I spent most of my time this past week with Dominik at his house in Phoenix. Honestly, I’d been a bit of a slug. While he went off to his office at the arena each day to do whatever it is he does to run his conglomerate of billionaire things, I’d sunned poolside, read books, and cooked new recipes for dinner. I was in pure vacation mode really. Still am.
Of course, the second round of the playoffs dominated everything for us. The Vancouver Flash turned out to be a bit more formidable than the Seattle Storm, but we took them down in game five. That left us with four days until the next round started—the conference finals—and Dominik suggested a trip to California.
I agreed because things have definitely changed, which is mostly my doing.
It stems from my acceptance of the fact Dominik is different, not just from other men, but from people in general.
Bottom line… I’m fascinated by him.
Wildly attracted to him.
And terrified of him, but I love danger and adrenaline, so it’s like the overly used cliché of a moth to flame.
Dominik somehow managed to burst my bubble of self-preservation against heartbreak and letdown, and I’ve decided to take the risk. I have no idea where this is going, but I’m curious enough to let it play out.
Now, I follow Dominik into his home as he effortlessly maneuvers our luggage. Let’s face it… he’s as built as his hockey players.
There’s no stopping my gasp of amazement and shock as I take in the living area overlooking the sparkling Pacific Ocean. It has floor-to-ceiling doors open to a patio running the length of the house, giving me an unobstructed view.
“Holy cow,” I murmur as I walk that way. “How do you ever get anything done with this view?”
Dominik chuckles as he sets the suitcases down. He takes my hand, then leads me over to a sliding door that opens onto the patio. It’s dotted with comfy furniture, fleece blankets draped over the edges. I don’t imagine those are left out here all the time, a theory that’s bolstered when I spot a tray loaded with a chilled bottle of white wine and two glasses, along with a charcuterie board. When he notices what I’m focused on, he grins. “Mrs. Osborne set the house up so we can enjoy the day with no distractions.”
Indeed, she had. I could happily spend the entire trip on the patio, relaxing, reading books, and occasionally getting lost in the scenery.
“Are you a relaxer?” I ask as he heads over to the wine. It’s on a low table bordered by a couch with two cushioned gliders on either end. I hurry to the couch and curl up on one end, pulling a blanket over my legs. It’s seventy degrees, but we’re on the shaded part of the patio and it’s a little chilly with the breeze from the ocean.
“What do you mean by that?” he asks as he works at the cork with finesse.
“I could literally spend all day out here doing nothing,” I explain. “Can you do that… or are you someone who always needs to be doing something?”
Dominik pulls the cork free, raising an eyebrow before he starts to pour. His lips quirk upward. “You know the answer to that.”
I realize I do.
Dominik is a mover and a shaker. He’d never be able to do nothing for an entire day. A few hours maybe, but never more than that.
I stay silent as he pours a second glass for himself before settling down on the couch beside me. Placing a glass in my hand, he says, “If you want to sit out here for the next four days, I’m down with that. I want this to be a nice getaway for you.”
“Why?” I ask suspiciously. I take a sip of my wine, appreciating the clean, crisp taste. Simply perfect.
Dominik rolls his eyes. Reaching over with his free hand, he pulls my legs over his lap, then resettles the blanket over me. “Because I invited you here, and I don’t want you to regret coming. You’re so squirrely about some stuff, and I don’t want you to be able to make any excuse not to come back one day.”
I leave that be. He’s making future plans and although I’ve opened myself up to something that’s definitely more than “just sex,” I can only take this day by day.
Dominik settles into the cushions. He props his feet on the coffee table, which is a heavy stone piece with a copper top. “Everything still cool with your family?”
It’s a casual question. Lord knows he understands the rift that has been between the members of my family since they learned the true nature of what I do. I’ve also forgiven him for his part in it. He didn’t intentionally spill the beans.