Chapter 4:The Romance

Aurora's POV

Dinner with Dominic had always been dangerous, not because of what he cooked, but because of what he made me feel. I knew I shouldn't have gone to his house; it was reckless at the time, given the circumstances. However, this pull between us was irresistible.

I watched him move about the kitchen, his broad shoulders flexing beneath his white shirt. The sight sent my pulse racing, and I looked quickly away, pretending to study the glass of wine in my hand.

"You're quiet tonight," Dominic said, his deep voice wrapping around me like a warm blanket.

"Just… thinking," I replied, trying to sound casual.

His lips kicked up into a smirk as he leaned against the counter. "Thinking about me, I hope?"

I rolled my eyes, but my cheeks betrayed me, heating under his gaze. "You wish."

He crossed the room in two strides and suddenly overwhelmed me. Dominic always had this effect on me-like he could see right through to the walls I'd built around myself.

"Come here," he said low, taking the glass from my hand and setting it aside.

Before I could utter a reply, he framed my face in his hands; his thumb stroked my cheek. I felt my breath catch as his eyes, darker and more intense, searched mine.

"I have missed you, Aurora," he whispered, the low timbre of his voice sending shivers down my spine.

"Dominic…" I whispered, but I never got to say another word.

His lips were on mine, and everything else melted away. The world outside-the danger, the lies, Patrick-none of it mattered anymore. There was only the way Dominic's mouth moved on mine, needy yet gentle all at the same time.

I didn't remember how we got to his bedroom, only that one moment I was in his arms, and the next I was on his bed, his body hovering over mine.

my fingers tangling in his hair as I pulled him down to me. 

His lips found mine again, and the kiss deepened further, stirring something in me that I had no control over. Dominic's hands wandered over my body, his touches firing everywhere. Every touch, every kiss-it was almost a promise, a vow that I was not alone anymore.

I slipped my hands under his shirt, my fingers dancing on the hard planes of his chest. He growled low, his muscles rippling beneath my fingers.

"You're driving me crazy, Aurora," he growled, his voice husky with desire.

"Good," I whispered, a boldness I didn't know I possessed taking over.

Dominic's laugh was low and dangerous, sending shivers down my spine. He pulled away just long enough to remove his shirt before returning his attention to me. His lips trailed down my neck, his teeth grazing my skin in a way that made me gasp.

You're mine," he whispered against my collarbone, the words sending a thrill through me.

The rest of the night was a blur of passion and whispered promises. Dominic was everything I never knew I needed: gentle yet commanding, tender yet fierce. I felt truly alive.

I woke to the soft glow of sunlight seeping through the curtains. My body ached in that fantastic way, reminding me of what had happened the previous night.

Dominic's arm was strewn across my waist, and the warmth of his body felt comforting against my back. I turned to him, and at the sight of him relaxed and peaceful, my heart missed a beat.

His dark lashes fanned against his cheekbones, and a faint smile played on his lips, as if he were dreaming of something pleasant. I reached out to trace a finger along his jawline, but he stirred before I could.

"Good morning," he murmured, his voice thick with sleep.

"Morning," I replied, my cheeks heating under his lazy smile.

He pulled me closer, pressing a kiss to my forehead. "How are you feeling?"

"Perfect," I agreed, and couldn't help the grin that spread across my face.

In the kitchen.

The morning smelt of coffee and something deliriously sizzling on the stove. I leaned against the counter, watching Dominic move around the kitchen with ease. He was shirtless, only a pair of grey sweatpants hung low on his hips, and the sight made my cheeks flush.

"You're staring," he said playfully without turning to me, flipping a pancake with a flick of his wrist.

"Am not," I lied quickly, though my voice betrayed me.

He turned, a smirk playing on his lips. "Liar."

I rolled my eyes, but before I could come up with a snarky reply, he crossed the kitchen and stood in front of me, his hands braced on either side of the counter.

Good morning, beautiful," he said, his voice low, filled with warmth.

"Good morning," I managed as he leaned in, brushing his lips against my cheek.

His closeness was intoxicating, and I found myself leaning into him, my hands on his chest. The feel of his warm skin under my fingertips sent a shiver through me.

"Hungry?" he asked, his lips moving to my ear.

"For breakfast?" I teased, though my voice came out breathy.

Dominic laughed, the sound rumbling against me. "You're trouble, Aurora."

"Maybe," I said, smiling, wrapping my arms around his neck. "But you like trouble."

He leaned down, his lips brushing mine in a kiss that was way too quick. "I do," he acknowledged, his voice rough.

Heat in the Kitchen

The pancakes forgotten, Dominic tugged me closer, his hands finding my waist. He lifted me onto the counter with ease and slotted his body between my legs.

"You're distracting me," he murmured, his lips trailing down my neck.

"You're the one who came over here," I replied, though the words were lost in a gasp as his teeth grazed over my collarbone.

Dominic chuckled, hands roaming over my thighs. "Fair point."

I tangled my fingers in his hair, yanking him back up to me for a kiss. It was slow and deep, reminding me of everything we'd shared the night before. His hands gripped my hips, tugging me closer as the kiss intensified.

"Dominic," I breathed, breaking away just long enough to catch my breath.

"Hmm?" he hummed, his lips moving to the sensitive spot just below my ear.

"We're going to burn the pancakes," I managed, though the last thing I cared about was breakfast.

Dominic groaned, resting his forehead against mine. "You're right. I'm supposed to be making you breakfast."

I smiled, brushing my fingers against his cheek. "We can always make more."

He grinned, capturing my lips in another kiss before stepping back. "Stay there," he ordered, pointing at me playfully.

I laughed, following his retreat back to the stove as his back muscles flexed while he worked and simply could not be ignored.

I hopped off the counter, reapproaching him behind. I wrapped my arms around his waist and rested my cheek against his back.

"What are you doing?" he asked, though his voice was tinged with amusement.

"Helping," I lied innocently.

Dominic turned in my arms, a pancake still in his hand. "You're not exactly helping, sweetheart."

I grinned, reaching up to steal a piece of the pancake. "Tastes great," I said, popping it into my mouth.

He shook his head, though the smile on his face told me he wasn't mad. "You're impossible."

"And you love it," I said, standing on my tiptoes to kiss him.