt you, I’ll kill him.” Unrestrained hostility flows throughout my body. I already hated him because she chose him over me, and now, he’s causing her some type of trouble. I’d be more than happy to take care of him for her.
“No.” Her eyes widen as she grabs my upper arm. “It’s nothing like that. He never hurt me.” Having her dainty fingers on my skin sends a shiver along my spine.
“Thank God.” My entire body sags as the wave of adrenaline seeps out of me. “Why is he messing with you?”
She licks her lips and steps closer. Her perfume fills my nostrils and curls deep in my gut. It’s a floral, woodsy fragrance. “I broke up with him several months ago. He was cheating on me.” She rolls her eyes and growls low enough that no one else can hear, “With lots of girls.”
“The asshole.” I clutch her upper arms, brushing my thumbs over the goosebumps that scatter along her skin. “Are you okay?”
“Yes.” She shakes her head dismissively. “I’m fine. I didn’t love him or anything. He was just someone to pass the time with.”
“I see.” No, I don’t see. Frustration swells inside of me. Why was she with him if he was that big of a jerk? It’s not like this Brock guy is better than me. Or is he? “Then what happened?”
“He got mad and accused me of some things.” She frowns and looks away from me.
I’m surprised when one of her brothers doesn’t come over and interrupt our discussion since we’re rarely alone without interference. But everyone else is deep in other conversations and paying no attention to us.
After she licks her lips, she says, “Now, he’s decided he wants me back, and I don’t want anything to do with him.”
“Then block him. It shouldn’t be that hard to get rid of him.”
“I did.” Her eyes flash back to mine as the anger that’s always shimmering around the edges when I’m around her returns. She jerks backward, dislodging my hands, and bumps her back into the doorframe. “I’m not stupid. I blocked him. I’ve blocked him three times and even changed my phone number the last two times, but somehow, he keeps getting it.”
“Son of a bitch.” I shove my hand toward her. “Give me the phone.”
“Why?” She follows my command without even realizing it and drops it on my palm.
“Because I’m going to take care of it.” I type the guy’s phone number into my phone and hand hers back to her.
“What’re you doing?”
“Taking care of it.” I stab my finger on the screen.
Me: Listen up, Jackass. If you don’t leave Bella alone, I’m going to hunt you down and pull your balls out through your mouth.
“Dom….” Bella’s eyes dance with worry as she shifts from foot to foot. “Don’t get into trouble or start something over me. It’s not worth it.”
“Then who would be worth it?” The words are out of my mouth before I realize it. Shit.
Her mouth drops open as she gapes at me.
Brock: Who is this?
Me: Dominic Wood. Leave her alone, or I’ll take care of it.
Brock: Of course, she’d go running to you.
Me: Say another word to her, and I’ll come find you.
Brock: You and your posse? You can’t go anywhere without your butt buddies. Why don’t you be a man and come find me? Now.
“Don’t.” Bella snatches my phone away from me and places her hand on my chest. “Don’t. He’s not worth it.”
“No, he’s not.”
“It’s not that I’m worried you’d get hurt.” A slight flush covers her cheeks as she meets my gaze. “I mean, I don’t want you to get hurt. Especially because of me. But if you did fight him….” She bites her bottom lip as her gaze darts around the room as if just now realizing we’re surrounded by her brothers and hands me back my phone. “I know you’d win.”
“Dinner, assholes.” Ben wraps his arm around Bella’s shoulders and kisses the top of her head. “And my gorgeous sister.”
‘He’s not worth it, but you are.’ I leave the words unsaid and follow everyone to the table.
Bella scrolls through her phone and settles onto her chair. When we’re seated, her arm brushes mine as she shifts closer to me. “I blocked him,” she whispers, “And I’ll get a new phone tomorrow. This time, I’m only tell Ruby, Em, and my brothers.”
“And me. Call me the second you get your new number so I can program it into my phone and make sure you transfer my number to your phone.” I lock eyes with her, not caring that everyone is trying to read our lips. “I expect you to call me if he bothers you again. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Sir.”
Jesus. My head spins. I’m going to die. There are so many ways I want her to say, ‘Yes, Sir,’ and none of them are in front of her brothers and our ragtag group of friends.