The Brightest Star

Chapter 18

Warning: smut

The hotel the driver drops us off at is exquisite. Tall ceilings with sparkling chandeliers. Shiny marble floors with thin strips of gold around the edges. The elevator is gold as well and Dominic urges me inside with his hand on my lower back.

We take the elevator to nearly the top floor in silence. I can't help but feel as though I don't belong. I may be dressed the part but I am most certainly not the kind of girl to be welcomed in a place this nice.

Dom swipes a key card and holds open the hotel room door. I hesitate for a moment before entering. It's absolutely beautiful, just like the rest of the hotel.

"What do you think, mia stella?" Dom asks, closing the door.

The glass wall opens to a balcony overlooking the city. Neon lights flash stories below us. The room is all a variation of crème. But there's one issue.

"You said two beds," I state.

Dom slides his hand across my waist before standing beside me, "that's what I booked."

I point at the single king sized bed, "that's not two beds."

"Sono sicuro che possiamo arrangiarci,," he chuckles. I roll my eyes.
(I'm sure we can make do)

"C'mon now, little love," he takes my chin in his hand, tilting my face up to meet his gaze. "We've shared a bed before."

"When we were kids," I weakly argue. His touch makes my walls crumble; giving into his authority. Despite my best efforts.

Maybe it's the champagne we've been drinking. Maybe it's the tuxedo. Maybe it's the idea of sharing a bed with him. Maybe it's his way with words. Maybe it's the way he's looking at me. Whatever it is, is making my heart race.

"Dominic?" I ask quietly.

"Yes, little love?"

"Why did you really take me out tonight?"

His brows furrow and he takes a step back. His face is unreadable as his eyes scan every inch of me. His gaze is tangible on my skin and I feel the heat creeping up my cheeks.

"You deserve to be treated like this," he finally says with full seriousness. "You deserve to wear pretty dresses and go to red carpet events and drink expensive champagne. You deserve the fucking world, Annabella, and I intend to give you just that."

I'm at a loss for words. I don't know what answer I was expecting but it wasn't that. I brush past him to sit on the bed.

The kind of vulnerability he's showing is how I remember him being. This isn't the big bad mafia leader standing before me. This is Dom, my Dom. The one I fell in love with all those years ago.

I've always loved him. And I've always pushed those feelings down. But the way he's been treating me is leading me to believe that he feels the same way. That, maybe, he always has.

There's truly no one in the world I trust more than him.

"I have a confession," I say, looking down at my feet.

"What's that?" Dom sits beside me.

"All these years, even when I thought you might have been dead, I've waited for you," I reply.

He brushes some hair out of my face, "Cosa intendi?"
(What do you mean?)

I take a deep breath before looking him in the eye, "I've been saving my virginity. For you."

A look of shock washes over his features but is quickly replaced with a soft smile. He brushes his thumb against my cheekbone, tilting his head.

"I have a confession as well," he replies.