Page 41 of Dominance

“Hm. It’s good to see that you’re starting to think like a Vipera.” He sniffs, giving me an appraising look. “Just don’t get fooled into a false sense of security. Ever.”

“I won’t. Besides, you’d never let me get soft.” I chuckle, giving him a peck on the cheek to avoid letting him see my disgusted expression. Leave it to Dom to turn this whole tense situation into a lesson.

Like it’s no big deal.

Even if I want to scream at this horrible man for torturing me.

“Now, I have a lot of unpacking to do before our big dinner tonight. I’ll see you there.”

“Wear something spectacular, there’s going to be a lot of important people there.”

“Will do.”

Slipping back into the house, I ease the door shut, slumping back against it for a moment, taking a breath. When my heart stops pounding, I glance toward the bedroom, where I hear Adriano moving around, the door open just a fraction.

“Well, that was fucking stupid.” I sigh, heading toward the bedroom.

“I wasn’t going to say stupid,” Adriano’s voice comes from the bedroom door. “Not wise, though, taunting him like that.”

I start at his comment, not thinking that he would hear me.

“Well, sometimes you have to push the envelope to get things done.” I recover, pushing the door open.

“And what, get him to hit you? What would that accomplish?” He turns toward me, his expression guarded, but concerned.

“He couldn’t. Not with you around.”

Adriano’s mouth drops open, like he’s trying to decide if I’m being serious.

“I really am grateful for you having my back. For protecting me.” I approach slowly, seeing if he’ll pull away or let me in. Biting my lip, I come right up to him, directly into the focus of his devastating gaze.

I am laying it on a little thick.

But I mean it too. I am thankful for him taking my side.

Especially since I sprang the whole moving-in thing on him. Honestly, I’m shocked how well he’s taking it.

And how bold I’ve been lately.

Desperate times, though.

“Thank you, by the way. For going along with this. I really couldn’t keep living with my father and working with him. It was stifling and I felt like I was always being watched.” He quirks the corner of his lip, his eyes never leaving mine.

So I take the chance, running the tips of my fingers down his arms, raising goosebumps in the wake of my nails.

“You’re welcome,” he mutters, instantly sending my pulse pounding.

Being so close to him and the fact that we are alone. In his apartment. His bedroom. Our bedroom. It’s a whole different kind of excitement.

“What were you doing?” I peer around him, looking at the open suitcase on the bed. It’s my stuff, scattered haphazardly on the comforter.

“Sorry, I was just moving some of your things over.”

“That’s fine. I wasn’t sure where to put most of it.”

His eyes narrow slightly at that and I swallow, waiting for him to berate me, to kick me out. A million reasons and excuses why he shouldn’t spring to mind, but they all die on my tongue.

“Hm. I guess you can have the three drawers on the left side of the dresser. I mean, your stuff is already here, and going back on this after Dom let you get away with it would be foolish.”

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