Chapter 4

I expected him to push me off, to sputter and yell at me, but he didn't. Dominic groaned into my mouth, the sound sending a hot thrill down my spine. He kissed me back—fiercely, deeply, like he was starving to taste me—his hands clenched at my waist, pressing me flush against him as if he couldn’t get enough. He turned us, marching me back towards the door, never breaking contact. My back hit the door with a soft thud, and the heat of him surrounded me.

He was everywhere. His hands were everywhere. His lips parted mine, his tongue sliding against mine in a way that made my toes curl. His hands roamed, fingers pressing into my hips, trailing up my ribs, slipping into my hair as he kissed me like a man starved.

And Goddess, I wanted to drown in it. Tyler had never kissed me like this, and he was the only man I had ever kissed. My fingers dug into the hard muscles of his shoulders, clinging to him, needing more. I could feel the hard line of his erection pressing hot and needy against my stomach. I moaned as the contact sent a zing of awareness and desire through me.

Then, as suddenly as it started, Dominic pulled back with a sharp inhale, as if realizing something all at once.

I didn’t let him go far.

“I’ve always had a crush on you,” I whispered breathlessly.

The words tumbled out without hesitation.

It wasn’t exactly the whole truth, but it wasn’t a lie either. At one point in my life, I had been captivated by him, by his quiet strength and maturity. But if I wanted to gain his sympathy—to get him on my side—it was the best chance I had right now.

His hands, which had been possessively gripping my waist just moments ago, went slack.

He took a full step back.

His eyes were glowing and flickered with something unreadable—shock, disbelief, something else. His gaze darted over my face like he was searching for something, like he wanted to say something.

But then, he exhaled, jaw tightening. He turned away from me, running a hand through his hair.

“I…” His voice was rough, unsteady. “I don’t know what came over me.”

Panic struck me.

“That… shouldn’t have happened.” His tone was firmer now, like he was trying to convince himself as much as he was trying to convince me.

“I only realized how I really felt when I saw you in the hallway,” I said softly, taking a step closer to him. "But I… I just can't marry him."

He didn’t turn back to face me.

Instead, he exhaled slowly, like he was trying to regain control of himself, and after a long pause, he murmured, “I need to go.”

Dominic’s rejection hit me like a physical blow, the sting of it was sharper than I’d expected. He stood a few feet away from me, his posture cold and distant, as though the man who had kissed me moments ago never existed.

“I could never be with a woman young enough to be my daughter, Renee,” he said, his voice low, almost regretful. “You’re too young. You’re like a daughter to me, Renee.”

I took a step closer to him, hearing the regret in his voice. Was that longing? No, probably not, but he was at least lying, and that was enough of an opportunity for me.

“The way you kissed me says otherwise,” I said, my voice steady, though my heart was racing. “Clearly, you find me attractive.”

Dominic’s eyes flickered, but he quickly looked away.

“It was a mistake,” he said, his words colder now, like ice. “I wasn’t thinking. It shouldn’t have happened. I’m not interested in you, Renee.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat. He could lie to himself all he wanted, but his body had told a different story. The way his lips had claimed mine, the heat that had simmered between us—he was interested.

But it wasn't a good idea to push him on that.

But I could use this as an opening.

He turned to leave, reaching for the door, but I didn't move, placing my hand on the doorknob.

“I want to cash in my wish," I said, the words out before I could second-guess them.

Dominic stilled and still didn't look at me, and I could feel the tension radiating from him even from across the room.

“I’ll grant your wish,” he said slowly, his voice almost wary. “But it can’t include me, Renee.”

I stepped closer to him, my heart pounding in my chest. “I’m not asking to be with you,” I said, my voice soft yet firm. “I’m just asking for an exit. A way out. Something that lets me still have a chance to be by your side.”

Dominic was silent for a long moment. I could almost feel the weight of his internal struggle, the way his mind was working through my request.

Then, he shook his head.

“It’s not my business,” he finally said. “You’ll have to think of something else. But whatever you choose, you need to pull yourself together. Your Confirmation Ceremony is in just an hour or so. You still need to get ready.”

With that, he nudged me aside and left. Frustration churned in my gut as Dominic’s words echoed in my head. He just as good as said he wasn't going to help me get out of this, but that wasn't the whole truth was it?

He had been attracted to me, kissing me like that. Running… still wasn't an option, but Dominic's feelings, even if they were fleeting, wouldn't be put to rest easily.

Even if they weren't the romantic once. I bit my lip, chasing the taste of him and left the room, heading back to the room I had woken up in. Dominic had come to my aid against Philip because he'd looked like he would hit me.

He'd help me if I seemed in real danger, but what could I even do to get that to happen? Philip was too much of a schemer to try to strike me in public, let alone reveal that he used the alpha compulsion on me. It would have to be Tyler to make a scene, but how was I going to manage that with Vivian's leash around his neck?

I shut the door behind me and paced, glancing at the clock. I didn't have a lot of time to throw together a plan. I couldn't remember if there was anything at this time that I could use to provoke Tyler.

The door opened, and a nervous maid entered the room.

She hesitated, then took a deep breath. “Lady Renee... there’s something I need to tell you. In private. I promise it will only take a moment."

This woman was the same one who had visited my room in my past life right after the Confirmation Ceremony. She'd told me about the lace panties that had been found in Tyler's inner breast pocket.

I’d brushed it off then, but not this time.

I had a plan.