Page 50 of Dominance

She inches closer, nodding. Her eyes are locked on the lights of the city swiftly sweeping by. Our fingers brush and I nearly flinch away, unsure until her fingers curl around mine.

“We probably should get used to doing this.” She finally looks at me, sharing a commiserating smile.

“You could talk me into it,” I sniff, draping my arm around her and pulling her close.

She’s soft, warm.

Completely disarming.

“Sir?” our driver interrupts.

My head jerks as I look to my right, the car door open beside me.

When did we stop?

“Right, sorry Vigo.” He simply steps back, holding the door open. The stern fellow nods at me, an indication of respect. Maybe it’s just the fact that I remember his name. I remember all of their names. Every guy that works for me.

“Adriano?” Gloria nudges me.

My heart’s skipping a beat in a mild panic as I snap back to the present, climb out of the car. Turning back, I offer Gloria my hand and she steps out, looking like a dream come true.

And like this is the most normal thing in the world.

While I feel like an imposter, wearing someone else’s clothes, someone else’s body in the glare of the lights out in front of the hotel.

Maybe it’s because it used to be our hotel, the Diamantes.

And Dom’s given it a gaudy makeover.

Or maybe it’s just the goddess on my arm as we take the stairs, flanked on both sides by elegantly dressed heads of state, lawyers, celebrities. And every eye follows us, like we’re the center of attention.

Except that we are.

And Gloria rides it out, preening in the spotlight of every smile and the applause that follows us through the gleaming glass doors. Like she’s done this her entire life.

It drives me just a little nuts the way she does that.

One minute she’s just like him, Dom. The next she’s the complete opposite.

Which one is real?

“Shall we?” I take a breath as we enter the massive, marble-floored foyer.

“Like we have a choice.” Her tone is droll, sarcastic. At least she seems to understand how I feel.

Inside, the stairs sweep up from the auspicious entryway, every surface shimmering, reflecting the chandelier light above. Red carpet, like something out of a 1920s movie, lines the walk, running up the stairs. Everything is gold leaf and crown molding.

And I suddenly feel underdressed in my crisp, gray suit, white shirt, and deep-teal tie, a match for her dress. Everyone else is wearing tuxedos and white coats.

But my discomfort is short-lived.

Because Gloria is the glittering, shining star of the evening.

Her gown lights up in the glow of the elegant beams, vibrant color amongst a sea of black and white, red and gold. She’s the center of the whole fucking universe, as far as I’m concerned.

Time freezes as we pose, waiting in the center of the lobby, turning a circle. I can’t for the life of me wrap my head around what’s going on until?—

Camera’s flash and time starts again.

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