A Shattered Glass, My Life Without Her

No Pressure

After a filling dinner, Dom and I are now settled on her couch and Dom is snuggling against me to keep warm. She claims to be a bit food-comatose so is feeling colder than usual. Lucky for her, my being a human heater comes in rather handily in the depths of winter. And I certainly don't mind that she cuddles with me even if she might be taking advantage slightly. This coziness is far better than the interrogation I endured over dinner.

'Can I have one more question?' It sounded rather innocent her request, but I soon realized I should have denied her. Too late now. Dom had managed to share her thoughts and questions in the few minutes I'd taken to scarf down several bites of my meal. I easily resorted to shaking my head or nodding when my occupied mouth wouldn't allow any words to escape free of food, but from that, the door had now been opened and between mouthfuls of basil tofu, Dom's questions brought me again to getting caught up in my story.

I was explaining how the delinquent bunch of us kids in New York City didn't have much of anything, often lacking for basic necessities, but the one thing we didn't have most nor lacked for want was a care in the world. The group of us got through each day in any manner we chose, for no other reason than because we felt like it.

Case in point, the mess of food I wore of which Dom so gently informed me with her sweet giggle as her hazel eyes targeted my chin. Mom always wondered how I managed to wear my food across my face, yet never any in my pile of expansive hair. I smirk at the memory before grabbing my napkin from my lap to clean off the excess sauce around my pie hole.

'Oh, Iev.' She uttered with an affectionate lilt. 'You shouldn't eat so fast.'

And suddenly, attempting to answer Dom's question I thought correlated to my frivolous youth, I find my words are lost in the crystal gems of her eyes; the light refracting off them, always getting the better of me. I finally shrug in defeat, unable to form a sensible explanation. 'I guess, my heart told me to.'

Dom smiled happily teasing a laugh at my bumbling. 'In that case, I think it's wonderful you listen to your heart.'

Really? She appreciates my instinctual coaxing? The knack I have for getting pulled in unruly directions at times without regard? Kat had warned me about it. I could lull myself into trouble so easily.

After a long silence, Dom takes a deep breath, sitting up to face me. 'I'm glad you agreed to come over tonight Iev.' She smiles her eyes seductively, 'And thank you for making a delicious dinner.' Her gentle fingers reach up, her tips sliding through the waves of hair shading my face. My eyes close, falling to the temptations from hands caressing my nape before fingers slide through my tresses. I quickly shudder a breath, my eyes jump open to find Dom looking with such calm curiosity. She doesn't realize where I had just pulled my mind for that instant. Cuidado I remind myself with a gulp.

Dom either read my mind or must have found a burst of energy. She brings her palms to my shoulders, giving me that seductively laden stare and unexpectedly straddles a leg over my knees in one graceful swoop. I freeze for a beat. This seems to be the trending position lately, I determine. It is sort of where we left off last time.

A bit at a loss for words given our sudden proximity, I casually pull my thighs together while holding her hips in place, opting not to make any further movement. Although Dom on my lap is not unfamiliar, Dom's dexterous fingers tracing my jaw and running soft strokes down my neckline is hindering my efforts to keep myself in check. Did she purposefully choose this open-collared shirt to lend me?

'It, it was a team effort.' I inhale a breath sidestepping the sudden tension catching in my gut. Having thought about what Kat had said, I still haven't quite determined my path. And that indecision...well, I don't dare to think of the consequences. She claims I am stronger now and ready to move on, but deep down, I can feel my tenuous nerves. I'm certain I don't want to hurt the people I have in my life, but that might be the only conviction I can manage. My ribs grasp tightly around my lungs.