As the sun rose the morning after their argument, Dominik pushed their bedroom door open with a sweaty towel over his shoulder. He'd spent the last few hours in the gym. All he could see was the look of frustration on Salina's face and the tears she was trying to hide from him.

He just couldn't wrap his mind around why she was so hung up about all of this. The business aspect of everything could be handled by him, he'd been doing it alone successfully for years. Maybe he should've been clearer at the very beginning. Sure, he'd expected Salina to fill a certain role around others but she would get that with time. It hasn't even been a month since they were married. There shouldn't be a single concern in her pretty head aside from how her husband could make her life even easier.

That is his role as her husband, he'd decided.

He'd walked past the closet with his feet sinking into their carpet she'd bought to 'cozy up the room'. Just as he got to the bathroom, he froze in the doorway with his back to the bed.

The empty bed.

His heart thudded harder in his chest for a single moment before he assured himself that the odds she could leave without the entire house security notifying him was slim to none. Stalking towards where they slept every other night up until this particular one, he felt her side and it was cold under his touch.

Swallowing hard, he immediately crossed to their bedroom door and opened it rather abruptly. Without stopping he pushed into her crafts room, pausing at the sight of her curled up uncomfortably in her chair. The cat she liked so much slept on top of her. Grunting under his breath, he couldn't help the sigh of relief fall from his mouth. He'd almost forgotten how easy she could leave. Well- it wouldn't be easy for her to leave and he'd never actually allow her to step off the property without a plan to return- but still she could try in theory pretty easily.

Dominik decided he didn't care if she wanted to sit with him day in and day out of his work hours. If she wanted to go through his computer or files endlessly- whatever the fuck- he didn't care. If that placated her for whatever reason, he'd do it. He didn't have to understand her reasoning to agree to anything.

Finally, he stood over her and the only reaction he got was the cat peeking it's eye open but otherwise it didn't move. Spoiled. And fearless. Just like his wife.

Reaching under her knees and cradling her gently, he lifted the both of them up. Salina wouldn't wake up, he'd learned the first week they began sharing a bedroom that the earliest hours of the morning was when she slept the heaviest. But if he made any unnecessary moves or noises within the first hour of her sleep the woman would be up in a heart beat.

Her head wedged against his shoulder, Dominik dropped his nose to rest against her hair. Inhaling her scent, Dominik smelled hints of all the different products she used. Overall, she smelled of vanilla, coconut, and something else sweet that was naturally Salina. Her smell covered the entire house, but it was always strongest when he got to be close to her like this.

Dominik has begun to find it addicting. Afterall, he was from a family of addicts so it only made sense. Everything about her was fascinating and more than once she'd scolded him for openly staring at her in silence. She said it was creepy and he said it was because she is his wife and he's allowed to. He didn't anticipate the marriage being like this. Dominik liked his inner circle and that was it, he knew Salina was his wife since before she knew he existed but that was the end of his planning around their relationship. He hadn't thought past when she was actually his, simply because he had a hundred other fucking things to do all the goddamn time. His parents marriage were arranged and it seemed out of convenience more than anything. That's what he was expecting for his own.

Salina was an anomaly. Of course, that would be his luck. Laying her down slowly, he looked at the cat once. It looked back at him and neither acknowledged the other after that. All he wants to do it sit in bed besides his wife, that's it.

Now with her lying down asleep, he finally could relax as he stripped himself down to slide clean boxers on. On his side, he stared at her sleeping face where her lips were parted and short puffs of air fell from them. He could deal with her anger in the morning until she realized he would be giving her exactly what she wanted.

Salina shifted under the covers that morning when she woke up, her nose scrunched as she felt Dulce still lying across her body since she was on her side. Tightening her arm around the pillow as she came to from her sleep, Salina groaned lowly at the thought of yesterdays aftermath.

Her fingers twitched when a familiar smell filled her nose. The lingering scent of Dominik's cologne was near and so was his very own musk that made her heart leap inside her rib cage.

Wondering why she could smell him when she'd fled to the safety of her own personal room, her eyes peaked open. Her groggy mind slowly registered that instead of a pillow she held to sleep, it was rather a torso. The torso of the man sitting up against their bedframe while her cheek smushed against his hip. While a puddle of her drool sat as proof.

Her head perked up immediately, seeing her stupid husband already looking down at her. Groaning, Salina squirmed away and laid her head back on her actual pillow. Dominik frowned, peering over her until she couldn't ignore him.

"I slept in there so I'd have space, Ivanov." He opened his mouth to respond, she sat up abruptly. Dulce didn't move except to shift her weight onto her lap.

"And don't say since we're married we don't need space."

Dominik growled to himself as his own eyes rolled, so what if he was going to say that? "Couples argue all of the time, I don't understand the big deal."

Salina, too tired to get super worked up at the moment, sat against the headboard right besides him. "Calling us a couple is generous, Dominik." The words tasted like acid in her mouth, her eyes couldn't lift up to meet his own. Of course, she'd love to be in love with her husband and for her husband to be in love with her but that wasn't the reality and it wasn't what Dominik wanted out of this arrangement. "You want me to be somebody for you and I'm trying Dominik but the only one putting up roadblocks is you!"

Last night she'd fallen asleep without her bonnet and now her frizzy hair needed to be tucked back behind her ears, he watched her try and fix it. "Why wouldn't you consider us a couple?" he furrowed his brow as genuine confusion crossed his face.

Salina's shoulders fell as that was the only thing he picked up on of course. "We've known each other for about a month and a half total. We've kissed once and it was in front of an entire building of people. We went on a 'date' once and it was just so you could get ahead of someone. Things are getting better but you need to actually tell me what's going on, Dominik. I don't need the romance if you're not willing to give it but I need communication."

The man besides her took in what she was saying, cracking his knuckles as he thought. "I want you to spend more time in the office with me. I'll start taking you to meetings with me more often."

Salina's eyes widened, her head finally spinning to face his own. She hadn't expected him to compromise or even agree to what she wanted. "I'm not doing anything that might compromise your safety though, Salina. If I say something is dangerous I need you to take my word for it. I don't want you to be anyone other than who I married, солнышко. That's all I want from you," he ran his tattooed fingers through his hair.

little sun

She stared at him, wondering if he was serious. When Dominik rose his brow, she finally sighed. Scooting closer, she rest her head on his shoulder. "You don't have to if you don't want."

"I want to."

That was really reassuring. But Salina would take it if that's what he was offering. At least now, she could finally bring up something that was truly on her mind.

"Did they really call you Domo when you were younger?"

Dominik winced loudly at the question.

~~

The couple fell into a proper routine. Salina was beginning to understand what exactly it is that Dominik does besides the bloodshed and murder. He distributed power and jobs, strategized how to get ahead of any competitors in the organized crime business, and he instilled fear through intimidation and example. He's meticulous- in a disorganized way that no one other than him would understand. And she was starting to get an idea of the type of Donna that would benefit him.

She'd found out pretty early on that he didn't even know the answer to that. Dominik just wanted a woman to fill a role that he'd left undefined. Not because he was unprepared but simply because at the end of the day, he is just a man. But that was fine, it's what she is here for.

Now, she laid on a float in the pool built into their backyard. Their garden surrounded it and the strong floral smell brought a smile to her lips. Laying in the large float, her bright pink bikini stood out against her dark skin. It was practically a beacon for anyone who wanted to feast their eyes on her coily curls that were tied up so that her face was perfectly visible. Or for anyone to see her soft chest tightly constricted in the straps of the fabric, how the necklace she wore with the infamous sword pendant sat snug between her perky mounds. Or when she turned over on her stomach like she was now how her ass jiggled with every small movement she made.

Dominik watched her clearly from the window of his office. Now that she'd gotten what she wanted, him agreeing to fill her in more often, she did give him more time alone than he anticipated. It wasn't what he wanted anymore, he'd decided.

Now, when she wasn't in the office she was in her craft room, the garden, or more recently the pool. Groaning quietly, Dominik shifted in his seat at the sight in front of him. His duties were currently being ignored and he couldn't care less. Dominik wasn't behind since Salina turned out to be a great help when she wasn't torturing him with her lack of clothing and distance.

The sound of the door opening made his ear twitch, he turned in his chair just barely and saw the only man who had the audacity to brazenly walk into his office without a care. Well, the only one that could do it and not get killed.

Lev Minsky was a graying man that despite his aging body stood strong. He was about into his mid-50s by now. Lev worked closely with his father and when the power transitioned to Dominik, Lev took it upon himself to make it as smooth as possible. He was an advisor of sorts for Dominik, one that he'd grown up with his entire life by now.

"I'm busy," Dominik barely spared him a moment before turning back to face the window again. Salina had taken down her hair now, he loved seeing her natural curls and listening to her explain everything about the different textures. She was convinced he was just listening out of obligation but he'd remembered everything so far. The dark, almost black hair fell around her shoulders just barely past her chest as she stretched. He watched her toes curl and he could only imagine the little mewls falling from her lips right now.

Fuck.

"Fuck." Dominik hadn't said it out loud, Lev did as he stood besides Dominik to see what he was looking at. Except he hadn't meant it in the same tone that Dominik did, it was more one of shock.

"Take your eyes off, right now. Right fucking now," he growled.

"I wasn't quite convinced you'd actually gone and tied the knot."

Dominik lifted his left ring finger with a scowl, finally turning around to face his desk begrudgingly. "Is that why you're here? Because if so you can leave."

"Why so you can spend the last of your work hours staring at your woman?"

Dominik smirked at the idea, flickering his gaze up from the random file he'd grabbed with smugness in his eyes. "That doesn't sound so bad."

Lev shook his head, "I'm sure it doesn't. But I didn't come here to watch you drool, you're coming with me tonight to have dinner with your cousins. You're woman is coming as well. We have things to discuss. I want you both at the Luxe."

The mafia Don lifted his lip in a sneer, "Watch it with the orders, Lev. I'm not ten years old anymore, remember that."

"I forget with how you act, sometimes." When Dominik grunted loudly, Lev sighed. "Listen, I don't ask much. Just do this for me, you can introduce me to your wife. I haven't seen you in months."

Rolling his eyes at the attempt to appeal to his 'humanity', just when he was about to give him an even more resolute no, Salina waltzed in.

Their dark eyes met each others first, and then Salina's head tilted as she observed the unfamiliar man in front of her husband. She stood in her small bikini, with no hints of embarrassment on her. She had no reason to be.

"Baby- Can you please-" Dominik pinched his brow before shrugging off his suit jacket.

Salina looked back at him with a raised brow, wondering why he was freaking out. Then she looked back at the stranger as she lazily strode over to Dominik. "Are you a friend of Domo's?" Salina could see on the strangers forearm there was that familiar sword tattooed onto it. He had to be apart of the Ivanov family somehow. She learned that the men with the sword on their chest were Ivanov's by blood and the one's with it on their right arms were trusted amongst the family, all of the men working security in the house like Gabriel and Fern had them on their right side. The rest working for the Ivanov's had them on the left forearm. This mans was on the right.

The older gentleman's eyebrows rose as Dominik gripped Salina after he stood up to meet her halfway, finding her pace too slow. Lev watched him wrap her up in his jacket as she argued with him in a small whisper.

"You let her call you Domo?" he guffawed with disbelief.

"Would you shut up for just a second? I didn't even invite you here." But Lev didn't care as he turned his attention to the young woman in front of him. He spared her a kind smile and she shot him a small one in response.

"I'm sorry for not introducing myself, my names Lev. I've worked with the Ivanov's for quite some time now. I've known Dominik since he was a boy.

Salina nodded in understanding, unbothered as Dominik ushered her to sit behind his desk as he himself stood.

"It's nice to meet you," she leaned back in the chair as if her sitting there was not what thousands of men would kill to do right at this moment.

Snarling as he rolled up his sleeves, "Now that this reunions over, do you mind fucking off? We'll be at the fucking club. Get out of my house, you're face is ruining my day." Salina looked up at him like he was crazy.

"It's about to ruin your night later, I'll see you both at 8 tonight." The door shut behind him before he shot another grin at Salina.

"You're so mean, that guy didn't seem that bad," Salina spun in the chair to peer up at him as she gripped the arms. Dominik huffed, grazing his fingers up her pretty throat before nudging her chin up so she was only focused on him. Dominik stood right in front of her, towering over her in the chair.

"What have I said about the bathing suits?"

Salina immediately glared, "I don't want to hear about your stupid jealousy problems, Ivanov. I live here too I should be able to dress however I want in my own home."

Dominik rubbed both hands over his face, "Дай мне силы, Господи. Please, please, woman I can barely focus as it is."

please give me strength, good lord

Salina's jaw dropped, "You're just crazy! You should learn to control yourself rather than worry about what I'm wearing." Her arms crossed stubbornly and her head tilted away from him.

The man above her scoffed, "Control? We can talk about control all fucking day Salina. It's wearing thin with the teasing, жена."

That made Salina pause for a moment, slowly a smirk crawled onto her face. "According to what you said our wedding night I'd be the one begging Domo. What happened, mon cœur?"

my heart

Dominik's features softened only for a second as she continued to tease him, his hands rested on his hips as he sighed. "You're a pain- you know that." He reached down and braced his hands on either side of her in the chair, caging her in.

"Dangerous men come in and out of here on the daily, pretty girl. You really think I'd let them see you like this?"

Biting the inside of her cheek, she leaned back in the chair. Slowly, she began unbuttoning the jacket he'd hidden her away in. And now he could see what he was so afraid of others feasting their eyes on. God, why did she have to be so fucking perfect?

Swallowing harshly, his dark gaze focused on her tits that were constricted against the bright fabric. "How about... I tell you which guests we have beforehand and when we need to be more careful."

Salina tucked her chin down and ran her tongue over her teeth, it hid her smirk well at the fact that Dominik was relatively easy to compromise with. "You know, you should be more aware of who you bring into the house Domo. What if one day there's children around here. I know the danger is your whole thing but still, it's good to separate work life and home life," Salina had kind of just been talking but froze when she realized what came out of her mouth. Her eyes widened just a fraction as her face heated up in embarrassment. But Dominik didn't seem to notice as he was busy rolling his eyes.

"This house is the safest it'll ever be. And you'll have to come to terms with the fact that work is my life. You knew that coming into this."

Her eyes narrowed a bit at his response. Every week they progressed more into what felt like a romantic relationship. And then he says things like this and it brings her back to reality, she'd already come to terms with her feelings weeks ago. Salina has a crush on Dominik, just a small one though. And the crush keeps getting pushed more and more down deep inside of her as it grows.

"Whatever," she rolled her eyes. "Just give me a heads up like you mentioned. Now, apparently I have to get ready for tonight," Salina pushed herself up. Her chest brushed his own, her hands grazing over his biceps to steady herself.

He grumbled quietly, not ready to see her leave his company yet. His hands held her wide hips momentarily, tugged her weight into his own. "I'll be up soon," he ducked his head down a bit and brushed his mouth over her forearm. "Please be good for me tonight, baby. I already have to deal with our unfortunate company. I have a feeling it's not going to go as smooth as I'd like," he tugged her closer. Salina gasped as his hips ground against her stomach and his fingers dug into her deeper.

She'd learned by now that Dominik's gut feelings were usually right about people. At least so far they have been, it was his job to control people and to do that he had to be able to read them like a book.

Grunting dismissively, Salina nodded and she planned to keep her word. Leaning forward, she kissed his chin gently. Patting his back, she finally sauntered off to their room to begin getting ready for their evening.

~
i love seeing comments ♡
if u thought the obsession started before u haven't seen anything yet

next chapter they go to the club 😌

are we enjoying so far? what do u think Lev's role will be?