56
A sharp intake of breath from Dominic made my heart jump.
His brow quirked up, his gaze lazily trailing before locking with mine, the smirk now practically sinful.
I wrapped my arms around my chest so fast it almost hurt. “Dominic, get out!” I hissed, panic heating my voice.
His eyes darted to the door, but he didn’t move. “You know, Bunny might walk in at any moment,” he teased, standing leisurely and strolling to the door like he had all the time in the world.
He locked it with a soft click, his back to me. “Wouldn’t want him to stumble onto anything… scarring.”
“Dominic!” I yelped, grabbing the nearest pillow and hurling it at him with all the force I could muster.
He turned just in time to dodge it, his reflexes annoyingly smooth. The pillow hit the wall and flopped uselessly to the floor.
His smirk deepened, his gaze flicking back to me. “You know, this must be the millionth time I’ve seen you naked. Not that I’m complaining.”
I narrowed my eyes, forcing a poker face. “That millionth time was years ago, Dominic. And you know it.”
He chuckled, sauntering back toward the bed. “Sure, Ellie. Whatever helps you sleep at night.”
I turned my back to him, biting back the heat rising to my face. My fingers fidgeted with the hem of my jeans as I changed the subject. “What are you even doing here so early?”
“Nice dodge,” he said, his tone light but with an edge of something deeper. “But seriously. Why were you stirring awake like that?”
I stiffened. “Like what?”
“Like you were being chased in a nightmare,” he pressed. His voice softened as he added, “Are you okay?”
I felt his gaze, heavy and unrelenting. He wasn’t going to let this slide.
“Eyes up here,” I snapped, catching his gaze dipping south again.
He grinned unapologetically but didn’t reply.
And then the question I’d been dreading spilled from his lips.
“Ellie…” His voice was careful now, too careful. “Is it back? The… schizophrenia?”
I froze, his words cutting through the air like a knife.
My hands fell still, and I turned to him slowly. “What?”
He ran a hand through his hair, hesitation clear on his face. “You’ve been acting different lately. Last night… whatever you dreamed… I don’t know. I’m just asking, Ellie. Don’t bite my head off.”
I stood, yanking my jeans off with a sharp tug and tossing them into a heap at my feet. The move was more aggressive than graceful, and I didn’t care. I was bare now, completely naked, but I refused to feel vulnerable.
His eyes followed the motion, lingering just a second too long before darting back up.
“Do you think I’m crazy?” I asked, my voice low but sharp.
“Ellie—”
“Do you think I’m crazy?” I demanded, cutting him off.
His jaw tightened, and he exhaled, standing from the bed. “No. Of course not. That’s not what I’m saying.”
“Then what are you saying, Dominic?” I snapped, my voice cracking slightly as I took a step closer to him.
“I’m saying I care about you, okay?” he shot back, his tone growing firmer. “And when I see you like this—when I see you scared and shutting me out—it makes me worry. I can’t help it.”
I glared at him, my chest heaving with unspent frustration. His words softened the edges of my anger, but I wasn’t ready to let it go. Not yet.
“I’m not crazy,” I whispered, the words trembling as they left my lips.
He stepped closer, his hands reaching for mine. “Ellie, I know you’re not.”
His voice was warm, grounding. But all I could think about was the dream—the blood, chunks of his insides all over the floor, the gap in his gut and the blood dripping down the sickle.
I yanked my hands away, my voice hard as I muttered, “You have no idea.”
I climbed out of bed, the cool wood creaking beneath my feet. The coldness of the floor shot up through my legs, sending a shiver that I couldn’t hide. Dominic’s eyes followed me as I moved, and when I turned to face him, he was already towering over me, his height making the space between us feel smaller than it was.
His gaze dropped—once, twice—to my chest.
“For someone who’s seen these a million times,” I teased, crossing my arms under my breasts to lift them slightly, “you sure can’t seem to look away.”
A smug chuckle escaped him, his lips curving into that familiar, maddening grin. “I mean, they’re unforgettable.” His tone was light, teasing, but there was heat in his eyes. “Perfect the first time, and still perfect now.”
I rolled my eyes, my cheeks flushing even though I tried not to let him see it. “You’re impossible.”
“You’re the one walking around naked,” he shot back, leaning slightly against the bedframe like he owned the place.
“Morning, Dominic,” I deadpanned, waving a hand at the sunlight spilling through the curtains. “I’m trying to take a shower.”
He hummed, low and amused, his eyes not leaving me as I moved toward the dresser. “You’re also trying to change the subject.”
I paused, caught for half a second, but quickly shook it off. “And what if I am?” I said without turning around, tugging a fresh towel free and tossing it onto my shoulder.
He took a step closer, his presence like a heavy heat at my back. “You don’t have to. I’m serious, Ellie. Even if you were crazy, I’d still want you exactly like this. Messy, complicated… and naked.”
I turned then, forcing myself to meet his eyes, even though I felt the breath leave me when I saw the sincerity there. My chest rose and fell as I struggled to find the right words. His honesty made me feel vulnerable, like I was standing on the edge of a cliff with no safety net.
“Dominic,” I said softly, nodding once to acknowledge him, “what’s the plan? The police are after us. Vaughn’s still in the picture. How are we getting out of this?”
For a moment, his jaw tightened, like he was pulling his focus back to the present. “We’ll—uh—we’ll need to—”
I arched a brow, smirking as I folded my arms again. “Did you just stutter?”
“Ellie,” he muttered, dragging a hand through his damp hair.
“No, no, keep going,” I teased, stepping closer. “I didn’t realize the mighty Dominic was so easily distracted.”
“God, you’re impossible,” he groaned, his voice low, his frustration clear—but the way his eyes darkened as they lingered on me betrayed him.
“You’re the one stuttering,” I shot back. “What’s got you so worked up?”
He stepped closer, closing the distance between us in one smooth motion. The heat of his chest radiated against mine, and when his body brushed against me, I felt it—a spark that made my breath catch.
“You,” he said simply, his voice a rumble that sent a shiver down my spine.
My nipples hardened as they pressed against his chest, the soft fabric of his shirt teasing against my bare skin. His gaze dropped again, and I could see the faintest clench of his jaw before he tilted his head to meet my eyes.
“You can’t expect me to concentrate when you’re like this,” he murmured, his voice dipping lower. “Naked. Perfect. Standing there like a goddamn distraction.”
I flushed, my lips parting to argue, but he stepped closer again, his hands brushing against my sides, leaving a trail of heat in their wake.
“And why are you naked, anyway?” he asked, his lips tugging into a wicked grin.
“Because it’s morning,” I said flatly, trying to ignore the way my voice wavered. “I was about to take a shower.”
He leaned in, so close now that I could feel the warmth of his breath against my cheek. “A shower, huh?” His voice was soft, teasing. “Maybe I should join you. Like old times.”
My cheeks burned as his words settled between us, hot and heavy. “Dominic…”
His grin widened, his hands sliding up to cup my face, his thumbs brushing against my flushed skin. “What? Don’t act like you didn’t like it. Those old times were your favorite.”
I opened my mouth to retort, but the words caught when his hand dropped to my waist, pulling me closer. My bare skin was flush against him now, the heat between us almost unbearable.
“You just got out of the shower,” I managed to mutter, my voice barely steady. My eyes flicked to the trail of water dripping from his hair to his face. “Why are you even—”
“Doesn’t mean I can’t take another,” he murmured, his lips brushing against my temple. “Especially if you’re in it.”
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