Page 111 of Under the Lights

“What’s going on?”

“You know you don’t have to fight my battles for me,” I said, pursing my lips.

Dom scoffed. “That wasn’t fighting your battles, Darlin’. That was protecting what’s mine.”

“You’re kinda stuck on that, huh?”

“Hey, the words came out of your mouth.” He shrugged, his smirk turning wicked, causing the butterflies in my stomach to flutter like crazy. The effect he was starting to have on me was concerning. He was chipping away at my walls — and it was working, too.

“Yeah, right, you coerced them out of me.” I scoffed. “Blackmailed me with orgasms.”

“Keep fighting, Darlin’. I love the chase.” He shook his head in amusement. “You know, at this point, one might think you’re only doing it to humor me.”

“As always, you’re delusional.”

He sucked his teeth. “And yet, you’re still here.”

I was. And I didn’t want to leave either. Trying to gloss over this sticky moment, I cocked my head to the side. “No one has ever done that.”

“What?” He stepped closer, always holding my gaze, giving me his full attention. Like he always did. There wasn’t a moment spent with Dom where I didn’t feel like I was the center of his focus. And that scared the shit out of me.

“Defended me like that. People usually assume I either don’t care or leave me to defend myself, which by the way, I’m more than capable of.” I raised my brows meaningfully.

“Well, that’s bullshit. And for the record, I know you’re more than capable of that.”

I recoiled a little. “What do you mean, bullshit?”

He shrugged, his eyebrows drawn together slightly. “I mean, that’s fucking bullshit. Just because you’re a badass doesn’t mean you don’t care about anything or that you don’t deserve to have someone having your back.”

There was a pause, and I slowly set off again, swirling the ice in my cup. Dom fell into step with me, a silent, massive presence at my side. Strands of my hair danced in the wind, and I swept them out of my face.

“I just … I guess I’ve never thought of it this way.” I broke the silence, feeling heat crawl up my neck. “I’m used to just … oh my God, that sounds terrible. I’m used to being alone. Taking care of things alone.”

This time he pulled me to a stop, his rough palm loosely wrapped around my wrist, tingles shooting up my whole arm at his gentle touch. He drew me close, his hand gliding up my arm, a fucking shower of sparks dancing across my skin.

Cupping the side of my neck, his thumb stroked across my skin.

Dom ducked his head, pressing his forehead against mine, our gazes interlocked. I swallowed hard. “Take on the whole fucking world for all I care. I’ve got you.”

Heat rose to my cheeks as I looked around. “There are people everywhere.” EvenIknew I was trying to deflect.

“Still want to run?”

Brilliantly white teeth flashed in a sharp smile, then his lips descended on mine, sucking every coherent thought out of my body. Who cared about what others thought, after all.

Right now, all Icared about was Dom’s big body pressed against mine, dwarfing me, and his insanely talented tongue working his magic.

I should be scared of this, of how my feelings were changing, taking control of my actions. And even worse — how easily he disarmed me. I was in so much trouble.

Thirty Four

Dom

Did Ihaveto be at the gym right now? Not really. Was it the second time — okay, third if one was inclined to count the full-pad practice and the lift after as separate incidents — I was working out today?Possibly.

The overhead fluorescents buzzed faintly, casting a sterile glow over the room filled with steel and sweat. Beneath it all, the sharp clang of plates and the low thrum of EDM pulsed.

Maybe I was here to stretch out. Do mobility work. Maybe I wanted to hit the fucking sauna. And maybe I was talking out my ass. I was here for one reason and one reason only.

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