Page 76 of The Hermit

I think about it for a few seconds before telling her the truth.

Grace: I’m married to Dominik. The wedding was the morning after you left. But don’t worry! He’s actually an amazing person, and he treats me so well.

Ciara: Oh my God! You’re married? I can’t believe Dad forced you again. I’m so sorry, but I’m glad to hear Dominik treats you well. I’m so sorry though. I feel rotten.

Grace: Don’t feel bad. He’s so good to me, and I’m even falling in love with him. I think I can be really happy with him.

Ciara: I’m so happy for you. I have to go. I love you, Grace. So, so, so much!

Grace: I love you too. Let me know if you need anything.

Letting out a sigh, I reread our messages before I set the phone down.

Barefoot and feeling a little better after the chat with Ciara, I leave my room so I can make myself a cup of coffee. If Dominik is downstairs, I’ll prepare green tea for him.

As I take the stairs down to the first floor, I see flickering lights, and when I reach the bottom, my mouth drops open.

There are candles everywhere and it makes the living room look magical.

Suddenly, a song starts to play, then Dominik steps into my line of sight.

“We never got to dance on our wedding day.”

He’s only wearing a pair of sweatpants and seeing his bare chest, I let out a chuckle as I walk toward him. “You’re shirtless tonight. Lucky me.”

Then the lyrics of the song start, and my smile quickly vanishes.

There’s a serious expression on Dominik’s face as he takes my hand. He pulls me into his arms, and when he begins to steer me across the floor, I’m filled with an emotion so strong it knocks the breath from my lungs.

Suddenly, he twirls me away from him, and when he pulls me back and I slam into his chest, his mouth takes mine in a kiss that has my abdomen clenching so hard it borders on painful.

My heart leaps to my throat, and it takes a moment for my brain to catch up.

Keeping an arm locked around my back, his free hand settles against the side of my head while his tongue invades my mouth.

I swear I see stars from how intense the kiss feels, and I’m hardly able to return it.

Somehow, I manage to lift my hands to his shoulders, and feeling his warm skin beneath my fingers, tingles explode through me.

I groan into his mouth as I tilt my head, and moving my hands up to his jaw, I begin to kiss him with the same passion he’s giving me.

Dominik’s body presses against mine, forcing me to bend backward while his tongue dominates mine with desperate hunger.

Only when my lips are tingling and my mind’s clouded with desire does he ease up on me. When he lifts his head and our eyes lock, I see desire making his eyes look like clear blue water.

Never have I seen anything hotter than the man holding me.

Breaths rush over my swollen lips as I stare up at him, then I admit, “I’m ninety-nine percent sure.”

The corner of his mouth lifts in a sexy smirk. “What can I do to make it one hundred percent?”

Shaking my head, I say, “Nothing. It’s up to me to take the final step.”

I push up on my tiptoes and frame his jaw with my hands again. Taking the final step, I whisper against his lips, “I’m ready, Dominik.”

I press my mouth to his and kiss him with the love blossoming in my heart.

Somewhere between being flung out of a high rise by Dominik and having him hold me like I’m precious, I fell irrevocably in love with him.

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