The day I turned 19 I spent time with my friends at the beach, Penny and Zander and Trevor and the rest of the gang. Two months ago they’d been my world. Now I felt like I was watching a silly movie, like some Hollywood director’s version of rich kids partying. Half of them were on Instagram, filling their feed with glamour pics, hoping to build a following like Kylie Jenner. Somehow meeting Dom had shaken up my whole world like a snow globe. Outwardly, I think I still seemed the same. Penny asked me once or twice if I was all right, I seemed spacey, but she seemed reassured at my “Yeah, I’m fine.”

That night, Colt and my father threw me a birthday party at the club. They rented out a room and we toasted with champagne and friends. I felt grateful for all of it, I swear I did. But I also felt frustrated as hell.

I hated that Dom couldn’t be part of it. I thought he could. I wanted him at the beach with us and at the party at the club even though he had to work. But it was more than the obligations he had to the guys at the auto shop or his shift at the 2am Club that kept him away. He held himself back, exercising monk-like restraint, constantly reminding me of what couldn’t happen between us, how it would end soon.

I disagreed. At first, people would talk if they found out we were a couple, but then in time I was sure it wouldn’t be a big deal. Crazier things had happened, women not just sleeping with the pool boy but taking off with them and leaving their husbands and children. Stealing, lying, addictions, Dom might think that kind of thing only happened in his world but it happened all the time among the rich and bored. So what that an heiress like me dated a working guy like him. Life would go on.

But Dom didn’t want to go public. I didn’t know if he wanted things on the down low for his own reasons, or out of some misplaced desire to protect me, but when I’d bring up wanting him to meet my father or brother he’d laugh it off like I was so naïve. Most frustrating of all was how little we got to see of each other. It seemed like he was always working, every night. I didn’t work long hours, but my twenty a week were always during the day. So most of the time I saw him, he was working security at the country club or over at the 2am Club.

But guess who I saw all the time instead? Creepy, crazy Brock. Eyeing me, following me, cornering me whenever he could. That text he’d sent me the other day was disturbing. He called me a whore and said he was going to make me his whore. But worse was the picture he sent along with it. I couldn’t even tell what it was, but it looked bloody. I blocked him and he apologized the next day, telling me he’d been drunk and he didn’t even remember what he’d sent me. He asked me to forgive him, telling me he was crazy about me and he’d treat me so good if I’d only give him the chance.

I hadn’t gotten any more texts, but yesterday when I walked out to my car in the garage someone had left a sign on my windshield: WHORE. It looked scrawled in a child’s red crayon. He hadn’t signed it, but who else would do something like that?

I still hadn’t mentioned the text or the note to Dom. Honestly, I was worried about how angry he’d get. I could see him beating Brock to a pulp. And I didn’t actually know Brock had written that note on my car. But I did want to say something about it to my brother. He knew Brock and his family. Maybe he could talk to them about it.

Around a quarter to eleven, Colt said his good-byes. He had a whole lot of nightlife ahead of him, parties and clubs with his vast network. I walked him out, pulling him to side in the lobby.

“Colt, before you go, I have to talk to you about Brock. He’s really creeping me out.”

Colt listened, but he was distracted, wanting to head out on the town. He’d already spent the majority of the evening with his kid sister. I realized I should have waited until the next morning to talk to him.

“Brock’s got a crush.” Colt shrugged off my concerns. “Sure, he’s intense, but you’re amazing. Any guy would be crazy about you. Have you tried talking to him?”

“That doesn’t work.”

“OK, I’ll talk to him next time I see him. Tell him to ease up.”

“Colt, he’s scary.” I knew I should tell Colt more details. I’d show him the note but I’d already thrown it out. I’d deleted the text as soon as I’d received it. And somehow I felt embarrassed and worried about sharing all of it. It might open up questions about who I was dating. I wanted Colt to have a good first impression when he finally met Dom, not see him as the guy who’d made Brock so jealous.

“Look, steer clear of him,” Colt advised me. “I’ll talk to him soon and take care of it.”

I watched him walk out, knowing I had a bunch of friends still partying upstairs, expecting me to head out with them later on as well. But I wasn’t up for it. I stepped out and got a car home, sending Penny a quick text on the way to let her know I was fine but tired and heading to bed.

I looked out the window as we drove, despondent. Dom had promised me I’d see him on my birthday. I hadn’t. And he was all I wanted.

I let myself in and headed up to my bedroom. When I opened the door, I almost didn’t recognize it. Roses of every color filled the room, the gorgeous velvet petals scenting the air from vases on every surface. Petals were strewn on the floor and even spelled out Happy Birthday on my bed. A smile lit up my face. There wasn’t a note, but it had to be Dom.

I called him and he answered on the first ring. “Thank you,” I started.

“How do you know it was me?” he asked, but I could hear him smiling.

“How did you get in?”

“It’s easy to get into your house.” It sounded quiet on his end, not like the usual noise when he was working at the 2am Club.

“We have a security system,” I reminded him.

“Not a problem if you know what you’re doing.”

“You’re dangerous.” I shook my head.

“I’ve told you that right from the start,” he agreed.

I paused. “I was hoping I’d see you today.” I didn’t want to sound too disappointed. He’d showered me in rose petals after all. But still I felt sad I hadn’t seen him.

Suddenly, there was a knock at my window. Dom was outside of it, holding his phone to his ear. “I told you you’d get to see me on your birthday,” he spoke into the phone I still held.

“What are you doing?” I ran to the window, opened it and let him in. He was standing on a narrow ledge, looking calm and collected as he climbed easily in through the window. How had he even gotten up to the second story? “Are you a ninja?”

“I have a lot of talents, Gigi.”

“Yes you do,” I agreed, pressing myself against his body.

“I told you, it’s easy to get into your house.” He dipped his head down and kissed me, fierce and demanding. Hands to his shoulders I clung to him, melting back under his assault, letting him know with every sigh, every kiss, I was his, his alone.

“And you’re here by yourself.” His gaze clouded for a moment, but by now I knew why. He wanted me alone, he just worried about me.

“My brother will be home later tonight.”

“Well, I’m here with you now. Happy Birthday.” He looked down at me and stroked my cheek. “I have something for you.”

“All the rose petals weren’t enough?” My whole room looked like a magical fairyland and smelled like a garden in spring.

“Nothing would ever be enough.” My heart tightened in my chest. For a man so tough and rough, sometimes he said the nicest things to me anyone had ever in my life.

We sat on my bed and he handed me a box from one of the boutique jewelers in town. I knew right away he’d spent too much money.

“Dom,” I started to protest. He shouldn’t be spending his wages on me.

“Open it,” he insisted. Slipping off the ribbon, I lifted the lid then opened the velvet box. Nestled on the satin inside lay a thin gold chain necklace with an open heart charm at the center. Delicate, simple and perfect.

My eyes filled as I wrapped my arms around his neck. “I love it.” I said I loved it, but I meant I loved him. I loved Dom so much my heart hurt like it would burst.

“It’s nothing much, but—”

“It’s beautiful, Dom. I’m going to wear it all the time.”

“Nowhere near as beautiful as you.” Together we sank back onto my bed, all thoughts of necklaces gone as we tasted and touched. He had my clothes off in minutes, as if they offended him and he couldn’t be done with them soon enough. The way he touched me, it felt like he was worshipping or memorizing, like each and every inch of my body blew his mind. But then his touch was rough, too, claiming, demanding, letting me know every inch he touched was his.

He licked my neck, then sucked there, not hard enough to leave a mark but enough to make me moan and throb as I dug my nails into his strong back.

“Tonight I want to taste you, princess,” he whispered.

Arousal pooled between my legs at his words. He’d touched me plenty, slipping his fingers down there at the beach when we’d managed to find a few stolen moments, and once in his truck when he’d given me a ride home from work, making the most of the one hour we had between the end of my shift and the start of his. On his lap in his truck, one of his powerful arms around me, he’d stroked me so masterfully. He’d watched my every reaction, coaxing and milking every drop of pleasure out of my body until I melted into him, nearly sobbing with need and desire and then, finally, pleasure, such intense pleasure I knew no words to describe it.

He spread me back along my bed and kissed a trail down my body, along my stomach, down to my thighs. A quiver of anticipation stole through me. He’d talked about wanting to do this, and I’d thought about it a lot, but it still seemed like a big deal. Did he really want to? Up until a few weeks ago I’d thought guys didn’t like it.

“Are you sure you want to, um…” I looked down at him.

He licked his way toward my glistening pussy, then looked up at me with his eyes half-crazed with possessive desire. “I need to devour you.” He looked almost feral, barely controlling himself. “But you have to tell me I can.”

“Dom.” I sighed with need, wondering at the mixture within him, savage and gentleman all in one. “Yes.” I parted my thighs in invitation. “Please.”

With a growl, he slipped his large, rough palms underneath my ass cheeks and pulled me down to the edge of the bed so I was right in front of him as he kneeled.

“So fucking beautiful.” He admired my pussy for a moment, then sank into me with a long, savoring lick up the length of my sex. I couldn’t believe the intensity of it. His finger had felt so good, but this, his tongue stroking wet and hot, then swirling and pressing while his lips sucked. I couldn’t have said exactly the time it took, but I knew it wasn’t long before I was gasping and panting, right on the brink.

He took his mouth away, bringing it to my inner thigh where he sucked, then bit me lightly. I cried out, getting even wetter as he marked me. “You’re going to come quick for me, aren’t you?” He sounded so satisfied and animalistic.

“Yes,” I groaned, missing his mouth, his tongue.

“Then I’m going to have to do this more than once tonight,” he warned me. “Because I’m nowhere near done with you.”

The second he was back on me, sucking my clit fiercely I came, blindingly hard, twisting against the sheets and nearly ripping them with my fists. He pushed me back down, holding my thighs apart and devouring every last shudder, licking every drop until it finally, finally subsided.

“Dom.” I panted, a sheen of sweat covering my body. I clutched at him, wanting him next to me. I’d just come, but it was like he got me into a hyper-aroused state where every orgasm just took me to the next level of desire. He drew me up to lay our heads on the pillows, both of us stretched out along my bed.

“Take your shirt off,” I pleaded, pulling at it. He removed it and I ran my hands along his sculpted torso, but I wanted more. I snuck my hands down to the waistband of his jeans and started with the button.

“No.” He caught my hands in his, taking them away, pinning them to my sides.

“Please, Dom.” I wrapped my leg around his shamelessly, scooting closer so my breasts grazed his chest. “I want you naked against me. Both of us naked. That would feel so good, Dom. Please.”

“Christ,” he exhaled sharply, closing his eyes as if marshaling the strength to fight back demons.

“Please, Dom, I want more.” I almost couldn’t believe the brazen words coming out of my mouth. Or that I was in this situation. Every interaction with a man up until now went the other way. Now I was crazy about a man who wouldn’t take his damn pants off over some ridiculous notion that he was doing the right thing.

“Gigi, I’m trying—”

“I know,” I interrupted, kissing his neck, his chest, licking my way down as I pressed against him. My pussy was still so sensitive, throbbing from my orgasm and wanting another one. I straddled his thick thigh and ground against it, pushing my clit against his hardness. “But I don’t want you to hold back, Dom. I want you to teach me,” I pleaded, looking up into his eyes. “I need you so much.”

He held himself still as I rocked against him. “Fuck!” he breathed out, harsh.

“Please, Dom. I can barely sleep. I lie awake at night wanting you. Every orgasm you give me makes me want more. I’m going crazy.”

“You think you’re going crazy!”

“I want you to come, Dom.” I couldn’t believe the words I was saying, but it was so true. I kept fixating on it at night when I touched myself, the thought of touching his cock, what it would feel like, what it would taste like, how it would be to watch his face, hear him, see him explode like he’d made me do over and over. I wanted that for him, wanted to see it, experience it.

Fast and fierce, he was up and over me, pinning my hands over my head. His nostrils flared as he panted.

“You think you’re tortured? I’ve been hard as a fucking rock since the day I met you.” He lowered his hips to mine and ground into me. I moaned, sinking my head back into the pillows, glorying in the way his masculine hardness felt against my yielding softness, the massive outline of his cock pressing against me right where I needed it.

“Please,” I begged, pushing my pussy against him, spreading my legs. I needed him to drive into me so badly.

“Fuck!” He leaped out of bed fast like it was on fire and paced the length of it, tormented. I whimpered with frustration on the bed. Then he spotted my silk bathrobe hanging from the door of my bathroom. And the silk belt draped through the loops around the waist.

He grabbed it quick as lightning, then came over me again on the bed, dragging me to the side where I had a bedpost. “You want more?” he panted.

“Yes.” I felt a twinge of fear mingled with my excitement. What was he going to do? Nothing could stop me from finding out.

“You’re going to need to trust me if you do. Can you do that?”

“Yes, of course.” I trusted Dom with my life.

“I’m going to tie your wrists to the bedpost. If you want to stop, you tell me.”

“Yes.” I’m sure my eyes were huge. I could see my ribcage rising and falling as I panted with anticipation. He grabbed my wrists, firm but not hurting me, and wrapped the silk bathrobe belt around them, tying a knot. Then he fastened it to the bedpost and stretched me out diagonally across the bed, completely naked.

He stood at the edge of the bed, looking down at me, the hunger of a starving man in his eyes.

“What are you going to do to me?” I asked, breathless, already feeling myself grow wet as I clenched my thighs together. I’d never felt more vulnerable and exposed, and he looked like a wild animal ready to pounce.

Without a word, he sank down and brought his mouth to my pussy again. Writhing against my restraints, I felt so helpless and taken it brought the intensity to a whole new level. He had me at his mercy. He could feast on me all night and I couldn’t stop him. It made me wild.

“Yes!” I cried as he dug his fingers into my ass, spreading my cheeks, devouring me. He started shoving his tongue into me, over and over, the way he sometimes did with his finger, making me think about how it would feel if it were his cock. It felt like getting fucked by his tongue, and I screamed with pleasure, wet heat pouring out of me in response to his assault.

But before I could come, he withdrew. Standing at the side of the bed, he looked down at me as I quivered and moaned. He unbuttoned his jeans. He slipped them and his briefs down, stepped out of them and then stood before me completely naked. My mouth dropped open. He was huge, honestly so big. I hadn’t seen a lot of penises, really, just two guys who’d hopefully unbuttoned their pants while we were kissing. But I’d never seen anything like his.

It looked so male, hard and primal with veins running its length, the crown of it purple and engorged. He ran his hand along its length and I saw a drop of moisture at the tip. Fascinated, I watched as he took it and smoothed it down over his length. Then another drop, which he began to use as lubricant, too. I had a bunch of that he could use.

“Take mine,” I whispered, shocking myself at how dirty I was being. His eyes darkened at my suggestion. I spread my legs in invitation. If he wouldn’t touch me with his cock, at least I could see me on it. He reached his hand down and stroked my pussy with his strong fingers. I knew he could make me come in sixty seconds. I was so on the edge. He knew it, too, but he withdrew his fingers now soaking wet and practically dripping with my arousal. As he brought it to his cock, his head tilted back, eyes closed as he worked it up and down his shaft.

“Aw, fuck, Gigi,” he murmured. I whimpered in response, watching how slick his cock looked now, how it grew even larger.

“You’re so big!” I gasped, pulling at my wrist ties, wanting to get closer. “I wish I could touch you.”

He groaned, stroking himself faster. “You said you want to see me come, Gigi. You want to see me come?”

“Yes!” My voice sounded so guttural, deep with need as I watched his hand move fast; faster. Every inch of his body looked so hard, his muscles taut. He needed release so badly. I wished it were inside of me, but watching this way, it felt so dirty and hot. I couldn’t wait to see him come. Maybe feel him come.

“I want…” Even as I writhed beneath him, completely naked, my pussy dripping wet and my nipples hard and aching, I still felt a touch of embarrassment over my naughty desires. But I couldn’t stop myself. “I want to feel your come,” I begged. “Come on me, Dom.”

With a strangled groan, he shifted closer toward me, working his huge cock right over my pussy. Looking down at me, locking with my eyes, he told me, “I’m going to come all over you.” Then he ordered, “You come, too.”

Just his words started my wave, my pussy clenching in response to his command. Then his first spurt of come hit me and it was the hottest thing I’d ever felt in my life, hotter even than when he touched me, more than when he ate me. It was him, his climax, proof of how much he wanted and needed me and I wanted to be covered in it.

“Dom!” I screamed, “Yes!” I arched my breasts up, wanting him to come on them, too, wanting it all over me.

He brought a finger to my pussy and hit me right where I was already starting to explode, pressing my clit and taking me up and over the edge even as he worked the length of his cock, sending spurt after spurt onto my pussy, my stomach, my breasts.

“Mine, Gigi.” He claimed me as he marked me. “Mine.”

“Yes, yes.” I was a writhing mess, coming and covered in his come, sobbing and crying his name. The orgasm kept cresting and cresting again, shuddering through me. The feeling of being tied up, coated in his hot come, it was almost too much.

“Gigi, baby.” He soothed me, untying my wrists and cradling me in his arms. He kissed my cheek, my forehead. “My girl,” he whispered in my ear as I sank against his hot, glistening chest. “My Gigi.”

“Dom.” I sank against him, completely limp and spent. He picked me up and carried me into the bathroom where he sat on the edge of the tub. I felt dazed as he turned on the tub faucet and reached for a washcloth. When he started washing me, tenderly moving the warm cloth along my body, I brought my hand to his wrist.

“I want it,” I murmured, burying my head into his chest. “I want it on me.”

“Shh.” He kissed my hair, continuing his warm bathing, taking good care of me. “I want you clean and comfortable so you can get some sleep.”

I whined a bit in protest, liking the way it felt as he cared for me, the warm swish of the cloth, but regretting the loss. I could feel his chuckle deep in his chest. “I’ll give you more come, baby. Don’t worry.”

He toweled me dry, and I let him hold me and do it without even trying to lift a finger. I felt so warm and limp and tended to, like he loved me completely. He carried me back to the bed, pulled away the comforter and settled me on the pillows. “You need to sleep now.” He put the covers back over me and dressed again in his discarded jeans and T-shirt.

Sleep pulled heavy at my eyelids, my limbs sinking into the bed. But I missed him. I didn’t want our time together to end.

“I’ll stay until you’re asleep,” he assured me, kissing me again on the forehead.

I nodded into my pillow and fell asleep that very second.

Late afternoon the next day, I closed up Homeward Bound for the first time on my own. I was pleased that Lynn trusted me enough to do it, so I’d taken extra time to do everything right. When I finally locked the door at seven o’clock, I headed to my car, checked my phone and saw I had a text.

Dom: Be careful driving.

Gigi: Don’t worry, I had the best driving teacher around

That night I was actually going to drive myself home. I’d had a few more lessons from Dom plus our family’s caretaker had given me a couple and I’d finally gotten myself my very own driver’s license. I felt proud and pleased and independent. Until I saw the car parked next to mine in the lot.

Brock was sitting there waiting for me. He opened the passenger door. “Climb in,” he said with what I’m sure was intended to be a charming smile. “I want to talk to you.”

“No thanks.” I walked quickly to my car, wishing there were more people in the parking lot. Or any people. But the store had been closed for over an hour and we were completely alone. I got to the driver’s door, but he sprang at me like a cobra and grabbed my wrists, hard.

“Brock, you’re hurting me.” As he pushed me into the car I looked up terrified into his bloodshot eyes. Alcohol reeked from every pore and stank hot and rank from his breath.

He bent down and sniffed my hair, then looked at me with rage. “I can smell him on you.”

“What are you talking about?” I twisted, panic starting to beat in my chest.

“I’ve known you since you were 14,” he whined, slipping into a wheedling voice. “You were supposed to be saving yourself for me.” Then he turned angry again. “Not giving yourself to him like a fucking whore.” Spit splattered my face as he yelled at me and he hurt me, pinching my wrist so hard it felt like he might snap it in two.

“Fuck off, Brock!” I yelled as loud as I could. I’d never taken a self-defense class in my life, but I guess I’d seen enough movies to know what to do. I brought my knee up as hard and sharp right into his balls. He let go and backed away, doubling over and cupping his hands over his groin as he cried out in pain.

“Stay away from me,” I screamed at him as I managed to get into my car—thank God for auto-unlock, I didn’t think I could fumble with a key just then—and I sped away, shaking. I’d known Brock was trouble. I’d seen it coming and Colt hadn’t listened. I should have told Dom about it.

I got home, headed up to my room and called my father. It went to voicemail, and I didn’t want to worry him too much so I just said to call me when he had the chance. Then I did it. I called Dom. His went to voicemail, too. He was working, as always, but I was sure he’d check his messages soon. I kept it short, but he knew me well enough that he’d understand. I told him Brock had scared me and I needed him. I took a shower to soothe my nerves and wrapped up in a thick cotton robe. I felt so drowsy I could barely keep my eyes open. Deciding I’d take a nap, I set my phone on silent, nestled in and fell asleep.

The next thing I knew I heard angry voices downstairs. I grabbed my phone from the bedside table. It was nearly one a.m. How had I slept so long? And missed so many calls?

I wrapped the robe around me tight and rushed down the stairs. It sounded like a fight. Both Colt and Dom were there, but it was the sight of Brock that I’d never be able to forget. He lay on the floor at the base of the stairs in a pool of blood with a knife sticking out of his chest. So much blood. The puddle grew right before my eyes as Brock lay motionless and his blood spread out and out.

I screamed like I never had before, blood-curdling, terrified.

“Gigi!” Colt and Dom both jolted. Neither had seen me come down the stairs. Was Brock dead? What had happened?

Dom’s face twisted in fury and pain. “Don’t look at this,” he yelled at me. “I don’t want you to have to see this.”

Colt sprang up by my side and hugged me.

“What’s happening?” I asked, shaking violently.

“He’s right. You should head back upstairs.” Colt tried to turn me around but I stood, stubborn, looking at Dom for answers. He looked up at me, chest heaving.

“What happened?” I asked again, feeling like I was going to throw up.

Colt answered. “Brock broke in and that man just saved your life.”

“What?” I felt the tears on my cheeks but didn’t realize I’d started crying.

“Go upstairs,” Dom urged me, as serious as I’d ever seen him.

“You’re safe now.” Colt hugged me. “Can you head back into your room for twenty minutes Gigi? I need to sort this.”

In shock, I let Colt lead me up the stairs. He left me there and I headed straight to my bathroom where I threw up. Shaking violently, I sat on the cold tile floor. Was Brock lying there dead in the hallway? Had Dom killed him with that knife? And if he had, what would happen to Dom now?