Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 100225 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 501(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100225 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 501(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
“Dom, Uncle Dragon has always been proud of you. Always.”
“No, he hasn’t been, and he shouldn’t. I’ve screwed up a lot.”
“Dom…” She sighs.
“My biggest fuck-up was not listening to that little voice in my head that told me you were special.”
“Yeah, special. You knew all the way back then that I was going to be a pain in your ass,” she giggles. “If we’re done with this heart to heart, I’m going to get some sleep. It’s been a long day,” she adds and then she rolls over and lies on her other side, giving me her back.
I know she’s dismissing me. She doesn’t want to continue our conversation. I guess I pushed it too far. I shouldn’t have. I know it, but I couldn’t stop myself. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I smile because it’s her sweet scent of cherries that I take in. I stare at the back of her head for a bit and decide to let it go. I reach up and hit the light switch by the faux wood headboard, turning off the light.
“Goodnight, Gorgeous,” I murmur. “That name can be only yours.”
“It doesn’t matter because we’re not like that. That said, a strong woman wouldn’t care if you’ve used the name before, as long as you made her feel like she’d be the only one, and the last one, you use the name on,” she mumbles not turning to look at me.
“Would that include you, Thea?”
“I’ve sworn off men.”
“If I convince you not to give up on me, would you give me a chance?”
I don’t have to be touching her to know her body stiffened. Even with the cover over her body, it is apparent. I’m pushing too much. She turns so that she’s looking over her shoulder at me. I’d prefer she flip over so I could see her entire body, but I’ll have to be satisfied that her eyes are staring into mine.
“What are you trying to accomplish here, Dom?”
“I want you in my life, Thea.”
“I am. We’re family—”
“No, Gorgeous. I mean, I want you. I have for a while, longer than I’m comfortable letting you know. I wanted to tell you sooner, but I discovered you and Raze were together. You seemed happy. Now that the dumbass has shot his wad and fucked it up …” I trail off with a shrug, not once looking away from her beautiful eyes.
“That can’t happen,” she answers.
“Tell me why,” I counter.
She rolls over on her back, letting out an annoyed breath, while staring up at the ceiling. I leave her alone. I’m not sure what to say at this point anyway. The ball is quite figuratively in her court now.
“What are you doing?”
“I want you to give me a chance. That’s it—nothing more, nothing less.”
“I don’t want a relationship, Dom. I obviously suck at them. Plus—”
“Maybe you suck at them because you didn’t have the right man at your back.”
She lets out a bitter laugh. “You think you are the right man?”
“I think I can be if you will give me a chance.”
“You’re unbelievable, Dominic West. I knew better than to trust you. I came here tonight to get away from stress—not to find more of it!”
“I’m not here to stress you, Thea. I told you. I’m not going to get on your side of the bed. You want me, then all you have to do is ask me. I won’t make a move. The same can be said in trying to prove that we could be good together. Any first move that has to be made, will be on your side.”
“Good, then. That means it will never happen,” she brags.
“If your mind is made up, I guess you’re right.”
“Oh, it’s definitely made up.”
“Okay, then,” I reply with a smirk.
“Roll over and go to sleep, stud. You’re starting to annoy me.”
“Sweet dreams. I’m wondering if mine will be better than the ones I’ve already had of you,” I ponder softly.
“You’ve had dreams of me? What kind of dreams?” she asks quickly.
I grin. “Maybe I’ll tell you someday.” I roll over and say nothing else. In a few minutes, she turns out the light on her side and I find myself smiling. I’m not going to give up on her. I feel more alive tonight than I have in forever.
That has to mean something.
Chapter 18
Thea
I burrow into the warmth. I don’t remember my quilts being this hot. It feels delicious. I’m so toasty that I smile, burrowing my head deep into my bed and then frown because suddenly the cover feels very solid and hard. As I raise my hands, my palms slap against a firm wall of solid heat. I flex my fingers against it, digging my nails in, while refusing to open my eyes. I just want to go back to sleep and let the feeling wrap around me. Before I can do that, my comforting yet firm wall vibrates. A laugh echoes close to me, as hot breath fans out along the side of my face. It takes all I have not to purr. I open one eye slowly, leaving the other one closed—dreading to see what waits for me.