“Taking a break.”
He carries me inside the house and doesn’t stop until he finds the bathroom. Without a word, he sets me down on the countertop, locks the door, and then returns to stand between my feet.
Ducking his head, he looks me in the eye and says, “Hey, you.”
“Hey.” I smile. “Why are we here?”
“Just wanted to have my stunning girlfriend all to myself.” He gently eases off one of my heels and then the other. “Better?”
I nod, wiggling my toes. “I usually love heels, but this is torture.”
Smirking, he massages my right foot. Instantly, my whole body sings. I rest my hands on the counter behind me and brace myself. He presses his thumbs to the arch of my foot, making me moan.
“Quiet, baby, or someone will think we’re doing something naughty in here,” he teases, still working his magic.
He releases my foot and picks up the other, repeating the motion. I’m a purring mess by the time he finally slides my heels back onto my feet and stands between my thighs.
“You didn’t have to do that.” I thread my fingers through the hair at the back of his head.
“I wanted to.”
His lips are just an inch away from mine, making it easy to close the distance and kiss him slowly. It’s not a hungry or desperate type of kiss; this one feels like home, like happiness in its purest form. It’s like love, all-consuming and powerful.
“I hate being away from you,” he murmurs against my mouth.
“We were apart for twenty minutes, tops,” I whisper.
“Entirely too long.”
Laughing, I press my forehead to his chest. “Careful, Dominic, or I might think you’re clingy.”
He pulls back, eyeing me with a needy look that makes my center throb. “I’m obsessed, not clingy.”
“Whatever lets you sleep at night.”
Without warning, he tugs on my legs, making me slide off the countertop. Then, he flips me around so we’re both facing the mirror. My cheeks are pink, my dark hair cascading down my shoulders in waves. This beautiful pastel pink dress complements my body in ways I didn’t know were possible.
I look happy and loved, and it’s all because of the man standing behind me.
“I love you,” he whispers in my ear.
“I love you too. Let’s dance.”
“Anything you want, baby.” He presses a kiss to my temple then guides me out of the bathroom and onto the dance floor.
As we sway to the music, people watch us, murmuring. Their expressions are curious rather than critical. We’re flaunting our relationship for everyone to see, and this time, we’re not going to hide.
Our love doesn’t need grand gestures. It doesn’t need to be shouted from the rooftops. It’s big and endless.
Mom comes into view, sitting at a table several feet away with a glass of wine in her hand. She watches us, her expression unreadable, and my nerves go on high alert. But when we lock eyes and she smiles, lifting her glass, relief rushes through me. I smile in return and snuggle closer to Dominic.
Mom and Allan were the first to know about us. After my first ride on his Harley, we stopped by to talk. Allan told us hewas happy for us, that we had his full support. He hauled me in for the biggest, warmest hug, communicating everything else without words.
Mom needed a few minutes to collect herself. Eventually, though, she apologized. Again. Not only to me, but to Dominic as well. She promised to do better and to always support us.
I want to believe it. For the first time in my life, it seems Mom is showing me she can love me just because.
I’m willing to give her a chance.
