Ask Me to Stay

Chapter Eight

VERA'S POV
——
Dominic and I moved pretty fast. After our midnight meeting last night we ended up swimming for a little before heading down to the dock. Dominic may or may not have been choked with my thighs. God...his mouth.
The sun was rising when we finally separated ourselves and headed to our rooms. The part of me that enjoyed Dominic and I's fighting wanted to complain about how he was going to sleep in the same bed as Kara.
"So where were you last night?" Maddy asked, sitting on the bathroom counter while I showered.
"I swam. Dominic and I talked for a bit. It's the bed, I think." I lied while scrubbing down my body.
My collar bone was littered with hickeys, along with my hips and inner thighs. To my surprise, Dominic looked like he was truly enjoying what we did last night, there was no sense of holding back or tenseness. I just wish he would have let me return the favor.
"Mhmm...so nothing to with Sam, or Cody?" She hinted, mindlessly painting her toe nails.
"Actually..." I hummed, turning the water off and wrapping myself in a towel. "It doesn't. I'm just getting the most out of this trip. I'm officially one year away from being a legal adult."
"Congrats, gal. That still doesn't explain the marks all over your body." I rolled my eyes before walking into my bedroom. "Lord, that must have been one energetic vacuum." She gasped when I dropped my towel and pulled on my clothes.
"They're not from last night." I lied, hoping she wasn't paying attention to what I looked like yesterday.
"I don't one hundred percent believe that...but I know you'll tell me when you're ready."
"Yup." I agreed in a tone that told her that what ever this is will be going to the grave with me.
I looked at myself in the mirror, I wasn't mad at the outfit, but it wasn't bringing anything new to the table. Deciding to change, I pulled on a orangey-brown brallet, rolled high waisted denim shorts, and the same yellow button up that both started my relationship with Cody and ruined mine with Dominic...until last night.
"Lookin good babes." Sam complimented after Maddy and I met everyone else in the living room. I could feel Codys eyes flick to me and then Sam.
"You wish." Maddy joked to my aid, gently punching his shoulder.
"So? Where are we going for birthday breakfast?" Dominic called as he walked into the living room with his face in his phone.
I took his figure in. He wore black worn ripped jeans, a crisp white t-shirt, sunglasses, and white converse.
I was so used to only seeing him in his work attire, slacks and a nice shirt with some kind of leather shoe or boot, or his work out clothes. For pretty much the first time I've appreciated how fucking hot he looked in casual clothes.
All I could do was nod, which earned me a subtle smirk back. I licked my lips, trying to pull up any piece of information left in my foggy brain.
"Not ihop." He joked, clearly seeing my struggle. "It's your birthday, we're going somewhere nice. Beside, I want a Bloody Mary."
"Clearly your late night talk went well..." Maddy whispered in my ear. I hummed in response, finishing with a shrug.
"What about the plant place? The one with the mismatch chairs and green walls." I asked, enjoying watching Dominic recall the place in his mind.
"Edmunds? The one across from the book store?" He asked, stepping closer to me and leaning back on his hip.
"I think. It's brick with a whole bunch of plants outside...and inside." I clarified as we both collaborated to figure this out.
"Yeah, yeah, that's Edmunds." As he stepped past me towards the door his fingers brushed my hip, lighting pressing on one of the visible bruises. My cheeks lit up and a small smile formed on my lips.
While following Dominic outside, Cody tried to veer me towards Blaines car, but I confidently strode to Bryce's keep, crawling into the backseat where Maddy soon joined me. While getting into the drivers seat of his own car, Dominic sent me a quick appreciative smile before closing the door between us. Bryce and Sam joined us in the car, Sam wearing a pouty look and a glare towards Maddy.
"Why is the only person who knows where we're going in the back fucking seat?" Bryce questioned playfully, turning around to eyes.
"I'll swap with Sam." I decided, stepping out of his de-doored keep.
"Let me drive, man." I heard Sam whisper while I was idly standing in the drive way.
"No way, it's my car."
"Just let me drive the damn car!" Sam retorted with an urgent expression on his face.
"Fuck. No." Bryce returned flatly.
"Why the fuck can't ya sit in the back with ya own damn girlfriend." Sam grumbled under his breath while he aggressively climbed out of the passenger seat and in beside Maddy.
I climbed in next to Bryce, completely ignoring the fact I heard Sam pleading to show of his masculinity. Not exactly a turn on...
I watched the road intently, giving direextions when needed. For the most part we followed behind Dominic since he knew the area.
"You know he really likes you, right?" Bryce whispered while Maddy and Sam bickered in the back seat.
"Yeah, I'm aware." I agreed, thinking back on how the fact that Sam and I's sexual attraction to each other was a known fact.
"I mean likes you, likes you. Romantically, Vera." He emphasized.
"Sex is romantic." I retorted, internally freaking out about where the conversation was going.
"I know you know what I mean, Vera. He has feelings, and it's hard to believe you have any back." He argued, his grip tightening on the wheel.
"Why is this any of your business, Bryce. Since when have you cared?" I shot back, kind of pissed off now.
"I'm his best fucking friend, Vera. Him and I are graduating in a few weeks, he needs to know if this is gonna go with him to college." I scoffed at his excuse, rubbing between my brows.
"Then no, I don't have feelings. I like him and is friendship and sexual relationship, but I don't need a boyfriend." I admitted, knowing deep down that Bryce was right.
"You have to tell him..." Bryce sighed.
"I don't have to do anything, Bryce. But I don't want to hurt him either." I bit my lip, holding back some kind of physical hint to my emotions.
"You don't deserve him..."Bryce ended. I looked ahead, not making any kind of come back or response.
When Bryce finally parked infringe of the restraint I wasted no time getting out. I found Dominics side in the waiting area of the restraint.
"Twelve." Dominic stated when the hostess asked 'how many?'.
"Sir, parties over eight have to make reservations." She informed, giving us a half-assed frown.
"It's her damn birthday." Dominic stated sharply, motioning to me.
"Sir I'm sorry, but-"
"My father, and his father built this restaurant. Edmund Kruthers is sitting at the bar right now, I'm sure the owner and founder would make an exception for basically his adopted son. Now...birthday girl, here, is gonna get seated at the long table on the patio, and we will be served breakfast." Dominic barked with clenched fists. My lips were agape and my eyes were wide open.
The hostess stepped back looking offended, she attempted giving Dominic the stare down but his dangerous and shaded eyes were the ultimate intimidator.
"Fine." The hostess snapped. "Follow me." She ordered after picking up the respective amount of menus.
Maddy pulled me beside her to sit between her and Blaine. I twinge of pain attacked my body when I realized Dominic was at the complete other end of the table.
After we all settled in and a waitress came out to get our drinks, Dominic excused himself to go speak to the owner.
The table filled with multiple conversation, Evie and Blaine flirted while Mac commented on their self destructiveness. Kara was absorbed with Kate and Beck and Bryce and Sam were talking about the track meet they have on the upcoming Friday.
"So...are you having fun?" Maddy asked, realizing neither of us were involved in any of the conversations being held.
"Yeah, of course." I assured, worried she wasn't having fun or thought that I wasn't. I wished I could tell her about my night with Dominic but I knew she would make a big deal about it. I told myself that if Dominic and I were still going strong by the time school let out I would tell her. I knew she wouldn't tell anyone, I just didn't want to have to answer the questions like 'how big is it?' or 'is he good in bed?'. All the answers would be positive but the questions are more than intrusive.
Soon after Dominic returned to the table the waitress stopped to get our orders.
"Can I have the French toast and the fresh fruit?" I asked while staring down at my menu even though I knew what I wanted. Eye contact wasn't a strong suit here.
The waitress hummed in response before reminded me I had two other sides to choose. I assured her I only needed one but after she laid on a bit more pressure I got another order of fresh fruit and a croissant.
"I'm not gonna be able to eat all that..." I whispered to Maddy after the waitress moved on to the other half of the table.
"That's why you have me." She returned with a smile, lighting jabbing my side with her elbow.
"Vera?" Dominic called from the end of the table.
"Yeah?" I looked up at him surprised, before shielding it with a easy smile.
"I just secured your birthday present from me, it's not really a physical gift so you'll have to choose one of the next three evenings to do it." He explained vaguely, making my mind go to exciting places. I could feel my cheeks start to redden so I sipped at my lemon water.
"Okay..." I answered weakly.
"Don't be scared." He chuckled. "I think you'll like it, it definitely is in the category of your interests." He assured with a equally reassuring smile.
"Are you gonna let me in on this one?" Kara asked with joking offense.
"Nope." He answered, popping the 'p' like I do. "Vera can tell you after it's over." Kara shot him a suspicious look before mumbling something about getting it out of him later. I knew what that meant.
"Well, we're gonna do cake and presents this afternoon, but we do have dinner reservations so depending on what your gift is then it might have to wait until tomorrow." Kara reminded us, looking down at her Apple Watch.
"Awe shit." Dominic grumbled. "Okay, well then either tomorrow evening or Monday. But if we do It on a Sunday we'll be able to stay longer."
"How am I supposed to choose when I don't even know what it is?" I exclaim with sassy hand motions.
"I guess your right." Dominic returned with fake sympathy. "So I guess we're doing it tomorrow."
"Great." I sighed with dramatic exhaustion.
"Great." He mocked back, earning confused stares from the others, clearly confused on the bipolarness of  Dominic and me's relationship.
———
On the way out of Edmunds Cody pulled me around the corner of building, pushing me against the wall with a flirtations grin.
"Cody..." I whined, looking up at him with puppy dog eyes.
He was tall, just barely six foot compared to my five foot four stature. But he was still a whole head shorter than Dominic.
"I don't want to fuck you against a brick wall, Vera." He joked calmly. "But I would like a kiss."
"One." I agreed. I lifted myself with my tippy toes, meeting him half way in a kiss. His lips melded into mine, his hands pulling me into him my my hips, my hand gently cupping his face.
"One..." he breathed out in agreement after pulling away from the kiss. Oddly, my lips felt cold and bare after he broke away, enough to make me raise my hand and run a finger of my lips to make sure they were frozen.
We went our separate ways, me getting into Bryce's keep and him into Blaines sedan.
"Where were you?" Maddy questioned as I got settled in the passenger seat, this time Sam sat beside me with a triumphant grin.
"Nowhere." I replied.
"Mhmm." She hummed, knowing exactly where I was and what I was doing since she watched as Cody pulled me away from her.
We blared music on the way back to the lake house, me struggling to find songs in my library that they would know.
"Woman! Na na na na na na." Maddy and I sang along with Harry Styles. The boys laughed along, Sam sending me happy glances every few moments.
With the windows down, Blaine pulled up beside us on the empty road Evie and Mac singing along as well with Evie sticking up out of the sun roof.
I was glad that Dominic was further up the road, unable to do anything about our dangerous behavior.
———
"That was extremely dangerous!" Dominic shouted when Sam parked his car and Blaine followed suit. I rolled my eyes before climbing out of the car and walking towards him.
"Calm down, daddy." I whispered when I was out of earshot of everyone else.
"Don't do that," he groaned. "It doesn't change the fact that you could have gotten hurt."
"But I didn't," I reminded him. "On a different subject..." I sang out with a grin. "What's my birthday gift?"
"Forget about it, Princess." He returned with a smirk. "I'm not telling you."
"Please." I begged dramatically. He rolled his yes and shook his head.
"What if I gave you a gift?" I asked hoping he would catch my meaning.
"You don't want to play that game, Vera." He warned, still wearing that smirk.
"But what if I do?" I returned with a raised brow.
"Honestly, Vera, you could tell me you wanted it up the ass right now and I still wouldn't tell you." His whispered. A smile played on my lips as he fell right where I wanted him to be.
"Uhm...I was talking a back rub or organizing your office when we get home." I stated while struggling to keep a straight face. I watched him turn red and get flustered, the cogs in his head turning to come up with a response.
"Shit, Vera, I thought you meant...I mean-it sounded like...fuck, I thought you meant a sexual gift. That's where my mind went...and it shouldn't...and I'm sorry?" He rambled, red as a tomato.
"I'm joking, Dominic. Calm down." I said through stifled laughs.
"Last night? Never happening again." He shot back before stomping inside. I let myself erupt in laughter, loud enough for him and the others to hear.
"What did you do to Mr. Sexy?" Maddy asked from beside me after walking over.
"Nothing...just a small ego bruising." I bit my lip, thinking of last night and how I never want anything but that.
———
"Has Bryce eaten you out?" I asked quirky from the pool chair beside Maddy. The boys were tossing a football in the bool, returning to their 'hanging with the boyz' state of being.
"What?!" Maddy gasped, aware that I had never ever asked a question like that before. "I mean, yeah. That was like one of the first things we did...sexually." She answered after realizing I was serious.
"Did Sam or Cody...do that...for you?" She asked cautiously.
"No, no, of course not." I panicked. "I was just wondering. Some questions have been on my mind."
"That's perfectly fine, Vera. Any more questions?" She patted my thigh in support.
"Yeah...what did you do next? Like what was the next step?" I asked, blushing.
"Well I did the same for him of course. But the next step I guess was actual sex. I mean with did oral, he fingered me and stuff, kissing of course, but yeah...actual sex." She answered, no sign of discomfort at all.
"Okay..." I took a deep breath. "Makes sense." I said more casually.
What that Dominics gift? It made sense if it was. He was being cryptic...But could it just be a normal gift, he wouldn't have flaunted it around everyone if it wasn't. But for some reason as ready as I was to hop in the sack with Dominic, treating it like a gift from him to me didn't sit right. Not only did it make me feel even more inadequate but also didn't quite fit Dominics more recent and kinder attitude towards me.
I looked across the patio to where he stood leaned against the side of the house looking down at his phone. For a second our eyes met before his returned to his phone, only to look back up again realizing it was me staring.
A gentle smile formed on his lips, making me blush and him smile harder. I rolled my eyes, returned with a raised brow and dominating expression. I don't think I could ever get enough of this man.