Page 55 of Loss and Damages
He wraps his arms around me and kisses my cheek, his breath hot and heavy against my skin. “It probably would have, sweetheart, had we met while he was still alive. He loved me, but he barely tolerated me and he wouldn’t have liked losing you to me. It would have happened because in your gallery, I felt it too. But he’s gone, and we’re not doing anything wrong.”
I search his eyes in the deepening shadows. There’s no recrimination or judgment because we share the same guilt.
“Come for me,” he says, reaching between our bodies and finding my clit. “You were never his, but I’m going to make you mine.”
His words do something to me and I smash my mouth against his, our teeth gnashing together as I grind against his fingers, my arms tight around his neck. With his other hand, he pinches one of my nipples and that’s all I need to fall over the edge. I cry out, my muscles rippling around his cock.
I can’t catch my breath before I’m on my back and he’s pounding into me, his hands anchored on either side of my head, his fingers tangling in my hair.
My old bed frame squeaks as we rock, and he buries his face into the curve of my neck when he comes. His cock jerks inside me, and I wrap my arms around him, holding him as he pants.
He stills and settles his weight on top of me, our skin slick with sweat.
“You’re mine,” he says, rubbing his lips over my jaw. “I’m not letting you be ashamed of that, even for my brother.”
I turn my head until our lips meet. “Why do you want me? We never would have met if it hadn’t been for him.”
“Do you know the first thing I thought when I saw you at Leo’s wake?”
I shake my head.
“I didn’t know who you were, only that you had been close to Leo in some way, and I thought, what a lucky son of a bitch. I wanted you before I knew who you were to him. If anyone should be ashamed, it’s me, and I’m not. Leo’s gone, Jemma. I have a lot of regret when it comes to the kind of relationship we had, but that has nothing to do with you.”
I know the reason why his relationship with his brother was so tumultuous, and it’s another secret I’m committed to keep. “I’m sorry.”
He brushes the hair away from my face. The darkness outside has taken over the room and I can’t see his expression anymore. I skim my fingers over his cheeks, but they’re dry. I didn’t expect him to cry over his brother while he’s still inside me, but it wouldn’t have surprised me if he had. “Will you stay with me?”
“Yes. Let me clean up. Did I hurt you?”
“No, I’m okay.”
“Good. I don’t ever want to hurt you. I’ll be right back.”
He pulls out and rolls off the bed. I sit up, ball the sheet between my legs, and in the hallway light he turned on, pour more wine. I wet my mouth with the sweet liquid and wait forthe guilt to burn through me, but maybe because of Dominic’s explanation, it doesn’t come.
Would Leo have approved of this? Likely not. Leo didn’t like the man his brother is, and I shouldn’t either, but because of what I know, I can’t hold anything against him. He’s been reacting to his mother’s rejection all his life.
“Do you want to brush your teeth?” he asks, stepping into the bedroom.
“No. I just want to go to sleep.” I set my wineglass on the nightstand.
“Come here then.” He spoons me on my side of the bed, slipping his arm under my pillow. “Goodnight, Jemma,” he whispers into my ear.
“Goodnight.”
I drift off, an uneasy feeling in my stomach, and I find out why when I wake up at 3 AM.
Like his brother, Dominic didn’t spend the night.
The hazy light of the moon shines through the kitchen window, and I can see my driveway is empty.
Trying not to cry, I sink to the floor and rest my forehead against my knees.
I’m not successful.
Chapter Fifteen
Dominic
