XOXO

Her gaze volleys between him and me. “He’s nice.”

He steals a glance at me before he brushes past her. “Arietta will tell you that The Dick isn’t all bad.”

Her eyes widen like saucers. “He knows?” Her attempt at whispering is an epic fail.

“Oh, he knows.” He turns to look back at me. “I’ll see you in the morning, Arietta. Sleep well.”

“You too,” I call out as he disappears from view.

A few barks from Dudley are followed by the sound of the apartment door clicking shut.

“You fucked The Dick!” Sinclair screams. “Holy hell, Arietta! Tell me all about it.”

I breeze past her on my way to the dining room to pick up my clothes. I spot the file folder sitting right where I left it. Judging by her reaction to finding him in my room, she didn’t read our sex contract.

“Was it phenomenal?” She laughs. “What a ridiculous question. It was beyond phenomenal, right?”

I won’t spill details. I don’t want to. What happened tonight was special; too special to turn into gossip. “It was everything.”

The tremor in my voice is enough to send the message to her that I need this for myself.

She gathers me into her arms. “Did you see the way he looks at you? I think he’s falling in love.”

I cling to her as I hold onto that hope. I want him to be because I’m already in a free fall, and there’s no saving my heart from this.

Chapter 44

Dominick

I have no fucking idea how I’m still sitting in this chair.

Arietta arrived at my apartment an hour ago looking like the angel she is. She’s wearing a white sweater and ripped jeans. On her feet were sneakers that she kicked off as soon as she stepped over the threshold and into my home.

I ordered food in so that I could take advantage of every second I have with her tonight.

I polished off the sandwich and fries that were in front of me, but she’s taking her time eating each fry as if it’s something to be savored bite by every tiny bite.

My day was spent being tortured as I watched her sitting at her desk while I made call after call to potential clients. Asking her to meet me here tonight was supposed to be a reprieve from that.

I want her in my bed before daybreak, but at the pace she’s nibbling on those fries, we’ll be here until next week.

With a sigh, she drops the fry in her hand to look across the table at me. “You won’t hurt me tonight, will you?”

I’m on my feet and kneeling next to her before she can catch her next breath. I slide a hand over the back of her neck. “No. Never.”

Her gaze darts to the front of my jeans. “I can tell that you’re not like the other men I’ve been with. They weren’t as large...”

I kiss her to shut her the hell up. I don’t want to know about those men.

When our lips part, she darts a hand to cup my cheek. “You’ll be gentle with me?”

I reassure her with another kiss. This one is softer and meant to convey how much I cherish this moment with her and the trust she’s placing in me.

“I promise that I’ll be gentle,” I whisper against her mouth. “If you’re not ready tonight, we’ll wait.”

“I’m ready,” she says in a rush. “I’m so ready.”

I push to my feet and reach out a hand to her. “Come with me, Arietta.”

Her hand slides into mine as she stands. “I’ll never forget tonight.”

I lean down and kiss her softly. “I won’t either, beautiful.”

***

I wanted to bury my face in her pussy, but my self-control was pushed to the breaking point as I watched her undress.

I offered to help, but she ordered me to sit on the bed as she slowly removed every bit of her clothing.

When it came time for me to strip, I did it in record time.

We’re on my bed now, next to one another. My cock is in her fist. With slow, hesitant movements, I fear she’s trying to kill me with need.

“Arietta,” I breathe out her name in a hiss. “You’re going to make me come.”

“Like this?” she perks a brow. “You can come from my hand?”

I can come from smelling her perfume from across the room. She has no fucking idea what she does to me.

“Like this. ”I reach down to circle her hand with mine. I even her strokes, increasing the pace, guiding her to jerk me off.

Her eyes widen. “Holy fuck.”

I stare at her, watching as her expression shifts from wonder to want. Then it stops. She stills.

My cock aches. “Arietta.”

“Condom,” she purrs. “Put one on.”

I roll over, quickly grabbing one of the foil packets I left on my nightstand. I rip it open violently, shaking as I sheath my dick.