Chapter Seventeen

 

Faith

 

Time moved by fast. That was the way it always worked when you didn’t want it to. The gray clouds from earlier had passed and with it a storm, but it went quickly. The smell of rain still lingered in the air, but as far as you could see were nothing but bright stars, and the moon’s reflection glowing in the water.

“I hate we can’t see things like this in New York,” I said, gazing up at the stars.

Dominic lifted up on his elbow and peered down at me. Before we left my parents, we grabbed a couple of their blankets so we could lay them out on the sand. It was the perfect ending to the night being able to talk and enjoy the moonlit sky.

“You can see them from my estate. I hate I haven’t taken you there yet.”

I knew why he hadn’t. There were too many bad memories there. It was where his father ended his own life. Dominic was in the same room when it happened. He never talked about it and I never pressed him on it.

“It’s okay,” I murmured, meeting his gaze. “I know it’s not easy for you to be there.”

He sighed. “It’s not. That’s why I’m probably going to sell it. If Layla wanted it, I’d give it to her but she’s happy in Wyoming.” Yes, she was. How could you not be? Wyoming was gorgeous. If I was going to move somewhere other than New York, it’d be there. “Have you ever thought about moving back here and starting up your restaurant?” Dominic asked, drawing me out of my thoughts.

Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes and listened to the waves. I could hear the undertone of uncertainty in his voice. I was curious to see how he’d react if I said yes, but I didn’t want to play games. “As much as I love it here, no,” I answered truthfully. I opened my eyes and turned to him. “Don’t get me wrong, it’d be nice to be near my family, but this place isn’t my end game.”

He looked away. “What is then?”

“Oh, I don’t know … first of all, getting my own place to stay,” I said teasingly. He glanced over at me and I smiled. “I can’t stay in the princess suite forever.”

“No,” he agreed, giving me that sexy grin of his, “you’re going to stay in my suite. The other will be there if you get tired of me.”

I giggled. “Which might be a lot.”

Chuckling, he rolled on top of me and pinned me down with his weight. “So you think you’ll get tired of me, huh?”

Lifting my head, I nipped the tender flesh behind his ear. “You might be the one getting tired of me. That’s why I suggested I get my own place. I’m just curious to see what your plans are.”

His smile faded when he looked down at me. “To be honest, I don’t know. For someone like me I have to live one day at a time.” That wasn’t the answer I wanted to hear and he could see the disappointment on my face. “What did you want me to say, Faith?”

I shrugged. “I’m a planner. I like knowing what I want for my future.”

He brushed a hand down my cheek. “And what do you want, beautiful?” He leaned down and kissed me. I opened up to him and moaned when he deepened the kiss.

“Definitely more of that,” I said, rubbing my leg against him. “But in all seriousness, I do want to open my restaurant. And....” I paused and looked right into his eyes. “I’d like to have a family one day.”

It was too soon to even talk about a future with him, but I was curious to see what he thought about it. I wanted to find my happily ever after.

Dominic stared right back at me. “One day I’m hoping to give you that.”

That was all I needed to hear. It wasn’t the right time for any of that, but I at least knew he wanted it too. It was good enough for me.

“What all’s going to happen tomorrow when we go back to New York?” I asked.

He kissed me again, but I could see the tenseness on his face. “Speaking of the fights, if you don’t want to go, I can have Reed keep you company.”

I had a feeling he was keeping something from me, but what? “Do you not want me there?”

He sighed. “I do, but if my enemies see the way I look at you they’ll know how much you mean to me. I’ll never forgive myself if I openly put you in the line of fire.”

I could hear the truth in his voice, but it also made me wonder what all had changed. If he was willing to leave me alone with Reed, it had to be something bad. “If that’s what you want, I’ll stay back,” I offered. “To be honest, you have me a little worried. I feel like you’re keeping something from me.”

Dominic rolled off of me and helped me to my feet. “I just want you safe, but I know how stubborn you are. I’m not going to say no you can’t come, because you’ll find a way to be there. However, I am going to say that I’d feel better if you didn’t.”

I couldn’t help but smile. “You know me so well.”

He snorted. “I’m getting there.”

Wrapping my arms around his neck, I held him tight. “Okay,” I gave in, “I won’t go. Just promise me you’re not keeping anything from me.”

He buried his face in my neck and breathed in. “I promise. Everything will be fine.”

I hoped he was right. Still, it felt like a storm was brewing. I just didn’t know when it was going to strike.