Girl on the Bench [Completed]

Looking after a liar

Rosa

I woke up in Dominic's bed.I rolled over and looked out into the living room and saw his sleeping form underneath a pile of blankets on the sofa. I smiled and breathed in the smell of his aftershave and the lemon scent that seemed to follow him.

We had talked, that was all, and in a way that was enough. I didn't know what this was but I just knew I needed to have him close.Dominic hadn't even tried to kiss me goodnight when he offered me his bed. He had just wrapped his arms around me and hugged me.

Did I believe everything he had told me? To a degree, yes but I knew he was holding something back. I guess after having spent years looking after a liar you become attuned to knowing when someone isn't telling the whole truth.

I knew Dominic wasn't but I wasn't going to push it. He would tell me in his own time.

My phone buzzed and I reached out to see a text from Sophia.

I am never drinking again, you are such a bad influence!

I grinned as I pictured her clutching her head and swearing off all things alcohol. She did it roughly once or twice a month.

Lightweight. I replied.

Sod off! Where are you? Are you with Dominic?

Yup. He's asleep on the sofa.

Ooo how very prim of you!

I'll see you later if that's ok?

Course, just send me a text. I'll be curled up in a ball waiting for this hangover to leave me!

I was just about to put the phone down when a call from Chris came through. I checked the time, it was just after 8am. What was with him?

I didn't answer and watched it ring out, only for him to start calling again. I felt frustration bubble in my chest.

"What?" I hissed as I answered quickly.

"Rosa, where are you?"

"I'm at a friends." I rolled over away from the doorway and burrowed further under the covers to muffle my voice. I didn't want to wake Dominic.

"You're not at Sophia's," he said bluntly.

"Are you checking up on me?"

"No. I just want to know where you are."

"Chris, listen to me. We are not friends, we are not a couple. You don't get a right to demand my whereabouts so leave it."

"You're with that guy, aren't you? Dominic?"

"And if I was it would have nothing to do with you."

"Choose me, Rosa. I know I fucked up but choose me. Not him. I love you."

I scoffed, "Chris, you wouldn't know what love is if it smacked you in the face with a wet sock. Dominic is my friend, that's it. Stop calling."

I ended the call and groaned exasperatedly.

"Everything ok?"

Shit.

I peeped out from underneath the covers and looked over my shoulder to see Dominic in the doorway in his boxers.

Wow. I felt myself blush as I looked at his toned arms and stomach.

"Uh, hi." I sat up and pulled the covers up, remembering suddenly that I was just in my underwear.

Dominic walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. He brushed his hair back and he raised an eyebrow at me.

"Chris called you pretty early," he said.

I frantically raced the conversation through my head. How much had he heard? I don't think I'd said too embarrassing.

"I didn't hear anything, relax!" He laughed and stood up, heading towards the door.

"Coffee?"

"Yes, please," I called after him. I climbed out the bed and pulled on a hoody that was lying on the chair opposite. I zipped it up and followed him into the kitchen. He poured some coffee into cups then handed me one.

"Did I wake you?" I asked.

He shook his head, "No. I was awake. I don't sleep very well. Haven't done since I was younger."

He took a gulp of coffee and I held onto that piece of information. What had happened to him? Was it something to do with his parents?

I leaned against the counter, " I should probably get going. I've got the cafe and I need to make sure Sophia isn't a broken mess when her girlfriend gets home or I'll be in trouble."

He nodded and watched me with his dark eyes, "I'll drop you off somewhere if you like?"

"No. I'll get a taxi," I put the cup on the counter and started toward the bedroom when he grabbed my arm and pulled me towards him.

Dominic slid his arms around my waist and buried his face in my hair. I wrapped my arms around his neck.

He mumbled something I couldn't quite make out.

"Sorry?"

He rested his cheek against mine and whispered in my ear, " I don't think I've ever wanted to kiss you as much as I do right now."

I felt my cheeks warm as he took a deep breath in and let me go. I stepped back and looked at him. I could feel the tension in the air. I wanted to kiss him too. I wanted to do more than that but what were we?

Friends?

Friends with benefits?

Friends who helped each other after the other has been attacked?

It was ridiculous.

I ran my hands through my hair and exhaled, "I need to get dressed."

Dominic nodded and I walked on shaking legs back to the bedroom and pulled the door over. I slipped out of his hoody and stepped into my dress. I heard him walk around and then he tapped on the door.

" I'll just be a minute!" I called out.

"Sure. Rosa?"

I pushed my hair back into a ponytail, " Yeah?"

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that to you. About wanting to kiss you."

I stopped and felt my stomach drop in dismay.

"I know we're friends. I don't want to muck things up with you." I heard Dominic move away and the sofa creak as he sat down.

I shoved my boots on, walked to the door and opened it. Dominic had pulled his jeans on and was wearing a t-shirt.

"We're friends?" I asked.

He frowned, "Aren't we?"

No I don't want to be friends with you. I want ..I mean,I...

I silenced my inner monologue and smiled at him, "Sure. Friends."

I pressed the button for the lift and hugged Dominic lightly.

"See you around," I said as the doors closed.

"Uh, ok." He replied, a look of confusion on his usually confident face.

I leaned against the wall of the lift and swore loudly.

Fuck.