Page 17 of Twisted Obsession

Dominic moves to sit beside me on the bed, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. I lean into him, burying my face against his chest as he holds me. His hand rubs soothing circles on my back as he murmurs words of comfort.

"It's okay," he says softly. "Let it out. You're safe here."

I don't know how long we stay like that, my tears soaking his shirt as he patiently comforts me. Eventually, my sobs subside into hiccups and sniffles. I pull back slightly, wiping at my eyes with the back of my hand.

"I'm sorry," I whisper, embarrassed by my outburst.

Dominic shakes his head. "Don't apologize. You needed that."

He's right, I realize. I feel drained, but somehow lighter like a pressure valve has been released.

Maybe he was right all along, and I am just traumatized and speaking out of fear.

Would I want him if I wasn’t in this situation? I try to think logically about it. He’s handsome, no doubt about that, but I’ve been around handsome men and never had my head turned. He has a deep well of empathy I appreciate greatly, and which hasmost definitely been to my benefit. Still, I don’t believe mere gratitude would make me take the huge step of offering him my virginity.

He’s dangerous, but then so are my father and brothers. It doesn’t mean they’re dangerous to me, and I see Dominic in the same way.

Of course, Dominic is also my bodyguard and I’m his captive… although I cautiously believe he would let me go if the choice was his and his alone.

And there’s something else. Something I’ve been pushing aside because of the situation we’re in, and that’s the way the feel of his arms around me makes me feel safe. How his big hand rubbing over my back causes butterflies to erupt in my tummy and my nipples to harden.

Is it real? Or is it just some weird reaction to what’s happened?

It’s a question I really can’t answer. I simply don’t know.

Taking a shaky breath, I try to sort through my jumbled thoughts. "I think... I think maybe you're right," I admit softly. "About me not being in the right place to make this decision."

Dominic nods, his expression a mix of relief and understanding. "It's okay to feel confused right now. With everything that's happened, it's a lot to process."

I lean back slightly, suddenly aware of how close we are… how much closer I truly want to be, so I don't pull away completely. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course," he says.

I bite my lip, hesitating. "If... if things were different. If we'd met under normal circumstances. Would you... I mean, could you see yourself being interested in someone like me?"

Dominic's eyes widen slightly, and for a moment, I think I've overstepped. But then his expression softens. "Roisin," he says gently, "you're a beautiful, strong, intelligent young woman. Any man would be lucky to have your attention."

My heart skips a beat at his words, but I push on. "That's not really an answer."

“Roisin,” he warns, cupping my cheek and silencing me with his thumb pressed to my lips when I would have pushed for more. The touch spreads skitters of awareness through me, helping my indecision find direction. But as much as I want to lean into it, I stand down because I get the feeling if I push too hard, Dominic will pull away from me completely. And as much as I want to be free to choose my first sexual encounter on my own terms, I’m also desperate to keep this closeness and the unexpected camaraderie we seem to have established. In this place, where no one else is actively on my side, I need that. I’m a touchy-feely person—a hugger. And I can’t bear the thought of losing the closeness I have with Dominic by scaring him away.

After all, it’s the only positive thing I have in this turbulent, unstable situation that has become my new reality.

Chapter

Nine

DOMINIC

It’s been four days. Ones that have been blessedly uneventful unless you count the growing awareness and sexual tension that’s erupted between me and the woman who’s supposed to be our captive.

I don’t know if it was her unexpected proposition, the fact that we’ve been forced into such close proximity, or if it’s an attraction that would always have naturally bloomed if we’d met under different circumstances, like Roisin suggested.

If we were different people, that is. Because let’s face it, with who she is, and who I am, we’re never going anywhere, no matter what. Especially since I’m the one charged with keeping her against her will. I may not have had a hand in the abduction, but her brothers will torture and kill me as sure as anyone else at LCN for what the organization has done to their sister. We are all a single entity when it comes to retribution.

I try to push these thoughts aside as I make my way to the staff quarters where I’ve hidden her, taking care no one’s followingme as I bring her food and check on her, a task I've both dreaded and looked forward to all day.

I hear voices around the corner and pause. I can pretend this is my own lunch, but I’d rather not draw any attention to myself. Recognizing Vito’s voice, I tip my head to one side and listen.

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