Chapter 49
Chapter Forty-Nine
Grace
The moment the studio doors clicked shut, I knew.
I knew from the way Dominic’s fingers tightened around my waist, the way his breathing slowed, the way his dark eyes burned into mine like he had been waiting for this moment all damn day.
I should have walked away.
I should have been the one in control.
But somehow, I had played right into his hands.
His grip tightened, and before I could react, he turned us fast, pressing me up against the mirrored wall of the empty dance studio. The cool surface sent a shiver down my spine, a stark contrast to the warmth of his body pressing against mine.
I barely had time to catch my breath before his mouth crashed against mine.
Hard. Possessive. Unapologetic.
A low sound rumbled in his chest as his hands moved, one sliding up my thigh, the other gripping my chin, tilting my head back to meet his deeper.
“You walk into my rehearsal,” he murmured against my lips, his voice low, rough, “touch me in front of my band—” his teeth grazed my bottom lip, making my breath hitch, “—then expect to walk away like nothing happened?”
My pulse spiked.
“That’s not—” I started, but my words cut off as he nipped at my jawline, his mouth hot and demanding.
“Tell me,” he whispered, voice laced with dangerous amusement, “do you enjoy testing me, Dauntless?”
I gritted my teeth, hating how easily he unraveled me. “I don’t?—”
“Don’t lie to me.” His fingers dug into my waist, his lips brushing over my ear, sending a shiver straight through me. “I know you better than that.”
I hated that he was right.
I hated that I had walked in here thinking I could tame him, when in reality, I had only set myself up to be consumed by him instead.
His teeth scraped against my neck, and I gasped, my fingers gripping the front of his shirt, desperate for something to hold onto.
He chuckled, the sound dark, knowing.
“You pretend you don’t like this,” he murmured, trailing his lips slowly down my throat, “but you do.”
I shook my head, trying to fight the pull, but he only pressed closer, forcing me to feel every inch of him against me.
He was all dominance, all control, and yet…
And yet I wasn’t scared.
Because this wasn’t about power.
This was about him losing control for once.
I swallowed hard, forcing my voice to stay steady. “You’re so sure of yourself, aren’t you?”
Dominic pulled back slightly, tilting his head, his dark eyes flickering with something dangerous.
“I don’t have to be sure.” His fingers brushed the hem of my dress, teasing the sensitive skin beneath it. “I already know.”
I let out a slow, shaky breath, hating how easily he unraveled me. “You really are insufferable.”
His smirk was wicked. “And yet, you’re still here.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but his fingers slid higher, his touch firm, demanding, and my breath caught instantly.
“Dominic—”
His lips captured mine again, swallowing the rest of my protest.
There was nothing soft about the way he kissed me.
It was raw, possessive, claiming—like he was trying to brand me, to make sure I never forgot exactly who was in control here.
But I had never been one to back down from a fight.
I fisted his shirt, pulling him closer, kissing him back just as fiercely, just as desperately, matching his dominance with my own.
He groaned into my mouth, and in one swift motion, he lifted me, my legs wrapping instinctively around his waist as he pinned me harder against the mirror, his grip unyielding.
“I should make you beg,” he muttered, his voice dark, taunting.
I narrowed my eyes, breathless. “I don’t beg.”
Dominic smirked, his fingers digging into my thighs, his gaze dripping with challenge.
“Oh, Dauntless.” He leaned in, his lips ghosting over mine. “You will.”
And then, just like that?—
I was his.