In Love With Him

Chapter 35

Kennedy’s POV

I stirred slightly, not really sure when I fell asleep. My mind was groggy, my limbs heavy, my body sore—but not nearly as sore as before. For a second, I stayed still, floating somewhere between awake and dreaming.

Something warm pressed against my side. Firm, yet soft. It radiated heat and smelled like sandalwood and something undeniably masculine—something familiar… soothing. Comforting in a way that settled deep in my bones and made the ache in my stomach dull.

Instinctively, I shifted closer to it. I didn’t fully realize until I moved, that warmth moved too—tightening gently around me, pulling me just slightly closer.

It wasn’t something.

It was someone.

My eyes fluttered open slowly, only halfway. The first thing I saw was the fabric of a black T-shirt stretched over a broad, muscular chest. His chest rose and fell in an easy, slow rhythm. I lifted my gaze, careful not to move too much, and there he was.

Dominic.

Sleeping next to me.

One arm was tucked behind his head, his face turned slightly toward me like he fell asleep watching me. His jaw was relaxed, his lashes long and dark against his cheeks. The other arm was wrapped around me, protective and steady—as if he thought I’d fall apart if he let go.

I blinked, a little disoriented but also… surprised.

I didn’t expect him to stay. Not after I fell asleep. I thought he’d quietly leave the room, give me space. Maybe go play video games with Max or scroll on his phone or something else to distract himself.

But he stayed.

He stayed.

And not just near me… with me. Beside me. Holding me.

I glanced down and noticed I was tucked beneath the covers, warm and secure. But he wasn’t. He lay on top of the blanket, his body separated from mine only by a thin cotton sheet. A line of respect I hadn’t asked for but deeply appreciated.

My chest swelled with something… something I wasn’t quite ready to name.

Instead, I gently, carefully, nestled my head a little closer to his chest, letting my cheek rest fully against him. The sound of his heartbeat was steady, soothing. The kind of sound that made you feel like everything in the world might be okay, just for a little while.

My eyelids grew heavy again, the pain fading into the background like a distant memory. Wrapped in the warmth of his scent, the sound of his heartbeat, and the weight of his arm around me…

I fell back asleep with a smile on my face.

---

Dominic’s POV

I stirred slightly, my mind still hazy from sleep. The faintest shift in weight drew my attention, and that’s when I realized Kennedy had moved. Her head, which had been tucked under my arm earlier, was now resting more fully on my chest—right over my heart. The warmth of her body seeped through the thin sheet separating us, making every nerve in my skin light up like it had been electrified.

I didn’t remember falling asleep. One minute I was sitting beside her, holding her, watching her sleep… and the next I’d slipped under, her steady breathing lulling me down into the kind of peaceful rest I hadn't felt in years.

But that peace was shattered the second her bedroom door creaked open.

My eyes snapped to the doorway, heart already in my throat.

Paul walked in first, holding a grocery bag in each hand, and he stopped dead in his tracks. His face twitched—just for a second—but it was enough for me to catch the flicker of sheer dad panic. I couldn’t blame him. If I were him and walked in to find someone in bed with my daughter… yeah, I’d be ready to throw hands too.

But before Paul could open his mouth, my mom walked in behind him—and her reaction couldn’t have been more different. She placed a hand over her chest and sighed with this tender, sappy expression on her face.

“Aww,” she breathed. “Isn’t that sweet?”

Paul's jaw clenched tighter than a vice. He was clearly trying to rein himself in, likely for Kennedy’s sake. His voice was calm, but I could hear the strain in it when he finally asked, “Dom… why exactly are you in bed with my daughter?”

I cleared my throat, keeping my voice low so I didn’t wake her.

“The doctor said someone should keep an eye on her for the next 48 hours… closely,” I explained. “And she asked me to stay. I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”

Technically all true. Just… maybe not the full picture.

Paul’s jaw ticked again. I braced myself, already expecting the verbal chewing-out—or worse. But before he could say anything else, my mom clapped her hands together.

“What a wonderful big brother,” she said brightly. “I’m so proud of you, Dom. Taking such good care of her.” Then she turned to Paul. “Come on, let’s get the groceries put away. We’ll start dinner. Dom, bring her downstairs in about a half hour—I picked up something special just for her.”

She didn’t wait for Paul to argue.

With a hand firmly on his back, she ushered him out of the room. Paul glanced back at me over his shoulder, eyes narrowed like he was trying to burn a hole through me with just his stare. I didn’t move. I didn’t breathe. I just held his gaze until he was out of sight.

The second they were gone, I let out the breath I hadn’t even realized I was holding.

My heart was still thundering in my chest. Paul definitely looked like he wanted to punch me straight through the floor. I wouldn’t blame him. If the roles were reversed, I’d do the same.

I sat up slightly and looked down at Kennedy.

She hadn’t stirred once during the whole encounter.

Her features were soft and peaceful—eyes closed, lashes brushing against the curve of her cheek. A faint flush colored her skin again, but this time it wasn’t from fever. Her breathing was steady, lips parted just slightly.

I couldn’t stop looking at her.

I couldn’t believe how close I’d come to losing her. How easily I could’ve never gotten another moment like this again.

Her hand was still loosely curled over my stomach, even in sleep. Like even unconscious, some part of her still wanted to stay close.

God help me… I never wanted to move.

But as much as I didn’t want to move—her warmth still lingering on my skin, her breath still brushing against my chest—I had to piss.

I carefully eased myself out from under Kennedy, moving slow like I was trying not to set off a tripwire. She didn’t stir. I tucked the blanket around her, letting my fingers gently brush against her arm before I quietly slipped into the bathroom.

After washing up, I figured I’d grab us both some water. She was probably going to be thirsty when she woke up, and my throat was dry as hell. I moved down the hallway, then padded toward the stairs, but paused at the top.

Voices floated up from the kitchen.

I recognized them immediately—Mom and Paul.

I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop, but the tone in Paul’s voice made me stop. Something about it made the hairs on the back of my neck rise.

“I’m just saying… it’s weird.”

Weird?

Mom’s voice cut in, sharp and unimpressed.

“Weird how? That he’s taking care of her like a brother should? Would it be weird if Max did it instead?”

There was a beat of silence.

Then Paul sighed.

“That’s different, they’re… blood-related. Dominic’s not. It’s just—”

Another pause. “I don’t know. You don’t think Dominic would try to… do something, would you?”

My breath caught in my throat.

It felt like someone had punched me in the gut.

Even if Paul was just being protective, it still stung. Would I try something? I mean I did kiss her when I was drunk, but if she pushed me away I would have stopped.

Mom didn’t hesitate. Her voice was steady, fierce, and filled with that quiet kind of fire I knew all too well.

“Dominic may have a few of his father’s traits—his looks, his sarcasm, his temper. But thankfully, he doesn’t hurt people like his father did. I made damn sure of that. I raised him to respect people, especially women. He may be a little rough around the edges, but he’s a good man.”

There was another stretch of silence.

Then Paul spoke again—his voice softer this time.

“I’m sorry, Helen. I didn’t mean it that way. I know Dominic’s a good kid. I guess I’m just being protective. I’m so used to Kennedy taking care of everyone else for so long… I forgot she’s still a kid herself. And she needs someone to take care of her too. I’m grateful Dominic stepped up, that he’s looking out for her like a big brother would.”

I swallowed hard, something tight building in my chest.

Big brother.

That’s what everyone kept calling me. That’s the box I was supposed to fit in. It was safe. Comfortable. Easy.

But the truth was… I didn’t feel like her big brother. Not even a little.

I didn’t want to feel that way.

Everything about Kennedy pulled me in—her laugh, her stubbornness, the way she tried to hold in her pain when she was clearly breaking. She was brave and messy and real… and I wanted her in ways that had nothing to do with sibling roles.

And that kiss?

God, that kiss ruined me.

Even drunk out of my mind, I’d felt everything. Her lips on mine. The way she let me in. The way her body melted against mine like we were made for each other.

That wasn’t some brotherly instinct.

It was something deeper.

Something dangerous.

I wasn’t proud of how I felt. Especially not after hearing Paul’s words. I’d never cross a line—not unless I knew she felt the same way, if she told me no and to stop, I would as much as it would pain me. And even then… how could I ever explain that to the people who trusted me to protect her?

I ran a hand down my face, the weight of it all pressing into my chest.

I couldn’t be what they thought I was.

But I also couldn’t stop feeling what I felt.

Kennedy wasn’t just a girl I was looking after.

She was becoming the one thing I couldn’t live without.