Page 49 of Prince of Malice

LUCA

Lying close to Dominic’s side, I look deeply into his eyes and can see the true care and concern he has for us in every detail of his pupils. His soft touch around my bare waist is completely different than how he held me just moments before this.

There’s something so enticing in how he can switch between his gentle affection and raw lust in seconds. In one man, I feel like I can find everything I need.

“There’s nothing that we can do for now,” I tell him. “We need to just lay low, stay out of trouble, and wait until I find out more about what’s happening.”

“You don’t have to say we. I know you’re just talking to me.” Dominic chuckles softly.

“Fine,” I relent. “You need to lay low and stay out of trouble, no matter who invites you.”

Giving me a playful shove, Dominic laughs as he begins to shift around the bed to get up. “I should probably get going.”

“Wait,” I interrupt him and grab hold of his arm, stopping him from moving away. “It’s late. and you look exhausted.”

“Oh, wow. Thanks,” he says sarcastically.

“You know what I mean. Maybe you should just stay here for tonight. We can both leave early so no one sees us.”

Dominic takes a moment to think. “Are you sure?”

“Why not?” I wrap my arms around him and pull his naked body against mine, feeling every inch of him press against every inch of me. “I want you to stay.”

Dominic’s muscles relax under my touch as a smile grows on his face. “I guess there’s a first time for everything.”

I push him away from me, almost knocking him off of the bed. “You know what? Maybe you should go,” I joke.

“Too late.” He grabs hold of my waist and pulls me on top of him, clutching me close in a tight hug.

Rolling my eyes at him, I find myself able to relax quickly in his arms, settling down as the soft purrs of his breathing lull me to sleep.

My eyes blink awake as the morning glow slowly creeps through the window and shines directly on my face. I turn and watch over Dominic as he lies peacefully in my bed, completely oblivious it’s morning.

While I can, I just watch him sleep and amuse myself with how calm he looks. I study every minor detail of his face that I would usually be too caught up in his intensity to notice: the slight gap in his left eyebrow, the small scar along his cheek bone from what I can only assume was some bloody brawl, and the gentle twitch of his nose while he stirs in his slumber.

There’s something so cute about him when he sleeps, and I feel this strange deepened connection with him. Maybe it’s justbecause I actually have a moment to think instead of being constantly bombarded by his endless barrage of quips and comments.

It’s nice, but I don’t think I’ll be brave enough to tell him about his odd quirks or ask him about his battle scars any time soon.

A short burst of air escapes my nose. After one full night together, I’m already thinking about our future. I’m definitely glad he’s not conscious for this.

The twitch of his nose grows until his entire face begins to scrunch as his eyelids pry apart.“Enjoying the view?” he asks with a tired smile.

I let out a dry laugh. His attempts at being a stone-cold flirt fall short when accompanied by his first yawn of the morning. “Most people say good morning,” I joke.

“Ugh,” he groans. “Is it morning already?” Twisting around in the sheets, he faces toward the uncovered window.

“Unfortunately,” I say, sitting up. “And you know what that means…”

“Yep, I get it.” Dominic drags himself out of the bed and trudges around trying to pick through the messy pile of our mixed clothes. “Time for the walk of shame.”

I exaggerate a gasp. “I hope you’re not too ashamed.” I flip the covers off of myself, letting them bunch together on the floor beside the bed, and leave my entire naked body on full display for him. “You’d have to miss out on all of this otherwise,” I tease.

Clutching his shirt and jeans in either hand, he playfully collapses to his knees and kneels beside me. “Please tell me we have some extra time before you kick me out.”

“Not for now, but I do like it when you beg like that.”

He stands, props my chin up on one of his fingers, and raises my lips toward his own. Speaking incredibly close to my face, he says, “That’s your thing, and we both know it.”

---