CHAPTER NINETEEN

AVERY

Turns out giving into Dominic and my attraction wasn't so difficult after all. Most of the stress I felt about us stemmed from me refusing to accept what was right in front of my face. Go figure.

We still bickered, but it was playful—almost like a form of foreplay.

"You're gonna have to spell it out for me, Avery. What exactly does surrendering mean?"

Stroking the back of his neck with my fingertips, I revel in the freedom I've given myself to touch Dominic without reprimand. "It means I'm ready for more."

His swift inhalation ends in a growl as he drags my shirt up, up, up as if waiting for me to stop the slow rise. When I don't, the green tee continues its journey before halting over my eyes, binding my arms overhead.

"What—" The unexpected move sends a shiver of anticipation down my spine. It's not like I could see much before, but now the dark has shifted. Transformed into an erotic tease.

"I can stop. If this is too much," Dominic says. His low voice filters through the cotton. "I don"t want to, but I can."

I believe him. Inherently trust that he"ll do whatever I ask. But we've come too far now. This is what I've been craving for weeks.

"Please…" The pleading whimper should embarrass me. I've never imagined myself as the type of woman to beg a man for anything. One, because I've been too reserved in the past to even gather enough courage to do such a thing, but two, because I'm an independent person. If there's something I need, I get it for myself. I don't rely on someone else to give it to me.

But I need Dominic to give me everything. Yearn to experience the passion of his full possession. For the tension that's been building between us since our first meeting to culminate in an explosive rain of pleasure.

"Don"t worry, baby. I"ve got you."

A sheen of sweat gathers on my body as I freeze, muscles tense in preparation for what he has in store for me.

The large cups of my bra are folded under my heavy breasts, fighting to hold their weight. At least my undergarments are cute with tiny, embroidered roses strewn across the serviceable fabric.

"Fuck, you're overflowing my palms, firebrand. So gorgeous." My beaded nipples roll under his thumbs as he molds my breasts in fascination. Or what I guess is fascination since my vision is still obscured.

Which is why the wet heat of his tongue swiping across the pebbled skin of my areolas wrings a sharp cry from my throat, and I unconsciously retreat from the shock. Dominic follows until a wall halts our progress, and he takes advantage of this new placement by sinking deeper into me, the extra soft hills and valleys of my body cushioning his.

"Is this a kink of yours? Pinning me to walls, sheds, counters?"

A wicked chuckle vibrates across my breast before teeth nip and nibble, pulling on a sensitive nipple then releasing it. "Thank yourself for the discovery. Before you, such things didn't interest me. I was a respectable man."

"Debatable," I taunt, arching into his mouth when he switches to my other breast.

There"s a burning need inside me. My hips bump into his, begging for relief, but he ignores me, keeping his attention focused on my chest. One hand lowers to divest me of my shorts and panties, leaving me bare to his hungry eyes except for the tee covering my face.

When his fingers slide between my thighs, he hisses at the easy glide my slick arousal provides. Suddenly, Dominic whips the shirt the rest of the way off and hefts me into his arms, my arms and legs naturally clinging to him for security.

Lavishing kisses over his cheek and jaw, a giggle rises in my chest. "You know, I've got a quote that fits our current scenario."

Dominic pauses before carefully letting me slip down his body until I'm flat on my bed. He remembered the wonky frame situation. If he'd tossed me in a fervor, I would've fallen straight through, slamming the mattress to the floor and breaking the flimsy metal frame.

"Does it have something to do with me being a pirate and you're my booty?"

Another burst of laughter breaks free at the suggestion. "No, but that's a good one. It's less about you being a pirate and more of a vampire…"

Dominic groans and drops his head on my stomach. "Please no."

It's hard to shrug when you're laying down, but somehow, I manage. "Suit yourself. Just know you're missing out."

"I'll take your word for it," he rumbles, levering himself up on his elbows to place teasing love bites on my belly and inner thighs.

The heat of his mouth over my pussy evaporates the last of my humor. I don't want to laugh anymore. I want to come. Revel in a different kind of release.

"I've wanted to do this since tasting you at the YP event." Dominic's tongue lashes my clit, flicking and nudging before dipping down to lap at my pulsing channel. "I would've fallen to my knees and worshiped this sweet cunt there, but somehow I doubt you would have let me."

"Don't be so sure…" I pant. "I was on edge that night. Another push from you probably would have resulted in that evening ending a lot differently." Like him in my queen-sized hotel bed with enough space to roll around in rather than my measly twin that we were currently making work.

"Hmm…" His beard scrapes over a particularly sensitive spot, the roughness matching the harsh drag of his tongue, and the intensity becomes too much.

My back bows at the onslaught of sparks prickling along my skin as Dominic's thick arms tighten their hold and keep my legs spread.

"Dom!" I cry out, the orgasm rolls into a second deeper one as he draws out my pleasure, devouring me with hungry groans of satisfaction. When I've had enough—shoving at his dark head before I freaking pass out—he cleans me up with his mouth then crawls up the bed to rest his head between my breasts.

My hands sink into his hair, caressing him in silent gratitude. "It's going to suck if I have to move." Immediately, it's obvious my unfiltered comment was the wrong thing to say because Dominic stiffens beneath my touch.

He lifts his head and growls, "Why the fuck would you move?"

"Because of a new job. I told you I want to quit Design Time soon. My savings goal is almost met, which means it'll be time for the next step."

"Leaving Suitor's Crossing," he spits out, his fingertips digging into my hip. "Leaving me."

"We wouldn't necessarily need to break up, but it's not like we could have this every night depending on where I am. Though a move isn't guaranteed anyway. That's why I said ‘if.'"

"Yeah, but you're not opposed to the idea of uprooting your life here."

"What's to uproot?" I ask. It's been years of being stuck in a rut, and I'm done. Something needs to change before it's too late. He needs to understand that. "Elsie and I are all we have in town. Everyone we used to know from college moved a long time ago. And no matter what, I can't stay at Design Time forever. It's slowly killing me as it is."

"You have me," he says quietly. The anger from earlier transformed into dejection.

Shit.Hugging him closer, I poured all of my feelings for him into the embrace. "I didn't mean to imply you're not important. Obviously, you are, or else tonight never would have happened. None of what's occurred between us since the Summer Soiree would have happened. I don't know if you realize this, but I'm not a hit it and quit it kind of girl. It takes time for me to warm up to someone."

"An understatement." There's a note of humor in his voice which makes me feel a little better. God, why couldn't I keep my mouth shut? Everything was perfect before my pleasure-addled brain decided to blurt out potential problems.

"We're not going to figure anything out tonight, but why don't I start pleading my case, hmm?"

"What do you—Oh. Oh!"

A condom appears from his pocket, and that's when I realize Dominic is still fully dressed, while my bra remains rucked up underneath my breasts. The thin latex swiftly covers his dick before he notches the mushroom head at my entrance.

"Shall I start with my opening statement?" The savage thrust of his hips punctuates the question as his cock burrows deep.

"That's… quite… an opening statement." My breathless voice causes a knowing smirk to tip the side of his mouth then there's no more talking. Barely enough oxygen between us to breathe as Dominic sets a punishing pace.

You won't leave Suitor's Crossing.

You won't leave me.

I won't fucking allow it.

He doesn't say the words aloud, but I feel them. From the determination gleaming in his eyes. The possession outlining each ravaging plunge.

And, for once, his blunt aggression doesn't rub me the wrong way.

It does the exact opposite.