Dom (Alliance, #3)

by S.J. Tilly

just thinking about that stupid video is sending me over the edge. Because I’m that raccoon. And Dominic is my cotton candy. And if I pretend like he’s mine, if I act like I can keep him, then when that reality dissolves, it’s going to ruin me.

“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.”

Please delete these and block my number without showing your friends. That’s all I’ll ask of you. My face is on fire. It’s melted off. I have no face anymore. Which will make witness protection easy. Because clearly, I need to change my name and disappear.

This is a partnership, and whether you love me or hate me, I’ll always protect you.”

Her eyes have always been so alive. From the first time I ever saw her, one look at those golden-brown eyes and I could see she was full of life and energy. But not today. Today they’re dull. And if the heart inside my chest hadn’t already been turned into a diamond through decades of pressure, the expression on her face would break it.

“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.”

This poor fucking girl. Not being actively hated is her gauge for niceness.

“I like your family.” Her muscles loosen under my hold. “They’re your family now, too,” I say quietly because I think she’s falling asleep as we talk. “Only if you keep me.” I barely hear her. “I’ll keep you forever.”

“I’m sorry, Angel. Not for taking you. Never for that.” My blink is slow. “For leaving you.” She’s against me now. On my lap. Getting as close as she can. “You can’t leave me! You promised!” “I know, Mama.” My eyes start to close. I don’t want them to. But I can’t hold them open anymore. “I know. I’m sorry.”

“It probably happened the night of your office Christmas party.” “Why that night?” I ask him, not sure how thinking of our sex in the gym would make me mad. Dom slides the hand on my cheek down until he’s holding my neck. “Because that was the first time we made love after I switched out your birth control pills with fakes.”

“I don’t even remember who I was before I loved you, Mrs. Gonzalez.”