Chapter 13

He was nothing like Elliot.

Elliot was gentle, careful, unhurried. Dominic was different—fully in charge, absolutely certain.

He pressed me against the wall, his mouth moving from my jaw to my neck, deliberate and thorough.

I tilted my head back, catching my breath, and looked at us in the mirror. I thought of what Natasha had said.

Give yourself over completely. And in doing that, you take complete control.

So that's what she meant.

"Was that good?" He stopped.

I opened my mouth. "..."

He took in my expression and laughed. "We can pick up the rest another time."

He straightened my clothes.

"I prefer not to do this in a bathroom."

I gathered myself. "As if you're in any position to have standards."

"I do, though." Completely unashamed. "I like open spaces. Haven't you noticed?"

I went quiet.

Then there was a sound outside the door—like a key in a lock.

Dominic stepped in front of me.

The door was thrown open. Elliot stood in the frame, face gone dark.

"Do you not know there's a security camera by the entrance?"

I said nothing. I stood where I was and smoothed my hair.

That small gesture seemed to undo something in him. He crossed the room and grabbed my arm, pulling me sharply to his side.

Dominic looked him over—no fear, no urgency—just a slow, complicated smile.

"Elliot. We finally meet."

Elliot turned to face him, jaw tight. "Mr. Kingsley. I'd ask you to maintain some distance from another man's wife."

Dominic took half a step forward. Elliot pulled me back. Dominic stopped.

"You should be coming at me. Not taking it out on her."

Elliot's eyes were red. His hands balled into fists. He held Dominic's gaze for a long moment—then slowly opened his fingers.

"I won't give you the satisfaction."

He pulled me downstairs and pushed me into his car. The door slammed.

He floored it.

In the rearview, I could see Dominic's car following.

"Let me out. Elliot, stop the car."

He didn't respond. His eyes were locked on the road.

"You owe me an apology, Vivian."

A cold laugh came out of me.

"For what? For doing exactly what you did, in the same kind of place? Is that what I'm apologizing for?"

The hands on the wheel tightened.

"I don't know what you mean."

I sat up straight and looked directly at him. "Don't you? When you opened that door—no one was outside. Because you'd already been there for a while, hadn't you? You waited until you didn't hear anything. Then you decided to go in. What were you afraid of? You know the answer."

He snapped his head toward me. "I didn't want to humiliate you—"

"I'm not humiliated enough already—"

The words came out broken and shrill. I didn't recognize my own voice.

Elliot went silent. He'd never seen me like this.

I sank back against the seat and let out a long breath. The tears ran freely.

"Let's end this, Elliot. You've made me hate myself."

He slowed the car. Silence stretched. Then, softly:

"I love you."

I turned my face away and pressed my lips together. My cheeks were cold. I rolled down the window.

The wind came in and took his voice with it. Nothing left behind.