Dominic grabs a washcloth and scrubs me from head to toe.
“My turn,” I whisper, taking the cloth from him and running it over his muscular body.
I can’t believe after all these years, he’s back in my life.
He kisses my forearm.
Sadness lingers in the corner of my mind but I push it away.
Instead I focus on feeling at peace without the pressure of running an empire.
In this moment I don’t have to be queen.
I don’t have to be strong.
I just have to feel.
This is temporary after all.
It won’t last.
So I better enjoy every moment before our careers rip us apart again.
Chapter twenty-five
If I hadn’t woken to Dominic beside me, I would have sworn it was a dream.
Sunlight glows against the curtains, brushing rays of gold across the sheets and his bare back. His arm is draped over my waist. I watch him sleep. His lips are slightly parted and his chest rises and falls with his breathing.
I wish I could stop time and savor this moment forever.
I feel like I’m in a stolen fragment of another world, one where blood doesn’t stain loyalty and love doesn’t come with sharp edges.
A place where Dominic and I could be together, but that would never happen.
After all, he hates my world.
The weight of yesterday comes rushing back like a punch to the gut. Salvatore nearly assassinated, the intruder’s body lying on the dock, his last words,checkmate,echoing in my mind.
As I recall the scene, something doesn’t feel right. I just can’t put my finger on it.
My stomach rumbles, and I look over at Dominic.
I should be having another what-the-fuck-did-I-do moment. I should be cursing myself for giving into temptation, but instead all I want to do is snuggle in his arms and never get up.
My gaze rests on the top of his sweatpants peeking out from beneath the covers.
I chuckle.
He conveniently had an overnight bag stashed in the trunk of his car. He says it’s for when he has to go on last minute stakeouts.
How convenient.
I guess it’s time for my moment of bliss to come to an end. Breakfast is calling my name.
Moving back the covers, I attempt to slip out of bed. I don’t want to wake him. If one of us has to live this nightmare, it should be me. After all, Dominic always rode the straight and narrow path. He is a man of the law.
Before my feet can touch the floor, an arm snakes around my waist, pulling me back under the covers.
