Page 35 of Always You
“What the fuck, Dominic? You didn’t answer me. Why are you here?” I ask, narrowing my eyes at him.
He leans back against my car, the streetlight glinting off of the metal surface. His broad frame blocks my view as he hands me a small box. I take it from his outstretched hand, skepticism clouding my features.
“What’s this?”
“Your birthday gift,” he says in a low rough voice. His eyes darken and his nostrils widen. He's definitely pissed.
“How do you know where I live?” I ask, my brow furrowing.
He shrugs. “Followed you home the other day,” he admits unapologetic.
“Why did you barge into the car, Dominic? We are not together. He’s my—”
Dominic takes three strides toward me. He’s so close that the smell of his body wash is intoxicating, invading my nose. He cups my face gently with his warm hands.
“Because, Angel, I can’t handle another man’s hands touching you. You were mine first, baby. I’ll fight to win your heart back, your trust back. I’ll fight for you, baby–for us. Isn’t that what you want? To be fought for?”
His eyes flicker, his breathing picks up.
“Angel, it fucking hurts seeing him touch you like that; it fucking hurts, Mila, right here.” He points to his heart.
For a split second, I feel a pang of guilt for what just happened and this morning. But why should I? He’s the one engaged. He’s the one who betrayed me all these years. I just started dating Brian, and things are going well. He has some nerve to make me feel guilty.
I throw my hands up in the air. “What the hell is this about, knowing where to touch me? When did you become a sex whisperer, huh? Oh, I know, when you slept around. So, all the other women you fucked you know all their right spots, including your fiancée?” Jealousy spikes like needle pins to my chest.
Dominic leans forward, placing both palms on the hood, pinning me in. Closing my eyes, I feel his hot breath scatter across my cheeks. His lips brush the top of my earlobes.
“No, beautiful, it’s only you; it’s always been you. All the others meant nothing, meaningless. Why do you think after all these years I still remember what you felt like, what you taste like, every beauty mark underneath your clothes, Angel? Because you mean everything to me.” He kisses my cheek.
I open my eyes; he smiles cockily as he walks back to his truck. In a sudden surge of feeling, a million emotions course through me like a tidal wave. I’m in shock that he’s said these things to me when he is so clearly committed to someone else.
“Good night, beautiful, get some rest. Happy Birthday.”
“Thank you for the gift and roses,” I squeak. My heartbeat speeds up. Being around Dominic is like being at a fireworks show. My body lights up around him as sparks fly in every direction. My hands tremble as I open the small box, I gasp upon seeing the silver heart locket necklace Dominic gifted me years ago. He engraved my initials on the top. My heart melts instantly at the sight of it. I had left it at his house a few days before he went to Arizona for treatment. My eyes widen… speechless when I open it I find the same picture of us on the Ferris wheel. Tears skate down my cheeks. The sentimental thought means a lot to me; he’s kept it all these years.
Why Dominic? Why now? It’s too late for us.
* * *
Knocking on Brian’s studio apartment, my stomach churns with guilt. The door swings open. He’s caught by surprise, but a lopsided smile curves his handsome boyish appearance. “Pretty girl.”
“Hey, can I come in?” My voice comes above a whisper. I am embarrassed by Dominic’s behavior. The fact that I sent Brian away and not Dominic has me wholeheartedly not worthy of his smile.
“Of course.” He steps aside as I walk into his small living space.
“Brian, I’m sorry about last night. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting him to show up.”
He rakes his finger over his lips. “I wasn’t expecting him, either. You had mentioned he wasn’t in the picture,” he says, his voice full of irritation.
He deserves to know the truth. I hadn’t mentioned it because when we met, I still thought Dom was dead. Then seeing he wasn’t, my head was a mess and he was engaged, it was just too much with our relationship being so new. His hand stretches out for me to take, leading me to his sofa. I sit down and tell him about Dominic.
“I’m sorry, Mila. You’ve spent all these years grieving his death, only to discover he's alive. It must be extremely difficult for you.”
More like a blow to the gut. Brian rubs my back in a circular motion. His comforting embrace warms my heart.
“It’s me who should apologize for last night. I’m sorry I sent you home when it was him I should have sent away.”
He strokes my knuckles. “Do you still love him, pretty girl?” He swallows, visibly nervous. His body is rigid as he waits for my answer.
