Page 25 of Ink Deep Devotion

I didn’t mean to play with his emotions. I miss having a friend, hanging out, going to our secret field, laying down a blanket, and watching the clouds as we drink and talk about nonsense. I thought I knew the definition of loneliness. Then Dash left, and I learned that I was never lonely. I was bored.

I wish I could go back to simpler times when escaping boredom was the biggest problem. I’ve never gone back to cutting, but I realize now instead of facing my demons, I just chose another way to numb myself. This time, using Dom.

Looking at your reflection is the most terrifying act of accomplishment. Just you, yourself, and your inner thoughts, no filters, no one else to give you comments. Just you.

I still haven’t done this. But one day I will.

“You know our fathers didn’t agree with us, Dom. I don’t want to cause trouble. We have to try to get over it.” The‘it’s not you, it’s our fathers’talk still hasn’t sunk into Dom. This was weeks ago, but he still keeps trying to convince me to talk to my father again.

He grabs my leg, lifts my foot, and gently slides the shoe on. His fingers linger on my now-healed ankle.“How’s it feeling?” Ignoring my statement, his hand skims up my leg before he stands.

“Better,” I mutter.

He nods, lost in thought.

“We should go downstairs.” I offer gently.

He looks at me without meeting my eyes.“We used to hide out and escape this party. Now you’re so eager to attend.”

I close my eyes, pushing away a headache.“Dom, please.”

When my eyes open, hooded, smoldering eyes glare back at me.“I’d fight for you, Mila.”

His words mold my face like silly putty into a painful frown. Reaching out, I take his hand.“I know, but I don’t want you to get hurt. Our fathers are business partners, this…us. We shouldn’t have blurred the line. Can’t we be friends?”

Suddenly, he invades my space. My next heartbeat is short and quick as his hipbones press into mine. I feel him physically, but emotionally, it’s like our bodies are bookends—our past the books stacked between us, keeping us apart. My chin is nowpinched between his fingers as he guides my face up. His eyes narrow like a voyeur, peeking through blinds they shouldn’t.“You’re such a beautiful liar,” he smirks cruelly.

I try to step back, but he swings his arm behind me, slapping his heated palm on my lower back, keeping me in place.“The problem is,” he speaks slowly as he lowers his lips to mine.“I don’t knowwhatwas a lie.” His mouth sweep over mine in a fast yet stern touch.“Was it your love for me, or are you lying now just to protect me from your father?”

“Dominic,” I press, inching my face away from his.“You’re scaring me.”

He snorts,“Wouldn’t want to do that now, would I.” He steps back,“One day I’ll find out, Mila. I’ll get the truth from your lips if it’s the last thing I do.”

“Mila, darling?” my dad yells as he turns the corner and enters my room. He and Dom’s eyes clash like a Titan against a god—an endless battle where one wins, the other loses, but always rises to fight again.

Oh shit!

“Dominic,” Dad clears his throat in warning,“I heard you came tonight. You weren’t supposed to be here.”

That’s news to me. My eyes bounce from Dom to my father.

Dom grabs the lapels of his coat.“Is that any way to speak to your business partner’s son?”

Ladies and gentlemen, grab your popcorn, sit back, and relax; we are about to have an up close and personal lesson on how predators make veiled threats.

“Careful,” Dad’s smirk grows.“It looks like your shoes are a little too big. We wouldn’t want you to trip and fall.”Translation: If I catch you here again, I will kill you.

“I’ll make sure to watch my steps, sir,” Dom growls.“If only you watched Mila’s footing as carefully, she’d still be dancing. That’s all I’m trying to do.”Translation: You can try, but I put safety nets in place. So you might want to reconsider my offer. Blackmail is a bitch when she is in heat, sir, and I’m ready to start fucking around.

“There will be no more looking or touching.”Translation: I will kill you very slowly.

“A shame; I did such a good job watching her for you all those years.” Dom tsk.“Did he tell you that, Mila?”Translation: Go ahead, she will hate you. Can you live with her hate?

My shock doesn’t show because I already figured that out.

Dad’s reply is instant:“Oops, it looks like you just tripped in your shoes, boy. Be careful; predators pounce when you stumble, Dominic.”Translation: This is my final warning. The next time you want to play, I will bite, and you will scream.

“If there is one thing you taught me, sir, it was to get back up quickly,” Dom spits as he strides toward the door.Translation: Let the games begin.

---