Taboo: A Dark Romance Boxset (Stud Ranch 1)

“We never imagined we’d ever find someone as perfect as you,” Dominick whispers, taking another step forward. “You have no idea. I’d given up even hoping for it. But then I met you. And like I said, that first night at the wedding, your beauty, your innocence, God, you just stood out like this bright beacon apart from everyone else at that party.”

I swallow hard as he finally crosses the last bit of space between us. He doesn’t crowd me or try to kiss me. He just reaches down and takes both of my hands. His touch is tentative.

I crack the second I feel his warm skin touch mine. I fling myself into his arms.

“Oh God, Dom,” I breathe out, squeezing his waist. “I was so scared it was all a lie.”

His arms come around me and hold me to him just as fiercely. “Never. Christ, Sarah. Never doubt what I feel for you. I love you. I swear I’ve never said those words to another woman and I never will. You’re my first and my last.”

I shake my head against his chest. “It just all seems too good to be true.”

He clutches me tighter.

His chest buzzes against my cheek. He must have his cell in his coat pocket. He ignores it but it keeps buzzing away, the person obviously calling back a second time.

“Do you need to get that?” I finally ask.

He sighs. “I’m sure it’s just Dad wondering where we are.”

“Oh,” I pull back. “You should let him know.”

Dominick looks down at me and I can’t quite read the expression on his face. “Is that what you want?”

I nod, not sure what he expects my answer to be. “Well… yeah? I want him to know I’m okay. After what happened.”

Dominick takes the phone out of his pocket but still his finger pauses before pushing the button to call back. The phone starts to vibrate again. He puts a hand underneath my chin, making sure I’m looking him straight in the eye. “If I answer this, Dad will have certain expectations about tonight and what happens next. Are you ready for that?”

He holds up the buzzing phone. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. I can turn off my phone and I can take you anywhere you want to go if you feel like today has been too much already. We could go catch a movie or grab a hotdog from a street vendor and walk the streets for hours.” His eyes search mine back and forth, his face dead earnest. “Whatever you want. It’s always your decision. Your call.”

I can tell he means it, absolutely. And his words, combined with knowing that he’ll be by my side every step of the way, gives me the courage to take the phone from him, touch the answer button, and answer, “Daddy? Come and get us.”

Twelve

Dad takes over the scene immediately as we get in the hotel room upstairs.

“Dominick, take your sister’s dress off. Then baby,” he addresses me, eyes dark as he snaps his fingers, pointing at the floor, “on your hands and knees.”

My stomach does a flip-flop of anxiety at the command in Dad’s voice, but I can’t deny the corresponding trickle of wetness in my sex.

Dominick obeys, unzipping my dress and helping me step out of it. Again I relied on the dress’s built in bra, so I’m bare up top, with just a scrap of lacy white underwear on. Dominick helps me as I get down to my knees. My legs are so wobbly, I’m grateful for his strong hand holding mine. My eyes ping back and forth between Dominick’s confident, caring smile and Dad’s dark, brooding features.

Dad’s jaw ticks as he pulls his bowtie off and he throws it to the floor. He’s had the same look of strain on his features ever since he came and found us outside the lobby men’s room.

“You were a very naughty girl, running away like that without letting us explain,” Dad says, his eyes darkening even further. He takes off his suitcoat and undoes the buttons of his dress shirt, looking colder and more furious every second.

Alarmed, I look back at Dominick. He’s watching Dad, but he reaches down and gives my shoulder a squeeze. My breath evens out at his calm look. While last time we were all together like this, he seemed to take a subordinate role to Dad, this time, he’s standing right beside me. He too starts to undress, but at a leisurely pace.

“She was a naughty girl,” Dominick agrees. “I think we’ll enjoy giving our little girl her punishment, don’t you think?”

My eyes shoot up to Dom, but he just shoots me a wink. He’s got his shirt off now and damn, he looks so mouth-watering standing over me in just his dress-trousers, his gloriously broad chest on display, unruly hair swept to the side. He’s more built even than Dad, his arm muscles bulging. He’s toed off his shoes and pulled off his socks, and I swear, even his feet are manly. Him standing over me, so godlike and glorious is such a turn on. As if he can read my thoughts, he grins deviously.