Raven's Point of View
Jamie was still fanning himself dramatically, his wide eyes bouncing between me and Dominic like he was watching the juiciest scandal of the century unfold right in front of him.
"Okay, but like..." Jamie's voice dropped to a whisper, and his gaze shamelessly traveled down Dominic's body. "Holy hell, why does he look so huge?"
Lila turned, and her mouth fell open. "Wait. Oh my God."
And, unfortunately, I turned too.
And that was my first mistake.
Dominic wasn't just standing there.
He was posing.
Leaning against the wall, arms crossed over his massive, veiny forearms, his biceps practically bulging under the strain of his tight black t-shirt. His broad chest was even more sculpted than I remembered, stretching the fabric so tight I swore I could see the outline of his rock-hard pecs.
His jaw? Sharp as sin. His dark hair was slightly tousled, like he had just run his hands through it, and his piercing eyes were locked onto me, unreadable yet devastatingly intense.
God help me.
Jamie exhaled like he was physically in pain.
"I know he's toxic," he muttered, eyes dragging over Dominic, "but why does he look even sexier than before?"
Jamie squinted harder. "Did he get more ripped? Or were those pictures just catfishing us?"
I swallowed, forcing myself to breathe.
Jamie's hand flew to his forehead. "Raven. Look at him."
I already was.
That was my second mistake.
Because the second my eyes flicked over Dominic's insanely muscular chest, down the sharp cut of his abs pressing against his shirt, and lower-he caught me.
His dark, dangerous gaze snapped to mine.
My stomach plummeted.
Heat surged through me as a slow, knowing smirk curled his lips. He had definitely caught me staring.
Shit.
My entire body went stiff, my cheeks burning as I quickly looked away.
But it was too late.
Because suddenly-he moved.
Pushing off the wall.
Taking a step forward.
Closing the distance between us.
My breath hitched.
I panicked and stepped back.
And he kept coming.
Another step.
And another.
Slow. Deliberate. Like a predator closing in.
My back hit the wall.
My pulse skyrocketed as Dominic stopped right in front of me.
Too close.
Too big.
Towering over me like he was built to make me feel small.
His scent wrapped around me-dark, musky, dangerous.
I tensed as he reached out-
And then, for the first time ever...
He touched me gently.
Dominic's massive hands found my waist, and before I could react, he pulled me in.
Into him.
Into a hug.
My body locked up.
His powerful arms wrapped around me, strong and warm, and my cheek was suddenly pressed against his chest-his huge, hard, muscular chest.
Holy shit.
His embrace was so much softer than I ever thought it could be.
And then-he sighed.
Deep and heavy.
Just like his voice.
Like he had been waiting for this.
Like he had been starved for this.
My heart pounded so violently I swore he could feel it.
For two weeks, we hadn't touched. We hadn't been this close. And now?
Now, he was holding me.
Not rough.
Not possessive.
Just holding me.
Like he needed this as much as I did.
I squeezed my eyes shut, my body still tense, but God, it felt so good.
I felt safe.
I felt... home.
Jamie gasped.
Lila slapped his arm. "DID YOU SEE THAT?!"
Jamie was vibrating. "I SAW IT!"
Lila's hands were on her head. "He pulled her in so softly!"
Jamie squealed. "AND HE SIGHS LIKE THAT?! I CAN'T-"
Dominic ignored them completely.
His large hand moved to the back of my head, cradling it against his chest.
I felt tiny.
Helpless.
Completely surrounded by him.
Dominic exhaled through his nose, his deep voice a quiet murmur.
"...Two weeks."
I swallowed thickly, my fingers curling against his shirt.
I wanted to push him away. I did.
But I didn't.
Because no matter how dangerous he was...
God, I had missed him.
Lila grabbed Jamie. "They're so dramatic. I love it."
Jamie clutched his chest. "This is better than any romance novel I've ever read."
Lila screamed. "LOOK AT HOW SMALL SHE LOOKS AGAINST HIM."
Jamie was losing it. "SHE'S LITERALLY DISAPPEARING IN HIS MASSIVE ARMS."
Dominic's fingers curled slightly at my waist.
I shivered.
I felt his heartbeat-slow and steady-against my cheek.
He wasn't letting me go.
And worse?
I wasn't pulling away.
Jamie smacked Lila's arm repeatedly. "I CAN'T BREATHE."
Lila choked. "HE'S OBSESSED. I KNEW IT."
Jamie whispered. "She's so fucked."
Dominic pulled back slightly.
My breath caught as he tilted my chin up.
My stomach plummeted.
Because now?
I was looking into his eyes.
And fuck, he looked hungry.
My lips parted, my knees trembling, but before I could say a word-
Dominic's deep voice rumbled against me.
"Run all you want, baby."
His fingers traced slowly down my spine.
I shivered.
"But you're not escaping me."
My heart stopped.
Jamie screamed.
Lila grabbed my arm. "GIRL."
And I?
I was completely, utterly doomed.
The silence was suffocating.
Dominic's entire body had gone rigid, his jaw clenched so tight I swore I heard his teeth grind. The veins in his neck, arms, and forehead were bulging, pulsing with pure, contained rage.
His grip on me never loosened. If anything, his arms tightened, keeping me locked against him like a possession he wasn't letting go of.
And then...
I saw her.
The woman standing just a few feet away.
I recognized her immediately.
Because I'd seen her before.
In the picture.
The one where she and Dominic were smiling-in love.
Except, standing here now, looking at them face to face, that picture suddenly felt like a lie.
I swallowed hard.
Her gaze locked onto me, flicking down to the red lace lingerie still clutched in my hand before snapping back up.
I knew exactly who she was.
And the worst part?
She knew who I was too.
Her lips curled into a slow, knowing smirk. "Shopping for your little mistress?"
Jamie gasped so loud people turned their heads.
Lila's mouth fell open. "Oh, hell no."
I couldn't move.
I couldn't breathe.
Dominic?
He exhaled sharply.
The sound alone was a warning.
His head turned slightly, his deadly gaze cutting through her, but his arms still held me close.
"Watch your mouth."
His voice was low, deep-dangerous.
A shiver ran down my spine.
The woman only laughed. Soft. Mocking. Unbothered.
"Relax," she drawled, her eyes never leaving mine. "It was just an observation."
Dominic didn't respond.
Didn't blink.
Didn't let me go.
His silence alone was a lethal threat.
The air was thick with something far beyond tension.
I had to get out of here.
I shifted slightly, my voice barely above a whisper. "We should go."
Dominic's eyes flickered to me.
And for just a second, one second I saw something soften.
It was gone in an instant.
He nodded once. "Wait outside."
The way he said it wasn't a suggestion. It was an order.
I hesitated.
But Jamie didn't.
He grabbed my arm. "Yeah, we're leaving. Now."
Lila sent Dominic one last glance before following, but I-
I couldn't help it.
I looked over my shoulder.
And what I saw?
It changed everything.
Dominic was still standing there, his massive frame rigid, unmovable, his fists clenched at his sides.
But his expression?
Pure, ice-cold hatred.
Not indifference.
Not anger.
Hatred.
He hated her.
The woman in the picture.
The one he was supposed to love.
She was staring right back at him, something unreadable flickering in her eyes, but Dominic?
He didn't flinch.
Didn't hesitate.
Didn't break.
That picture?
That smile?
That love?
A fucking lie.
And I-
I had no idea what that meant for me.
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