Chapter 28
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Skye
I hesitate at the threshold of the room, watching Harper burst in with her typical boundless energy. "Come on, let's go swimming!"
Then she notices the laptop. "Oh, FaceTime?"
"Yeah, they met your dad," I explain, my skin still tingling where Dom's hand had covered mine. Such a simple touch shouldn't feel so significant, but my body hasn't gotten the message.
"Good, your mom and brother are seriously the best," Harper beams, her freckles dancing across her face as she smiles.
"Yeah, I could see that," Dom interjects, his voice carrying a warmth that catches me off guard.
I still can't wrap my head around how he sat there chatting with my family like it was the most natural thing in the world.
The way he connected with Justin especially—God, that means everything.
My brother doesn't warm up to people easily, his autism making social interactions complicated.
But with Dom, Justin had been engaged, comfortable.
That simple approval from my little brother speaks volumes about the kind of man Dom really is beneath all that intensity.
"I'm all ready. We just need to grab sunscreen and towels," I say, trying desperately to sound casual while my pulse refuses to slow down.
"I'll bring them down with the drinks," Dom offers, his deep voice sliding over me like velvet. I fight the urge to shiver.
"Thanks Dad. And I bought stuff for burgers and hot dogs so we can grill out after we swim," Harper informs him, already heading for the door with the single-minded determination she gets when outdoor activities are involved.
"Thanks," he responds, disappearing back toward the kitchen.
"Let's soak up the sun before it's gone," Harper calls over her shoulder. I follow her outside, immediately feeling the absence of Dom's presence like a physical ache.
We haven't spoken all day. When I got back to my room, I'd thrown myself into work—making a video for one of my regular subscribers, sending it off, then losing myself in the sketch I'd started nights ago.
I hadn't known who I was drawing at first, but my fingers had recognized him before my brain caught up—Dom standing shirtless in the kitchen when he'd caught me doing dishes.
My artist's hands had captured the hard planes of his chest, the intensity in his eyes that makes my stomach flip.
Now comes the impossible task of pretending we're indifferent to each other all night. The thought of maintaining that artificial distance while being so physically close makes my chest constrict painfully.
"I snuck some beer in my Stanley if you want some," Harper offers as we descend the wooden steps leading to the beach, her voice dropping conspiratorially despite the empty stretch of private shoreline.
"Nah, I'm good. I'm going to chug water tonight," I reply. I need crystal clarity around Dom. Last night's drinks had given me enough liquid courage to send those bold texts, and now I'm floating in uncertainty, not knowing where we stand.
"Suit yourself," she shrugs, unbothered. "Oh, and hey, I'm all set for Saturday at Obsidian if you still want to come."
My stomach performs an acrobatic routine at the mention of that name. Obsidian—where this whole impossible thing began.
"Okay, yeah. What does one wear to a sex club?" I whisper, though there's nobody around to overhear.
"Something sexy," Harper laughs, the sound carefree and confident in a way I've always envied. "You can raid my closet if you want."
"I'll probably have to," I admit as I pull my cover-up over my head, revealing the only bikini I own.
It's not as daring as Harper's barely-there number, but I chose it strategically—knowing it somehow makes my small chest look fuller while highlighting the curves of my ass that I've caught Dom staring at when he thinks I'm not looking.
"You want to go in while we wait on towels?" I suggest, desperate for the cool ocean water against my increasingly heated skin.
"Hell yeah!" Harper exclaims with characteristic enthusiasm.
We race into the waves together, laughing as the water splashes around us. I try desperately to wash away thoughts of Dom with each crashing wave—but like the persistent tide, they keep rolling back in, impossible to escape.
I follow Harper's gaze to where Reed and his girlfriend Wren are making their way across the warm sand toward us, their figures silhouetted against the brilliant sunshine.
"Oh cool," I say, immediately propelling myself through the water back to shore. My arms cut through the waves with purpose, mind already racing about how I'll manage to act normal around Dom with additional witnesses. Maybe more people around will help keep my ridiculous hormones in check.
"Hey guys," Harper and I chorus as we reach the shore, water cascading down our bodies and leaving dark splotches in the sand at our feet.
"This place is absolutely beautiful. Thanks so much for inviting us," Wren says, her eyes wide with genuine appreciation as she takes in the pristine private beach and the stunning house perched majestically on the bluff above.
"It is amazing, isn't it?" I gesture toward the breathtaking panorama stretching before us. "I literally pinch myself every single morning when I wake up to that view. It doesn't seem real sometimes."
"I bet," she says with a warm smile that reaches her eyes.
Reed scans the expansive beach with an appraising glance. "I hear the old guys are coming too."
"Yeah, well, I didn't want my dad to be bored all day, so I figured he could invite your dad and Logan to hang out," Harper explains with a casual shrug. "Plus, I think Skye actually gets along with them pretty well." She throws me a knowing laugh that makes me want to disappear into the sand.
"Hey!" I protest, feeling heat flooding my cheeks that has absolutely nothing to do with the blazing sun overhead. "They are pretty cool to talk to, but all that flirty stuff is just joking around."
"Oh, I know. They're both total playboys," Harper says with a dismissive wave of her hand.
"Speaking of playboys," Reed says, nodding somewhere behind us.
I turn to see Dom walking toward our little group, arms loaded with fluffy beach towels and an ice chest. "I'll go help him," I announce before making my way over to him.
He's wearing nothing but navy swim shorts hanging low on his hips, and my mouth goes completely dry at the sight.
He's so damn perfect—tall and muscular with just the right definition across his chest and abs.
Not bulky like a bodybuilder, but powerfully lean in a way that makes my fingers itch to trace every ridge.
When we reach each other, I realize I'm practically drooling, my lips parted in silent, embarrassing appreciation.
I snap my mouth shut and frantically try to compose myself.
"Here, let me help you with some of that," I offer, desperate to appear normal.
"Thanks," he says with a knowing chuckle that sends electric vibrations straight through my core.
"I brought sunscreen and towels for everyone," he adds, his voice dropping noticeably deeper when speaking just to me.
"Thanks," I manage lamely, taking the stack of towels from his arms, our fingers brushing momentarily. "Are Logan and Ethan still planning to come?" I ask, grasping for any conversation that won't make me spontaneously combust on the spot.
"Yeah, they should be here anytime now," he says, his dark eyes briefly dropping to my bikini before deliberately snapping back up to my face.
"Cool," I reply as we walk over to rejoin the others.
"We need to get you another bathing suit," he says unexpectedly, voice low enough that only I can hear.
"What? Why? Is something wrong with this one?" I look down at myself, suddenly self-conscious about my body in a way I hadn't been moments before.
"Yeah, it's too small, and I have to constantly avoid looking at you to keep from showing just how much I like it to everyone here," he murmurs. "Plus, I don't like everyone else seeing this much of you."
I laugh, the tension breaking slightly between us.
"Oh, my boner problem is funny to you?" he asks with one eyebrow raised in mock offense.
"Just a little," I admit, biting my lower lip to keep from grinning too widely.
"Well, don't think I didn't notice you practically drooling just a minute ago," he counters, eyes dancing with amusement.
"Oh, you caught that, huh?" I feel my cheeks flaming again.
"Oh, I notice everything," he says, voice dropping to a register that makes my insides liquify.
"Hey Dom, come over here and meet my girlfriend Wren!" Reed interrupts our moment with perfect college-boy timing.
"You actually found someone willing to date you?" Dom asks dryly.
"Hey, I got game," Reed protests indignantly, which makes both Dom and me burst into laughter. Dom's eyes catch mine for a breathless moment, sharing the private joke, before he turns his attention back to the introductions.
"Dad, this is Wren, and Wren, this is my dad, Dom."
"It's very nice to meet you, Wren," he says smoothly, professional charm sliding effortlessly into place. "You live in Michigan too?"
"Yeah, I go to college with Reed, but I'm originally from Georgia," she explains, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Georgia sounds significantly better than Michigan winters," he observes with a slight smile.
"It definitely is, but I'm starting to like it here more," she says, returning his smile. "And your house is absolutely stunning."
"Thanks," he acknowledges with a nod. "You guys have fun. I'm going to start getting the bonfire ready."
I'm about to offer to help him—desperate for any excuse to be near him—but Harper grabs my hand before I can speak. "Come on, let's go back in the water. You guys should join us too," she says enthusiastically, already pulling me toward the inviting waves again.