CAITLIN
I might have regretted saying yes to the date. Not because I was afraid of my feelings, but because I didn't know what the fuck to wear. I was comfortable enough around Dominic not to care much about my appearance, but that specific night I was nervous because I wanted to get it right.
I sighed in frustration and dragged a hand through my hair. Clothes were scattered all over my bed in a messy sprawl as I searched for the perfect dress. What type of date was it? Wine and dine, or something casual? What kind of outfit worked for both? Why was I overthinking this?
"Fuck this." I grabbed my phone and dialed Dominic's number. I rested a hand on my hip and tapped the screen impatiently while I waited for him to answer.
"Hi, angel." His voice alone sent an unfamiliar wave of calm through me.
"You're stressing me out, Dominic," I said bluntly. Why was I so nervous? It was just a date… with a man who had fucked me so hard I couldn't walk straight for a whole day. With a man who had choked me so hard that he left bruises on my skin. With a man who was sweet, caring, and always went out of his way to make sure I was okay.
"I'm not doing anything," he laughed.
"Tell me what I should wear." I dropped onto the bed with a small huff. He was supposed to pick me up in about an hour and I was still standing there debating outfits.
"You look good in anything," he said.
I rolled my eyes. That was exactly the problem.
"What are you wearing?" I asked, flopping back onto the mattress to stare at the ceiling. It wasn't my first date with someone, so there was no reason for me to act like a teenager.
He chuckled. "Angel, stop. Wear something… I don't know… sexy and revealing."
"Wow, that's a first," I said, genuinely shocked. Memories of my ultra-conservative high-school boyfriend flashed through my mind and I shuddered.
"Dominic is just fine," he deadpanned, but I wasn't letting him off that easily.
"How about… sir?" I asked softly.
His face changed instantly; the hand on the steering wheel tightened until his knuckles went white. "I'm driving," he said, eyes fixed on the road.
"Master?" I teased, biting my lip to keep from laughing. A flush crept up his neck and he refused to look at me. I slid my hand just above his crotch.
"I am driving," he repeated through gritted teeth, but he didn't push me away. I started slowly massaging the growing bulge. His breathing hitched. It was delicious seeing him, the man who always needed control, start to quiver.
I leaned in until my lips brushed his ear and whispered, "Daddy?"
The car swerved. I fell back into my seat with a mischievous laugh. In one fluid, terrifying motion, he pulled me onto his shoulder, unbuckled, and cupped my face between his fingers, eyes blazing.
"Call me any of those names again and we're not making it to the restaurant," he growled.
I raised an eyebrow. "Oh, so we're going to a restaurant?"
His grip tightened, a playful glint sparking behind the threat. "You look beautiful tonight, angel. Don't let me ruin that makeup."
"Waterproof," I whispered, then kissed him softly. "Baby." I pressed another kiss just below his jaw.
He groaned, shifting painfully in his seat. After a quick scan of the empty road, he shook his head like he was trying to clear it.
"You're teasing me, aren't you? Stop before I fuck that pretty face."
I shrugged innocently and settled back into my seat. He stared at me for a beat, then scoffed, put the car in drive, and pulled back onto the road.
"You little…" he muttered, shaking his head.
"Dominic… you're joking." I stepped out of the elevator and stopped dead.
I'd expected a nice restaurant corner, maybe a private booth. Not an entire empty rooftop, city lights glittering below us, one intimate table glowing with candles, and—impossibly—a luxurious daybed set up beside it.
"That's a bed," I said stupidly.
"Why not?" He slipped an arm around my waist and pulled me against his side. The warm night air and perfect sky made everything feel unreal. "I wanted tonight to be special. I know you didn't want to be around a crowd."
My heart tried to climb out of my chest. Nobody had ever done anything like this for me.
"Thank you," I said, voice thick.
He pulled out my chair. Candlelight danced across his stupidly handsome face as he shrugged off his jacket and sat across from me.
"Don't thank me. I just wanted you to myself tonight."
"That's very thoughtful." I traced my thumb over his knuckles. "Do you own this place?"
"Just bought it from a friend who moved back to Italy."
"Aren't you supposed to hate Italians?" I teased.
"Generally, yes. But we called a truce years ago. Favors get traded instead of bullets now." He smirked.
Mafia. The word floated through my mind, but it didn't scare me anymore. Dominic had proven, over and over, that I was safe with him.
He tapped his phone. Seconds later the rooftop door opened and a young red-haired waitress appeared with menus.
"Five cuisines tonight," he told me. "Japanese, Italian, Mexican, Indian, Thai. Choose whatever you want."
Five cuisines? I almost laughed out loud.
The poor waitress—Holly—dropped her gaze to my dress, stumbled, and turned bright red.
"You're cute," I said with a grin.
Her eyes went wide. "Th-thank you, ma'am. I'm Holly, your server this evening. I'll be back when you're ready to order." She practically fled.
Dominic lifted my hand and brushed his lips across my knuckles, eyes dark. "That's something I'll have to get used to."
The food was obscene. I ate until I couldn't move: sushi, enchiladas, butter chicken, pad thai—everything perfect. Eventually, we abandoned the table for the daybed, stuffed and happy, staring up at the stars while soft music played.
"I'm dying," Dominic groaned, rubbing his stomach.
"You're not dying. Stop being dramatic."
"I'm serious. I can't move."
"You think I have the energy to get up? That's so cute."
I rolled onto my side to study him. The tattoo behind his ear was beautiful, but the intricate spirals and letters curling over his hands were my favorite—painful-looking art that suited him perfectly.
"I've always wanted a tattoo," I admitted, tracing the ink on his neck, "but I'm too indecisive."
"Doesn't have to mean anything. Just get something you love."
I didn't answer. I just scooted closer until my front pressed to his side, and rested my head on his chest. He wrapped an arm around me, pulling me in until our bodies were flush.
The city sparkled below, the air was warm, the stars were bright, and the man beside me was, without question, the very best part of the night.