Page 24 of Yes, Love

I sighed and tapped my foot, pretending to be irritated but secretly thrilled that drunk Dominic was obsessed with me. “Fine. I’ll take him.”

“Brilliant. Here you are!” Noah gave Dominic a light push over the threshold and jogged down the front steps. “Send him back in the morning with some water and painkillers!”

Dominic laughed and slid down the wall in my entryway to a sitting position. I closed the door as he grinned up at me. “You’re like a pretty little fairy, Ava. Have I ever told you that?”

I fought my smile. “You have.”

“Huh.” His handsome face crumpled in confusion then shifted back into a flirty grin. “I thought you were fake and mean at first, but you’re just darling, aren’t you? Ava, I’m sad. Will you hold me?”

Now I laughed out loud. Drunk Dominic was adorable. “Sure, lover boy. But I’m gonna need you to stand up on your own. You’re too big for me to lift.”

Dom laughed and leaned his head against the wall. “I’m big and strong, and you’re tiny and delicate. It’s sexy. But I’d never hurt you. You know that, don’t you? I’d never ever hurt you.” His expression suddenly turned painfully serious.

I tilted my head to the side and narrowed my eyes. “I know that.” I held out my hand to help him stand. He took it with this sweet gentleness and pressed a kiss to my fingers, sending tingles all the way up my arm.

Dominic ran his thumb along my palm and stared at my hand like he was seeing it for the first time, and it was the most beautiful thing in the world. “How could anyone…” He trailed off and closed his eyes.

“How could anyone what?”

Dominic’s eyes drifted open. “Huh?”

I gave him a soft smile. “Nothing, lover. Let’s get you some water and then a nice soft bed.”

“Could we? That sounds brilliant.”

“We can. Come on.” I tugged at him, and he stumbled to his feet, leaning on me slightly. He smelled like we needed to keep him away from open flames. I led him to the guest bedroom on the main floor, certain I wouldn’t be able to get him up the stairs.

He collapsed facedown on the bed and let out a groan. “It’s so soft, Ava! This blanket feels like a fluffy little cloud.” He chuckled and ran his hands down the faux fur blanket adorning the bed. “You and all your posh things.”

I rolled my eyes and started unlacing his black boots. They fell to the ground with a thud, and Dominic laughed into the pillows. “Are you going to undress me? You have my consent.” He turned his head to look at me and winked.

I laughed out loud. “You wouldn’t even be able to get it up for a fuck right now, Dom.”

He gaped at me. “Could too!”

“Nah, dude. You’re completely trashed.” I smiled and ran my hands through his dark, wavy hair. He was the sweetest drunk I’d ever seen, and it was so endearing. “I’m going to get you a glass of water.”

Dominic caught my hand as I tried to leave. “And then you’ll stay for a cuddle?” His dark eyes pleaded with me. There was a strange sadness behind them tonight. I nodded and headed for my kitchen.

When I returned with the glass of water, Dominic patted the bed at his side and gave me a sleepy smile. “Hold me, love.”

I curled up at his side and slid my arms around his waist. “Why do you call me love sometimes? Are you making fun of me?”

Dom gave me the sweetest look of concern. “No, course not.” Then he shrugged. “My mum’s from up North and always called me love. It’s old-fashioned, but I guess it stuck.”

He rarely mentioned his family. I liked this tiny glimpse into his personal life. I smiled at him and ran my fingers through his hair again.

Dominic narrowed his eyes at me. “Why do you call me lover boy? Are you making fun of me?”

“A little bit yes. A little bit no.”

He laughed for a moment, and then his handsome face settled back into that heartbroken look. I felt this overwhelming urge to fix it. “Why are you sad tonight, Dominic? Is it Lucy?” I was starting to seriously dislike that bitch for screwing with his head so much.

He let out a sigh and nodded. “I don’t think that bastard she’s dating is treating her right. But it’s not just that, ya know?” He turned to look at me with his face screwed up in pain. “It’s other stuff, too.”

I gently ran my fingers up and down his chest. “Do you want to talk about it?”

Dominic shook his head with a solemn and dark expression.

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