Ethan’s POVDominic’s voice broke. “But I can’t lose you. Not again. Tell me what I have to do, Ethan. I’ll do anything.”A tear slipped down my cheek before I could stop it. I hated that he could still do this to me. That even after everything, part of me ached to reach for him, to forgive him, to believe him.I opened my eyes and looked at him. Really looked at him. His usual commanding presence was stripped away. There was no armor, no arrogance. Just a man, bruised and bleeding inside, begging me not to leave.“You start,” I whispered, my voice trembling, “by never lying to me again.”The words hung between us, heavy and sharp.Dominic’s eyes closed for a moment, like he was absorbing the weight of them. When he opened them, there was no hesitation. “I swear it. No more lies. No more hiding behind what I think is best for you. You’ll know everything, even when it hurts.”My hands shook. I wanted to believe him so badly it hurt. But belief didn’t erase the past.He must have seen t
Ethan’s POVI couldn’t sit still as my hand gripped the arm of the chair so tightly my knuckles ached. The room was too quiet, I could practically hear my heartbeat as it thundered in my ears, pounding so hard it felt like the walls were closing in on me, like they were trying to crush me into nothing.He was alive and that was enough for me.The accident wasn’t as bad as I’d imagined when the hospital called. When I’d walked into that hospital room and saw him lying there, bruised and pale but breathing, a wild rush of relief had knocked the air from my lungs.I hadn’t cared about the fight we’d had before. I hadn’t cared about the lies or the broken pieces of our relationship, none of it had mattered.I should have left right then. The moment they said he was going to be okay, I should’ve turned around and walked out before the walls started closing in again. But my feet wouldn’t move. My chest burned with something sharp and heavy, like grief and longing tangled into one unbearab
Dominic’s POVThe bottle was half empty when I finally looked at it, though I couldn’t remember pouring the last glass or the one before that. Time slipped strangely around me.I sat slumped on the leather couch in the penthouse, staring at the city lights outside the wide glass windows. They blurred together in my vision, shimmering gold and white like a mirage. I had not slept, not really. I had not eaten either, not that it mattered. There was no hunger in me, no desire for anything but Ethan, and he was gone.The liquor dulled the edges of the ache, but it never truly took it away. It was like pouring water over a fire that only grew hotter beneath the surface. I drank anyway, dragging the burn down my throat, hoping for even a few minutes of numbness.The penthouse, usually pristine and orderly, had become a wreck. My jacket was on the floor, a glass lay shattered near the bar, and papers were scattered across the coffee table in a chaotic heap. I had stopped caring about appear
Dominic’s POVHe stood at the foot of the bed, his chest heaving,his beautiful face twisted in rage and hurt. I got up from the bed, my pulse kicking into overdrive, my hands sweating. “Ethan,” I said, my voice low, pleading. “Listen to me…..”“No.” His voice cracked like a whip, slicing through mine. “You don’t get to explain this away, Dominic. “From the beginning, you’ve been luring to me. Was any of this ever real? I asked you if there was any other thing and you said no, you lied to my face”I pushed up to my feet, my body tense, ready to move toward him, to grab him and make him hear me. “It wasn’t like that,” I ground out. “Yes, I orchestrated our first meeting, but Ethan, everything after that was real. I love you Ethan”“Everything after that was built on a lie!” he shouted, his voice trembling. His hands were shaking as he pointed finger at me. “You manipulated me. You made me think like everything was fair, like we just… found each other. God, Dominic, do you have any ide
Ethan’s POVThe ride back to Dominic's penthouse was quiet, but it wasn't an awkward silence. He held one hand on the steering wheel, the other hand curved possessively around my thigh. When we finally arrived, he led me in, his warm hand at the small of my back. The penthouse was illuminated by shadows alone, muted and soft from the recessed lighting casting long, dark shadows on the smooth marble floors. He turned to face me slowly, with dark and intent eyes."Ethan," he whispered, my name falling from his lips like a prayer.He moved towards me before I could say anything, the hand at the base of my neck supporting me as his mouth took mine. The kiss was deep and insatiable, sucking in my breath and scattering my mind. I melted into him instantly, my hands clutching at the lapels of his jacket as I let him pull me closer.The world outside didn't count anymore. A low, raw growl in his chest hummed against my lips as his hands roved down my back, clutching my hips.When my back
Ethan’s POVLight crept into the room. My body ached from making love with the man beside me. He had his arm around my waist, his chest pressed against my back. His breathing was calm and slow, his chest moving and falling in a slow and steady manner . I leaned there for a moment, listening to him, feeling the warmth of his skin on mine. His scent remained on the sheets, and on me, that warm mix of spice and something else, something darker, that was all him. My heart swelled as I rolled partly toward him, needing to catch a glimpse of his face.His eyes flew open in an instant, as if he had been waiting for me to wake with held breath. His eyes were heavy and had a droll on his face."Good morning," he breathed softly, his voice rough and husky with sleep."Morning," I spoke softly, my throat dry.He touched my jawline, the touch painfully gentle. I swallowed quickly, hat creeping up my neck.There was something I needed to tell him, something we both needed."Dominic," I whispere