The Billionaire's Bet 2, A Hot Call(19)
When he had enough air to breathe again, he raised his head. “I know how this must look. Strong, confident man with a controlling edge breaks apart in front of you, I must look pathetic.”
“No, you’re not. Everyone has a weak side.”
“Well, my weak side was thrown upon me like a brick wall.”
“We could talk about it, if that’s what you want. I’m here.”
He sniffed again and wiped off the wetness on his face. “That casino isn’t mine, you know. It was my father’s.”
“I’m sorry for your loss. I didn’t know.”
“I know. I hid it pretty well. He left it to me when he died. Along with some other nasty shit I can’t even speak about.”
“Is it that bad?”
“Oh, yes … worse than you can imagine. You really don’t want to know. When they say it’s a shady business, they’re speaking the truth.”
I nodded, listening intently.
“I’m afraid, Julie …” he whispered into my coat.
“Of what?”
“That you’ll leave me.”
I frowned, confused and cupped his face so I could look at him. “Why? I thought this was only sex to you?”
“No, it’s not, but I’m always afraid … I don’t want to lose you, so I shut you out. If we go further, you’ll end up hating me and wishing you’d never stayed.”
“Don’t say those things! That’s not true. I’m not like that.”
“My previous girlfriend was.”
“Dom,” I said, hugging him tight. “What happened to you?”
He sighed and took in a few sharp breaths. “I never asked for any of this. My father died and he left me with a huge mess and I’m left to clean up the shit. And then my girlfriend left me, after I’d asked her to marry me. She only wanted the pleasure, not the commitment. It took me months to get over it and when I was finally ready to move on, you show up.”
I chuckled. “I show up? So now it’s my fault that you seduced me?”
He muffled a laugh. “No, I don’t mean it like that. I mean, I couldn’t help myself and tried to keep you from stealing my heart.”
He gazed up at me and I finally realized all along he was just fighting to fall in love. Fighting, because he was so hurt by his ex that he couldn’t bear the pain anymore. Fighting because he had a tremendous burden placed upon him when he wasn’t ready for any of it.
I had the sudden urge to smother him with love.
Dominic’s face was inches away from mine and I couldn’t resist. I brought my lips to his and kissed him gently. He cupped my face as I laced my arms around his head. We kissed with passion, the fire burning between us was inextinguishable.
“Oh, Julie … I’m sorry. Work has been so tough lately and I used you to ease the stress, in the wrong way. I lashed out at you back then, on the couch. Don’t think I’m not ashamed of what I did.”
“I know, I could see it. Under the shower. I forgive you, Dom.”
“Thank you … I’m just … I’m so scared to lose the people I love. I don’t want to go through the same thing again. Caring so much for someone you’d do anything for them and they just drop you like a bag of flies.”
“I won’t, Dom. I don’t want anyone else. What you showed me was more than I could ever dream of and I couldn’t ever think of going back to where I used to be. You’re finally giving me what I want. I’m asking you to give in to me.”
He smiled, tears running down his cheeks. “When I fall in love with someone, it’s with all I have. I can’t bear to give it away if I’m not certain you will stay.”
“I will … I just need your trust, too. Like you ask me to trust you, even though it’s hard sometimes.”
“I know it’s hard, but I’ll never hurt you, at least, not in a non-sexual way,” he said, chortling. “I mean emotionally.”
“So you’re always faithful, no matter what? Because my ex cheated on me,” I said. I couldn’t help question him. I always questioned men.
“I’m a hundred percent truthful. I don’t need anyone else, Julie. You’re more than enough for me. You’re everything I desire and that’s what scares me the most. If I had to lose it again …”
“You’re not going to lose me,” I said, and I smashed my lips into his.
His arms were around me, holding me ever closer to him, like he wanted to meld with me. I could feel his pain, his suffering, his wish to have someone of his own who he could trust and I wanted to be there for him. I wanted to give him what he needed, as I knew he’d give me what I desired as well. Being faithful, loving and honest, that’s what we both wanted. We could no longer fight it.