Lured (Team Zero #1) - Rina Kent Page 0,43

fingers on the pulse point in my wrist. There’s a frown between his eyebrows. “Do you feel like vomiting or fainting? Are you dizzy? Have you had any weird fatigue lately?”

That balloon grows in my heart as I realise that Dominic, who’s never concerned about anyone, is worried about me.

“I don’t think I’m pregnant if that’s what you’re asking,” I say in a joking tone. “I won’t tie you down just yet.”

Dominic grinds his teeth so hard that his jaw ticks. He drops my hand as if he touched fire.

My stomach sinks.

“I was kidding,” I whisper.

We always joke around. Why is he being defensive now?

He meets my gaze again, and this time, the deep brown of his eyes is shining with a tenderness that causes my heart to pound.

“I’m sorry.” His voice is quiet. Genuine. Calm. Too calm.

Dominic doesn’t do apologies. Dominic is the type of shameless who takes what he wants whatever and whenever and in any way he wants without any regrets.

So when he apologises out of freaking nowhere, I know something is wrong. Totally wrong.

We were having so much fun today. We were even talking about a hypothetical future that’s starting to grow on me without my damn permission.

What changed between this noon and now?

“Should I be scared?” I murmur, fighting against the tightness in my throat.

The tenderness disappears from his face. His dark eyes plunge in a frightening hollowness. It’s sombre and deep and entirely vacant. My fingers dig into the sheets as a shudder draws up my spine.

“Scared? You should be terrified, Camille.” His voice is monotonic, completely devoid of the Dominic I know. “Are you naïve enough to think you’re safe with me? Perhaps you thought you’re special because we fuck? You’re just another victim of mine, Camille.”

His words sting. Tingles start in my nose and pressure builds behind my eyes, but I rein it in. He’s being harsh on purpose. None of those words are true. The man who held me close today while walking in the streets was the sincere one. This one isn’t.

“You’re lying.” I stare him straight in the eyeball. “I’m the only one who can detect your lies, remember, Dom? I don’t know why you’re lying but save it. I don’t believe a word you’re saying.”

The monster mask is still strapped around his features. “You believed me enough when I made you think you were special. I only did that to fuck with you some more. You gave me a challenge, Camille, and I love destroying my challenges.”

“Liar,” I say the word calmly. “I’ve already made myself a cosy little place in your heart, you know. Your heart and I are like the best buds and we’re both agreeing that you’re lying through your teeth. So try again, Dom.”

I don’t get a warning before Dominic’s lips crash to mine. His strong hand grabs my nape as his mouth claims me. I gasp then moan.

His shoulders hunch and his kiss tastes of passion, surrender, and regret. All at once.

I’m dizzy by the time he gives us much-needed air. My eyes get lost in his turbulent ones. Dominic is baring me his soul. There’s no emptiness or calculations or the need to push me away. There’s only a deep sense of sadness that baffles the hell out of me.

I reach a hand and palm his stubbled cheek. Everything in me itches to erase that depressing look. “What is it, Dom? You can tell me anything.”

“Don’t ever marry the French lawyer.”

“Uh… okay?” I’m sure I appear as confused as I sound. “What does the French lawyer have to do with this?”

“I mean it. You know I’m crazy enough to murder the fucker.”

I smile. “No snobbish wife for you either?”

He grins, and my chest feels lighter. “You’re the only woman for me, baby girl.”

My heart is about to grow wings and take flight, but Dominic stops it with a hungry kiss. This one is slow and intimate and knocks the breath out of my lungs.

Warmth smothers my body as Dominic pulls me into him. Somehow, our clothes end up on the floor. Somehow, we’re locked around one another.

When Dominic slides into me, he doesn’t pound in me as urgently as we’re used to. This time, he takes his sweet time peppering kisses along my neck and my mouth and all over my body. He doesn’t tie me or hold me down. He savours me and never breaks eyes contact as he drives me to thrilling pleasure. The intimacy and adoration in his gaze