Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 36564 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36564 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
There probably should have been some negative reaction to that declaration. I should have been horrified at the thought that Dom would kill someone, especially because I knew he was doing it for me. This man’s death would be as much my fault as it would be Dom’s. When guilt and fear didn’t come immediately, I waited a few seconds. Then a few more. Huh. “I think I’m a bad person, but I won’t regret it either.”
He smiled down at me. “That’s my girl. Now. Let’s get you in the shower. Then we’ll watch as many episodes of the baking show you like. I won’t even bitch and moan about it. What do you say?”
That startled me. “You won’t? But you always complain.”
“OK, I might complain a little. But only for fun.”
“You’re a good man, Dominic.” His unexpected confession nearly started up the crying again. I’m not sure how I managed to find this man, but I had no desire to ever give him up.
“I’m just a guy takin’ care of his girl.”
“Your girl?” My heart started racing again. This was an entirely different feeling. I remembered that kiss. Before my mind betrayed me. That kiss was everything. I knew in my heart, that kiss was how it was supposed to be. Not the perverted fumbling of an evil, controlling man.
“Yeah, baby. You’re my girl.”
“What does that mean?”
“To be honest, I’m not sure.” If he’d punched me in the gut, I don’t think it would have hurt as much as those words. I felt them like a physical blow and I stiffened in his arms and gasped. “Stop, girl!” he snapped. “Let me finish. I’m not sure because I just decided I was headed that way. I was resistant when Piston and Venus approached me because you’re too young for an old bear like me. You need someone you can relate to. Not someone who’d been in the military longer than you’ve been alive. So, I’m not sure what it means because, after I left Tina, I never even thought about havin’ a woman of my own. But when you ran from me earlier, I knew I never wanted you runnin’ from me again. You run to me. I’ll keep you safe.”
“D-don’t give m-me this then rip it away from me. I-I couldn’t s-stand it.” Tears did start again then. There was no stopping them. I was too emotionally raw and battered.
“Never, baby. I don’t think there’s going to be any way I could let you leave me, and I ain’t panickin’ the way I should be at the thought of keeping a woman for my own.” He looked so adorably confused, I actually smiled. I could breathe again. The band around my chest finally relaxed and the last of my anxiety dissipated.
“There’s my girl.” He grinned down at me before leaning in to kiss my forehead. “Now. Shower for both of us. Clean clothes. Junk food. Baking show.”
I wrinkled my nose. “Yeah. We both smell like puke.”
“Will you be OK by yourself? I don’t like leaving you but I know you’re gonna need time before you’re ready for anything heavy, even if it’s only me helping you wash. So if you need me here, I promise to keep it light and strictly nonsexual.”
My throat got tight. It was funny how a man the Divine camp would consider evil was a better person than all of that lot put together. I have no idea why I felt this way, but I trusted Dom with anything. Probably more than anyone else. Even Venus.
I smiled up at him. “Yes. Please stay with me. I promise I’m not going to freak out again.”
“And if you do, I’ll help you through it. You sure this is what you want?”
I nodded. “I’m sure.”
Chapter Ten
Annie
It was harder than expected to strip in front of Dom. He didn’t stare at me or touch me. Instead, he busied himself turning on the shower and adjusting the water. He glanced at me once, giving a crisp nod to see I’d removed my clothing but his gaze didn’t linger, which put me even more at ease. It helped me shake the last lingering anxiety still inside me and I breathed easier. Before I moved to the shower, I brushed my teeth, grateful to get the taste of vomit out of my mouth.
“In you get.” He opened the door to the shower and held out a hand for me to take. I glanced down at his hand then back up to his face. Dom didn’t say anything, merely raised an eyebrow, his gaze solidly on my face. It was almost like he was challenging me, daring me to take his hand. To touch him. To get in the shower and trust him to take care of me in this.
I took his hand, stepping into the shower. He gave me a moment, making sure I had my balance, then shut the door. I started to protest, but he whipped off his shirt and shoved off his jeans. When he opened the shower door, he was still in his boxers. He was hard but seemed to ignore it. I thought I probably should feel uncomfortable or scared or something other than relief he’d not left. Shouldn’t I want him gone? I’d never willingly been naked in front of man in my life! Yet here I was.