Page 22 of Hidden Hearts

My back is pressed against the wall in an effort to put some space between our chests, but it’s not working. I still feel his heat. Smell his cologne. Can study the navy flecks in his eyes.

"What do you have that's so incurable?"

Thankful for the distraction from my perusal of his firm body, the opportunity to shock him is too irresistible.

"Mother Nature's gift.”

"Oh." Now, he’s the one blushing. Why is that so adorable? “What are you watching?”

Deciding not to tease him for his reaction about my period, I reminded him of the other day when I mentioned Tangled and how it prompted a rewatch. "I'll start it over, so you can see it from the beginning. You'll like Flynn."

“You don’t—” He tries to stop me from restarting, but I shush him. He’s going to watch this movie and enjoy it.

We lay together for the duration of the movie, and I studiously ignored the hormones dancing around my body. Apparently, they’ve decided that cramping is over and now it’s time to morph into lust. If I were by myself, I’d grab my vibrator and let the sweet endorphins of an orgasm make me feel better, but I’m not alone. Elsie’s in the living room, and Dominic’s practically tangled up with me in bed.

Once the movie ends, Dominic agrees with me about Flynn and admits that the movie wasn’t bad.

"See? I told you so." Happy that I created another Tangled fan, I close my laptop and fully lay back on my pillow. Which has me looking up at the sharp lines of Dominic’s stubbled jaw.

Don’t touch. Don’t touch.

"What was so bad about your day?” I blurted out. “It's the weekend."

He’s silent for a moment then, "One of our clients is switching to a different firm. They said they wanted a company with more experience."

"That sucks. What made them decide to switch?"

"Don't know. I tried convincing them to stay. Reiterated my commitment to working with them, but they wouldn't listen. We can't afford to start losing clients. Not with us moving into an office."

Frustration and concern outline his features. This is taking more of a toll on him than I realized because he looks worn out. Dark shadows lie under his eyes from lack of sleep and worry lines crease his forehead.

"I hate how everyone expects you to have a certain amount of experience, but they won't let you acquire it by working with you. It's so unfair."

“Agreed.” It’s a catch-22 that I’ve also experienced because the same thing happened to me when I graduated college.

All the jobs I was interested in required at least five years of work experience in the field, plus whatever other hoops they wanted me to jump through. It was tough going there for a while. Which is why I was so grateful when I got the job at Design Time. It wasn't exactly what I was looking for, but at least it was in a career path that I wanted to be on.

Or so I thought.

Dominic sighs and rests his head next to mine. We stare at the ceiling, contemplating our situations. Dominic is only a few years older than me, but he seems light years ahead when it comes to our careers. It’s surprising that he still has to deal with people who don’t take him seriously or expect more from him. I mean, he owns a freaking company! How is that not impressive enough?

Yawning, my lashes flutter shut. "People are dumb."

"And quick to judge."

"Mmmhmm."

He readjusts on top of the covers, removing the laptop from my legs. "Are you falling asleep on me?"

I shake my head but don't open my eyes, "Maybe... A nap sounds nice." There’s no way I should sleep with Dominic right next to me, but I don’t retract the subtle suggestion. I’m too tired to fight what my body wants—to be cozied up to Dominic’s soothing strength.

"I haven't taken a nap in forever," he whispers softly, his breath ghosting over my cheek.

"Then it's a perfect time to start again. Here." I pull out one of the pillows beneath me. "You can use this."

***

I jerk awake from my dream.

---