Page 20 of Untouchable

Her body’s response was instantaneous. Heart pounding wildly, adrenaline pumping through her veins, she felt the same rush she had felt all those years ago when he’d held and kissed her.

“Uncle Dominic.” The words were breathless as they left her. He looked the same. Aside from a few silver hairs that reflected the moonlight, he was still all hard, powerful muscle and an imposing frame. It was awkward, to say the least, because all she could think about was what they’d shared all those years ago. Was he thinking the same? Picturing what they’d done?

He stepped onto the patio and moved toward her. Her throat was suddenly bone dry.

“I thought you were overseas.” She blurted out the words before she could stop them. “God, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for that to be the first thing that came out of me.” And now she just felt like an even bigger ass.

“You’re fine, Chloe.”

His voice was deep, husky. It seemed more masculine after all these years, if that were even possible.

“I was overseas.” He didn’t elaborate, and she didn’t probe for more details. If he wanted her to know more, he’d volunteer the information.

A thick moment of silence descended upon them, and Chloe found herself shifting uncomfortably. She cleared her throat and never thought she’d be in a moment more awkward than the day after she lost her virginity to Dominic.

How wrong she was.

“I-I didn’t mean to intrude. I didn’t know you’d be here.” She felt like she was going to pass out. This was uncomfortable and weird, and she hated it. “I’ll go because I don’t want to step on any toes.”

Moving the chair out of the way so she didn’t have to get too close to him and make this even more awkward, Chloe stepped right on one of the pieces of broken plate that littered the ground.

“Shit,” she cried out and lifted her foot instantly. But the awkward positioning had her losing her footing, and she started to fall forward. The ground came closer and closer, but right before she landed face first, Dominic was there, his arms wrapped tightly around her. He lifted her easily, moving her away from the shards that littered the ground.

The feel of her body against his sent a flush of heat through her. “Uncomfortable arousal” wasn’t even a string of words she’d have used to describe what she felt in that moment. When they entered the kitchen and he set her on the counter, it brought back memories she’d tried desperately to suppress. But of course, she’d failed miserably at every turn. He was on his knees in front of her with her injured foot in his hand in the next moment.

“The cut isn’t too deep, but it’s going to hurt like hell. Hang on, and I’ll get the first aid kit.” He stood and stared at her for a moment before striding off.

Could she leave before he came back? Making a quick getaway crossed her mind, but how childish would that look? Not to mention she would be a coward. If he wanted her to leave then he’d tell her; if not, well, maybe they could just talk. That would be really nice after all these years of silence.

When he came back into the kitchen, he held a small red box with a white cross on the front. He grabbed a chair and slid it across the floor until it was right in front of her. Dominic sat down and lifted her leg, resting it on his thigh. He looked at her foot again and made atskingsound under his breath.

“You should be more careful, Chloe.”

“I tend to hear that a lot,” she mumbled under her breath and looked down at him, their gazes holding.

“If you weren’t so anxious to get away from me you could have avoided this.”

She instantly felt her face heat at his words, and had no retort to his comment. He was right, of course. As the silence progressed and he cleaned and dressed her wound, Chloe couldn’t help but think about the last time she’d sat on this counter in this kitchen.

Trying to steer her thoughts elsewhere, she muttered, “I’m really glad you aren’t hurt. When I heard you’d reenlisted, I was afraid. It wasn’t like I thought you couldn’t handle yourself, but, well, you know.” Yeah, she was rambling. She’d overheard Clara telling her mother about it, and although both women had been really disinterested about the whole thing, Chloe knew they were gossip queens. They were probably glad he was gone, which infuriated Chloe. “Anyway, I’m just glad you’re okay.” She could have ripped out her tongue for how fast she talked. The words all seemed to roll together, and it was clear, even to her, that she was nervous as hell.

He didn’t respond after she spoke, just continued to treat her foot. And that made her feel even more like an ass for saying anything at all.

“I shouldn’t have said anything. I’m sorry.”

After he bandaged her foot, he didn’t let it go right away. He lifted his head and searched her face with his gaze. “You worried about me?”

She licked her lips and nodded. “Of course.”

Silence descended.

He smiled. “No need to worry. I’m always careful.” She felt him gently stroke the top of her foot with his finger. “I won’t even get into how you found out I reenlisted, because I can only guess and imagine what was said.” He chuckled, his goodhearted nature something she loved about him.

“Yeah, it’s probably best not to get into that part too much.”

They both started laughing.

He let go of her foot and stood. “I’d ask if you want to walk around the lake and talk, but I’m going to take a guess you’re out of commission for tonight at least. Can I talk you into a nice, boring evening on the couch? Maybe a movie?” He shrugged and shoved his hands in his pockets. “You’re here, and I’d love to catch up.”

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