Chapter 14
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
corinne
It’s been a few days since Dom and I became more than just a contract, and in that time, things have developed.
Our sex is off-the-charts amazing, we’re both unable to keep our hands to ourselves, the talks have become deeper, and I’m learning more about the man who is so much more than business.
The wild card everyone thinks Dom is couldn’t be him if he tried to.
A lot like me, he had to grow up fast. He had the means to spend money how he saw fit and go on vacations when he wanted.
How that makes you a bad person, I’m not sure, because I’d have done the same if money weren’t an obstacle.
I walk into the café near Sterling Capital to meet the girls for coffee, already missing Dom, and we just parted ways less than twenty minutes ago.
We rode to the office together. Since I now have more free time on my hands, this morning is for the girls while Dom takes care of a few things, and then later is for us.
“Well, aren’t you just a radiating on a gloomy day,” Alexandria says with perceptive eyes as I take my seat at the table.
“What are you talking about?” I ask, going for innocence and wrapping both my hands around my iced coffee that Alex ordered for me.
“Girl, you are lost in La-La-Land, and you have that just-fucked look written all over your face. So, tell me everything, Cory,” Alex counters, leaning forward with a knowing grin.
The conversations between the other girls pause.
Romy, Mischa, and Genny shift their attention toward me, perfectly synchronized.
The only one missing from our usual lineup is Jett.
She’s currently out on location for a social media consult and is missing out on this morning’s interrogation.
She’s a lucky girl, and I curse her absence.
She’s always a fantastic distraction when the spotlight is turned too brightly on me.
“I’m just being myself,” I mumble, though I can feel the sudden spike of heat in my face that’s completely betraying me. I take a massive gulp of coffee, hoping the ice will cool me down.
“Please,” Romy chimes in, leaning her chin on her hand, a delightful smirk plastered on her face.
“Alex is right, you’re absolutely growing, and more importantly,”—she gestures toward my outfit—“you’re not in scrubs.
You’re not even on a shift today. You’re dressed in a beautiful sundress instead of your comfies on a day off.
You’re doing more than grabbing coffee with us. ”
She’s right. Usually, if I’m not at the hospital or heading to or from work, I’m in my scrubs. To see me dressed up on a random weekend morning is a dead giveaway that my universe has shifted.
“Okay, fine.” I sigh, setting my drink down. Nerves dance in my stomach. The secret, which isn’t really too much of a secret, is burning a hole through me anyway. These women know me far too well to let it slide. “There’s someone, and things have sort of exploded really quickly, at warp speed.
“I knew it! Who is he? Tell us everything.” Genny gasps, clapping her hands together.
“Oh, this is easy. It’s Dom.” I take a deep breath as Alex clears the air.
“It’s not like it’s a huge secret. You saw us at the club.
” I look at all the women at the table. Even the ones who weren’t there were privy to what happened in the group chat.
“You gave him every detail the man could ever want. You also saw us in the elevator. And I know you, the last time we had a group call, we were all on speakerphone. So, yes, it’s Dom.
” I feel the heavy yet sweet possessiveness on my tongue.
Saying his name alone brings back vivid flashes of this morning—the fierce weight of his hands, the demanding look in his dark eyes, and the way he kept his gaze locked on mine as he ate me this morning.
He didn’t stop until I was screaming his name, my hands buried in his hair, and when I came down, it didn’t stop there.
Dom flipped me to my hands and knees, pulled my ass back, pushing my upper body to the bed, and fucked me senseless.
My thighs tighten at the memory, and I clam my lips together to keep from spilling way more than necessary.
“Wait, back up,” Mischa says, her hands cutting through the chatter.
She leans across the table, eyes glittering with curiosity.
“What do you mean by exploded? Give use the timeline, Corrine Lynn Pierson. We need the details.” Mischa using my full government name means she’s not standing down anytime soon.
And this is the hard part. The truth is a whirlwind intensity that defies any type of conventional relationship. In short term, it’s a tangled web of a marriage of convenience mixed with a dash of fake dating and a whole lot of sexual tension.
“Um, let me see.” I take another sip of my drink.
These women love me, but they’re also fiercely protective, and I’m much the same way.
They’d question Dom’s motives, question mine, and analyze the legalities of this.
There’s also that clause where I signed a non-disclosure agreement, and I’m not going back on my word to Dom, either.
“Last week, no, maybe the week before that. When I tell you it’s a blur, it’s a blur.
” I heavily tailor the truth to fit a narrative that keeps everyone copasetic.
“Alex gave him my number. Like I told you, he pursued me, brought me dinner at the hospital, texted and called, took me out my first and only day off. And honestly, I basically live with him now.” I keep my voice steady despite the guilt that twinges in my chest.
“You what?” Genny squeals, earning a few glances from other patrons at the coffee shop. She lowers her voice, still keeping her high-octane energy. “You moved in with him? Already?”
“It made sense, and yes, it’s wild and reckless and carefree.
It’s also right. One day turned into another, and we were spending every spare second together anyway.
Plus, this way, I don’t have to pick up every extra shift available.
I have more time for mornings like these and get to soak up my evenings with Dom.
” I wiggle my eyebrows and the girls laugh at my facial expression.
This isn’t a total lie. Living with Dom feels right, even if the way our relationship started is unconventional.
“Wow. I mean, we all knew there was a ridiculous amount of tension between the two of you, and I know this is a massive step for you. You’re the most cautious person I know,” Mischa says.
“Sometimes, you just know,” Romy says softly, with a look on her face that makes me think maybe she’s been in my shoes before, but it didn’t end the way she wanted.
“I’m happy for you, babe. You deserve to have someone worship the ground you walk on.
And we all know Dom Mercer enough to know he looks like the type to do exactly that. ”
I glance down at my phone, the vibration alerting me to a text.
Dom: Ready when you are, sweetheart. I’ll meet you out front of the coffee shop in the car.
Cory: Give me five minutes, and I’ll be done here.
“Well, I hate to cut this short and make it all about me, but I really do have to go.” I lock my phone and look at the girls while finishing the rest of my iced coffee.
“Where are you going in such a rush?” Mischa asks.
“I’m going to visit my mom, and Dom is coming with me.” I shift nervously in my chair.
“This is very serious,” Genny states.
“He insisted.” And for once, it’s the absolute truth. Dom didn’t hesitate for a single second when I mentioned the visit.
The girls stare at me for a minute, and a collective sense of realization settles over the group. Alex already accepted it, my little traitorous friend. One day, I’ll get her back.
“Go, don’t keep him waiting, and give your mom our love,” she states.
“I will. Love you guys.” I stand up, offering them a bright smile and a quick wave before turning on my heel and moving quickly through the maze of people.