Page 86 of 4th Degree

We’re both trembling and breathing heavily when everything finally slows. But for long moments, I can only clutch Dominic to my back and catch my breath against his lips.

“Fuck, baby,” he groans, his forehead dropping to my shoulder. “You’ve ruined me.”

I’m trembling too hard to tell him I’m the one who’s ruined.

Slowly, he untangles himself from me and lays me down on the bed on my stomach. Then he stands and quickly searches for a towel to clean me with.

His touch is gentle as he wipes off the back of my thighs. As soon as he’s done, he grabs a blanket and drapes it over my body.

“Are you okay?” he asks. “Do you need anything? Water? A shower? More ice cream?”

I smile against the pillow. Is this what it’s like to be taken care of? I was right, this is what paradise feels like.

“I’m okay,” I mumble. “I think you fucked me into a coma, though.” Sure enough, my words are overtaken by a yawn. I hurry to blink my eyes open and lift my head. “Sorry, I don’t want to fall asleep on you.”

Dominic lets out a soft laugh. “Skylar, I’d love nothing more than for you to fall asleep on me. Do you have anything in the morning? Can you stay over?”

I force myself into a sitting position and rack my brain for these kinds of important details. “I have work tomorrow, but not until noon. Joey’s home tonight, so I could probably ask him to keep an eye on Mom.”

I feel guilty about that last part, but when Dominic presses my phone into my hand and I text my brother, his response is a simple: Thank god, I thought you’d never get a life.

I smile, and my guilt disappears—well, most of it. But then I look at Dominic, stretched out beside me like some kind of naked Greek god, and I just feel…happy.

“Actually, that shower sounds nice,” I tell him, sliding close enough that I can press a kiss to his chest. And then another one, slightly lower. “You did make me dirty, after all.”

He immediately scoops me into his arms. “I’m about to make you even dirtier. If for no other reason than to dispel any old jokes about my refractory period before you make them.”

I’m still laughing when he drops me under the cold spray.

30

SKYLAR

I can't knock the damn smile off my face for the rest of the weekend.

My coworkers notice, my brother notices, even my mom makes a comment about me seeming happier lately. I can't even bring myself to deny it—when she says it, the only thing I respond with is a kiss on her cheek and an even bigger smile.

I carry it through the weekend and to the gym on Monday, where it grows, knowing I’m going to see Dominic. And sure enough, he’s got a twinkle in his eyes when I walk through the front doors.

“Hey, Skylar,” he greets from beside Jax. “Did you have a good weekend?”

“I had a great weekend,” I respond, trying not to appear downright giddy at the simple question. “Actually got to do something besides work, for once.”

“I’m happy to hear it. Anything fun?” He has to fight to keep the smile off his face.

I shrug. “It was more the company than anything else.”

“You know, if you want to bring your friend to the gym, this month we’re doing Refer-A-Friend discounts,” Jax interjects. “Do they like MMA?”

Now I’m the one trying not to grin and give it away. “Uh…I’m not sure. I’ll ask.”

Jax gives me a big smile. “Awesome. Just let me know.”

I have to start toward the locker rooms to hide my laughter. I have no idea how Dominic contains his.

When I walk into the changing room, Remy and Lucy are already in there getting ready for class. Their heads pop up when they see me.

“What’s got you so happy to be here?” Remy asks with a chuckle. “Not that you aren’t always happy to be here, but that’s a big smile you’ve got on today.”

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