Page 327 of Phobia
Facing me again, her vulnerability is on full display. “Am I in danger?”
Stepping closer, I reach out with a tentative hand and place it on her waist. “I have enemies, Naomi, but I’d personally skin alive anyone who even thought about laying a finger on you.”
Swallowing hard, her breaths are ragged. “Why?”
“You’re the mother of my child.”
“Why?”
I laugh, but I know what she’s asking.Why did I pick her?
All I need to do is say it.
“There’s nobody else like you.”
“There are plenty of pretty headcases in the world.”
“No…” I hold her tighter. “You challenge me. You bested me. You brought me to my fucking knees, Naomi.”
She blushes, and I lean into her warmth. “I got back to my house that morning, and you weren’t here, and all I could think about was making sure you never left again.”
She opens her mouth, but I continue before she can speak. “I watched you, and everything I learned convinced me of what I already felt in my soul.”
She stills, my words taking her breath away, and I prepare to seal my fate. “You were made for me.”
Naomi’s eyes shimmer with so much emotion that it makes my head hurt for her, and my heart beats erratically, awaiting her response.
“I’m trying to hear what you’re not saying, Dom, but I really need you to say it.”
Stroking her cheek, I brush her forehead with my lips. “I wanted you the moment I saw you. I needed you the second I’d had you, and now you’re mine; I won’t ever let you go.” Inhaling a ragged breath, I give her the final piece of the puzzle. “I love you, Naomi.”
Chapter 30
I love you, Naomi…Those words have tortured me for the last eight hours, keeping me awake as I lie in bed, staring at the light breaking through the small gap in the curtains.
It’s better than the blood-curdling nightmares.
As soon as Dom spoke those words, I silently backed away and came upstairs. I forced him to confess, then left him hanging so I could process it all—his feelings and mine.
Two weeks ago, I would’ve given anything to hear those words. He got to me. As much as I tried to stop it, I fell off that ledge and bashed my head. That’s the only explanation for falling in love with the man who forced me to be with him. A man who gave me nine days of fear. Nine days of pleasure… of making me feel stronger than ever.
He thinks I’m made for him—for this world, but how?
All I’ve known is pain, loss, and fear. I have the love of the family I cherish but has never truly felt like mine. I had a job I thought was my passion, but it paled into insignificance after being here.
Wracking my brain, I think back over my life, trying to find anything to suggest I fit here, and the only thing I land on is poker. A game of deception—manipulation. Acting like their pawn whilst hiding a fistful of queens.
Am I a queen?
The door opens, startling and snapping me out of my thoughts. Dom enters, pulls back the covers and slides in next to me. “I don’t expect you to say it back. I’m just not spending another night without you.” Wrapping his arm around my stomach, he pulls me against his chest.
I don’t resist. I listen to the soothing sound of his heartbeat—so strong and assured. “I don’t know if I can be who you need me to be.” The words rush out. Not the ones he’d like, but as close as I can get to them right now.
Dom’s breath warms my neck. “You already are, Naomi.” He kisses the top of my head. “Now go to sleep. I’ll keep the nightmares away tonight.”
***
“Wake up,” Dom whispers, panic coating his voice. “There are people in the house.”
