Page 63 of Dominate
I reach up and run my fingertips over the scruff on Gareth’s jaw as he continues watching me thoughtfully. “But now I think it was because I just didn’t want another child with the person I was with. Even on our best days, it never felt anywhere close to this.”
Gareth nods, his thoughts clearly drifting as he processes everything I’ve said. He slowly lies back down and stares up at the ceiling, his chest rising and falling with deep, smooth breaths.
As the silence grows, I begin to panic. Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything yet. What if it’s too soon? Am I willing to lose him over this? My voice is weak when I add, “It’s not something you have to answer right now. Just…something to keep in mind, okay?”
He nods, his jaw tight. I roll back over and pull the blanket up over my face. My thoughts are screaming chastising words at me. Why did I bring this up now? Why didn’t I keep my mouth shut? What if I’ve ruined everything?
But the fact is, I want more with him. I can’t help myself. Seeing him with Sophia today changed things for me. It’s not only a love feeling I have for him anymore. It’s a sense of family. Like what Vaughn said he felt for Vilma. This feeling in my chest is bigger than love.
Gareth’s deep voice suddenly breaks through my swirling thoughts. “Babies would be good.”
I inhale sharply, holding the breath high and tight in my chest as his words sink in. “Really?” I ask, needing to hear the confirmation so I know I didn’t imagine it.
Gareth shifts to wrap his arm around my waist, pulling me to his chest. “Yes, really. I’d love to have a family with you, Sloan.”
Tears prick the backs of my eyes as I bite my lip and try to contain the emotion swelling in my chest. It’s a rush that I could possibly compare to skydiving.
But better.
So, so much better.
And with that, I drift off to sleep, dreaming of babies, and futures, and…family.
What feels like only moments later, I am woken up by the sound of banging on my bedroom door.
“Mummy, why is your door locked?” Sophia’s muffled voice calls out, ripping me out of my glorious dream.
I sit up with wide eyes and see Gareth slowly coming to right next to me. “Shit!” I exclaim, looking at the clock to see it’s after eight the next morning. “Gareth! Wake up!” I whisper-scream and begin shaking him awake.
Gareth scowls as his eyes flutter open to the sunlight streaming into the room.
“Mummy, what did you say?” Sophia asks through the door.
I clear my throat loudly as Gareth finally realises what’s happening and bolts out of the bed.
I scramble off as well and look everywhere for my clothes. “Nothing, Sopapilla!”
“Oh, then why is your door locked?” she asks again.
“It must be stuck!” I rush over to my closet to grab my robe.
“Oh wait! Freya taught me how to undo the locks with a pen,” Sophia says excitedly. “I’ll be right back to save you, Mummy!”
I hear her little footsteps take off down the hallway and look over at a naked Gareth standing in my bedroom with sleep-tousled hair and holding his T-shirt over his groin.
“Shit! What do you want me to do?” he asks, his eyes wide and adorably freaked-out.
“Get dressed for one!” I shriek, finally finding my purple, silk robe and wrapping it around me.
“Fuck me,” he says, finding his shorts and jumping into them first. “I didn’t plan to sleep here last night.”
“I don’t even remember closing my eyes,” I reply, knotting the belt around my waist and somehow still marvelling over how hot Gareth is shirtless.
He grabs his T-shirt again and asks, “Should I sneak out now while she’s gone?”
“No!” I snap, my eyes swerving to the door. “She’s probably just in her bedroom. She’ll totally catch you.” I thrust my hand into my messy hair and look around for a solution. “You could hide in the bathroom, but the shower door is glass. She’ll see you if she goes in there.”
I turn around, chewing my lip. “Closet, maybe?”
