She was lost and so was he.
Who knew that two broken hearts can connect to one.
Arabella's world has been rigged since the day she was born. Her fate had been decided for her much longer before she even had been conceived in the womb. So it came as...
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Dominic effortlessly picks me up and carries me the entire way through his house until we reach his room.
I take a moment to really look around, only now pausing to examine each piece of him scattered throughout the space. I didn't get a chance to notice anything the last time I was here since my head was... too clouded.
Everything here ties back to Dominic. His scent lingers in the air—woodsy, sharp, clean. It's my favorite. It's him. This whole room is him.
In my daze, I don't notice that he's stopped walking until I realize we're standing just inside the bathroom.
"You've arrived at your destination," he jokes gently. "I figured you'd want to wash up before bed. If it makes you more comfortable, I can take you to Vivian's room instead, or you can shower here and I'll wait outside. Whatever you prefer. I don't want you feeling uncomfortable here. I've just—"
I cut him off with a kiss, effectively silencing his nervous ramble.
That's officially my favorite way to shut Dominic up.
"I'm okay in here," I reply softly, and he nods, placing a towel on the counter before stepping out and quietly closing the door behind him.
I take my time undressing, my fingers slow and heavy. Once the water is running, I step into the cool stream and let it wash over my burning skin. I sink onto the cold black tiles, shivering as the chill crawls up my spine, but I don't move. I just sit there, letting everything settle. My arms hang limp over my knees. I'm completely drained.
I don't even realize how tired I am until my head rests on my knees and I fall asleep.
"Arabella!" A sharp voice snaps me awake.
I jerk upright in panic as Dominic's voice echoes, closer now. "Shit, Arabella, I'm coming in!" The door bangs open. "Did you fall asleep in the shower? You crazy woman. You love scaring the crap out of me. God, you're shivering—shit, shit."
His face comes into focus as he crouches beside me, shutting off the water and wrapping a towel around my trembling frame. He carefully lifts me from the floor and sets me down on the counter. His brows are furrowed with worry, eyes scanning me like he's checking if I got hurt anywhere.
That's when I notice the clothes laid out beside me—and a bin of skincare products?
"Can I... can I dress you? Is it okay if I touch you?" he asks, voice low, hesitant.
I nod, too tired to speak, letting my head drop onto his shoulder. Gently, he unwraps the towel from around me and begins applying lotion to my skin. He hesitates at my chest, but I grab his hand, silently giving him permission to continue. There's nothing sexual about this. It's peaceful. Intimate in a different way.
"I'm sorry I don't have any underwear or a bra for you," he mutters. "I thought about getting something from Vivian's room, but I didn't want to invade her space. I hope that's okay."
