19. June #4
That’s sort of what love feels like, something that’s there but just out of grasp, unable to be latched onto and held, fleeting and dissipating with just the change in barometric pressure.
A temptress to make you believe it's something you could have but is always out of reach.
I close my eyes and pretend Dom is finished with his call; his arms wrapped around me.
I place Magnus here, too, his beautiful smile lighting up the whole plane.
My mind flits to Coen, and even though I'm pissed at him for the way he treated me, I still want him here.
I think I always will, no matter what happens.
I hate myself for that, but it's hard to go against the gravitational pull we have on each other.
I don't mean to, but in this imaginary scenario, Simon is here, too. His attendance brings me comfort and a sense of fullness.
It isn’t long until I trick myself into feeling Dom’s arms around me and revel in his comfort as it lulls me to sleep.
A vehicle is waiting for us on the tarmac when we touch down. It’s kind of strange to exit a plane and immediately be escorted into a blacked-out SUV. It’s like we’re celebrities or in the secret service, or both, really.
Dom keeps his hand on my thigh the entire ride to our destination. I don’t know how long to expect, nor do I really care. Just being here with him is enough. Away from the city that consumes him and the place that feels heavier with each passing day.
Mountains line the distance with lush greenery scattered throughout. The air looks clearer here, like if I were to roll down the window and breathe it in it could spark new life in my lungs.
“It’s beautiful,” I say to no one in particular.
“It really is.” Dom throws his arm over my shoulders and tugs me toward him.
We stay like this for what feels like forever and somehow not very long at all.
Our chauffeur turns us onto a gravel drive, and after a couple minutes down the winding path, we arrive at a picturesque structure.
I wasn’t sure things could be any more stunning but when I step out onto the ground, I’m struck by the gorgeous views from this place.
“Wow.” I stare off into the distance at the open water ahead.
The building is tucked near the coast with nothing else in sight for as long as I can see in both directions. Trees block any potential neighboring places from being in sight, leaving this building completely off on its own.
So very like Dom to pick something so secluded. He’s a man of privacy, and he intends on getting it every chance he can, and when he can’t, he makes it happen anyway.
“Let me guess,” I glance over at him. “You own this, too?”
Dom grins but shakes his head. “No, but it isn’t from lack of effort.” He nods toward the woman walking toward us. “Family owned and operated. It’s been passed down from generation to generation.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t take it by force,” I tell him, only partially being sarcastic.
“They’re too nice of folks.”
“Dominic,” the woman greets him with rosy cheeks, her wiry gray hair fluttering in the wind. She immediately focuses on me. “You’ve brought a…woman.” The lady latches onto my hands and holds onto them. Her face is kind and innocent but shows the gentle lines of her old age.
“Priscilla, this is June. June, Priscilla,” Dom introduces us.
“It is so very nice to meet you, my dear.” She continues to clasp my hands. “How lovely it is that you’re here.”
“Thank you,” I tell her. “Your property is absolutely breathtaking.”
“Come.” She tugs me with her. “I will show you all around.”
“Cill,” Dom calls after us.
I glance over my shoulder as she takes me with her, Dom shrugs and lets it happen. I guess this is an instance where my life isn’t in danger so he allows her to kidnap me.
“I like to say this is where the sky and the mountains and the water all meet to gather into this incredibly magical place.” Priscilla points around the building.
“There are lush gardens around every corner. And over there”—she motions in the distance—“is a lavender field. You smell that?” She sucks in a breath and exhales. “I just love it here.”
I take in a lungful of air and revel in how pure it is.
“You two will be staying in the Lavender Suite, but you’ll have the run of the place. Feel free to wander around and get lost.” She cups my hand and smiles up at me. “You’ll always find your way back, don’t worry. Just close your eyes and listen to the water, it will guide you home.”
We walk along a stone pathway that trails the massive building.
The landscaping is immaculate with its rich lawns and vibrant flowers and perfectly trimmed shrubbery. Each section is carved with precision and shows how much detail was put into every aspect of this place.
I take in the building, noticing all of the windows overlooking the still water.
“There are bikes all over the property. Hop on one and explore if you feel called to it. Make yourself right at home, okay, June?”
"I will, thank you." I continue walking with her and wonder how this place can continue to get any nicer.
It's no wonder Dom comes up here to disappear.
This is nothing like his day-to-day life.
Back home is dark and dangerous and gloomy.
Here, it's like anything is possible, or at least you can distract yourself long enough to believe it is.
“Are you running off with my girl?” Dom catches up to us and weaves his fingers through mine.
“I haven’t shown her the Azaleas yet,” Priscilla tells him.
“I’m afraid they are going to have to wait. I have to steal her for a few.” Dominic tugs me away from her but she releases me with a warm smile on her face.
“I’m just happy you’re here, June. It’s nice to see Dom with someone other than those two boys of his.”
I chuckle. “Coen and Magnus?”
Priscilla nods. "I do adore them, but it's about time Dom gets himself a lady."
If only she knew I wasn’t just Dom’s lady, that I was theirs too.
But I don’t mention it because I don’t know how she would react to such a thing.
Having multiple boyfriends isn’t something that’s quickly accepted in our society.
They might have a whole fictional sub-genre associated to it, according to Cora, but that doesn’t mean this sweet old lady wants to hear about me having three brutal mafia boyfriends.
“I will have Russ send something to your room to tide you over until supper.”
“Thanks, Cill,” Dom wraps his arm around my waist and picks me off the ground.
“Thank you for the tour,” I say as he playfully carries me away. Once we’re out of earshot, I poke him in the side. “Let me down, you big buffoon.”
Dom throws me over his shoulder and smacks my ass.
I beat my fists lightly against his back. “Unhand me you giant.”
“We’re going to have to work on your self-defense.” Dom continues to walk with ease toward his destination.
"I asked Simon to train me but he gave me some excuse that that's what you hired him for." I watch the ground pass upside down and wonder how much blood has rushed to my head already.
“To protect you, yes. But it would be useful to have some skills.” Dom finally slides me over his shoulder and releases me onto a patio.
I blink to steady my vision. “Maybe I could learn how to shoot a gun.” Properly, not half-assed like I have in the past. Although, I did recently kill someone, so I must not be entirely terrible at it.
Granted, I was at point-blank range. How could I have fucked that up?
Only, Dom doesn't know that, and I'm not about to tell him and ruin this incredibly romantic getaway.
“After you.” Dom pushes the door open for me to enter.
I step inside the suite, and my eyes immediately find the massive bed posted along the wall.
Across from it is a swanky couch poised in front of a huge window overlooking the ocean in the near distance.
Rich greenery fills the view from the window where a large patio wraps around the front of the room.
Tucked in one corner is a fireplace, and in the other is a large Jacuzzi tub, hopefully big enough for both of us.
Two sets of doors are on opposing walls, and by my guess, are a closet and a bathroom.
“This is beautiful, Dom.”
He steps around me and into the place. “You said that already.”
I narrow my gaze at him. “I can’t believe you’ve been holding out on me.”
"I haven't been up here in over a year. I honestly forgot about it until the idea struck me yesterday.
Thought we both could use the change in scenery.
" Dom strolls over to the table with a bucket of ice and a bottle of something tucked inside.
He pulls it out and pops the top, filling two glasses and bringing one over to me. "To us."
I take it from him and clink my glass with his. “To us.” The bubbly liquid tickles my tongue. It isn’t exactly my go-to beverage but damn does it taste expensive.
Dom and I fuck on the bed, we fuck against the wall, and we fuck on the table the fancy champagne was on.
We take a break to eat some of the charcuterie board that was brought to our room and then we make our way to the bathroom and fuck in the shower, my legs giving out as I climax for what must be the twentieth time today.
“Did you bring me here to fuck my brains out, Dom?” I lean my head against his chest and relax as the water cascades down us.
He drags my hair out of my face and kisses my forehead. “Wasn’t exactly my plan, but I’m not mad about it.”
“Me either.” I grin.
“You hungry?” Dom slowly trails his finger from my chest to my center. He glides it down my slit and rests it there.
“For more sex? I don’t know if I can stand.”
Dom spreads my folds and circles his finger in place. “For dinner.”
I tilt my head up toward him. “I think you and I have a different definition of dinner.”