Chapter 50
Chapter Fifty
Grace
The mountain air was crisp, carrying the kind of quiet that didn’t feel empty but full—full of possibilities, full of something unnamed but certain.
The only sound was the wind rustling through the trees and the slow, steady breaths between us.
The sky stretched out in endless colors, shifting from deep navy to soft hues of gold and pink as the sun began to rise.
Dominic stood beside me, hands in his pockets, his posture relaxed in a way I rarely saw. His usual tension, the weight he carried every day as a performer, as a businessman, as someone who had spent his entire life in the public eye—right now, it was nowhere to be found.
For once, it was just him. And just me.
He exhaled slowly, his breath visible in the cool morning air. “Not bad, huh?”
I let out a small hum, squeezing his fingers where they were laced with mine. “Could be worse.”
He turned his head slightly, raising an eyebrow at me. “Could be worse?”
I shrugged, pretending to study the view. “Yeah. Maybe if we had coffee.”
Dominic smirked, pulling one hand free to reach into the pocket of his jacket. A second later, he pulled out a thermos, holding it up like a prize.
“You think I don’t come prepared?”
I stared at him, then laughed. “You brought coffee?”
He unscrewed the lid and poured some into the small cup attached to the top. “Of course I did. You’re insufferable without caffeine.”
I rolled my eyes, accepting the cup as he handed it to me. “You make me sound so pleasant.”
He took a sip from the thermos itself, shrugging. “You have your moments.”
I pretended to glare at him before taking a careful sip of the coffee. It was warm, the perfect contrast to the chilly morning air. For a while, we stood there, sipping in comfortable silence, watching as the sun climbed higher over the mountains, stretching golden light over the valleys below.
After a while, he glanced down at me, tilting his head slightly. “So, what now?”
I looked up at him, the warmth from the coffee spreading through me. “What do you mean?”
His fingers tightened around mine, his gaze steady. “I mean… we’re here. There’s no job left to do. No contracts. No obligations.” He paused, letting the words settle. “For the first time in a long time, there’s nothing keeping you here.”
I swallowed, my chest tightening slightly. “Right. Nothing.”
He studied me for a long moment, his thumb brushing absently against the back of my hand. “You don’t have a plan, do you?”
I let out a slow breath, staring down at our interlocked fingers. “No. I don’t.”
His lips twitched. “That’s a first.”
I nudged him lightly with my elbow. “Don’t get used to it.”
His smirk deepened, his voice dropping slightly. “I kind of like it.”
I rolled my eyes. “Of course you do.”
Dominic was quiet for a second, then he lifted our joined hands, rubbing slow circles over my knuckles with his thumb. “Then stay.”
I froze slightly, my breath catching. “Stay?”
He nodded, completely sure, completely certain. “Yeah. Stay.”
I swallowed. “Just like that?”
His smirk returned, lazy and confident, but there was something soft behind it this time. “Yeah. Just like that.”
I let out a small laugh, shaking my head. “You’re unbelievable.”
Dominic pulled me in slightly, the warmth of his body radiating against mine even through the layers of fabric. “You think you own me, Beethoven?” I teased.
His eyes darkened slightly, his grip on me firm. “No, Dauntless.” His free hand came up, his fingers tilting my chin so that I had no choice but to look at him. His voice dropped, rough and intimate. “I think you own me.”
I sucked in a breath, my fingers tightening on his jacket.
Dominic had never been a man who gave control. He had always been the one in charge, the one making decisions, the one holding the reins. But right now, there was something completely vulnerable in the way he looked at me.
Like he was already mine, and he had been for a while now.
I swallowed. “You’re insane.”
He leaned in, his nose brushing against mine. “And you love it.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but before I could say anything, his lips were on mine.
It wasn’t urgent, wasn’t rushed, wasn’t desperate.
It was slow. Deep. Certain.
Like he was taking his time, memorizing every inch of me, like he knew that we weren’t just burning fast and fleeting.
We were something else.
Something that lasted.
I sighed into him, letting my arms slide up, my hands curling around the back of his neck. His fingers tightened on my waist, his grip sure and unshakable, as if he had no plans of letting me go.
When we finally broke apart, his forehead rested against mine, our breaths mingling in the cold air.
The sun was fully up now, stretching golden light across the mountaintop, painting the world in something warm and alive.
Dominic exhaled slowly, his thumb brushing over my jawline. “Whatever happens next?—”
I swallowed, my fingers still tangled in the fabric of his jacket. “We face it together.”
His lips curved slightly, his dark eyes filled with something deeper than words could ever describe.
“Yeah.”
I looked at him, really looked at him, and for the first time, I knew.
I wasn’t running.
I wasn’t standing on the sidelines, watching my life from a distance, waiting for the next thing to pull me away.
I was here.
With him.
And for the first time in my life, I didn’t want to run.
Dominic let out a slow breath, his fingers curling tighter around mine. He studied me for a moment longer, then shook his head, almost in disbelief.
“I love you,” he said, voice steady, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
My chest tightened, and for a second, I could only stare at him. “You?—”
His grip on my waist tightened. “I love you,” he repeated, no hesitation, no doubt. “And I know you love me too.”
I let out a slow exhale, my fingers sliding up to press against his jaw. “You’re cocky as hell, Beethoven.”
A smirk tugged at his lips. “So I’ve been told.”
I swallowed past the lump in my throat, past the years of running, past the instinct to keep my guard up.
And then, finally, I said it back.
“I love you, Dominic.”
He exhaled sharply, like he had been waiting for it, like he had already known but still needed to hear it out loud. Then he kissed me again, like he wasn’t just claiming me—like I had already claimed him.
And maybe I had.
Because here, on the peak of this mountain, with nowhere left to run, I finally knew the truth.
This wasn’t just love.
It was home.
~ END ~
Don't Let the Adventure End The final page of this series marks the start of another epic journey…
Unlock the next chapter by exploring my new series—Experience the magic of second chances in "Naughty Christmas with My Ex," where steamy secrets and heartfelt reunions ignite a holiday romance like no other.
Rediscover passion and forgiveness under the twinkling lights of Christmas as old flames rekindle with a sizzling twist. Ready for a festive adventure that will leave you swooning?
Click here to unwrap your next irresistible read!
Here’s an exclusive sneak peek
The Naughty List
Holly Winters stared into her peppermint martini, watching the tiny swirl of red and white candy cane shavings dissolve in the frothy drink.
The bustling chatter of the bar hummed around her, festive and carefree, but she felt anything but.
Dressed as a sultry Mrs. Claus in a form-fitting red velvet dress with white fur trim, she’d already endured enough winks and catcalls for the evening.
The town’s annual charity event was in full swing, and Holly had promised her best friend she’d attend, but now, she regretted showing up.
She adjusted the Santa hat on her head, sighing.
It wasn’t the outfit or the holiday crowd that unsettled her; it was the memories this season dragged back.
Christmas had once been her favorite time of year.
Hot cocoa by the fire, the twinkling lights on Main Street, and—her heart clenched—the way Noah Carter used to pull her under the mistletoe, grinning like the cocky heartthrob he was.
Holly gulped her drink, willing herself not to think about him. But the universe had other plans.
The bar’s door swung open, letting in a gust of icy wind and a flurry of snowflakes. Holly glanced up, and her heart stopped. There he was. Noah.
His broad shoulders filled the doorway, the red Santa suit snug over his athletic frame. His dark hair peeked out from beneath the classic hat, and his easy grin lit up the room. Holly’s pulse quickened, and her fingers gripped the stem of her glass so tightly she feared it might shatter.
“Why now?” she muttered under her breath. She hadn’t seen Noah in three years—not since she’d packed her bags and left this small town, leaving behind nothing but a scribbled note and a broken heart.
“Holly? Are you even listening?”
Her best friend, Sophie, leaned closer, waving a hand in front of her face. Sophie followed Holly’s gaze and gasped. “Oh my God. Is that…?”
Holly nodded mutely, her cheeks flushing as Noah scanned the room. His eyes passed over the crowd, and for a brief, foolish moment, she thought he might not notice her. But then his gaze locked on hers, and the room seemed to go silent.
“Holy Christmas cookies,” Sophie whispered. “He’s looking right at you. You’re so screwed.”
Holly’s throat dried. She couldn’t tear her eyes away as Noah began walking toward the stage at the front of the bar.
Each step brought him closer, the air thickening with tension.
Her chest tightened as memories rushed back—the way he used to hold her, the sound of his laugh, the promises they’d made. Promises she had broken.
“Welcome, everyone!” Noah’s deep voice boomed through the microphone, snapping Holly out of her daze.
He was on the stage now, towering over the crowd.
His smile was as charming as ever, but there was a flicker of something else in his expression when his eyes darted back to hers: curiosity, maybe even recognition of the unresolved tension between them.
“As you all know,” he continued, his voice steady, “this event is all about giving back. And tonight, I’ve got a question for you.”
The crowd murmured, leaning in. Holly’s heart pounded as Noah’s gaze swept the room once more, finally landing on her.
“Who here believes in second chances?”
The question hung in the air like mistletoe, impossible to ignore. Holly’s stomach twisted. The words weren’t directed at her—he couldn’t possibly know—but they hit her like a sleigh full of bricks.
Sophie nudged her. “You okay?”
Holly forced a smile, her fingers trembling. “Yeah. Totally fine.”
But she wasn’t. Not even close.
The applause erupted, breaking the moment, and Holly seized her chance. She slid off the barstool and grabbed her coat.
“Where are you going?” Sophie hissed.
“I just need some air,” Holly mumbled, pulling the coat tight around her. She didn’t wait for a reply before weaving through the crowd and slipping out the back door.
Continue reading herev….