Chapter 2
Friday, January 20, 2017
I stood on my tiptoes and tenderly nibbled and sucked on Dominic’s earlobe, running my fingers down his ravishing, dark gray suit with paper-thin, white pinstripes. Reaching his slacks, I slipped my hand inside, grabbing his cock. A long, low moan rumbled deep in his chest, sending a wave of pleasure skating through me and between my thighs. My lips brushed against the shell of his ear.
“I’m really fucking hungry.”
Dominic was expected at Mr. Stefano Baldomero’s estate for one of the usual kiss-ass luncheons to keep the peace, where conversations were as stale as the liquor store wine they served.
I wouldn’t let him leave without first teasing him. How else would he have realized he should’ve told Stefano no and stayed here with me?
Dominic grabbed the back of my neck and forced us closer. A ring of scarlet lit around his irises, gradually bleeding into the blue. As he parted his lips, his breathing grew heavier, fanning over my lips.
That luncheon was now a mere forethought.
My boyfriend was merciless in his lust, so rough I almost lost my footing after he crashed his mouth to mine. Our bodies were desperate for one another, rubbing and grinding as we pawed at each other.
I removed my hand from inside his slacks before grabbing and tugging on his dark purple tie, flattening my other palm against his back at his right shoulder blade. I pulled him as close as possible. Dominic cupped my ass, further bringing out that naughty, playful side I loved.
I wanted his cock—not the foreplay. I couldn’t fight my cravings anymore. Pushing on his hand, I eventually gave it a playful love tap, making a tsking sound. Once he let me go, his chest rising and falling with each labored breath, I undid his belt buckle and slowly sank onto my knees, never breaking eye contact through it all.
Wasting no time, I took the head of his cock in my mouth, teasing my tongue up and down its wet slit.
“Fuck,” he groaned. He adjusted his footing and pulled my hair tie out of my hair, threading his fingers in my unbrushed mop. “That’s right, baby. You like that? You like my cock in your pretty fucking mouth?”
I made a noise, agreeing, now relaxing more of my throat as I took all of him, his pubic hairs tickling my face. I held his thigh, wrapping my other hand comfortably around his cock, fisting him as I sucked.
I looked up to see his head tipped back, lost in our rhythm as he fucked my mouth.
He moaned. “Yes, amore . Yes.”
More of his savory precum slid down my throat. His cock was thick, throbbing. He was ready and now at my mercy. We both loved it.
My own slit was slick, the temptation to touch myself too strong to ignore. I let go of his thigh and slipped my hand inside my pajama pants, fingering myself, moaning against his cock. Dominic growled, tightening his grip on my hair as he neared the unforgivable point of no return.
He hissed after I began to suck harder, finding my own release dangerously close.
“Yeah… Yeah, that’s it.”
I fought to maintain the rhythm we had going as we reached the tops of our cliffs of ecstasy. I fingered myself faster, my clit swollen and ready. Through our moans, groans, and desperate rhythms, we simultaneously lost control, swimming in our own, heavenly seas. I swallowed every drop he gave me, holding onto him while I came off my high.
Adjusting to sit more comfortably on my knees, I looked up to see Dominic standing straight, his breaths steadier. Beads of sweat gave his perfect skin a beautiful sheen. He was always a beautiful sight, whether asleep, in suits, aroused, or simply making himself an espresso.
“Full?” he wondered, lifting his brow in that playful way of his. Nodding, I took him out of my mouth and slipped my soaked hand out of my pants, staring at his soft, flaccid cock as I touched it.
I was still hungry, leaning forward and kissing the area of his skin just above his hairline.
“No.” I dragged the tip of my tongue teasingly along his skin.
He then pulled me back up on my feet, tucking his cock back into his slacks. I held his suit lapels, admiring his eyes as the last of the red that colored them faded. Fastening his belt, he brought his mouth to my ear, his words almost making me come for a second time.
“I’m fucking you raw when I get home. You’re not the only one who’s still hungry.”
* * *
Bianca suggested making me lunch today, and I couldn’t say no. I lacked any energy whatsoever to lift a frying pan, let alone throw together something as fast and simple as a salad or sandwich, and to be honest, a motherly meal sounded heavenly.
Walking back into my and Dominic’s bedroom—in a robe and my hair wrapped in a towel—I found Katrina sitting on the edge of the bed, happily kicking her legs as she waved, a smile on her face. She was so carefree, and it was continuously beautiful to witness. Bianca sat on the sofa eating one of her go-to meals—Caesar salad from the convenience store a few minutes away.
As soon as the scent of eggs found my nose, nausea hit me like a brick.
All my life leading up to the past couple weeks, I enjoyed eggs, preferably either fried or scrambled.
“I didn’t know if?—”
Bianca went quiet, her upbeat demeanor vanishing after I gagged and covered my mouth in a panic, turning around, clutching my towel and robe and running to the bathroom, barely making it to the toilet.
“Oh, shit,” Bianca cursed herself from the bedroom. It went in one ear and out of the other as I was too busy puking. “I forgot, Lilith. I'm so sorry!”
“Will Lulu be okay, B?”
Sensing Bianca standing beside me, she reassured Katrina before closing the door.
“I really am sorry, Lilith.” Her guilt poured off her tongue. She knelt on the white tile floor at my side but still respected my space. I was grateful.
Certain I didn’t have to vomit anymore, I clutched my robe at my chest, slowly breathing in and out and leaning away from the toilet bowl, eventually maneuvering around so I sat back against it. I freed my hair from the towel and set it on the floor, while Bianca flushed the toilet for me.
“Are you alright?” she asked, worry and concern still plaguing her.
Nodding, I looked at her. Motherly concern glimmered in her eyes. Smiling some, I said, “I am now.”
We both shared an awkward laugh.
“It’s okay,” I assured her, readjusting against the toilet bowl. “Shit happens. Just please get those eggs out of there and open the windows.”
“Yes!” she exclaimed. Bianca then got off the floor and after a moment, helped me to my feet. I closed the toilet seat cover and then sat on it, taking a few more minutes to get my bearings.
The more time I spent with Dominic’s mother, the more she began reminding me of Nadia. To say it didn’t break my heart would’ve been a lie. The way Bianca made sure I was fed, even more so now with the baby coming. Her tender touch, like when I was sick just now; it wasn’t the first time she cared for me during one of my puke sessions. How she carried herself, her nature, even sometimes calling me “honey” made me do a double take.
I was finally content with Bianca being in our lives. Hell, I had even been mulling over the idea of asking her to be a godmother to the baby, which I still needed to bring up with Dominic.
Bianca also tended to frequently remind me of my mom more often than not. I missed Mom so fucking much. I fucking hated that she wasn’t here.
Becoming a mother myself opened the floodgates of memories of my mom and the longing for her presence. I only hoped I’d be a wonderful mother like she was.
Tears threatened to fall at the same time Bianca came back in the bathroom from the bedroom. She put the air freshener on top of the toilet, then kneeled beside me, placing one hand on my knee.
“I’m here if you ever need someone to talk to.” I could hear the soft smile in her words.
I rubbed the bridge of my nose, allowing the tears to fall. She gently put her arms around me, and I sank into her embrace. She didn’t talk—just held me—and I was thankful because I wasn’t ready to let her all the way into my heart and mind quite yet.
Minutes later, she said, “Let me get you some water.” I could only manage a nod. Letting me go, Bianca rose to her feet before stepping over to the sink to fill a small cup with water. When she offered me the cup, I gratefully took it from her. The cool water was refreshing to my dry throat. She gathered a washcloth and wet it under the sink, wringing it out. She folded it up lengthwise while walking back over to me and dabbed my face with it.
“Why don’t you take the rest of the day and stay in bed?” she suggested. “Rest will do you good.”
“I think I will,” I agreed. With help getting back to my feet, I took the washcloth from her. “As long as you and Katrina bake some of those oatmeal chocolate chip cookies that we’re all obsessed with.” I smiled, winking.
“Cookies!?” Katrina shouted from the bedroom.
Bianca and I broke out into laughter.
* * *
Fog began settling in after dinner, ruining what was my pleasant view. The gentle breeze felt wonderful, however. It made the pool’s water ripple, making me think of the beach. The ocean. I craved both but settled for this for the time being.
I had daydreamed of the sun warming my naked belly at the beach on a summer day. I practically smelled the ocean, yearning for the waves to dance on my belly. I wondered how that would feel for the baby. When I deemed it safe, I wanted Dominic and I to bring our child to the beach and sit with them at the ocean’s edge, laughing while they played in the water. Soaking up such a carefree moment, basking in that rare, begotten sense of complete safety.
Rubbing my belly, I smiled. I couldn’t wait to learn whether we were having a boy or a girl. I secretly preferred a girl, but their health mattered over everything. I would love my baby regardless.
With my palms now against the stone railing of our balcony connected to our room—we had a few balconies scattered around here—I leaned away from the stone, arching my back to stretch it. With all that my body was going through, it felt the effects.
A spacious patio was off to my left at the back of the mansion. Furniture, which closely resembled what was in the sunroom, decorated the outside patio, the only differences being that the outside patio also contained a long coffee table and two extra lounge chairs. An umbrella provided shade and protection from the weather.
Concrete bordered our in-ground pool, stone tiles branching off the concrete on all sides. Past the pool on its other side, the tiles led to more concrete and the guest houses attached to the property. The houses were set up more in the way of units, lined and stacked on both ends, with a stretch of units connecting both sides.
Trimmed and manicured grass was scarce outback except behind the guest units.
The guest units were white stone, brick construction like the mansion, sharing pitched roofs made of gray and blue-ish colored shingles. Each unit contained its own parking spaces, but a lot of the men parked out in the front. A few stray vehicles were parked at the units, but those belonged to some of the men’s wives.
Dominic wanted to make sure his men and their families lived comfortably, too. A handful worked out deals with him to own and live in some of the available houses along our private, gated road. His brothers lived here in the main estate. Dominic wanted it that way, and so did they.
For a man who stopped many hearts in his lifetime, he cared for his family. He cared for those he respected and loved.
The door to the balcony opened, the familiar sound of Dominic sparking his lighter immediately following. I watched the thin wisp of cigarette smoke waft past me on my right. Looking behind me, I eyed Dominic, shirtless and only clad in gray sweatpants that rode low on his hips. The delicate stem of a wineglass filled with blood rested in his hand.
Tease. And I fucking loved it.
Looking back at the landscape, I reached behind me, opening, and closing my hand, my signal for Dominic to hand over the glass. As he approached, his warm, soft chuckle was music to my ears.
“Thank you,” I said with a little pep after he handed me the wine glass. He kept a gap between us while having his cigarette, also staring into the fog.
Warmed deer blood slid deliciously down my throat. It was this particular pick of wildlife I had a preferred taste for, its note of sweetness pure perfection.
“So,” I said, itching to ask Dominic about the surprise he arranged for me, “about all those clothes…” As I looked at him, he kept his eyes straight ahead, smoking more of his cigarette. “How much?”
He tapped excess ash off his cigarette. “No need to concern yourself.”
“How. Much?” I repeated, raising my brow, unable to hide my smirk.
Dominic sighed, cigarette smoke disappearing into the air.
Sometime under my nose, he ordered me more maternity clothes. An entirely new wardrobe.
Silk blouses, sundresses in various shades and patterns, sweatpants, leggings, jeans, tank tops, and a miscellaneous collection of shirts and tops were added to my half of our walk-in closet. Like Dominic did with his clothes and accessories, everything of mine was arranged by type, color, and size, even what was in our drawers. After living so long in my own unorganized chaos, I enjoyed the peace organization brought.
A favorite of mine in my collection was a red dress Dominic bought me. It was an evening dress with straps and a slight V-neck. It had a zipper on the back. The fabric was stretchy and breathable. He bought it in multiple sizes so I could enjoy it throughout the pregnancy. As much as I adored it, I didn’t know if I would actually wear it.
Already being self-conscious, I noticed pregnancy made it worse. All I saw was the weight gain, especially in my face, arms, hips, and ass. I found myself dealing with occasional acne, thanks to hormones. It was all causing me to slowly avoid mirrors again.
From the moment Dominic accepted me into his heart, he kept telling me how beautiful I was, how to dig down deep and see that beauty. He helped me rediscover and love myself, but pregnancy was sliding me back into that old, self-destructive mindset. The self-consciousness and doubt I battled was slowly creeping back in.
Fighting Fabio and the chaos and tragedy that surrounded his takedown ignited a hell of a flame within me. I felt my strongest, most confident. Nothing could slow me down. Then, Vincent barreled into our lives, and while I temporarily talked to a therapist regarding the guilt which ate at my insides, I found my family was the therapy I needed all along. But as this pregnancy progressed, fears that I wouldn’t be able to rediscover my strength, let alone just find the strength for childbirth, were, at times, overwhelming.
I no longer saw the woman Dominic helped me discover. I saw the insecure, scared, shell of who I knew I was. It broke my heart that I let those lies win, but I was at an impasse on how to break down the reconstructed piece of this fucking wall.
The safest arms in this world wrapped around my waist, guiding me into his warmth. Setting my drink on the balcony railing, I rested my head on his shoulder, reveling in the feel of our hands on my belly and his tender kisses peppering along my neck.
“Three thousand.” He brought his mouth to my ear, his feathery kisses tickling me, his breath bringing me a welcome, pleasurable shiver. “I know you’ll never be accustomed to such a lavish life, but three grand is a drop in the bucket for a man like me.” His cigarette sizzled as it was ground out into the stone. Slipping his fingers under my chin and aligning our eyes, his everlasting adoration for me in his eyes was a blessing. “Whatever my family needs, they get. Understand?”
I nodded, cracking a smile. Turning in his arms, I slid my hand along the side of his face, taking every ounce of it in before kissing him. Slow and steady—that was our pace. I wanted to savor every moment, every second.
Without warning, my emotions took hold, tears sneaking into my eyes. Why did this man find me attractive ? What was it about me he loved? He could’ve had prettier women ; why me ?
Concern found its way into Dominic’s eyes. Threading one hand up through the hair at the back of my head, he guided me closer, our bodies gently pressing together. “My love… What is it?” He rubbed his hand up and down my back.
I placed my palms against his chest, my hands the barrier between us as I took a breath.
“I’m here,” he tenderly reminded me, kissing my forehead. I closed my eyes, releasing tears. They rolled down my cheeks as I parted my lips to speak.
“Why do you stay with me? I’m no catch, and I’m certainly no soldato .” My hands were my focus; I couldn’t look up at him. “All I do is let you down.”
“Look at me, Lilith,” he commanded, his tone gentle. I did as he said, my next breath getting caught in my throat under my emotional weight. “Don’t talk; just listen.”
I nodded, sniffing.
“I brought out your inner fire. I made you grab onto your inner warrior and yank her to the forefront. That was the first time you showed me and proved to me that you are strong, that you have the confidence to succeed. You’re a highly intelligent woman, Lilith. No one can take that from you. No one can take your strength and your beauty, so stop letting the voices in your head win.” Dominic cupped my face in his palms, absolute adoration in his eyes. “Do you know why you’re my Bellissima ?”
I sniffed again, more fresh tears escaping. “Because you somehow find me beautiful?”
He sighed, clearly fed up with my self-hatred. “There’s that doubt again.” Tilting my head back slightly, Dominic pressed his thumb to the corner of my mouth, teasing my bottom lip. “You’re my Bellissima, not just because of your physical beauty, but also the beauty that is your soul.”
The moment he brought his thumb close enough, I gently grazed my teeth and tongue along its tip. His tone was soft again, caressing over my skin.
“There’s beauty in every word that spills past your lips.” He moved his thumb away from my mouth and toward my chin. “In the way you treat a person, no matter how broken they are.” Suddenly, Dominic scratched my mouth with his, his lips kneading with mine as he spoke. “You’ve made me a better man, Lilith, and I’ll never stop trying to convince you of the remarkable warrior that is you, amore mia .”
We held each other, drawn together in a passionate kiss. Pleasure ripped through me at the spark that ignited between us here and now. After a moment, Dominic cut off our kiss and cupped my cheeks again.
“You need to see what I see, Lilith. You need to be stronger because, from where I’m standing, you’re allowing those voices in your head to win. You’re allowing yourself to be weak, and that’s not you.”
While it wasn’t easy at first to accept what Dominic was saying, he was right. I needed to stop listening to my negativity and get my head in the game. I would never see the exact beauty that he saw, but I needed to at least stop hating myself. Mr. Rosini was one of the most powerful men in New Jersey who could have anyone he wanted, and he still chose me . He was drawn to something about me. Something about me held his affection. I needed to trust when he told me things like this. I needed to believe him. I had to fight harder against my insecurities.
He let me go, leaving a thin gap between us—a gap I hated. Dominic looked down at my belly, feeling it. Cradling it.
I put my arms around his neck, kissing him and nuzzling my nose against his face. “I’ll try, I promise.”
“I love you, Bellissima .”
“I love you, amore mio .”
A soft smile stretched his lips.
We let each other go again, and then, he picked up his pack of cigarettes and lighter off the balcony railing before heading back for our bedroom. As soon as I started taking a sip of blood, Dominic spoke. I stared into the fog, hearing his words.
“I was once where you are. Hearing Lorenzo berate me for years in between beatings obliterated whatever shred of self-worth and confidence I had. Constantly being told you’re a worthless piece of shit fucks a kid up.”
There was a brief silence, and I thought Dominic was back inside our room until I heard him speak again.
“It wasn’t easy. It took years to break free of those fucking chains. Hector and Nadia helped open my eyes, and then, you came along and blew them wide open. That’s what I’ll always try to do for you.”