-Alaina-

Staring out onto the vast drop before me, the oranges and pinks begin to stain the sky as I try and gather my words.

I turn to look at Dominic, he just sits looking at me, waiting patiently.

"My brother." I start, turning my head back to the view. "I lost him around a year ago. That's the most lost I've been in my life, not moving out of bed, refusing to eat."

This is too much to tell a stranger, but I find myself drawn to him, putting trust in him

"Part of my healing process apparently is just completely denying that I'm still not okay." I add, trying as hard as possible to keep my emotions at bay.

"God, he'd kick my ass right now" I laugh lightly, dropping my head to look at my hands. "I'm not anywhere near where he wanted for me, its like I'm constantly disappointing him-"

"Hey," Dominic interrupts. "just because you're having a harder time getting back on track, doesn't mean he would ever be disappointed, he'd probably kick your ass for saying that." he scoffs.

My lips form a small smile at his words.

"I'm so sorry you're going through this, I can't imagine how you feel." he continues, reaching out for my shaking hands.

We sit in a comfortable silence before the sun goes down.

Nightfall is illuminated by the rise of stars, so at home in the black.

The cold night borrows body heat as if it were a cup of sugar, and I'm left shivering trying to steal some warmth back.

Dominic looks over at me before handing me his coat and taking me to his car.

As we sit in the car, he doesn't start the engine yet and I grow confused.

I watch his fingers twitch on his lap as he stares out the window.

Finally, his hand comes to rest on my lower thigh as he turns the keys and my face instantly heats up.

As he starts to drive, I feel his hand rubbing up and down, progressively getting higher and squeezing occasionally.

I'm not one to find hands attractive but I've never seen such perfect ones in my life.

I find myself staring at his rings, they are just so interesting.

Looking over to him, I admire his perfect jawline, his jaw always slightly clenched, his long eyelashes, those deep brown eyes, a million hues.

His head turns in my directions, a small smile spreading on his face and that's when I notice the dimples on either side of his face.

As if he couldn't be more perfect.

Focusing his attention back on the road, it gives me a few more seconds to gaze at his side profile.

To be completely honest, I don't know where we are going, he could be kidnapping me for all I know.

Its a beautiful night, clear as glass, the days blue haze long gone.

Stars litter the sky and its so gorgeous.

"Alaina." he pulls me out of my trance.

"Where am I taking you?"

"Just drop me off wherever." I offer.

He looks at me like I said the stupidest shit in the world.

"Its either you give me your address or your coming home with me, it too dark and cold for you to be wandering around." he tells me sternly.

Its so tempting to stay silent so he takes me to his house.

So that's exactly what I do.

Dangerous, I know but I can't imagine him doing anything to hurt me, and yes that sounds like something someone whose about to die would say.

Okay maybe this isn't my best idea.

"Well looks like your staying the night then."

He takes a harsh left and after 5 minutes, he reverses in to the drive of this gorgeous house.

What. The. Fuck.

What does this man do for a living? I thought the suits were enough but this house is something else.

Stepping out the car, my mouth drops open in awe.

Its not the size that shocks me necessarily, its not that much bigger than all the other houses around here, more the lights shining up at it and the huge columns standing tall at the door way.

As he walks towards me, he reaches out for my hand, instantly intertwining our fingers and pulling me towards the door.

I walk in first as he holds the door open for me, and there's a weird noise, like footsteps but quicker.

From around the corner, a huge black dog comes bounding to me and almost knocks me over.

"Roxy! Down!" Dominic yells and the dog before me sits almost instantly.

"Oh. My. God. She is so cute. What breed?" I question, bending down to pet her with the biggest grin.

"Black Labrador. She seems cute, but shes a shithead." he scoffs, throwing his keys onto a table.

Roxy follows me so close, she may as well be on my heels.

After almost tripping over the dog at least 6 times, Dominic turns to me as we walk.

"Have you eaten?" he asks, clearly not wanting some bullshit answer.

"No. I haven't. Not today." I reply, looking down at my feet.

He stops walking, turning to face me.

I hear his footsteps come towards me before he grabs my chin, hard but not enough to hurt, tilting my head to face him.

"Alaina, you're going to start taking care of yourself again. I'm not letting you get yourself that low." he states, looking deep into my eyes.

Reaching down, he grabs my hand, leading my to what I assume is a kitchen.

"Dominic, I'm not hungry."

"I honestly don't care, now what do you wanna eat?" he says, leaving no room for my refusal.

"I don't mind." I mutter, giving up.

He grabs a bunch of stuff from various cabinets and he starts cooking some form of pasta, I have no idea what.

"I'll be sleeping on the couch, I don't have a spare bed and your taking mine." he suddenly announces. 

No he's not, he's sleeping on the bed, either with or without me.

I have no idea what I'm eating but it tastes amazing so I don't really care.

He refuses to let me wash the dishes, and leads me into the room at the end of the hallway.

It has a huge bed with a black comforter, a TV standing at the end. 

The bedroom was just tidy enough to show that he cared about the space and just messy enough to show that he was able to let his creativity roam free.

Walking over to the bed, I don't let go of his hand as he tries to pull away.

"Alaina." he warns. "I need to go into the living room."

I shake my head before sitting on the bed in front of him.

He steps forward, almost between my legs at this point, and lifts my head, bringing my eyes up to connect with his.

"You aren't sleeping on a couch." he states, leaving no space for arguments.

"Neither are you."

"What are you talking about?"

"Either let me take the couch, or sleep in the bed with me." I respond, confidently.

His eyes flit between mine, his eyes narrowing as he thinks about my offer.

Taking a few steps back, he grabs a shirt from his closet, throwing it at my head and chuckling.

He disappears into, what I assume, is a bathroom, and he emerges in red checkered trousers, hanging low on his waist so I see the v leading downwards.

Well fuck.

Dragging my eyes back up, he throws his clothes into a basket in the corner, tilting his head towards me.

He walks achingly slow towards me, hooking a finger under my chin and closing my mouth with a smirk.

I didn't even realise it was open.

I stand up quickly, grabbing the shirt he threw at me, and rush into the room he just came out of.

Slipping on the shirt, I decide keeping my bra on is for the best, even though they are super uncomfy.

As I walk out, I see him laid up against the headboard on his phone, putting it down and looking straight at me when he notices I came out.

That gorgeous smirk makes its way onto his face again as I approach the bed.

I carefully slide under the covers, his watchful eyes not leaving my face.

He props himself up on one arm, leaning close to me.

"Goodnight, Alaina." he hums, laying back down and turning away from me.

Taking a deep breath, I lay down and try to sleep.

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