Dom (Alliance, #3)

by S.J. Tilly

My dad is a liar. My mom is a liar. I think I have siblings. But I think they hate me. And I don’t want to be hated. I just want to be loved.

Something about this man tells me he doesn’t write his name on his luggage. He probably just narrows his eyes at his suitcase, daring it to get lost.

“Dominic Gonzalez.” He closes his fingers around mine. “But my friends call me Dom.”

“Make me happy, Angel.” I glance back up, finding his blue eyes locked on mine. “Let me feed you. Eat your treat.”

“Is this you leaning in?” I whisper. He smirks. “You’re getting it now, Mama.” Mama. Jesus. Fucking. Christ.

“Keep teasin’ me, see where it gets you.” Pretty please, let it be pinned to his bed.

“I need a taste of you, Angel. A taste of whatever you’ll give me.” My eyes immediately jump to the abstract drawing of a pair of boobs on the wall. Dom groans. “Fuck, Valentine, I’d kill for just a kiss. But I’ll taste those too if you let me.”

My fingers twitch in my lap as anxiety bounces through my body. This is what I’ve been dreaming of for over a month. Why can’t I just be calm? There’s movement on the seat next to me. “Angel, don’t be nervous.” I glance down, seeing Dom’s hand palm up between us. “I’m not nervous,” I lie, even as I set my trembling hand in his. “It’s just me.” His voice is soothing as he wraps his fingers around mine.

A tattooed hand holding a short glass filled with some sort of amber liquid lifts into my view. “A toast.” I pick up my drink and tap it against Dom’s. “To good women.” His voice is low. “To leaning in,” I reply.

I thought someone finally cared. But Dom never cared about me. He did this for The Alliance. He married me for The Alliance.

“Have I ever been violent around you?” I try to use reason, wanting her to understand. Val drops her hand from her head to stare me right in the eyes. “I’ve never even met you.”

It’s nearly comical. All my mom’s lectures growing up. How men will only want to use me. How I’m too stupid to understand them. How I’ll end up ruined and alone. I really should have paid attention.

“I’ve done bad things, Valentine.” I brush my lips over her pinkened cheek. “But I’ll always be good to you.”

“Maybe I didn’t make myself clear when I tattooed your name across my fucking throat. This”—I tap the letters—“is so everyone knows who I belong to.” I’ve never given someone this sort of claim over me, and it feels fantastic. “And inking the last words of my vow to you above my fucking dick.” I reach down and cup my hand over the front of my pants. “That’s all for you, Angel. So when you’re ready to wrap those lips around my cock and take me into your throat, you’ll be eye level with my promise to you. Even on your knees, I’ll still be yours.”

Dom opens his mouth, but he closes it and tips his forehead to mine. “You’re the good woman who changed my life.”