Chapter 17 - Dominic
Her fingers tangled in my hair, tugging me closer, pulling just hard enough to send a rush of heat through my veins. Every touch, every taste of her was like a drug, addictive. Her lips were soft and inviting, her breath a sweet whisper against my mouth, and the way her body moved against mine—it was intoxicating.
I’d never imagined this would happen. Emily was just a pawn, a means to an end in my revenge against Victor. But somehow, she’d slipped past every wall I’d built, infiltrating my mind, taking up residence there, uninvited and unstoppable. No matter what I did, she lingered, a constant presence in my thoughts. And now? I didn’t want it any other way.
“You’re mine,” I murmured, my voice rough, more like a growl, as I kissed her with a desperate kind of possession. “And I’m done pretending I don’t want you.”
My fingers slid down her back, pulling her body flush against mine, feeling the warmth of her skin through the fabric of her robe. I wasn’t sure how I’d gotten here—how things had shifted so drastically from where it began—but nothing felt more right.
My hands moved instinctively, brushing against the thin fabric of her robe. Her breath hitched as I cupped her breast, my palm molding to her softness. She let out the faintest moan, a sound that sent a jolt through me, igniting something primal. My thumb moved in slow, deliberate circles over one peak, teasing her through the fabric, and her nipple hardened instantly under my touch.
Her fingers dug into my shoulders, her nails biting into my skin as though anchoring herself. God, the way her body trembled against mine was hypnotic, her every movement a silent invitation. I shifted to her other breast, giving it the same attention, savoring the way she arched into my hand, pressing herself closer in a wordless plea for more.
Then she whispered my name, her voice soft, breathless. That single sound almost undid me, making me want to pull more of those beautiful sounds from her.
“Emily,” I murmured, the word falling from my lips like a—half-growl, half-prayer.
I pulled back just enough to see her face, her lips parted, her eyes darkened with desire. My breath hitched when I felt the unmistakable pressure against her, the way her body pressed against mine, her warmth seeping into me. I was painfully aware of the growing need in me, the swell of my manhood pressing against her begging to be released.
Her body trembled, her hips shifting subtly, and I couldn’t help the low groan that escaped my throat. I ached to feel her warmth, to close the distance between us completely. “I can’t wait to feel you, Emily,” I said, my voice rough with need. “To be inside you, to lose myself in you.”
I leaned down, letting my lips graze her collarbone, and then I kissed lower, pulling her robe slightly aside to expose just a hint of skin. Her tugs on my hair grew firmer, more insistent. The sensation only fueled the fire already burning in me.
My lips closed over her nipple through the fabric, my tongue pressing against the soft material, teasing her.
Her gasp was sharp, her hands clutching my shoulders tighter. Her body shuddered beneath my touch, and when I flicked my tongue again, a soft, moan escaped her lips.
I lavished her with attention, alternating between teasing one peak and then the other, letting my tongue trace circles through the thin fabric of her robe. She trembled against me, her breaths uneven, her hips shifting slightly as though trying to find some relief from the tension building between us.
Her fingers slid back into my hair, her movements wild, desperate, and I reveled in the way she was unraveling under my touch, making me crave her even more. Her desire wasn’t timid anymore—it was alive, and it was consuming her as much as my own.
“Emily,” I murmured again, lifting my head just enough to meet her eyes. Her lips were parted, her cheeks flushed, and in that moment, I was certain, I had never seen her look more beautiful.
I kissed her again, slow but deep, my hand trailing down to the curve of her waist, holding her steady against the wall. The robe had slipped further down her shoulders, leaving her exposed to me in a way that was both innocent and utterly alluring.
One of my hands found the knot of her robe, teasing it loose as I kissed along the curve of her neck. Her skin was warm, her pulse racing beneath my lips. She trembled under me, and when I tugged the string and the fabric parted, I let my fingers trail along the dip of her waist, the curve of her hips. Her breath hitched, and the soft gasp she let out sent a jolt of heat straight through me.
As I pushed the robe from her shoulders the need to see her, to touch her, only intensified. But then she made a small, nervous sound that froze me in place. I pulled back slightly, cupping her face in my hands, searching her eyes. She refused to meet my gaze, her cheeks flushed.
My mind raced, wondering if I’d gone too far if I had pushed her too quickly.
“Emily,” I said softly, my voice gentler now. “Talk to me.”
Her teeth caught her bottom lip, and damn if that wasn’t the sexiest thing I’d ever seen.
“I’ve never—” she paused, drawing a shaky breath. Then her eyes met mine and the vulnerability I saw there made my chest tight.
“I’ve never been with anyone before,” she admitted, her voice timid, barely above a whisper, as her eyes shied away.
FUCK!
Her words hit me like a lightning bolt. The fire raging inside me cooled, replaced by something deeper. Tenderness. A fierce, protective need. I let out a slow, calming breath as I brushed a strand of hair from her face, letting my thumb trace the column of her neck.
“You’ve never—” My voice trailed off, struggling to piece the words together.
She shook her head, her eyes glossy with unshed tears met mine, wide with uncertainty. “I’ve been kissed before, but when it came to more, they didn’t want someone…like me.”
Her words came out so soft, so broken, that it shattered something in me.
Idiots. Blind, heartless fucking idiots. The thought roared through my mind, sharp and unrelenting. How could anyone look at her, soft, beautiful, and so goddamn perfect, and make her feel less than enough? My jaw tightened, but I forced my hands to stay gentle as her pain bled into me.
A tear escaped down her cheek, and I wiped it away gently, leaning in to press a softer kiss to her lips this time.
“Emily,” I murmured, pulling back just enough to look into her eyes. “Every inch of you is perfect. Every curve, every freckle, every single thing about you. They were fools, blind, stupid fools.”
Her chest rose and fell in shallow breaths, her lips trembling like she wasn’t sure what to say. I wanted her to feel safe, to know that every part of her was worthy of love—no matter what anyone else had said.
“They were blind, incapable of seeing what was right in front of them. They didn’t deserve you.”
Her eyelashes fluttered as my words seem to sink in. I brushed a strand of hair from her face, letting my fingertips linger at her jawline.
“I see you, Emily, and I’m honored to be your first and your last. And I’m going to show you just how incredible you are if you’ll let me.”
Her lips parted, a faint, hesitant smile blooming like the first light of dawn. It wasn’t much, but it was enough. Enough to tell me she was starting to believe me.
And that was all I needed.
I kissed her deeply, my hands gliding over her shoulders as I gently pushed the fabric aside, letting it slide down and pool softly at her feet. For a moment, she froze, her body stiff, but as my lips trailed along her collarbone and my fingers traced the curve of her sides, I felt her melt into me, her tension dissolving under my touch.
“You're so beautiful,” I murmured against her skin.
I stepped back just enough to tug off my pajama top, letting it fall carelessly, before pressing my bare chest against hers. The heat of her skin was electrifying. Wrapping my arms around her, I lifted her effortlessly, her soft gasp fanning against my ear as I carried her to the bed.
Laying her down gently, I captured her lips again, my kiss deep and slow, savoring every second. My hands traced her curves, moving from her breasts to her hips, then lower to her thighs. Her legs parted slightly beneath my touch, and my fingers found her already slick and waiting for me.
“Fuck, baby,” I groaned, sliding my fingers along her folds. “You're so wet for me.”
Her breath hitched, and her back arched as my fingers explored her, teasing her sensitive spots. Her soft whimpers sent a jolt of need through me, and I couldn't hold back any longer. I shifted down her body, trailing kisses over her stomach until I reached her wetness.
My tongue teased her, flicking lightly before delving deeper, and her legs trembled against my shoulders. She cried out, her hands gripping the sheets as I held her hips firmly in place, refusing to let her escape.
“Dominic, please, I need you,” she gasped, her voice trembling with desperation.
Her plea undid me. The way she moaned my name, the hitch in her breath, was a drug I couldn't resist. I moved back up, meeting her flushed face, and pressed my forehead to hers as I tore off my pants, freeing myself.
“Tell me, Emily,” I said, my voice thick with desire. “Do you want this? Do you want me?”
“Yes,” she breathed, her eyes glazed with need. “I want you.”
There was no going back now. I didn’t want to go back.
Positioning myself at her entrance, I slid in slowly, her tight warmth enveloping me inch by inch. She gasped sharply, her body tensing beneath me, and I stopped immediately.
“Emily,” I whispered, brushing her hair back, my voice gentle but strained. “Do you want me to stop?”
She shook her head quickly. “No, please, don't stop.”
I eased into her again, giving her time to adjust, every inch of her body molding perfectly to mine. She let out a soft, shaky moan, and I began to move, slow and deliberate, savoring the way she felt around me.
“God, you feel so good,” I groaned, my hands gripping her hips as I thrust deeper.
Her nails dug into my back, her voice rising with every movement. “Dominic…faster…please,” she begged, her words broken by moans.
I picked up the pace, our bodies moving together in perfect rhythm. The room filled with the sounds of our moans, gasps, and the raw intensity of our desire. Every thrust drove us closer, her cries mingling with my own grunts as the tension built between us.
“I can't—I'm so close,” she whimpered, her legs tightening around me.
“Let go for me, baby,” I urged, my voice a low growl, my own control slipping.
Her release came first, her body arching beneath me as her cries filled the room. The way she pulsed around me sent me over the edge, and with a final, deep thrust, I followed, groaning her name as we fell apart together.
Collapsing beside her, I pulled her into my arms, her body still trembling against mine. Pressing a kiss to her forehead. And as our breaths evened out, I noticed her breathing, soft and steady, she had fallen asleep.
I held her tighter, a quiet promise forming in my mind. I’d do whatever it took to protect her. No matter what happened, she was mine to keep safe, and I wouldn’t let anyone take her away from me.