17. Dominic
Iclenched my jaw, finding it exceedingly difficult to resist tasting what was sure to be the most delectable dessert of my entire life. Bree’s desire for me to kiss her drifted from her body in mouthwatering waves.
Making her fantasy a reality would happen soon. I wanted to taste every inch of her delicious body.
But this wasn’t the place, and this wasn’t the moment.
Not yet.
A stroke of luck arrived in the form of the bartender, even if I wanted to strangle him for the interruption.
Scott reached across the table to fill our wine glasses.
Before she could mask her disappointment, Bree dropped her gaze and frowned. It was a look I never wanted to see on that gorgeous face again. I would make sure her disappointment didn’t last long.
The server poured the last of the wine. “Would you like another bottle?”
“No, thank you.” I pushed back my chair and stood. “Let José know the service and food were as impeccable as ever.”
The server beamed at the praise and retreated behind the bar.
I offered my hand to Bree.
Raising an eyebrow, she took my hand and let me guide her to her feet. I pulled her closer, taking advantage of the moment to feel more of her body touching mine. Like during the massage, her cool touch soothed my dragon’s inner fire.
But it also fanned the flames of desire.
She looked up at me, her gaze as deep and soulful as the ocean. This close, her scent wrapped around me, salty and sweet, holding me captive.
Gods above, I wanted her, wanted that gaze locked on mine as I thrust into her, fulfilling her needs night after night. I would be patient, knowing the wait would be worth it. But knowing didn’t make it any easier.
“Well, thanks for dinner,” she said, though she made no effort to move away.
I grinned, enjoying the way her skin always flushed when I did. “The night’s not over yet, darlin’. I still need to know more about you.”
She bit her lip in a way that made my entire body stiffen with sudden need, but then took a step back. “Despite the kidnapping and forced pampering, tonight was lovely. Thank you. I’ll make sure everything I’ve borrowed gets returned.”
“They’re yours to keep, a gift.”
“I couldn’t possibly accept that kind of gift. You’ve seen where I live, the work I do.” She gestured to her dress and clutch. “They deserve a happier home, with someone who can enjoy them.”
“We’ll just have to find another place for you to wear them.” Although I’d much prefer them on my floor and Bree naked on my bed.
“Um, no, I think not. I’m sure you have a flock of women lining up on your doorstep, ready and willing to date you.” Her smile was sad. “You know, those who are more suited to your lavish lifestyle.”
“That’s where you’re wrong.”
“Is that so?”
“Indeed. I don’t date.”
“Well, that’s kind of confusing.” Her eyebrows drew together. “Then why’d you call this a date?”
“Because you are the exception,” I said, watching for her reaction. And when it came, it was as glorious as I’d hoped for.
Her eyes widened and her pink lips parted ever so slightly with an inhaled breath. A flush rose along her collarbone and neck, rising to her cheeks. She was absolute perfection.”I’m not sure I understand. Why in the world would you want to date me?”
I cocked my head to the side. “Do you think so poorly of yourself?”
“No, but I’m also not an idiot. You could date any woman you set your sights on.” She narrowed her eyes, and I could feel her indignation rising like a surging wave. Her sister wasn’t the only one with a temper.
Marissa’s anger was sure to be as quick to withdraw as it was to rise, but I somehow knew that Bree’s would be different. It would develop slowly and build over time, until the power of her wrath crashed into her target with the force of a hurricane. The damage left in her wake would be catastrophic.
Yet, despite the destruction, I would stand in awe of her strength and beauty.
“Is this some sort of game for you? A bet to see if you can make the poor girl fall for you? Slumming it for a night?”
Her words struck me like a punch to the stomach. “You are unlike any woman I’ve ever met, Bree. You intrigue me, challenge me. Hell, you avoid me.” I swept my gaze over her face as the wave within her withdrew and softened her features. “I find myself thinking of you more often than not, wondering what it is you’re doing and what makes you happy. I want to know everything about you, something I’ve never wanted from a woman before.”
Her gaze dropped to the ground, but I tipped her chin back up, needing her to see the truth in my face. Drowning in the depths of those ocean-hued eyes for the rest of my life would be heaven enough, since I was surely damned to Hell.
“Something tells me there’s so much more to you than meets the eye,” I added quietly.
“That could be true for most people.” She smiled, but there was a guarded edge to her expression. That edge had shown up several times that night.
Most people were quite transparent, which made her secrets even more tempting to unravel. I would peel back the layers and discover what had caused that guarded expression, then grind that reason into nothing but pulp.
“Maybe, but I’m willing to slum it with you for a while longer, darlin’, if you’ll do me the honor.” I winked and held out my arm.
As she took my arm, she pursed her lips but failed at hiding her amusement. “Fine, but tell me, does calling a woman ‘darlin’’ actually work for you?”
I led her to the elevator. “You know, I’ve never asked. Does it work for you?”
“I haven’t decided yet,” she said as the door slid shut.
The next partof my plan for the evening included a stroll down the National Mall toward the Jefferson Memorial. The memorial was one of my favorite places in the city, especially during spring when the cherry blossoms surrounding the Tidal Basin bloomed.
My friends would ensure there were no interruptions, which, being related to Ichiro Sato, happened more frequently than I’d like.
As we walked the few blocks to the National Mall, I pointed out little-known features of the city. I’d studied D.C. for years, fascinated by its history and politics, past as well as current. It was one of the few interests I’d pursued for myself while growing up.
When I mentioned that at least 168 different languages were spoken by city residents, Bree’s eyes widened, sparkling with genuine interest. Once again, she was proving far different from any woman I’d considered dating in the past, most of whom feigned interest or changed the subject to more mundane topics.
In the center of the Mall, the Washington Monument towered before us. Well-placed uplighting cast majestic shadows across the structure that honored the founding and first president of this country.
Beside me, Bree gasped and pointed into the darkened fields surrounding the monument. “What are those?”
I looked where she pointed but saw little more than grass and fireflies. “What?”
“The little lights dancing around.”
“You mean the fireflies?”
She took a hesitant step toward one, holding a hand out as if encouraging it to land. The little bug disappeared, and she let out a surprised laugh. “I’ve never seen them in person before.”
I stood mesmerized, watching her laugh and twirl among the twinkling, dancing lights. She was beautiful and so innocent of this world. Some might see her behavior as na?veté or immaturity, but I knew it was because of where she grew up—deep beneath the waves.
An intense desire to protect her from anything that might take that purity away rose unbidden. I would kill anyone who tried.
And yet, a shadow of doubt crept into my thoughts. Not about her, she was perfection itself. She was unlike anyone else in his life, someone I wanted to treasure above all others. But I was a Sato.
A killer and a monster.
For all my sins, did I even deserve her?
Cupping my hands, I caught one of the fireflies easily. “Look.”
She stepped closer until I could feel her cool breath on my arm. Slowly, I opened my hands to reveal the tiny bug resting on my palm, and her eyes widened in a look of awe.
“What a magical little thing.” She smiled ruefully as it lifted into the air and flew away, her gaze following its trail. “We had similar creatures back home…”
We were so close, the tiny flecks of silver ringing her otherwise deep blue irises sparkled like diamonds as she looked up at me. Everything around me faded away until there was only her.
Just Bree.
I slipped my hand behind her neck and drew her to me, claiming her lips with mine. I’d waited long enough, and the moment couldn’t be more right. As our lips touched, ecstasy like I’d never known filled my entire being, drawing a groan from deep within.
She tasted as sweet and salty as her unique scent, of ocean breezes on a hot summer’s day. A perfect, tantalizing mixture of my favorite childhood memories and everything good in this world.
She tasted like home.
Her lips parted beneath mine, inviting me to explore further.
Our tongues danced together in a way that was as familiar as the city around us. I wrapped my arms around her tiny waist, holding her tightly to me and never wanting to let her go.
Moaning into my mouth, she slid her arms around my neck and pressed her supple body against mine.
A growl escaped my lips, and I sucked in her bottom lip before pulling my head back. I stared into her dazed eyes, lost in everything she was. “Have I gone mad or are you real?”
She answered me by drawing my mouth back to hers and kissing me deeply.
When I finally surfaced again, I ran my nose down her neck, breathing in her delicious scent. I nibbled gently on the soft skin at the base of her throat. “Come home with me tonight. I want to devour every last inch of you.”
Gripping my arms, she let out the smallest whimper of pleasure that strained the front of my pants.
Before she could answer, my phone buzzed in my pocket.
Only one person would be calling tonight, and ignoring that man wasn’t an option.
Fuck.
I sighed and stepped back, putting physical distance between us if I had any hope of letting her go that night. I ran a hand through my hair, frustration and anger clutching me tight.
Although her eyes were bright with desire, her eyebrows drew together in a look of confusion.
I pulled out my buzzing phone. “I have to take this. One moment.”
Disappointment swept across her expression before she smothered it and nodded. “Of course.”
Twice in one night, I’d disappointed her, a fact that had my dragon writhing and ready to kill.
The call was quick but the job would not be. Ichiro demanded my services at the last minute, which meant something had gone wrong. Jou growled and writhed in agitation as I slipped the phone back into my pocket. This was not how I envisioned our night ending.
Bree studied my face. “Is everything okay, Dominic?”
“No, but only because I have to go deal with someone else’s mistake.”
“I understand.”
Grabbing her waist, I yanked her closer and cupped her face. I drank in her sharp intake of breath and ran my thumb across her beautifully swollen lips. “Understand that I will make them pay for this interruption. Next time, I plan on claiming what’s mine—fully.”
I lowered my face to hers and kissed her softly but deeply. When I let her go at last, I took a moment to memorize the delicate angles of her face. “And from now on, I’d prefer you call me ‘Nic.’ I’ll have Samson bring the car around.”
Her lips twisted into a cute smirk. “You have an interesting definition of the word ‘car,’ Nic.”
As my dragon simmered and hissed within, demanding I forsake my grandfather and the family business and take Bree back to my bed, I knew that this woman would change my world.
Only, I didn’t know if her presence would destroy everything I’d worked so hard to achieve. Years of careful planning and strategic alliances.
But did I care?
Not one bit.