HIS TO LOSE

Arielle's POV

The aroma of garlic and butter slapped me in the face the instant I walked into the Italian restaurant, and just like that, all over again, I was twenty-two years old, standing in his little kitchen on a Saturday night laughing so hard my stomach hurt.

Three years. Three years, and my body still remembered everything my brain wanted to forget.

It was 5 p.m. and I stood in his spacious, homey kitchen wearing his white body hug top that reached my thighs, but cut off well  way above my knees. We were both exhausted from Dominic having had a day full of back-to-back jobs and me from attempting to balance classes with my part-time gig, So I chose to keep it really simple and just make garlic butter noodles. No frills, just something nice and warm for us to eat and get a bit of energy back.

Dominic was still wearing his work clothes, black suit pants and a white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows revealing his strong forearms and veins while his belt is thrown carelessly on the counter.  We were too tired and hungry to shower first. That could wait until after we eat.

He pulled a chair in the kitchen nearer and sat looking at me, resisting the urge to get up and help me. He knew that I was not in favor of cooking assistance unless he was ready to accept the blame if things went wrong.

The Bluetooth speaker on the counter suddenly started playing music as he was scrolling through his phone. The track Yeah! by Usher featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris blared through the small space, and I immediately rolled my eyes, knowing exactly what was coming.

As expected, Dominic began rapping the lyrics of the song even throwing in exaggerated dance moves like flailing rather than actual choreography. I couldn't help it! I laughed so hard that I almost dropped the wooden spoon.

He leaned in closer, still dancing, and whispered in my ear, “This is music, baby. Real R&B. None of that auto-tune crap.”

I rolled my eyes, stirring the noodles with a little too much vigor. “Okay, old man. Keep telling yourself that.”

“Old man?” He slid up behind me, his arms wrapping around my waist, his chin resting on my shoulder. His warm breath tickled my neck. “These old man moves don’t seem to bother you when…”

“Dominic!” I laughed, my face burning as I squirmed out of his hold.

He sat back down, but I could feel his eyes burning a hole in me from across the kitchen. I didn’t notice he’d gotten up again until I felt his hands on my hips and the stinging, playful slap on my butt.

A spark of electricity shot through me, and a breath escaped my lips before I could catch it. It was pointless to try to pretend like he didn’t affect me, my body had always betrayed me where he was concerned.

He grinned against my ear, his voice low and mirthful. “Damn, baby. I’ve made this ass so soft lately.”

Dominic, let me think before I ruin dinner.”

His chest vibrated with laughter behind me. “Fine. But I’ll deal with you later.”

My insides were doing flips with excitement. I couldn’t wait to feel him all over me.

A few minutes later, just as I thought I had myself in hand, I felt his hand slide up the side of my breast. Goosebumps broke out all over my skin. He knew exactly what he was doing to me, and it wasn’t fair.

His hand moved slowly, deliberately, until he cupped my breast fully and brought his mouth down to it, sucking gently through the thin fabric of his tank top. His other hand stroked my right breast, thumbing my nipple until I moaned aloud.

God, I was already dripping wet.

He pulled back with that cocky grin I both loved and loathed. “Calm down, baby. Later. After we eat.”

I bit my lower lip in aggravation, trying to concentrate on stirring the noodles while he watched me with that sexy, knowing grin.