Page 66 of For the Love of the Gods

“Nope,” I shook my head then tilted it to read the spine of a series of books I didn’t recognize. “Just glimpses, hidden behind a deep, deep hatred for me.”

That point was met with silence. Confirming silence.

“I did see a little more than usual though, the night of Corrina’s party.”

Dominic made that pained sound again—it was a grunt mixed with a scoff. “Do not bring that night up.”

“Why? Regret it?” I asked, still facing the bookshelf.

“No.” That caught me off guard. And it sent an annoying little flutter through my belly.

“Hmm” was all I could manage in response. I moved toward the bookshelf again, and this time Dominic didn’t so much as flinch. He couldn’t have, when he was sitting with quivering intensity on the couch, his hands clenched into fists.

When my hand descended onto a book, his eyes narrowed, but he stayed silent and still. It wasn’t until I made my way back to the couch, pulling my legs into my chest again, that Dominic tersely picked up his book and focused his attention to the pages.

His resignation could have been an olive branch, but I had the feeling he had let me take it just so he didn’t have to put his hands on me again.

†

“Why are you so calm right now?” Dominic’s question came an hour later. Neither of us were making any move to go to sleep. That would involve discussion of a bed.

I forced myself to look at him sitting on the couch from where I sat in a high backed velvet chair. “Like I said, we can’t do anything until the morning.”

Dominic leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and folding his hands together. “You’re doing it again. Lying.”

I steeled my lips into a hard line. “No, I’m not.”

“That statement wasn’t a lie precisely, but you aren’t telling the full truth.”

Internally, I was gaping like a fish. Externally, I didn’t dare move a muscle.

“I’m getting good at reading you,” Dominic said and I felt it deep in my chest.

“Cute,” I said, jumping up to relieve the tension in my chest. I flipped him off and said, “Read this.”

Dominic chuckled, dropping his head. “That was low.”

“Yeah, well I’m not in the mood to deal with you.”

“You said that. Two weeks ago.”

I crossed my arms over my chest, and his eyes dropped to track the movement. Except now I wasn’t sure if he was just being observant or if he was looking at the way the motion lifted my breasts up. “Still not in the mood.”

It was Dominic’s turn to stand. And take a step towards me. “What happened that night?’

I knew the night in question, but was intent on acting like I didn't. “I don’t—”

“Owe me an explanation, we’ve covered that,” he cut me off. He ran a hand through his hair, flexing his bicep as he squeezed the back of his neck.

“This is getting really fucking repetitive, Rose.” He was taking slow, measured steps towards me. I rounded the chair so that it stood between us, caging me in between it and the locked door to the bathroom.

I swallowed and Dominic’s eyes caught the motion. “Yeah, well this was your idea.”

“Doesn’t mean I liked it.” Another reminder this marriage was a sham.

“Will you ever leave me alone?”

“No.” He placed his hands on the back of the chair on either side of mine and a knee on the cushion, leaning towards me.

---