Page 66 of Between Love & Ruin

“Are you sure you’re comfortable?” he asks for the tenth time after coming back to the room after I had changed into his fresh clothes. I didn’t really want to but they smelled like him and I am not denying myself this kind of comfort now.

Not to mention his eyes lit up when he saw me wearing his clothes but didn’t say a thing.

“Yes, Dominic,” I say, too tired now. “I am comfortable. I don’t mind you sleeping in your own room, on your own bed with me. But if you don’t stop asking me the same question over and over again, I am going to kick you out of your own house.”

He grins, because apparently me getting mad is amusing to him. He can be so sadistic sometimes.

“Sue me for being a gentleman,” he says, laying down beside me on the bed. He supports his head with his hand and looks at me with that look that makes me squirm. His beard has grown a little bit and it just makes him look more beautiful than he already is.

I would call his face perfection if I wasn’t so intent on keeping my feelings to myself.

“Of course,” I say, laying down beside me. “I can keep my hands to myself so you’re perfectly safe with me.”

I tease him, treading over that boundary I tried establishing a few minutes ago.

“That’s the problem,” he leans down near my face, almost whispering now. “I can’t keep my hands to myself when you’re with me.”

He moves my hair out of my face, tucking it behind my ear, making me realize that he will always have this effect on me, no matter how hard I try not to be affected by him.

“But I will try my best,” he says with a wink, before turning back to his side.

“Good night, cara mia,” he says and I can hear the hint of smile in his words.

“Good night,” I manage to get out before calming myself down.

And probably for the first time in months, I sleep with a smile on my face and a steady feeling in my heart that everything is going to be fine now.

Because I have the one person I always needed by my side—Dominic.

* * *

My body feels utterly too warm. My hands ache as I try to pull them back, but something keeps me stuck in a place. Not something—someone keeps me locked in their embrace.

I open my eyes slowly, almost getting blinded by the light peeking through from the windows. I lean back to see that my head is nestled carefully against Dominic’s chest.

His hands are securely wrapped around my waist as if I would run away in the middle of the night. His legs are entangled with mine, brutally crushing me with half of his weight.

A smile warms up on my face. He truly cannot keep his hands away from me. Or so I would assume because I refuse to believe I came to him in my sleep. I have always slept in my own tiny space, so it had to be him.

“You are staring,” he says, his morning voice leaving goosebumps on my skin.

“I was just looking,” I say, trying my best to pull away from him, but he tightens his hold on me, pulling me even closer to him.

“That’s what we call staring, baby,” he says, and my eyes widen. He slowly opens his eyes, a small smile on his face that makes my heart far too happy.

He presses a lingering kiss on my forehead, and I am too greedy to even pull away. I like being showered with his affection. Whether it is when he holds my hand, hugs me, caresses my face or kisses me. I love it and I always find myself wanting more and more.

“Good morning,” I say, finally able to pull myself away from him and sitting up. I probably look like a mess with my morning hair.

“Good morning,” he says, catching the blush on my face and chuckling.

“See? You couldn’t keep your hands off me,” he says, and I turn to look at him.

“No way.” I narrow my eyes. “I like my space even when I’m sleeping. So it was definitely you who came to me.”

“No,” he says, shaking his head. “I remember clearly that it was you. First, you hugged me from behind, and when I turned to face you, you very adorably tucked your head against my heart, the place you’ve already occupied.”

I open my mouth to argue but find myself at a loss for words. Did I actually do that?