Fatally Yours

Chapter 42

•INDIANA•

The kitchen was quiet except for the faint hum of the refrigerator and the soft trickle of sunlight filtering through the blinds. I stood at the counter, waiting for the coffee maker to finish brewing.

The rich, bitter aroma filled the air, grounding me somewhat, though my thoughts were anything but calm.

When the coffee was ready, I poured myself a cup, taking a moment to breathe in its warmth before heading to the small round table by the open patio. I sank into the chair, letting my gaze wander to the backyard.

The view was serene—a lush spread of greenery, a few birds flitting between the trees, and the faint rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze. It should've calmed me, but my mind was anything but at peace.

Dominik.

I couldn't stop thinking about him—about us. About everything that had happened in the last few hours.

As I sipped my coffee, I tried to untangle the mess of thoughts in my head.

What did it all mean? Did last night mean something to him?

And if it did, what did it mean to me?

I sighed, resting my chin on my hand. I wasn't sure how to feel. Sure, I was deeply attracted to him. That much was obvious. But liking him? Really liking him? That was different.

That was dangerous.

This wasn't supposed to happen. It couldn't happen. I was here for a reason, and if I got too close to Dominik, it would ruin everything—not just the mission, but my career, my future.

Even now, just the idea of falling for him made my stomach twist into tight knots. I didn't even want to consider the possible outcomes. Whether things turned out good or bad between us, I'd be screwed either way.

I tried to shake off the thoughts, but my mind betrayed me, pulling me back to this morning in bed. Heat crept up my neck as I remembered the way his hands had roamed over my body, the way he moved with such confidence, as if he already knew exactly what I wanted before I could even ask for it.

With Dominik, it wasn't like it had been with anyone else. Most of my exes had taken the lead, and I let them. But with him, the dominance was mutual. A constant back-and-forth, a challenge.

He'd take control, then give it up as if daring me to show him what I could do. And the way he'd looked at me when I did... as if he liked it. A lot.

The memory sent a warm shiver through me, pooling low in my stomach. I tightened my grip on the coffee mug, pressing the ceramic against my palm as I clamped my thighs together under the table.

Get it together, Indie.

The last thing I needed was for him to come downstairs and find me like this. He'd smirk, lean too close, and make some remark that would leave me feeling like an absolute idiot.

Worse, he might think I couldn't get enough of him.

The sound of water shutting off upstairs told me he'd finished his shower. My chest tightened. He'd be down soon.

I straightened in my seat, taking a long sip of my coffee and willing the flush in my cheeks to fade. Whatever happened this morning—and whatever might still happen—I couldn't let him see just how much of an effect he had on me.

It wasn't long before I heard the soft creak of the stairs, followed by Dominik's unhurried footsteps. I glanced up, and my breath caught in my throat.