Twisted Devotion

Twenty Four

Ava lay on the bed, her back to Dominic, staring blankly at the wall as her mind continued to race. Her heart pounded in her chest, but she forced her breathing to slow, keeping her outward appearance calm. The exhaustion weighed on her, but sleep wouldn't come. Not while she could feel Dominic's eyes on her, studying her like she was a delicate object he had finally captured after years of yearning.

Dominic sat in the chair across from the bed, his gaze never wavering. He watched her in silence, his mind lost in the sight of her—her long blonde hair spilling over the pillow, the strands catching the faint light from the lantern on the table. He had always loved her hair, the way it framed her face like a halo, the way it had once flowed freely when they were younger, full of life and movement. Now, even in this quiet moment, it captivated him, a part of her that remained unchanged despite the years that had passed.

But it wasn't just her hair. Everything about Ava drew him in. He let his eyes trail down her body, admiring the soft curve of her neck, the subtle rise and fall of her chest as she breathed. Beneath her shirt, he could see the faint outline of one of her tattoos peeking through—a small, intricate design etched just above her collarbone, a glimpse of the art that marked her skin. Dominic had never forgotten those tattoos, how they had fascinated him when they first met, each one a story written on her body, something he felt only he could truly appreciate. She had more now than she had before, and he liked it—she had grown into the woman he always knew she would be, confident and bold in ways no one else had ever seen.

His gaze lingered on the delicate line of her jaw, her lips slightly parted as she lay there, lost in her own thoughts. But it was her eyes—those big, green eyes—that always pulled him in the most. Even now, with them closed in feigned rest, he could picture their vibrant color, the depth in them that had always made him feel as though he could see into her soul. She had always been beautiful to him, even when they were younger, but now... now she had become something more.

Ava had grown into a woman in every sense of the word. She was no longer the girl he had first fallen for. There was a strength in her now, a maturity that only made her more alluring. He had watched her from afar for so long, seeing her change, seeing her face the world without him. And yet, here she was, in front of him, more beautiful than ever before.

Dominic leaned forward slightly in his chair, his hands clasped together, his eyes still fixed on her. He couldn't help but marvel at how time had only deepened his obsession with her. She was everything he had ever wanted, everything he had dreamed of. And now she was his. His to care for, his to protect, his to love.

He noticed the way her shirt had slipped slightly, revealing more of the tattoo that curled around her shoulder, intricate lines that drew his attention like art on a canvas. He had always loved the way her tattoos told a story, the way they added to her complexity. She wasn't like anyone else. She was unique, a rare blend of beauty and strength that he believed only he could understand.

"You're even more beautiful now than I ever imagined," Dominic murmured, more to himself than to her, though his voice was soft enough that it wouldn't break the silence too much. Ava didn't respond, still pretending to be on the edge of sleep, but Dominic didn't mind. He was content just to watch her, to drink in the sight of her up close, something he had longed for.

He stood up slowly, crossing the room to the bed with deliberate steps, careful not to startle her. He reached out and gently touched a strand of her hair, letting it slide through his fingers like silk. His touch was soft, reverent, as though he were handling something fragile. She didn't move, but he could feel the tension in her body, a subtle tightening of her muscles as she lay still.

"You've grown into such an incredible woman, Ava," he whispered, his fingers brushing lightly against her shoulder. "I always knew you would. I always saw the potential in you. And now, here you are, more beautiful than ever. You're everything I've ever wanted."

He crouched down beside the bed, his face close to hers now, though he didn't touch her again. Instead, he simply looked at her, his eyes tracing the lines of her face as though committing every detail to memory.

"You have no idea how long I've waited for this," he continued, his voice filled with quiet intensity. "To be this close to you, to see you like this. You're not that girl anymore... you're so much more."

Ava kept her eyes closed, her breathing steady, though every word sent a chill down her spine. She wanted to recoil from his touch, from the way he spoke to her like she was a possession. But she knew she couldn't. Not yet. She had to stay calm, had to keep her fear hidden. Let him believe she was pliant, that she was his.

Dominic watched her for a moment longer, then slowly stood, his eyes lingering on her one last time before he backed away. "Rest, Ava," he said softly. "We'll talk more in the morning. I'll be right here."

With that, he turned away, moving back to his chair across the room. But even as he sat down, his eyes never left her. And Ava, her heart pounding beneath the weight of her fear, continued to lie still, her mind racing as she prepared for the next chance she might get to escape.