Chapter 12
AMBER
Dominic is waiting for me when I finally return to our room, worry etched on his face.
‘Thank God, I was about to send out a search party.’
He takes my elbow and guides me to the bed, then sits beside me and clasps my hands in his. He begins to trace circles on my wrist with his thumb, and even though I’m bracing myself not to react I can’t ignore the fizz of pleasure rippling through me.
‘I’m so, so sorry, angel. You’re absolutely right.
I should have told you about me and Simone,’ he says, blowing all the wind out of my sails.
On the walk back up to the villa I’d decided I’d be aloof when I saw him.
Morally superior to him and his pathetic attempt to obfuscate the truth about his affair with Simone.
But this almost abject apology knocks me sideways. I stare at him, my mouth slightly open.
‘It was unforgivable, I can see that now, and I totally get why you’re upset. I’m an idiot. A total, insensitive, bloody idiot. My only defence is that it was twenty-five years ago. As far as I’m concerned, it’s ancient history. It’s you I love.’
I blink. We’ve been dating for almost eight months, and this is the first time either of us has used the L-word. My heart beats a little faster.
‘Say something, Amber, please. I’m dying here.’
‘I’m sorry, too. I completely overreacted.’ The apology pours out of me instinctively. After all, it’s my default setting. I’ve been apologising my whole life. I squeeze Dom’s hands back. ‘It’s none of my business who you did or didn’t go out with before me. Now is what matters.’
‘It is.’ He smiles. ‘You and me. Us. Simone doesn’t matter. Not anymore.’
It seems an odd thing for him to say, but I let it go, because he’s staring into my eyes with such passion that I can’t think about anything else.
Then I remember the way I stormed off earlier and my shoulders droop. Anyone with half a brain cell would’ve seen through my flimsy excuse that I was tired.
‘What’s the matter?’ Dom asks.
‘I’ve made a complete fool of myself in front of your friends, haven’t I? They’ll probably think I’m some pathetic drama queen, disappearing like that.’
‘They won’t.’
‘Promise?’
‘I promise.’ He brings my hand to his lips and drops the lightest of kisses on my fingers. ‘So, am I forgiven?’
The anxiety melts away and I nod, relieved. Dom loves me. This ridiculously handsome, thoughtful man loves me. The warm feeling that spreads through me from my head to my toes is delicious. Addictive.
‘Are you sure?’ he checks.
‘Oh, Dom,’ I say, hooking my arms around his neck and snuggling up against him. ‘You don’t even have to ask.’
I tilt my head and kiss him deeply, my hands in his hair, my back arched against him.
‘Fuck, you turn me on,’ he whispers. In one fluid movement he pulls my top over my head. Smiling lazily, he drinks me in. ‘You are perfect, angel. Absolutely perfect.’
‘Why, thank you, sir.’ I dip my head demurely. Then, with a shameless smile, I unclip my bra and step out of my trousers. Holding his gaze, I undo the buttons on his shirt, one by one. He groans as I slip a finger under his waistband.
Outside, something clatters. I freeze, the hairs on the back of my neck prickling. What if Willow is still lurking outside our door, listening in?
‘What was that?’ I whisper.
‘Nothing,’ Dom says, reaching for my waist. ‘It was nothing.’
His lips graze my neck, his breath hot on my skin. For a moment I can’t tell if the shiver running through me is desire or dread. Then something inside me shifts. Loosens. I tug at the zip of his trousers.
Screw Willow. Screw Simone. Screw the lot of them. This is what’s important. Me and Dominic, right here, right now.