Chapter 18
~Elle~
By the time Dominic comes to a stop I’m lightheaded. He walks past my bedroom, continuing along the corridor. Finally stopping at the last door, he enters.
I’m tossed onto a large unfamiliar bed that carries his scent.
A blue silk sheet covers the king size bed.
The walls are painted in shades of grey and black.
It’s decorated to reflect Dominic's masculine taste. Paintings hang from the wall facing the bed. It’s even more spacious than the room I was given.
Pushing up onto my forearms, I take in the surroundings.
White sheer drapes cover the wide balcony doors.
On the side of the bed are two white chairs and a small glass center table.
A laptop and files are stacked neatly on top of it.
A thick blue rug lies on the tiled floor.
My gaze returns to Dominic who’s standing at the foot of the bed, with his arms folded across his chest as he watches me.
“Why did you bring me here?” I found my voice again.
“Because we need to talk. Are you ready to listen?” He asks calmly, addressing me as if I’m a belligerent child.
Pissing me off even more. “Oh, now you want to talk.
It's a little late for that. You had no right to go behind my back and call the hospital telling them that I was not returning. Why are you trying to control me?” Dominic looks at me in exasperation. Running a hand through his hair.
“Will you listen to me please? I did it to protect you. Elle, you must realize that they know where you work and if you go back you would be in danger.” I hate that he’s making sense.
“I know that dammit! But you had no right to make such a decision without speaking to me first.” By this time, I’m so frustrated that I start to cry.
I rub my hands across my cheeks, swiping away tears. But it’s soon replaced by more.
Dominic looks on with a pained expression. “My job is to protect you Elle and I’m not going to apologize for that.” He says in a soothing voice. “I am not your fucking responsibility! And what’s this nonsense about getting married. How will marrying me protect me, Dominic?”
He lowers himself to sit at the edge of the bed next to me.
“No one will dare to go after the wife of Don Vitelli, Elle. It’s the only way that I can think of to keep you safe.
" “I don’t see how that’s going to change anything.
I wouldn’t be in this mess if I wasn’t kidnapped by your brother in the first place. ”
Dominic looks guilty and remorseful. I feel sorry for throwing this in his face.
But what am I supposed to do—when marriage is being presented to me as only a means of offering protection?
Is there a woman who would be happy to accept such a marriage proposal?
One offered because the man is overwhelmed with feelings of remorse?
A girl wants to be chosen for herself. I want for the first time in my life for someone to choose me for myself.
All I remember growing up is being rejected by one foster home after the next.
If I’m honest with myself, I would admit that I’m hurt. Hurt, because the only reason Dominic wants to get married to me is for my protection. Deep down—I want him to want me for myself. I don’t know if I could marry him without getting emotionally involved.
I always wanted to fall in love and get married someday.
I’ve never envisioned this. The marriage he’s proposing would never be for love.
There’s an attraction between us. But Dominic has made it clear he doesn’t want to be attracted to me.
Why else would he keep pulling back and apologizing whenever we kiss?
He has to be doing this out of duty. And I can’t bear trapping him into marriage.
Dominic unstraps my shoes and removes them.
He then places a hand on my ankle. I attempt to disguise my response to his touch.
“We have to do this Elle.” “Don’t you have someone else that you want to marry?
Isn’t there someone in your life?” I ask desperately, as his grip briefly tightens.
“No Angel, there is no one else. I had no intention of ever marrying. I’m the reason you find yourself in danger.
” There it is again the proof that he is doing this out of duty.
I keep shaking my head. I can’t do this.
“Besides, you can’t deny that we are sexually compatible.” As if to demonstrate, Dominic slides his hand up my right calf causing me to shiver. He leans down and his lips follow the path of his hands.
“Wha…what are you doing?” I stutter. “I’m showing you how good it could be between us.
I know you want this.” He continues up my leg, my head falls back on the bed, and my eyes close.
Dominic pushes my dress up, exposing my thighs as he continues his exploration.
When he finally reaches the juncture of my thighs, my eyes fly open.
I try to draw my legs together, but he coaxes them open again.
His fingers slide my panties aside, touching my most intimate part.
“No! What are you doing?” I screech with embarrassment.
“Trust me you’re going to like this.” His thumb rubs against my clitoris causing a ricochet of pleasure through my body.
Unconsciously, I lift my hips closer to his hands.
Hearing myself mew and groan. Grasping the sheet. “That’s it Angel, let go.”
Feeling his breath against my skin as his face dips closer.
His tongue joins his fingers between my folds.
As he licks, I feel tension building inside of me.
His thumb continues to apply pressure on my clitoris while he suckles.
“Come on Angel, let go,” as he increases the pace alternating between licking and sucking.
“Dominic!” I scream as he takes the nub between his lips.
Fingers that are still moist with my juices reach up and play with my nipples.
Squeezing them between his fingers. As tension builds within me, my body arches.
Finally, I orgasm screaming as the pleasure overwhelms me.
By this time, we are both breathless. My body is limp from my orgasm.
I lie still in an attempt to calm my racing heart.
Dominic moves away and slips off his jacket tossing it aside.
He then lies down next to me. On his side with his head propped up by an arm.
After he readjusts my clothing, he gives me a quick kiss.
Leaving behind the salty taste of my cum.
Evidence of his arousal is obvious by the visible bulge in his trousers.
I know that it must be uncomfortable. Dominic was so focused on giving me pleasure that he didn’t get to find release himself.
He appears to be unbothered by this. His main concern at this moment seems to be to get my acquiescence to his demands.
“Marry me, Elle? Marry me and you’ll experience more of this.
Don’t you want to explore our attraction?
Are you going to deny us this?” Dominic whispers against my lips and I find myself nodding in agreement.
His lips fuse with mine again. By the time he pulls away we are both breathless.
Lying on his back, he tugs my head onto his chest.
“We’ll be getting married in one week. I need the news to spread that you’re my wife.” When he speaks, his voice vibrates against my ear. “I’ll have Serafina come over to help you with the preparation.”