The Only Rule

Chapter 7a: Beef or Bet

You stumbled into some room, your lips locked in a desperate, heated kiss. The door slammed shut behind you as your hands scrambled to shut the door—and he pressed your back against the door. Your breaths heavy, mingling with each other as Dominic’s hands roamed your body—rough and urgent.

He could feel your hands tremble as they slipped under his shirt, fingers trailing along his skin, sending shivers racing up his spine. His breath hitched when you tugged his shirt up. Instinctively, his hands followed—sliding under your shirt, feeling the heat of your skin.

The moment your shirt came off, you felt his gaze—roaming over you with that slight, teasing smirk playing on his lips. You were barely able to stop yourself from staring at his abs—after all the constant dreaming, this day finally came true. Your pulse quickened with nervousness, you didn’t care though—the desire to forget everything was stronger than this hesitation.

So you grabbed him by the waist, pulling him back into your orbit—and your mouths collided once again. Hunt’s hands roamed your back, pulling you closer until there was no space left between you. Your kisses frantic, desperate. Maybe all that constant banter was supposed to end like this.

But as the two of you inched closer to the bed, Dominic suddenly hesitated. His kisses slowed, and you could feel his breath stuttering against your swollen lips.

“Wait—”

“Don’t kiss me like that.”

But you didn’t give him a chance to finish. You silenced him with another kiss, this one—harder, almost angry—as though you could push away everything that’s hurting.

“Like what?” Dominic mumbled against your mouth, his words slurred from the heat of the moment.

Don’t kiss me like him.

The words caught in your throat, thoughts tangling with memories you’re trying to forget. The softness of that last kiss—haunted you, sending waves of fresh pain.

“Kiss me like you want to f**k, Hunt,” you whispered instead.

And it worked. Because now his gaze darkened, a primal heat flaring in his eyes. A groan escaped his lips as his hands gripped your waist harder, pulling you closer with a roughness that matched the intensity you craved. Dominic leaned down—his lips attacking your neck, pressing against your soft skin as if savoring every inch of you like chocolate. His hand tangled in your curly hair, tugging your head back just enough for him to graze your neck, sending jolts of sensation down your spine.

You moved synchronically, stumbling and frantic as the two of you reached the bed. Dominic pushed you down onto the mattress, his body hovering over yours, lips and hands moving like he couldn’t get enough.

But as he pulled back to look at your face—the fire in his eyes dimmed. He saw the tears streaming down your face, the way your chest heaved not just from exertion, but from the raw.. aching sadness that you couldn’t hide.

He stopped. His brow furrowing with concern as he blurted,

“Are you okay—”

“Just shut up.” you snapped, voice breaking as you pulled him back down, forcing another kiss—fingers threading through his thick lion blonde hair, desperate to keep him closer. But it still couldn’t diminish the tears he tasted on his lips. Feeling the way you trembled beneath him—and it made him slow down, made him soften.

His lips moved tenderly against yours, trying to soothe your pain away—but that only made you kiss harder. Each gentle touch only deepened the hurt you’re trying to escape. Pulling him, you tried to recapture the urgency.

“Don’t kiss me like—” you choked, frustration spilling over.

“Like what..” Dominic asked, his voice soft, even though he knew you’re trying to push him away, trying to hold onto the anger. He was doing it on purpose. Trying to slow you down, getting you to a stop.

You glared at him, anger and sorrow bubbling over as you snapped, “Just kiss me like you want to f**k me, Hunt! You were the one who asked me to f**k in front of everyone, right?! Why are you being so damn difficult?!”

But Dominic didn’t respond the way you expected. He didn’t kiss you, didn’t resume the rough urgency you were craving as medicine. Instead, he gently brushed a strand of hair away from your face, tucking it behind your ear. His touch was so.. soft, unlike anything you had ever felt from him.

“What happened?”

His tone was so genuine—so gentle, that it made the dam you had been holding back burst. And your face crumpled, the tough facade shattering as you stammered, “I—I really loved him—I thought he—but he—he replaced me like I don’t matter—”

And your body trembled. You wanted to keep going—wanted to explain.. but the words choked on your throat. All you could do was hide your face behind your arm and cry an ugly cry.

Dominic’s face changed. Somehow.. a glimpse of annoyance flashed his face as he quickly looked away. But he understands. He exhaled as he could feel the pain radiating from you, and in some way.. his emotions mixed with yours. His irritation softened into something else as he watched you fall apart in front of him.

He didn’t say anything, didn’t try to offer hollow words of comfort. Instead.. he wrapped his arms around you, cradling you up, pulling you close as you cried against him. “Shush.. shush—it’s okay, it’s okay—” he murmured in the quietest voice, his hand gently stroking your hair as he held you. He rested his chin on top of your head, feeling you shake in his arms.

For the first time in a long time, Dominic wasn’t thinking about himself, about what he wanted. All he could think about was how much you’re hurting, and how he wished he could take that pain away. He held you tighter, letting you cry, because at that moment, he knew exactly how you felt.. as if all he wanted to say was..

I feel you.

You woke up alone.

For a moment, you just stared at the ceiling, disoriented, mind blank. When slowly.. everything started to come rushing back—last night.

Your eyes widened, and you spun around in the bed, groaning loudly, "Ugh—Goddammit!" Struggling, you threw the blanket off, glancing down to see that you were only in your bra and panties, clothes tangled somewhere beneath the sheets. “URGHH!” you screamed, scrambling to collect your scattered clothes, pulling them on as quickly as you could.

Rushing downstairs, you slipped out of the building as discreetly as possible. Your mind was still foggy, blurred by half-formed memories. But mostly, you were desperate to avoid running into anyone—especially—

Forget about it.

You thought to yourself as you hurried down the pavement—when a sharp sound of a car horn made you jump. Startled, you looked around—confused. Where is that coming from? You scanned the area briefly—but seeing no one, you continued walking. When another honk made you jump. Annoyed, you turned around, eyes narrowing.. only to find a glimpse of—

You immediately twirled back! Clutching your phone in your hands while closing your eyes shut. Your pulse spiking as you wished,

Fuck f**k f**k—please no. please tell me I’m hallucinating—

“Turn around, love~”

That cocky-ass voice.

Of course it was him.

You exhaled sharply, rolling your eyes, turning around reluctantly..

And there he was.

Dominic Hunt. Casually leaning against his sleek black BMW, arms crossed over his chest, looking insufferably pleased with himself as that familiar annoying smirk already painted his face. He was standing there, perfectly composed, as if he had been waiting all morning just to torment you.

You exhaled, fighting the urge to throw something at him. Lazily, you walked toward him, feeling like you had no choice. Once you stand there, you struggle to open your mouth. There was something you needed to clarify, though—but your nerves were making you hesitate. However, just as you opened your mouth to ask, Dominic spoke first.

“Nothing happened last night.”

Relief washed over you instantly. You exhaled, feeling the tension in your shoulders ease. But just as a small smile formed on your lips, Dominic just had more audacity to open his mouth—

“If it did you would've remembered anyway.”

Your smile vanished, replaced by a look of sheer exhaustion. Of course he just had to add that. You cringed, feeling the heat rising to your face again. But there was still one more question gnawing at you. "Then why was I—"

"What? Waking up only in your cute—pinky underwear?" Dominic grinned as you stumbled to lean your hand on the nearest tree out of shame. "You said you were too hot. You took them off yourself, Rena."

His voice was dripping with massive amusement, and you could feel the embarrassment flooding your cheeks. You groaned, covering your face with your hands, utterly mortified. Laughing amusedly, Dominic raised his eyebrows suggestively, "Or maybe that was just an excuse to show off that fine body of yours—?"

"Argh! Just—shut up for once!"

You shouted, shaking your body exaggeratedly with annoyance. You rapidly turned to storm off, but before you could, Dominic straightened up and stepped toward you, his tone suddenly shifting.

“We could make this mutual, you know.”

You froze, curiosity sparking inside you as you reluctantly turned back toward him, somehow intrigued. “What.. do you mean?”

Slightly tilting his head while playing with his cigarette lighter, Dominic smirked to remark, “Another bet. I could help you get your revenge.”

Okay. That caught your attention. You can feel your revengeful nature dancing in delight—but you faked it with raised eyebrows. With arms crossed defensively, you challenged, “And how would you help me do it exactly?”

“Just the cliche. Make him jealous and—” he smirked, Dominic’s eyes flicked up and down your body before he shrugged, “give you a little makeover,”

You narrowed your eyes, skeptical—but intrigued. A makeover?

“Wanna make him your b***h again—”

“I don’t want a b***h—”

“—I can help you with that. Be honest with me, when’s the last time you have a boyfriend after him?” And while you were rolling your eyes, ignoring the impudent question, he scoffed.

“What’s in it for you?” you asked, narrowing your eyes, observing his intentions.

Triggered, he exhaled, annoyance seemed to get a hold of him as his eyes flicked to the side. "To get rid of mosquitoes,” he mumbled under his breath, yet funnily audible enough for you to hear.

Your eyebrows furrowed, processing his words. “Mosquitoes?” you paused. Until gradually.. realization slowly dawned on you. “Wait—is this about that Ana girl?!”

Dominic’s eyes widened at your exclamation. “How do you—?!”

“SHE THREATENED ME BACK AT THE BAR! HOLY—”

As you continued your moment of revelation, Dominic’s smirk faltered, rolling his eyes—while his head followed.

“Oh boy, and when you kicked her out?! You hate her, don’t you? It’s one-sided, isn’t it?!” you pressed, suddenly feeling victorious in the discovery.

“Hate is a strong word. I just want her gone,” Dominic replied, his tone dry.

“Well, that’s even darker than I thought,” you muttered, lips curling into an amused smirk.

“Oh stop being so cheeky. Listen—one or two chicks I can handle. But the whole Goddamn family? That’s psycho-level s**t. I’m out.”

Your eyes got even wider as slowly.. things are piecing together. “Wait—so at Halloween—”

“Yes.” Dominic cut you off lazily.

And you couldn’t hold it in. You burst out laughing—harder than you’d laughed in a long time. Dominic scowled at first, clearly irritated by your reaction. But as he watched you double over with laughter.. something shifted in his expression. His irritation faded, and for a brief moment, a small smile tugged at his lips. But he didn’t bring it up. Just letting it be a little secret between yesterday’s poignancy and him.

Still, you looked at him, your laughter fading into hesitation. “But what if you don’t succeed?” you asked, voice filled with doubt.

Dominic paused for a second, his cocky demeanor shifting slightly, though he tried to cover it with his usual confidence. “I’ll quit Emporio,” he professed.

Your jaw dropped. “WHAT?! You’re that confident, huh?”

He shrugged—even though there was an edge to his voice. “If I can’t pull this off and make him jealous, it’s probably because you’re that much of a noob. Then I’ll just make fun of you for the rest of your life,”

You rolled your eyes again, a reaction that had become second nature around him. You hated how he always knew how to push your buttons. “Should’ve been easy though,” but then he continued—

“He still loves you right?”