Page 13 of Darkest Retribution

It doesn’t even feel strange to obey him. I lower myself onto the couch and drape myself over his lap. My cheek rests against the soft material of a throw pillow.

Dom hums in approval, and one of his hands comes to rest on the small of my back. It feels good—better than I thought it would—and I let out a contented sigh.

We don’t talk, but the silence isn’t awkward. He just rubs his thumb over my lower back, and it sends a delightful tingling sensation up my spine.

I don’t think I’ve ever experienced something like this before. But I have no desire to do anything except lie here and let Dominic touch me—especially when his fingers start tracing up the curve of my spine. They move gracefully, lightly, skimming the back of my neck before heading downward again.

His other hand runs over my hair in soothing motions. I melt into his touch, my eyes falling closed. He feels so... secure. Like coming home after a long, frustrating day.

I don’t know how long we stay like that. Eventually, I hear Dom chuckle, and his hand comes to a stop on my head.

“Falling asleep, Jade?”

I barely have the energy to respond. Too cozy.

“That’s okay,” he says gently. “He can’t get to you here.”

It’s the last thing I remember before I drift off.

When I wake, I’m back in my own bed, surrounded by darkness.

It was just a dream.

A heavy, disappointed feeling fills my chest.Of courseit was just a dream. There’s no way anything like that would ever happen in real life. Not now, possibly not ever. And never withhim.

I sigh, settling under my blankets.

In a couple months, Rosie and I will be gone. And if things go right—which I desperately need them to—I’ll never see Dominic Grayson again.

Chapter four

Dominic

You’dthinkhavingawoman nearly choke you to death would put a stop to all romantic feelings you have toward her.

Unfortunately, the moment I wake up Sunday morning, I find myself staring at the empty spot next to me and wishing Jade was filling it.

Ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous.

I wonder if she’s still sleeping.

Groaning, I rub my face and try to push Jade out of my head. But my thoughts are too far gone. Images flash through my mind—her in nothing but one of my old T-shirts, her dark hair spread over my pillows, and her body tucked into mine while she slowly wakes up.

Would she smile? Roll over and curl into me? Kiss my chest and whisper good morning?

Fuck. I need to get laid.

It wouldn’t fix a thing and you know it.

Hookups used to be enough for me. They were fun. But I can’t even remember the last time I went out. Partially because I don’t want to get involved with anyone until the whole David situation is taken care of, but also because I just don’t want to anymore.

My last relationship was a disaster. Chelsea wasn’t in love with me, and I wasn’t in love with her. I could tell from our first date that she was just using me to get to one of my friends. But I didn’t care. It was my senior year of college, and my dad was already grooming me to take over Grayson Security for him.

There was just one catch—my dad wanted me to settle down first. It’s why I let Chelsea use me—so I could use her and look like I was ready to start a family. In the end, it all worked out. My dad was able to retire, Chelsea is now engaged to the man sheactuallywanted, and I’m running Grayson Security. My dad was disappointed things didn’t work out between us, but he understood it wasn’t meant to be.

At the time, around four years ago, I thought I was pretty clever. I maneuvered through the situation perfectly, getting exactly what I wanted—freedom.

But now? I don’t know how I feel about the whole concept of marriage, but coming home to an empty house is getting old. And seeing Jade and Rosie playing outside almost every day this summer has made it worse for some reason.

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