Page 111 of Torrid Love
“Really. The designer basically molded a nail in a circular shape and left a small gap. I thought the rose gold version would look beautiful against your skin complexion.”
“I absolutely love it. Other than to take a shower, I’ll never take it off,” she says, lifting her chin up and giving me a little determinate nod.
The significance of her words fills me with pride.
“I’ll always be with you,” I say.Just as it should be.
“I’ll always feel safe,” she says before falling into my arms. I bite the question burning my tongue. “I love knowing that.”
I guess I slept like a rock the first night we were together because I didn’t hear her talk in her sleep. Dom has this nightly mantra, ‘I’m safe, I’m safe, I’m safe.’ It took every bit of my self-control not to drill her in the morning to find out what was troubling her. I promised not to push, and I haven’t, but now, I find it increasingly difficult to keep quiet.
“Is there any reason for you not to feel safe?” I attempt.
She looks up at me. “No,” she smiles shyly.
“No one can hurt you anymore. Jarreth is dead,” I remind her.
“I know. I’m okay, really.” Her shivering body betrays her words.
From the first day I came to her rescue, Dom became the rock in the utterly chaotic world Mom’s poisonous aura cast over me. Dom gave me a reason to care and attend school. I never imagined I’d come to her rescue twice in the span of a few months.
Dom’s tattoos aren’t a sign of rebellion or badassness. And they’re certainly not to ride a growing trend. Sure, they really suit her, but they aren’t meant to shake up the status quo. They’re to cover some pretty bad scars left behind by one of her mom’s douchebag boyfriends.
After her dad left, her mom went on a dating binge. Every time I’d drop Dom off at her place after school, I was always suspicious of some of the men coming in and out of Natasa’s rented house. One day, as I was waiting outside her last class of the day to walk her home, a few of her schoolmates told me she’d left early in pain. That time of the month, they said. I immediately set off to her place to make sure she was okay. As I was nearing her house, I heard a horrible scream. As I turned the corner, I saw Jarreth Howard—Natasa’s latest mistake—dragging my best friend over the asphalt againstshards of glass, rocks and God knows what else. He had both hands around her right wrist, leaving the left side of her body exposed. Her jeans protected her lower part, but her tank top did little to save her upper body.
Jarreth was in his boxer briefs. Dom was screaming bloody murder. I didn’t think twice. I bolted towards them. The asshole jolted when he saw me, but it was too late. One punch and he was out. By the time I was able to calm Dom down, the police had arrived. I guess a neighbor made the call.
Jarreth was using Natasa’s beat up backyard shed as a place to lure, drug and molest young boys. Dom caught him because she got home much earlier than usual. He received a record sentence after a staggering number of victims––all boys––came forth. Technically, he was supposed to rot in prison forever. To Dom’s consternation and mine, Jarreth’s prison bride––a former legal clerk––almost got him out early last year based on an alleged oversight from the prosecution’s office. Some of Jarreth’s inmates took matters into their own hands. Now, he’s six feet under.
I stroke her lower lip with the pad of my thumb. “No one else has hurt you since Jarreth, right?” I ask.
I’ve never prayed for anoso much in my life.
She doesn’t answer.
“Dom, I don’t want to push you, just tell me, please.”
“I feel safe with you, Rod,” she says nestling her trembling body against mine.
I could blame the evening breeze, but I’m no fool.
Her evasive answer feels like someone just slugged my chest with a sledgehammer.
Goddammit.
I had my suspicions, but now I’m certain she’s keeping something from me. I swear to God, if I ever find out someone hurt her, I’ll go ballistic.
CHAPTER 24
Dominika
In the month since we’ve been dating, this is the first time we’ll be apart. I’m leaving later with my team for three and a half days to shoot in Miami.
One month.
I still can’t believe it.
To my surprise, Rod didn’t push further to find out if someone had hurt me after our first date. I’m grateful. I know eventually I’ll have to tell him, but I’m not ready yet. It’s too soon in our relationship.
