Envious Desire
55

Chloe

It’s been five days. Five days have passed since Dominic allowed me retribution. I haven’t been able to bring myself to leave Dominic’s presence. After Dominic ended Enzo’s life, I was able to liberate everything I had been withholding.

The lies of Axle’s death, the loss of our baby, my sanity, the death of Cassie, my best friend’s downward spiral, and everything I read he did to those poor women– everything left my soul soaking his shirt.

He hauled me to his room, the ensuite. I had never been there before; it was almost off-limits territory. He undressed me, asking my permission devoid of words, which I granted him. I, in turn, undressed him.

Exposed in front of him, I was bare. More bare than I had ever been in my entire life. He saw a side of me I never even knew existed. He accepted me and my need for torture.

He washed everything off me– the agony, guilt, anger, and sorrow- not just my body but my mind. It was one of the most erotic moments of my life.

He scrubbed everything, allowing it to rinse down the drain along with Enzo’s blood. Almost erasing everything that happened since that god-awful day: the kidnapping, the repeated attacks, the nightmares, everything.

Overwhelmed by the day’s events, my knees gave way in the shower. Dominic captured me before I landed on the porcelain floor, delivering me into his bedroom. He gently placed me in his bed, veiled me with ultra-soft 2,000 thread count black sheets, and began to stroll away when I halted his actions, inquiring if he could remain by my side.

Hesitating momentarily, he slid under the covers, allowing me to rest my head on his chest to liberate more of my constrained emotions. My eyes rippled closed, with liquid streams dripping onto his skin, nestling to his chest as I settled, concentrating on his heartbeat.

Drifting off, I overheard Dominic call me Mariposa again. My nickname was given to me by my mother. Too exhausted to inquire, I allowed the exhaustion to seize me. We stood tangled in each other’s arms until the darkness of night consumed me.

From the shower to the bed, it was the most intimate I had been with anyone besides Axle. Axle– he’s reached out since Wednesday. I haven’t had the energy to speak with him. I feel– I’m different now, not the person he once loved. Torturing someone, having their life in your hands, does something to you. It alters you in ways I can’t describe.

At first, I was furious at Dominic when I pulled the trigger, and nothing came out. I wanted to kill him. I craved to end his life with my hand. However, I comprehend Dominic’s betrayal now.

I accept his reasoning why he was unwilling for me to end his life. It would have damaged me further. I comprehend that now, and part of me is endlessly thankful he executed that dreadful action for me and emptied his gun, rendering Enzo unalive. Although a portion of me still desires, he stopped breathing by my hand.

As demonic as Dominic’s reputation stands, he has remained by my side every night since. Only abdicates to handle any business issues, nevertheless reappears to comfort me.

A knock on the door causes my eyes to veer towards the wooden rectangle as it swings open. Dominic stands there in all his dominance, captivating my breath.

“Chloe.”

He’s called me Chloe and not Ms. Knox since then. A shift in our relationship.

“Yes.”

“I was just checking in on you. I have some business to attend this morning, but I wanted to speak with you before I departed.”

I pat the bed for him to perch beside me. Pulling on the sheets, I conceal my exposed flesh to coat more of my half-naked body. Planting beside me, Dominic speaks.

“You are welcome to remain here as long as you need. However, you do not need to join me at the ball.”

Harkening his words, I sensed he no longer cared for me.

“Why?” My curiosity needed a response.

“Our deal consisted of finding your captor and ending with the ball. You have been through enough despite his capture and demise, and I release you from our arrangement.”

“Why?”

“We have fulfilled our deal. At least in my eyes.”

“But– I am looking forward to the ball.”

Taking a deep breath, he bends to my wish. “If it would please you to attend, I will grant it. Understand it is no longer a requirement.”

“Although, I realize now I need to procure a dress.”

Shit, I’ve hibernated for so long it slipped my mind I required a dress for tomorrow’s event.

“No need. I bought one for you weeks ago. When we made the arrangement.”

“Presumptuous.”

“Confident.”

His cocky smirk triggered my heart to accelerate. I half smile, a bit more at ease.

“It will be delivered four hours before the ball tomorrow to give you adequate time to prepare, Mariposa.”

Shaking my head, the fact he is calling me Mariposa, just as my mother did, collides with my chest like a tsunami.

“Why do you call me that?” I inquire in a hushed tone.

Leaning back on the headboard, he explains, “Since the day I met you, I have seen this deeper side of you, a hidden side, a part of you that you show no one.”

“What was that exactly?”

“Your dark side. Your ability to take life.”

My eyes widen like that of a doe-eyed deer.

“A side of me that I wear exposed for all to see– and fear. I saw it in you from the day we met. You attempt to conceal it; however, I read people for a living. I understood you just required the correct circumstances to expose it. You required the room for nonjudgment to release the beast within you.”

I swallowed hard, aware every word he spoke was correct.

“But why Mariposa?”

His lips tugged at the edges. “Because I saw the caterpillar that could transform into the astounding butterfly before me. Observing your release was a magical moment and something that will forever reside in my mind.”

Curiosity piqued. “Why in Spanish and not Italian?”

He chuckled at my query. “It sounds far more beautiful in Spanish.”

“What is it in Italian?”

“Farfalla.”

Laughing at the word, my head moves up and down, agreeing with his notion. “You’re right, it does. It sounds like pasta in Italian.”

His hand grazes my face, evoking my eyes to flutter.

“Boss!”

“I’m coming.” His focus remained on me.

“I’ll see you later, Mariposa.”

Viewing him walk out the door, I ponder what a life with Dominic would resemble.

I’d be a fibber if I exclaimed I was not excited to view the dress Dominic had chosen to adorn my physique for the ball tonight. Entering the bedroom, my eyes pop out of their sockets like Bugs Bunny viewing his love.

On an armless mannequin adorns a black halter neck mermaid sequence and mesh dress with chest, waist, and hip cutouts.

It is beyond gorgeous. Dominic has divine taste. There’s a card placed on the side table.

“A jaw-dropping dress for an astounding beauty.”

The dress is bold: I am the Queen for all to give her rightful respect. I feel like a fairy tale Queen in this dress preparing to meet her King.

I prepare myself with lustrous loose curls cascading down my back paired with a dramatic dark eye and bold red lips.

Making my way out of the room, into the hall, and down the staircase, I find Dominic in a mouthwatering black-on-black fitted suit. Hair slicked back and lust oozing from his eyes, he observes every step I take towards him.

His mouth was agape while I sauntered towards him. He recollected himself in the softest I’ve ever heard him speak, “You look breathtaking, Chloe.”

My eyes cast to the floor as I stop before him. He grasps my face just below my ears, surrounding my neck, leaning closer to my ear. Hot breath misting my ear, evoking goosebumps to sprout on my flesh.

“Hopefully, I will be able to make you breathless sometime soon.”

Eyes flutter until nothing is in view except indecent images of what Dominic has in mind.

His hands flow down my arms, taking my right hand, raising it to his supple lips, and kissing my yearning flesh, igniting the embers that flare with his connection.

Placing my arm under his, he guides us toward our chariot to begin our night of mystery and ebullience.

The ball is for the support of battered women. Staring at Dominic, I postulate that despite his daunting reputation, he has lines he refuses to cross.

Entering the massive space, the lights are a dim shade of amethyst. Sheer white curtains adorn the walls, some pulled back to view the city’s sparkling lights. Tables adorn large vases filled with flowers ranging from vivid and pale fuchsia to deep and ashen lilac, followed by low-set bouquets of the same arraignment.

White linen drapes the tables, adorned with crystal candelabras placed strategically across the length of the table, alongside white tealights brightening the settings of each placement. Crystal glassware and simple white pattern China are laid across rectangular and circular tables with crystal leg chairs and white cloud cushions. Atop each chair is a gift box for each attendee.

“Dominic, this is beautiful.”

“Nothing in comparison to the sight before me.”

My eyes see his. Lifting my head with his thumb and forefinger, he gently kisses my cheek when a flash blinds me.

“Mr. Valentino, who is your date for tonight?”

I could hear the deep growl rumbling from the depths of his chest when I concluded to take charge, grasp Dominic’s hand, and lead him towards the tables to find our place.

Tugging me back, he snakes his arms around my waist, twisting my body to face his, lips grazing each other.

“Dance with me.”

My eyes widen. “You said you do not like to dance.”

“This holds truth, however, with you, I crave to explore things I’ve never thought possible.”

He whispers mere centimeters from my lips. I almost stuck my tongue out to lick his lips.

My hand coils around his neck as we sway to the evening music. As the song ends, Antonio approaches him, whispering something in his ear.

Placing both hands under my right hand, he raises my knuckles again to meet his lips.

“Please excuse me for a moment. There is no sleep for the wicked.” A gleam of evil sparks in his eye.

“Escort her to our table.”

And just like that, he vanishes within the crowd. The night goes on with Dominic by my side, disappearing occasionally to attend to his “Business.” I comprehend his business. It doesn’t bother me in the least because when he is by my side, I sense I am the only woman in the world.

The night is whimsical and magical, with Dominic tending to my needs. As the night comes to an end, Dominic and I are flowing to the music when the feel of his lips on my shoulder ravages me with prickles that spread like wildfire across my flesh.

In the most hushed tone, “Chloe?”

I move my head to gaze into his eyes. Observing his lips move.

“Stay with me tonight.”

“I have been,” I state, beaming from ear to ear.

“No, with me, by my side, in my bed, in my home.”

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I nod, fully aware I crave this. We turn towards the exit and make our way back to his residence. The place I have only been once and alone in his bed.

Arriving at his place, my mouth goes dry, nerves spike in the titillation of what’s to come. I crave to be his world. I long to feel the desire ooze from his skin.

Making our way to his bedroom, he places me before the bed back towards him. He moves to dim the lights, equaling our mood.

I twist to face him. Eyes locked with mine, he throws his suit jacket on the chair unbuttons his shirt, exposing his tattooed chest. The chest I crave to trace with my tongue. He saunters towards me, desire flaming in his eyes, evoking every hair on my body to stand on its end.

“Turn.” His rasp coaxed my core to tighten.

Obeying his command, I could feel the heat radiating off his body like solar flares from the sun. His fingertips graze my flesh as he unzips my gown, peppering kisses on my heated flesh, stimulating goosebumps to ravage my skin.

Shutting my lust-filled eyes, my head cascades back, relishing his delicate touch when a cool breeze ghosts over me, triggering my head to bend forward, eyes open, viewing my dress pooled at my feet.

“Turn around.”

I did as commanded, twisting at my own pace until my body stood before him in nothing but my six-inch stilettos.

He raises my head to meet his gaze using his forefinger and thumb.

“You have no idea how magnificent you truly are, do you?”

My eyes cast to the floor.

“No, look at me.” His raspy voice triggered my core to ache. I find his dark aquamarine orbs staring into the windows of my soul.

“I’ll spend the rest of my life showing you how beautiful you are. Never allowing a day to go by without making you aware of just how much of a treasure you are ... if you’ll empower me to.”

My breathing hitched in my throat. How can he desire me so shamelessly, unaware of the whole me? His hand grasped me at the side of my neck just under my ear, fingers clutching the back of my neck, other hand clasped to my hip, tugging me towards him.

“Forever Chole.”

His lips collided with mine, erratic thumping against my ribcage ensued, and labored breathing captivated my chest. The swipe of his tongue against mine caused a hazy fog to engulf my mind, allowing erotic moans to escape, capturing each exotic sound with his deft tongue.

Both his hands envelope my face, forehead to forehead. He hushedly whispers, “Tell me, Chloe, grace my ears with your yearning for me.”

Sealing my eyes. I do. I do crave him in the most depraved ways known to man. My nipples harden to the point they ache, my pussy is throbbing to familiarize myself with him.

A multitude of emotions swarm my chest, and an abundance of images crowd my mind, screaming his name, writhing beneath him, swallowing him whole as I slowly descend upon him, marking his back as he fills me to the hilt.

Ugh, I crave him. I want him so much it aches not to have him. I long for him here, now.

I grasp his wrists, peeling my eyes to be met by his libidinous stare, and whisper, “Dominic ...”

Prepared to beg.

~~~

👀 Chloe has a thing for Dominic!

How will Axle feel about this?

How will Chloe feel in the morning?

Will she have regrets, or will she be relishing every memory of Dominic inside her?

Thoughts? Theories?

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