Page 22 of Untouchable

She chuckled softly. “Yeah, well, I’m just glad it’s finally over with.”

He stood and walked over to the small bar in the corner. She watched him move, like a predator in the wilderness, all graceful movements and stealth power. Still, after all these years, she couldn’t get over how much she wanted him.

“Would you like something to drink?”

Chloe thought about the last time he’d offered her a drink. “Sure, but no lemonade this time.” He looked over his shoulder at her and grinned. “Graduated to something stronger?

He faced the bar again and a few ice cubes into two square cut glasses. The sound of the ice clanking together seemed almost deafening. His shirt sleeves were rolled up his forearms, and she couldn’t help but watch his muscles move.

Instantly her pussy became wet. Chloe crossed her legs to try to control herself, to ward off the desire, but it only added pressure, which had her biting her lip to stem off the moan.

“I wish I was still in my twenties. Your life is just starting.”

She could hear him swallow, even from the distance, as he said the last part, as if he hadn’t meant for it to come out. When he handed her the glass, she could tell he was trying to keep that iron composure he was known for, but she didn’t miss how his hand shook ever so slightly.

Chloe took a sip of the liquor, swallowed it, and instantly fire moved through her. She sputtered once, the fire water sliding down her throat. Her eyes started to water, and she looked overat Dominic. Amusement laced his face even as she continued to cough.

“A little stronger than the lemonade you’re used to?”

For a second she couldn’t speak. “Yeah,” she finally wheezed out. Her voice sounded as if she had gargled with stones. She set the glass aside and watched as he took several long drinks from his own.

Silence filled the space between them again.

“So where do you plan on doing your residency?” She could tell he was trying to fill the void.

Her throat still burned something fierce. “Not sure yet. I’d like to stay local, but I haven’t decided yet.” She wiped a stray tear off her cheek and finally let a small laugh leave her.

He stared at his glass for several long minutes, and she wondered what he was thinking about. She didn’t know what else to do, so she grabbed the glass and swallowed more of the alcohol that felt like acid down her throat.

“Holy shit. What the hell is this?” she gasped out those words.

He chuckled. “It’s called Diablo. It is a rare whiskey that I got when I was overseas. It's been aged longer than you’ve been alive.”

“Well, it tastes like shit.”

“It is an acquired taste.” The way he watched her was consuming. “I’m really proud of you, Chloe.”

She shifted on the couch. Her foot throbbed, but what was at the forefront of her mind was Dominic. It was always him. “Well, you’re about the only one.”

He shook his head. “You shouldn’t say that. Your parents love you. Your whole family loves you, even if they don’t show it like they should.”

She wanted to argue how her parents had never been there for her. Aside from school related functions or anything thatwould make their reputation excel, they paid little attention to her.

“I wish you were right, but you know what, it really doesn’t matter.”

The look on his face told her he didn’t believe her.

“Look.” He glanced away from her to stare at the television that wasn’t even on. She longed to go over to him and run her hand along his cheek, to make him stare into her eyes again.

All the things he might be about to say rushed through her. What if he told her again that what they had shared was a mistake, that it was wrong? She didn’t think she could stand to hear those words come from him again.

“There are a lot of things I've wanted to tell you over the years. I can’t remember how many times I sat down to write to you but ended up throwing away the letter. What could I say to possibly rectify the situation?” He turned and looked at her then, and she could see so much anguish in his eyes. “I stole your innocence. Took it from you without any consideration to how it would make you feel, how it would affect your life.” There was so much pain in his voice. “I shattered your youth.”

He lowered his gaze to the ground, as if he were ashamed.

Her heart broke in that moment, his words playing over and over inside of her.

All those years ago she’d told him it was right, that what they’d done had felt so good. He hadn’t believed her, and she knew he wouldn’t believe her now. For eight years he’d been living with this guilt.

---