Chapter 38
Chapter 38
Aria’s POV
My stomach growled loudly, breaking the silence of the hotel suite.
I winced. Betrayal.
Dominic, who had been sitting on the couch, scrolling through his phone, raised an eyebrow at me. “Hungry?”
I sighed dramatically, pressing a hand to my stomach. “Starving.”
He smirked, setting his phone down. “Then let’s eat.”
I blinked. “You’re actually taking me out to lunch?”
He shrugged, standing. “I don’t like hungry people. They get annoying.”
I rolled my eyes but didn’t argue.
Within thirty minutes, we were seated at a high–end restaurant inside the hotel, the kind of place where the waiters were overly attentive and the chandeliers probably cost more than my entire life savings.
The scent of fresh bread and expensive wine filled the air, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I allowed myself to relax.
I took a bite of the warm bread, savoring the taste before glancing up at Dominic, who was watching me with that ever- present smirk.
Something about the moment felt too easy.
I narrowed my eyes playfully. “I hope this isn’t the calm before the storm.”
Dominic let out a real laugh, something deep and rich that made my stomach twist for an entirely different reason.
“Of course not,” he mused, sipping his wine. “Why would you think that?”
I raised an eyebrow. “Because you don’t do calm, Dominic.”
He smirked, setting his glass down. “You think I’m that predictable?”
CD
I tilted my head, pretending to think. “Not predictable, just… dangerous.”
His smirk widened. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
I rolled my eyes but smiled despite myself.
The conversation shifted after that, easy and surprisingly normal.
F
We talked about random things–the weather, the hotel, even the ridiculous fashion of some of the guests.
For a moment, it felt like we were just two people having lunch.
Not captor and captive.
Not enemies tangled in an inevitable game.
Just… us.
I was about to reach for another bite of my meal when Dominic leaned forward slightly, his gaze locked onto mine with a different kind of intensity.
“Tell me something, Gattina.”
I swallowed. “What?”
His lips curved, something teasing in his expression. “What’s your biggest sexual fantasy?”
I choked.
Literally.
The piece of bread I had just
S
wallowed went down the wrong way, and I coughed violently, reaching for my ass of water.
Dominic sat back, amused, watching as I tried to recover.
There were people here.
We were in a restaurant, surrounded by well–dressed strangers sipping wing and discussing business deals. And this was the moment he chose to ask that q Successfully unlocked!
I glared at him as I set my glass down, my face still burning. “Are you insane?”
He smirked. “Possibly.”
I shook my head. “I am not talking about this here.”
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Chapter 38
His smirk didn’t fade. “Why not?”
“Because we’re in a public place,” I hissed.
He chuckled. “So?”
I inhaled deeply, willing myself to stay composed. “I am not answering that.”
Dominic tilted his head, studying me. “Why not? Embarrassed?”
“Obviously,” I muttered, stabbing my fork into my food.
He leaned closer, his voice low and smooth. “You weren’t embarrassed last night when you were moaning my name.”
I gasped.
A waiter passed by, and I quickly forced a tight smile, trying to act normal when my entire body was on fire.
Dominic, on the other hand, was completely relaxed.
Smug.
Amused.
And worst of all–patient.
Like he knew he was going to get his answer.
Eventually.
I exhaled slowly, glaring at him. “I hate you.”
He smirked. “I know.”
I took a slow bite of my food, chewing angrily.
Dominic, still watching me, propped his elbow on the table, resting his chin on his hand. “Fine. If you won’t tell me that…”
I glanced up warily. “What now?”
His smirk turned dangerous.
“What’s something that gets you turned on easily?”
I swallowed, my fork pausing halfway to my mouth. “Excuse me?”
Dominic leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, his dark eyes locked onto mine. “You heard me.”
My pulse spiked.
I was right all along. This man was a sex addict.
‘We
were still sitting in the middle of a crowded restaurant, yet he looked as casual as ever like he wasn’t throwing out the most inappropriate questions over a fancy meal.
I exhaled sharply, shifting in my seat. “I’m not answering that either”
His smirk didn’t falter. “Why not?”
I picked up my glass, sipping my wine in an attempt to not react to the way his voice dipped lower, smoother, like a soft caress against my skin.
“Because,” I said, setting my glass down, “it’s none of your business.”
Dominic chuckled. “That’s where you’re wrong, Gattina.”
I rolled my eyes. “You’re seriously enjoying this, aren’t you?”
He shrugged, lifting his own glass. “I enjoy learning about things that belong to me.”
I bristled. “I don’t belong to you.”
His smirk widened. “You keep telling yourself that from the very first day. But you signed the contract, so you signed your life away.”
My nails dug into my thigh under the table. Infuriating.
I sighed, knowing he wouldn’t drop it. Might as well just give him something so he’ll shut up.
I lifted my chin. “Fine. Neck kisses.”
Dominic blinked, his smirk flickering for the briefest moment.
Then, his eyes darkened.
He set his glass down slowly, fingers tapping against the table. “Neck kisses?”
I shrugged, trying to act indifferent, but my face burned under his intense gaze. “Yeah. They, uh… do things to me.”
His lips parted slightly, and I swore I saw a glint of something almost primal in his expression.
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Then, slowly, his smirk returned.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
My entire body shivered.
God help me.
I quickly looked down at my plate, stabbing my fork into my food, trying to ignore the way my thighs pressed together involuntarily.
Dominic chuckled, leaning back in his chair, clearly pleased with himself.
Asshole.
I exhaled sharply, then, before I could stop myself, I asked, “Why are you being so nice to me?”
His smirk faltered, but only slightly.
He arched a brow. “Nice?”
I gestured around the restaurant. “This. The food. The casual conversation. The not locking me up somewhere and treating me like property.”
Dominic tilted his head, studying me. “And you think this is me being nice?”
I frowned. “Isn’t it?”
He chuckled, shaking his head. “Oh, Gattina,” he murmured, swirling his wine. “I’m not being nice.”
I swallowed. “Then what are you being?”
Dominic set his glass down, folding his hands on the table. “Careful.”
That made me pause.
“Careful?” I repeated.
He nodded. “I like control. I don’t enjoy unnecessary complications.”
I scoffed. “And I’m an unnecessary complication?”
He smirked. “You’re the most dangerous complication I’ve ever had.”
Something tight coiled in my chest.
Because I knew-
Somewhere deep down, beneath all the power struggles and taunts-
I was beginning to feel the same way.
After lunch, Dominic suggested a walk.
I wasn’t sure why–it wasn’t like him to indulge in something so casual–but I didn’t question it. Not when I was still trying to process everything from our conversation.
The hotel grounds were expansive, lined with perfectly manicured gardens, marble fountains, and pathways that wove between high–end boutiques and private lounges. It was the kind of luxury I had only ever seen in magazines.
Dominic walked beside me, his hands in his pockets, his usual sharp presence somehow lighter.
He pointed out different places as we strolled. “That lounge over there? That’s where most of my business associates like
to drink. And that rooftop bar…” He nodded toward a glass–encased structure above us. “Has one of the best views of the city.”
I arched a brow. “And here I thought you only cared about underground dealings and breaking bones.”
He smirked. “I have layers, Gattina.”
I rolled my eyes but smiled despite myself.
The walk was… nice.
Peaceful.
For once, it didn’t feel like we were in the middle of some twisted game.
It felt normal.
I had almost let my guard down-
Until I heard it.
Pop. Pop. Pop.
Gunfire.
I barely had time to register the sound before Dominic’s hand gripped my wrist, yanking me toward him.
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Chapter 38
My heart slammed against my ribs as chaos erupted around us. People screamed. Glass shattered.
Dominic cursed, scanning our surroundings. “Move.”
I didn’t hesitate.
He dragged me down the pathway, his grip firm, his posture coiled and lethal.
Another round of shots fired. The air buzzed with tension, with the unmistakable scent of gunpowder.
Dominic’s men–because of course he had men stationed everywhere–reacted instantly, pulling their weapons, surrounding us in a tight formation.
My pulse spiked.
Who the hell was attacking us?
And why?
Dominic shoved me behind a thick stone pillar, pressing his body against mine. “Stay here,” he ordered, his voice sharp.
I could barely breathe. “What’s happening?”
He didn’t answer.
Instead, he turned toward his men, barking orders, his entire demeanor shifting into something cold, something deadly.
And that’s when I knew-
This wasn’t just a random attack.
This was personal.
Targeted directly at us
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