Page 49 of Always You
“You,” he says softly.
He stays quiet for a second too long.
“I loved cooking for you, seeing that smile on your face when I did. I wanted to open this place in memory of Leo. Do you remember we talked about this?”
My heart breaks thinking of my father. His kind gesture melts my heart. I swallow the knot in my throat as memories begin to resurface of Dominic making me meals when I would go over to his house, or he would drop by with something to eat at my house. I lean in to kiss his cheek.
“Thank you. I do remember, of course. It means a lot to me, Dominic,” I say, earnestly.
“Don’t thank me, baby. Leo was a good man. He always treated me with kindness. I told you I would open a restaurant in his memory and your mother’s.”
My heart squeezes again. His smile is drop-dead sexy; he stands up and walks to the Jukebox, drops a coin in, andLove Songby the Cureplays. He brushes his thumb on my lips and sings to me. His voice is smooth as silk and rough all at the same time. His eyes stare into mine. I melt to his touch, to his voice. I close my eyes taking, it all in. The song ends.
“Mila,” he whispers.
Opening my eyes, his long, thick eyelashes flicker.
“Baby, I know I can’t make up for lost time. You were right when you said I didn’t try hard enough. I should have. I belittled you and thought low of you. I spent all these years angry with you. I wanted to find you to confront you for leaving me. I guess after so long it was better to believe I was a burden to you. I’m sorry about how I treated you. I will repeat it as many times as you need to hear it,” he says, swallowing hard as he continues. “As for living life, how could I possibly live life without my queen by my side? Mila, you hold the power to my soul, the key to my heart. I promise not to let my mom or anyone else come between us ever again. Will you give us a chance? I want us to be a family. I’m sorry for everything that’s happened, and the pain I’ve caused you. For the last five years, baby, I was a broken man without you. I need you, Angel, like my lungs need air. I’m here; let me love you, embrace you, be a father and the man I need to be for you. I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be with you until my last breath.” His voice is rich with promise.
The light in his eyes twinkles, showing how sincere his words are. I need him, we need him. I love him. Trembling in anticipation, I fight the urge to embrace him. I’m not sure I can handle any more pain in my heart.
fifteen
DOMINIC
She’s so beautiful, the most exquisite woman I’ve ever seen. I linger at those plump lips wanting to taste them all over again. My thoughts are racing as I wait for her reply. I asked her to allow us to become a family and to let me be a father to Dante. My love for her is so strong. I ache to see her again and to meet my son finally. Memories of my own father abandoning us when we were young rush back to me as I recall him packing his belongings in his vehicle.
My mom rocked back and forth in a brown rocking chair, cradling Mark. He opened the door to the yellow Volkswagen. He glanced at Santiago and me before he slammed the door and drove off. That was the last time I saw him. My mom did not shed a tear. She kept rocking back and forth with a haughty stare in her eyes.
I promised myself never to be that man. Beads of cold sweat form on my forehead, waiting for an answer. She glances up at me with those big green eyes. She smiles.
“I want to give us a chance. I’ve spent five years yearning for you, living without you. I need you; we need you, Dominic.”
The tips of her nails brush along my cheeks. Her touch ignites a blazing fire; she’s my kerosene. A simple touch sets me in flames.
“I want you to be a father to Dante. I want you to see how incredible and sweet he is. How special he is.” The light in her eyes sparkles as she describes our son. She smiles sweetly when she speaks of him.
I’m relieved she wants to give us a chance. I take her hand, placing soft kisses on her knuckles.
“Don’t let me regret this, Dominic,” she softly whispers.
I see the pain behind her eyes. She’s afraid to let her guard down.
“Thank you, baby, and I promise I’ll never hurt you intentionally. I promise to be the best father. You mean everything to me.”
She squeezes my thigh, sending a twitch straight toward my cock. I want to touch her, hold her. As I sit her on my lap, she lets out a squeal.
“What are you doing? Dominic, there are people here!”
“Baby, we’re in a private room. It’s just you and me. I want to hold my woman and kiss the shit out of her.”
She giggles in my ear.
I skim my lips along the sweep of her cheek, teasing her, kissing her softly along her neck, inhaling her scent of coconut and cherry. She smells so good. I suck hard, leaving little bites on her. I know how to get her off. That always ignited a fire in her.
“Mmm, you smell so good.”
She lets out a soft moan.
