35. Thea

I come back from the bathroom, wearing Dom's Black Sabbath tee and nothing else. My man is sitting with his back against the leather upholstered headboard of our new bed. It's a beautiful mix of leather and aged wood. It's a massive king size bed with the plushest mattress I have ever experienced in my life. We didn't just buy the bed, though. No, Dom insisted we get the matching dresser and end tables. I have to admit I love them. Once we got done at the furniture store, he paid extra to have it delivered the same day. After we finished there, we went shopping for sheets and things. Dom's favorite color is blue, which also happens to be mine. So, I found a coverlet set that I love. Dom couldn't care less that I picked them because I hate being hot while I sleep. He grinned at me like he understood what I was talking about, but truthfully, I don't think he gave a damn. We got home about an hour before the furniture was delivered and I felt like a little kid at Christmas, fixing up the room that Dom and I are going to share. Our new bedroom has hardwood floors, so I also picked up a couple of throw rugs that are thick and soft. I hate for my feet to hit the cold floor in the morning. The room is already painted an understated gray. With the added blue color, the room pops, yet is calming and relaxing at the same time. Dom grins at me and motions me back down on the bed. I lay across the mattress, putting my head in his lap. When I feel his hands move into my hair, running his fingers through it, I literally purr. This has to be what heaven feels like.

"You surpass the fantasy of you in every way imaginable, Thea Kane."

"The fantasy of me?" I ask, looking up into his dark eyes, which are sparkling with emotion.

"Yeah, baby. Since the night we had dinner after visiting Kayden at the hospital, you've stayed on my mind. I can't even tell you how many times I've lain in bed with my hand wrapped around my cock, imagining I was making love to you." I gasp at his confession, and feel my body begin to melt at the thought of him doing that. "You like that idea, Gorgeous?"

I lick my lips and nod. "Oh, yeah."

"Good, although in none of my fantasies were you wearing clothes in our bed," he complains.

"Technically, it's just your shirt. I'm not used to walking around naked."

"Now, that's a real shame. A body like yours should always walk around naked."

I giggle like a damn schoolgirl. "That could get embarrassing when I go to school or work."

"Just in our house when we're alone. I don't want anyone else seeing what belongs to me," he grumbles.

His deep voice vibrates through me, and I can feel the insides of my thighs grow wet. "Dom," I whisper softly.

He bends down and his lips caress mine. I suck the bottom one into my mouth, unwilling to let the moment end. When I let go and look into his turbulent eyes, I find it hard to breathe.

"Fuck, Thea. You're destroying me."

I try to calm my heart as I look at him. My gaze moves over him and settles onto his shoulder. I sit up immediately, straddling Dom's lap. "Oh my God."

"I was wondering when you would finally notice."

My heart squeezes in my chest and I'm having a hard time dragging air into my lungs. "Is that… Is it my…" I can't say it out loud. I can't even process it. It seems too monumental.

"Your bite mark? Oh yeah. I've had it done since the morning I dropped off your phone. You didn't notice it that night, so I wore shirts that covered well around my neck. I wanted to surprise you."

"You've also kept our bedroom dark when we made love."

"Yeah, I guess I did."

"Why did you…"

"Tattoo your mark on me?"

"Yes…"

"I want the world to see I'm yours. I want more, but today didn't go as planned."

"More ink?"

"Yeah, I have to cover the club tattoo. I want your name on me."

"You do?"

"Definitely."

"Would you want me to have your name on me?"

"Fuck, yeah."

"Then I think we should go to the shop together tomorrow."

"You don't have school?" he asks, but I shake my head no.

"Nope. I've got a couple of days off."

"Then it's a date," he murmurs, bending down to kiss me.

I take his kiss and sigh with contentment when he pulls away. "Dom, I know yesterday was bad for you. I don't want you to think for one minute that I don't understand that. Still, last night in our new bed and making love to you, plus this morning, has been heaven for me. It feels like every dream I've ever had has come true."

"Same, baby."

"If I'm dreaming, I'd appreciate it if you don't wake me up."

"Trust me it's not a dream. This is much, much better."

"You sound so positive."

"That's because I am. You can't tell me you don't feel how right this is, Thea," he replies, his voice quiet, deep, but vibrating.

"I do, but you spent years with…in your last relationship. It might be too soon to?—"

I can't finish because Dom kisses me, stopping me from saying anything else. I lose myself in his kiss and the way his hands move over my body. I don't want to think about the love he once held for Gabby. Part of me is terrified he'll fall back into her trap. The only plan I have is to love him so hard that if she tries to get her claws back into him, he will somehow love me the way I've always loved him. I know that's probably nothing more than a pipe dream, but it's the only plan I've got.

When I feel Dom's hand caress between my legs and his fingers enter me, all thoughts flee. For right now, the only thing that matters is right here—right now.