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)
“If you’re using Dom’s relationship with me to continue to punish him inside the club, it does. Sure, he was fucked in the head when it came to Gabby. He was an idiot and blind as a damn bat—”
“I don’t think you’re helping me, sweetheart,” I respond, unable to keep the hint of laughter out of my words. How she can sum up my past and turn it into something that twists me up inside, yet, makes me want to laugh, I don’t know. Hell, I’m starting to think that with Thea in my life, I don’t give a fuck about much else. She’s perfect for me.
“I can’t lie about it, Dom. You were an idiot.”
“I was,” I admit with a smirk.
“But part of the mess was because you were trying to shield your brother. It was stupid as hell, but it’s still true.”
“Thanks, I think.”
“You’re a damn good man, Dom. It's surprising that your own father can't see that.”
With that, I give up the fight. I wrap my hands around her waist and pull her into me. She braces herself with firm holds on each of my shoulders, but I don’t let her pull away. “You think I’m a good man?”
“Dom, stop. Your dad needs to know that you—”
“He’s going to believe what he wants, sweetheart. The fact you think I’m a good man is all I need.”
“It’s not. He’s being unfair.”
“You’re being unfair. You didn’t answer the question. Do you think I’m a good man?”
“I think you’re an asshole,” she mutters, making me laugh. I can hear my mother giggle, too.
“Hmm…” I hum.
“I also think you’re a good man who deserves better from people who are supposed to love you. If they bothered to check in with you, they’d see what I see.”
“What’s that, Thea?” I murmur.
“Dom…”
“What do you see when you look at me, sweetheart?” She lets out a sigh. She falls into me. I hold her close, gathering her body into mine while resting my forehead against hers. When she doesn’t answer, I prod her again. “What do you see?”
“A good man. A man I…”
“You?”
“A man I could see myself with.”
They aren’t exactly the words I was hoping for, but I’ll take it. I grin down at her, pulling back just enough so she can see me clearly. “That’s really good, Thea, because I’m not letting you go. I’m going to keep you, and do you know what else?”
“What?” she breathes, puffing out that single word so gently that I have to strain to hear her.
“I’m going to make you fall in love with me.”
“I don’t know if that is possible.” The old me would have gotten pissed by her denial. Oddly enough, I’m not at all.
“It is. You already love me. I just need you to admit it.”
She looks shocked at my words. I can’t hold it back any longer. I bring my mouth to hers and we kiss. She deepens the way our tongues duel with one another, and I swallow down her groan. The kiss might have lasted for hours if my dad hadn’t cleared his throat. Immediately, Thea tenses and pulls away.
“Dinner’s ready. Maybe we should all go eat,” Mom suggests.
Thea is staring at Dad. I force myself to tear my gaze away from her to look at him. Something on his face shifts. I can’t say what it is, but I can see surprise across his features. I grimace, wanting to just carry my woman out of here and leave. I’ve had about all the family bonding that I can handle tonight.
“I think I’ve lost my appetite,” I mutter. “Do you want to leave?” I ask Thea.
“I—”
“Stay,” Dad says. “I think I have some shit to make up for.”
“You can say that again—more than you know,” my mom huffs, giving him a pointed look.
Thea looks at me. She seems torn. I want to just leave, but I will let her decide. “It’s up to you, Gorgeous.”
She purses her lips and huffs out an annoyed breath. “We’ll stay.”
Damn. “If you’re sure.”
“I am, but if one more person says something against Dom, we leave.”
“Understood,” Dad says.
I move so I can kiss Thea’s forehead. She smiles at me and asks, “Are you okay?” That’s when I see the worry on her face. Something about the fact that she is concerned about me hits me in the heart more than anything else ever has.
“I’m good, sweetheart, as long as you’re with me.” Her gaze stays on me as if she’s reassuring herself. I make myself smile and she nods.
She puts her hand in mine and turns with a smile to Mom. “Let’s eat.” Then, she practically pulls me into the dining room. I really would rather go home, but I can handle one dinner with my parents if Thea is by my side. I’m pretty sure I could do anything if she’s with me.