Free Written By Fate by K Larsen Page B

you, it’s a complete turn-on. When
they know what they’re doing of course. I don't mean they just take you without
giving back, I mean a man who claims you with the intent of pleasing you and
then taking from you what he needs. It’s hard to find a guy that confident in
life. I think I see that in Dom, which is probably why I let all my defenses crumble
and threw myself at him. For crap’s sake, our lips have never touched. He’s
never kissed me. Strange now that I think about it...I mean, he kissed other
places, but why hadn’t he kissed my mouth? Not that it matters. Dominic Napoli
can kiss my ass now. I am not some cheap tattoo tramp. It disgusts me that I
feel a pull to him, that I want him. I finish my beer and curl up on the couch,
flipping aimlessly through the channels trying to find something to entertain
me.
     
    Make me laugh-quick
    Amanda: Ahhh....spite baby, roast beef, clam strips
    Hahhaa.... spite baby.... yes. mission accomplished.
    Amanda: You’re welcome, everything ok?
    No.
    Amanda: What's up
    I want Dom but I hate him. WTF is wrong with me?
    Amanda: Nothing.
    Liar
    Amanda: Ok lots...but wanting him isn't one of them. Love ya
babe.
    Yeah, ditto.
     
* * * * *
    He bellows at me and I cower. “I hocked it, Daniel. IT’S
GONE,” I shout back. His fingers dig into my shoulders, no doubt leaving
bruises, before he starts violently shaking me. “You HOCKED IT? YOU HOCKED THE
FAMILY RING?” he screams, shaking me more. I snap my eyes closed and pretend
I’m anywhere else. His hands release my shoulders abruptly and as my eyes snap
open I feel myself lose my balance. Stumbling to find my footing, I miss the
next step and tumble. His hate-filled eyes watch every hit that my body takes
to the cold hard stairs before I crumple at the bottom in a pile of skin and
bones.
     
    I fall off the couch as I wake up trembling. Tears stream
down my face and I can't catch my breath. I force myself to take deep breaths
and calm down. It was only a dream. I grab the remote and click the TV off. The
blue notification light blinks on my phone; swiping the screen, a new text
message appears:
     
    I’d like to apologize. -Dominic
    How’d you get this number?
     
    I hit Send and sluggishly walk upstairs to my room. I plug
the phone in, set it on my nightstand, and snuggle into my bed. Closing my eyes,
I’m surprised when my phone vibrates next to me. It’s two in the morning.
     
    Dom: I’m a man of many resources.
    Apparently.
    Dom: Tonight didn’t go as I’d planned. (Huh. Interesting.)
    Whoa that was close
    Dom: What.
    I almost gave a fuck.
    Dom: Tell me you accept
    Accept what?
    Dom: One date.
    No.
    Dom: One date to prove I'm not the monster you think I am.
    Why me?
    Dom: It’s late. Sleep on it.
     
    I am definitely too tired to keep arguing with him, the man
never gives up. I set my phone to silent, put it back on my nightstand, and
roll over. The rest of my night is spent tossing and turning restlessly. Around
five I give up and relocate to the couch with a cup of coffee. I nap on and off
until almost ten before calling Sawyer and letting him know that I won't be in.
He sounds worried and asks if everything's okay. I lie and tell him I just
don't feel well and if Dom calls to book him sometime later this month. He
grumbles about it but agrees. He asks again if he’s needed at home and I assure
him that everything is fine and to keep all his appointments for the day before
hanging up and drifting back to sleep.
     
    I feel weightless, like I’m floating. Strange. I’m warm and
something smells so good. I sigh. “I knocked first,” a voice says.
    “Okay,” I mumble and nuzzle deeper into the delicious smell.
“Smells good,” I yawn and hear a deep chuckle. I feel the bed under me and
blankets come up around me. My bangs are pushed back and lips hit my forehead.
“Love you, muffin,” I murmur and curl into myself. I swear there’s an irritated
grunt before silence envelopes me.
     
    The sound of