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DOMINIC

Claudia and Dominic entwined their legs in bed, sweating and flushed from the warmth. She placed her head on his chest while he traced her hips and waist. The butterfly was his go-to since it made her blush and move closer.

After leaving, the bathroom floor was messy, and when Claudia picked up towels from the laundry room, he had a peek at her lovely backside. He leaped toward her.

One tremendous lunge twisted her around and lifted her, trapping her between the open window and him. He went inside her and smashed his lips over hers. Because he didn't carefully grab Claudia with delicate grasps, her body had given away which made him want to fuck the hell out of her. He couldn't resist wrapping her legs around his.

He craved her body like water.

Her passion was swift and strong, matching every thrust. He was directly behind her when she trembled, testing his limits.

Dominic took her to the bed after ensuring his legs wouldn't give out. He found her irresistible lying on the bronze sheets with her hair flowing over her shoulders and cleavage.

He needed her again.

Claudia's empty look prompted him to take her once more, putting her on her knees. Her round ass hit his hips, and his arm wrapped around her small waist.

Neither of them had sex based on vulnerability. She reached around and dug her nails into his hips, encouraging him. The only sounds they made were gasps, breaths, and panting. It was a magnificent symphony to his ears. He needed her in the way a guy needed his partner to fulfill him.

Dominic was a man, not a beast.

He found it shocking, but it was still the truth.

A genuine urge to be with her always trumped any dark feelings.

They collapsed on the bed, exhausted and satisfied, after two rounds overnight.

Claudia carefully drew him in for a kiss, caressing his hot cheek with her palm, smiling.

"Did I... hurt you?" Dominic was dead serious after pounding her so hard.

Her shoulders shook with laughter as she pressed her fingers over his stomach. "No. What made you think that?"

Dominic brushed her hair out of her face. "I... just couldn't help myself."

She sat up, rubbing her weary eyes, and stared at him. "And I enjoyed every second of it."

"Oh, I could tell."

"It was your cock."

"Hmm, don't talk about my cock."

She laughed. "Why?"

He shot her a sly grin.

"Will I arouse the sleeping beast again?"

"The beast is constantly awake and wants you."

And hell if his current hard-on wasn't stirring. Instead of indulging in it, Dominic repositioned her beside him, appreciating how she felt. He plucked out a piece of her hair and wound it around his finger.

Claudia looked up at him and said, "You know, people usually have sex in the shower and not outside of it? But out of it was just as good."

He kissed her and responded, "Yes, it was. It worried me that the floor would become too slippery and cause us to fall."

"You almost fell while you were fucking me on the counter," she said. "I don't know why we waited so long to do this."

"Maybe we're making up for lost time." Dominic grinned. "It was the first time I had sex without a condom. Since I was with Amelia, that is."

"It's okay. We're both experiencing our firsts. I've never taken a shower with anyone before."

Dominic gently skimmed her face with his thumb while she lay still on the bed. "Are you sure you're not hurting anywhere?"

As Claudia tried to ignore the pain that was throbbing through her sex,  she shrugged. "I'm feeling great. Really."

"No, you aren't. Was I rough?"

"I'll be fine, Dom. I have a slight ache, but it's nothing serious."

He let out a deep breath and stared into her eyes. "What that jerk did to you is repulsive. Let me know if I handled you the same way during sex. No matter what you say, it won't bother me."

Claudia held Dominic's attention while brushing his cheek with her free hand and balancing on her elbow. "Dom, you didn't hurt me at all. Not in the manner my attacker did. So you don't need to worry about how you handled me. You were perfect. Perfect in every way."

"Is that the truth?"

She caressed him lovingly and nodded. "Yes. I also have something I want to talk about with you."

As light seeped in through the blinds, Dominic pulled her closer in a tight embrace. "What is it?"

Claudia inhaled and faced him. "My parents died on New Year's Day. When I was seven, they died right in front of my eyes. Every year, I buy two balloons. I choose white ones because my mother liked them. I visit a lake after shopping for them and give a short eulogy before releasing them. I want to give my parents a part of myself that they cannot have."

Dominic tightened his hold on her, softly caressing her shoulder with his fingertips. "That is both intriguing and heartwarming. I like it."

"You do?"

"Yes, Dia. It's a lovely concept to feel closer to those you've lost."

"I'm glad you feel that way, Dom." Claudia wrapped her arms around his hips. "I was wondering if you wanted to do the same for the people you lost. Amelia, Sofia, and your mother."

He took a deep breath and nodded. "That is something to think about. I don't believe in heaven, but I respect your faith."

"You don't have to believe in the same things I do," she whispered while she lay over his chest, her eyes closed. "That is what makes us different."

"True. And thank you for the idea. I'll take you up on that offer."

"You're welcome. I just want you to feel at ease and not so..." She paused as she felt his grasp tighten around her waist. "Sorry."

"No, you're right. I'm caught in the past, which isn't healthy."

"Many people dwell on the past, so you're not alone."

While running his finger along her spine, Dominic met her stare when she opened her eyes. "I know, and I'm going to do better. In fact, I was thinking about how we could celebrate your birthday."

"Huh?" Claudia laughed and propped herself up on her knees. "We should be celebrating your birthday. Mine won't be here until Halloween."

"We'll celebrate my birthday, but I'd like to plan yours ahead of time. Maybe we could travel to Guatemala."

Claudia settled back down with him, wrapping her legs over his and embracing him tightly. "That's not a bad idea. I think we should focus on one thing at a time. Right now, we're just trying to get by to celebrate any birthdays."

He nodded and yawned. "You have a point."

"Do you think Stefano will come through for us?" she asked, voice quiet.

"He will." Dominic unraveled a thread from her silky hair. "Stefano is a man of his word."

"Man?"

He laughed. "He keeps his promises."

"I don't understand him," Claudia acknowledged, nestling in closer.

Nestled? Nestled had crept into his vocabulary.

Fuck.

"He's a leader who hates other leaders. Then he has Rome and a few others at his side. How?" Claudia questioned.

"Well, Stefano is... convincing. There's no way to describe how he does it or how his logic works. Most of the time, I think he's half-nuts. He probably doesn't see himself as ruthless and goes about his business."

The issue with Stefano was that Dominic had rarely checked in with him. Not because he didn't want anything to do with Amelia's family, but because seeing her brother became too difficult for him some days. So he'd only see Stefano once a year, on her death anniversary.

Dominic wasn't aware of what he had done to gain an advantage over everyone else. He had never met another Mafia boss like Stefano.

Claudia was so quiet that he would have assumed she had fallen asleep if it had not been for her limbs shaking beside him. "So, you're going to fight somebody once he gives you the medicine?" she asked.

Even if he wanted to, there was no need for Dominic to lie. "Yes. That's how it works."

There was another long pause. "What's next?"

That was the million-dollar question. "We will use Stefano's private airport to fly discreetly to Italy with our documents. It'll be safe."

Yes. Them. When he thought about being with her, Dominic smiled.

Claudia lay still, and damn if his heart didn't almost leap out of his ribs. Her eyes stayed on his as if she had just discovered him. "I can't go to Italy," she finally said.

Not what he expected to hear.

His brow furrowed as he lowered his head. "And what are you going to do?"

She took a long breath, causing her breasts to press against his side and his cock to throb. Now was not the time to get horny. "I need to go back to my apartment," she explained. "I want to get something that my parents left for me."

What the fuck was she on about? Dominic swore he didn't hear her properly, but Claudia's words echoed around in his head. She wanted to return to New York? "Are you completely insane?"

She stifled a quick laugh. "Really? I sometimes feel insane from all of this."

That wasn't an acceptable response. "You want to go back to the state where two very powerful Mafia leaders live—leaders who want you dead?"

Claudia whined. "I know they're looking for me."

"Are you sure? Because I can't think of another reasonable explanation for you to go back there."

She let out a sigh. "I need to go back, Dom. I need to get a few things that I might not see again. Everything would have been different if I'd realized I'd be heading to Italy so quickly."

"I'm sorry to burst your little bubble, Claudia, but things can change in an instant."

"I understand that. But maybe the men won't notice me."

Dominic growled. "Can't you get your friend to help you?"

She laughed. "No. Certainly not. Kayla comes by to water the plants in my apartment. Plus, get the mail. That's it."

"It's not a good idea to go back to your place."

Claudia's eyes rolled. "Guards can't be standing outside the building as if they have nothing better to do, Dom."

He gave a short laugh. "You're talking about the Mafia, Dia. You should just forget about it. What do you think will happen to you if they take you? That you'd live as you please afterward?" He was resting his chin on her forehead and sighing. "It's not worth it, and going back is like wishing for death."

"That's where you're wrong, Dom. I'll be in and out before they ever get a chance to touch me. I've got this."

He said nothing in response. Dominic understood she had to return to her apartment to grab something, but he cautioned her not to. Both of them were in danger.

He replied, "I can't let you do that," and felt good about his decision. He couldn't let her do it because she'd die, which he couldn't accept. And if he was being totally honest with himself, Dominic was terrified by the prospect.

Even though he had only known Claudia for a short time, she had managed to melt the ice off of his heart. He couldn't stand to lose his warmth and light.

She sat up, cleverly clutching the sheet to her breasts, but when she met his stare, her eyes were a steely brown. "Dominic, this is not up for debate."

He almost chuckled, since she shouldn't do something so risky. "It most certainly is."

Claudia balled up the sheet in her hand. "We are no longer bound by a contract, Dominic. No one can control me, not even you."

"Excuse me?" He quickly sat up, causing her to flinch and squirm toward the side of the bed. "Do you think I give a damn about our contract?"

"Yes, because you've made it clear what I can and can't do inside of it."

"The agreement is void, Dia. I thought you knew that."

She rubbed her chin thoughtfully and shook her head. "I'm sorry, but I can't walk away from this."

Dominic could only glimpse at her lovely, motionless eyes. His chest felt like it was being squeezed. "The hell you can't."

"I have to go back," she said, exhaling. When she spoke again, her voice was loud and clear. "I'm happy that we found happiness together. I value your efforts to guarantee my safety. But I know that if I don't go back, I'll have a depressive episode that neither of us wants to see."

She stopped again and took another deep breath, holding the sheet higher. "Don't try to stop me, Dom. I know you're capable of it. Let's agree to disagree."

Dominic was so captivated by her that he stopped listening for a moment. A part of him wondered if the expression of appreciation was truly a brush-off. Her reply cut like a dagger. And it wasn't only because his heart was at stake. Her well-being was important to him.

He couldn't pretend his feelings for her didn't exist or wish them away. And it seemed like she hadn't even considered that any of his actions were anything more than the contract. Dominic had invested more in the relationship than she had; yet, here he was, concerned for her safety, willing to uproot his entire life, and she believed he was only doing it for himself.

Shiiiiit.

It was more than just a slight ache that crawled up the back of his neck, however. Dominic didn't feel at ease with the prospect of seeing someone he cared about run to their grave. He hadn't felt that helpless since Amelia lay dying at his feet. A wild range of emotions whirled through him because instead of his late fiancée, he saw Claudia.

His anger surged like a dam, overwhelming him. Dominic dropped his feet to the floor and stood. "Dia, I'm not going to participate in this suicide mission."

Her eyes popped out. "Dom—"

"No." The room cooled, and she shivered before him. Dominic walked over to the window and tore open the drapes. "It's not only suicidal; it's also ridiculous. How will you get there? By train? Do you have any money or identification on you? You don't."

She shuddered as she drew back. "I can't let this go. This is too important to ignore."

"What are you wanting to get out of your apartment?"

"First, I want to have my mother's drawings from when I was four. We colored them together. Then I need to grab my dad's leather wristband with the flag of Guatemala painted on it. That's it."

Dominic whirled around quickly, his fists balling. "I realize that there are things you want that you can't find at the nearby store, but you're doing the wrong thing." He stopped himself before he said something he'd regret later. "When this is all over, we'll head to your apartment."

Claudia jumped off the bed and dragged the sheet with her. "There's no way for us to get away from them. Because of my deception, Dominic, I will always be a target."

"And so will I," he echoed in agreement. "If you want to go back to New York, then fine. After we swing by Stefano's club, I'll get your ass in a taxi."

Claudia looked at him with a grunt and a frown. She started to speak, but he put his hand over her mouth.

"This will be better because you're right. You're a grown woman, and I've protected you to the best of my ability. You don't need to waste any more time with me. Nothing you want is worth the risk of your death. There's better shit I could be doing than saving you."

Claudia's face paled. Dominic's stomach churned with regret since he knew he'd hit the spot. Everything he said to her was hurtful. He had learned from an early age to treat others with hatred and disdain. Worrying about her and fearing for her wasn't what he should've been focusing on. And caring for her? Hell no. What he felt now, a growing iciness within, was what he anticipated and yearned for. It was what let him leave the room without looking back.

Dominic forgot who he was in her presence.

He was vicious and a member of the Mafia.

It was about time he remembered that fact.

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