Dominic is yours.
Dominic is mine.
Butterflies gain wings in my stomach and I swear they’re flapping inside me. I’m biting back a sheepish smile but it’s not possible to stop Moira’s words from echoing in my head.
I don’t know that I want Dominic to be mine, but the thought of him actually being mine, is tempting.
I nearly fall out of my seat when Moira waves her hand in front of my face.
“Earth to you, Elena.”
I gasp and try to pretend I’ve not been lost in thought. “I was…listening.”
“Were you?” Moira props her elbows on the table and leans towards me. “What do you think about what I said.”
“I-uh…” I roll my bottom lips between my teeth. “Sorry. I wasn’t listening.”
“Let me guess. You were thinking about Dominic, weren’t you?”
Jesus. I hate that she reads me like I’m an open book. “I was, but it’s not what you think. I promise.”
Her face morphs into a mischievous smile. “What do you think I’m thinking?”
I laugh when she flutters her brows to tease me. “Okay, it’s what you’re thinking.” I inhale and exhale deeply. “Dominic asked me to move in with him.”
Moira’s eyes bulge out of their sockets. “Huh?” She glances at Marcus who is now busy showing Lucas something on his phone.I hope it’s nothing about the mafia.“When was that?”
“Yesterday.” I rake my fingers through my hair. “Don’t get too excited though, it’s not because he’s asking me to marry him or anything.”
“Then why?”
“Because of the whole rivalry stuff. I don’t know the details, but he thinks it’s safer for me and Lucas if I move in with him.”
She blinks rapidly and scrunch her face. “What did you say?”
I shrug. “What else? I can’t move in with him.” I don’t tell her the reason I don’t want to is because I’ll end up falling for Dominic again. I also don’t tell her I have this weird obsession with disobeying Dominic. I’d become like that when we were dating.
My cheeks heat as memories from seven years ago flash through my mind. I’ve missed the way Dominic punished me whenever I wasn’t a good girl. I became addicted to his punishments, and addictions aren’t easy to overcome.
What is wrong with me? I’ve become a horny mess overnight.
Moira is wide-eyed as she listens to me. “Elena.” She’s cautious when she calls my name and places the back of her palm on my forehead. “Are you sick?”
My brows shoot up. “I’m not. Why are you asking?”
“Because I think you are.” She cranes her neck to Marcus and Lucas, and then back to me. “I know you’re still not over Dominic and you’re trying to fight your feelings for him, but don’t you think you’re being stupid putting your ego before your safety and Lucas’s?”
I lower my gaze to the top of the dining table in shame. Moira is right. I admit I’m being stupid putting everything else before our safety. I also agree I’m afraid I’ll fall for Dominic again—if I haven’t already.
She reaches for my hand and places hers on top of it. “I know what you’re afraid of and trust me, it’s better that, than for Lucas to get hurt. You’ll never forgive yourself if he does.”[JV5]
“You’re right.” I pause and huff. “Lucas should come first.”And I should try to ignore my feelings for Dominic.
She smiles and pats my hand. “Good. Now come and introduce me to the hot guy over there.”
“No way!”
“Yes way!” She stands and drags me up from my chair and over to the living room. Lucas smiles as we near them and it’s a contrast to the scowl on Marcus’s face.