Dominic hoped so. Because he had high hopes with Lily, and he didn't want one more goddamn thing to come between them.
* * *
"You think they're okay?" Lily asked as Dominic led her onto the dance floor.
He smiled down at her, set a hand in the center of her back, and hauled her closer to enjoy the slow song. It was the first time all evening he finally had her all to himself, and he wanted to breathe in her scent and enjoy the feel of her body against his. "I think they're fine."
"I didn't really expect them to hit it off like that. I was hoping there would be no chemistry." She sighed.
He leaned down to kiss the sweet spot on her neck below her ear. "I was kinda hoping the same thing."
"Why?" She stiffened.
He shook his head and smiled again. "Only because I don't want anything else to get between us. Relax. Xavier's a good guy. He's not going to drag her off to a closet and-"
Lily reached up and set her fingers on his lips. "God, don't finish that sentence out loud." She shuddered as he turned them in a circle on the dance floor. Suddenly, she stiffened, her eyes widening. "Is he a Dominant? Oh, shit. He is. You said he was the one who introduced you to the owner of Zodiac. And you set him up with my sister?" Her voice rose.
Dominic gave her a squeeze. "Relax, baby. He's not as into the lifestyle as me. It just so happens that Lincoln and he have been friends for years. He's only a member of Zodiac because he knows the owner. He doesn't go there often. I'm not going to say he isn't kinda alpha, but he's not as dominant as me."
She didn't look convinced. "You're sure?"
"I wouldn't have set your sister up with someone you wouldn't approve of, Lily. Give me a little credit. Trust me. Xavier is a stand-up guy. Besides, I doubt she'll hold his interest. She's too young." He leaned down to kiss her lips and stop the madness. "I'm far more interested in our relationship than Ava and Xavier."
"Yeah?" She started to grin. "Now that we're free to go out in public without having to worry about some crazy person following us?"
He shrugged and winked. "I don't know. I kind of enjoyed being forced to stay in the house with you."
"Mmm. Can't argue that point." She leaned back a few inches again and changed the subject on him. "I hate that Valerie released those damn pictures. If it weren't for that, we'd almost be done with this."
"I know, babe. But try not to let them rule your life. They aren't nearly as bad as they originally looked in the text message. They're too grainy. It's almost unclear who's in them. And we're fully clothed as far as the camera knew. Who really pays attention to that tabloid shit, anyway?"
She narrowed her gaze. "Half the women in the US."
He winced. "Okay, but has anyone said anything to you?"
"Not yet."
"How about you put together a statement. If someone says anything, you could giggle and say, 'Oh, yeah, that's me. My boyfriend is so romantic. He couldn't wait to make out with me, so he pulled over to do so.' Add a blush to that, and whoever is asking will shut right up."
She smiled slowly. "That could work."
They were still spinning around the dance floor, but he had something else to say. "Let's step outside."
She nodded as he took her hand and led her to the glass doors along the side of the dance floor.
He pulled the handle and let Lily pass under his arm before following her out into the evening. It was almost chilly since the sun had gone down.
She shivered, so he led her to the edge of the patio and wrapped his arms around her from behind, setting his chin on her head. The dress she wore this evening wasn't nearly enough against the chill in the air.
"It's so peaceful out here."
"Yeah." He stared into the night and then closed his eyes and savored the feel of Lily in his arms. He inhaled the scent of her hair slowly. Then he took a chance. "I want a relationship with you."
"What do you mean? You have a relationship with me."
He swallowed and continued. "I mean, I want more. I want you with me. Every day. Not every third day for a stolen hour."
She turned in his arms and lifted her face to meet his gaze. "What are you saying? The season's about to start. You'll be traveling half the time. That's not conducive to an everyday relationship."
He licked his lips. "It would be if you went with me."
Her eyes widened. "Went with you? Dominic … I can't do that. I have a gallery to run. And you live in hotels. It's not feasible."
He knew she would say that. He expected it. But he didn't like it. "We're just getting to know each other. I want to spend more time with you than a few mornings a week when I'm in town. My schedule is hectic. I play late almost every night for eight months. I sleep late and then do it all over again. It's hard on a new relationship. Nearly impossible. The failure rate is high."