In Love With Him

Chapter 24

Dominic's POV

I needed to get her off my mind.

Everywhere I turned in this damn house, I saw her—her books on the table, her shoes by the door, her perfume lingering in the hallway. Kennedy was everywhere, wrapped around my thoughts like barbed wire I couldn't untangle.

It was Friday. Clubs were open late. I figured maybe a few drinks, a few distractions, some noise—anything to drown her out. I stepped into the shower, let the hot water beat down on me like it could wash her off my skin. I closed my eyes, pressed my forehead to the tile, and tried to think of anything else. Anyone else.

I was halfway through rinsing my hair when I heard the bathroom door open.

I paused.

Through the fogged-up glass, I saw a silhouette—slim waist, curves, hair up in a messy bun. I wiped the glass with my palm, squinting through the steam.

It was her.

Kennedy.

She was standing at the sink, doing her makeup. Tight black crop top, a short skirt hugging her hips, and fishnet stockings climbing up her legs. She looked like sin wrapped in innocence.

My jaw clenched.

Who the hell was she getting dressed up for?

"Where are you going dressed like that?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

She jumped, smearing lipstick across her cheek. "f**k, Dom, you scared me."

I turned off the shower, grabbing my towel wrapping it around my waist and stepped out of the shower.

She hurried to clean the red streak off her face, fixing her makeup while I stood there, towel still around my waist, water dripping from my chest. Her eyes flicked to me in the mirror and lingered just a second too long before she looked away.

"Football game tonight," she said, trying to sound nonchalant.

I snorted. "You like sports now?"

She hesitated, glancing at me in the mirror again. I noticed the blush blooming under her makeup. "Not really."

I stepped a little closer, ignoring the voice in my head telling me to back off. "Then why go?"

She capped her lipstick and rubbed her lips together. That tiny motion sent a jolt through me.

"Liam asked me to."

The name hit me like a punch to the gut.

Seriously?

I stepped closer before I could stop myself. "That tool? Really?"

She turned to face me, and her scent hit me full force—coconut and vanilla, warm and sweet. I hated that I knew it so well now. Hated how much I liked it.

"What’s your problem?" she asked, voice sharp. "You don’t even know him."

"I know guys like him," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "He’s never noticed you before. Never gave you the time of day until he saw you at that bonfire. Dressed—"

I stopped myself, jaw tightening.

Her eyes narrowed. "Dressed how, Dominic?"

I was already in the hole, might as well dig deeper. I pointed at her outfit. "Like that. You’re showing a lot of skin, Kennedy. It's not you and it gives guys the wrong idea."

Her face went stone cold.

"Go f**k yourself, Dominic."

She shoved past me and slammed her bedroom door so hard the walls shook.

I stood there, alone in the steam-filled bathroom, feeling like the biggest asshole on the planet.

And the worst part?

I still wanted her.

Bad.

---

Kennedy’s POV

I couldn’t believe he had the balls to say that to me.

"It's not you, it gives guys the wrong idea."

What the hell did that even mean?

Wrong idea how? Because I wasn’t tan or blonde? Because I wasn’t one of those effortlessly sexy girls who looked like they belonged on the arm of some jock or in a Maxim magazine? Because I was me—quiet, sarcastic, the “good girl”?

I stared at myself in the mirror, my pulse pounding in my ears. I knew I wasn’t like those girls. I never pretended to be. But hearing it come out of Dominic’s mouth, his mouth, for some reason stung more than I wanted to admit.

I never used to care what people thought about me, especially how I dressed. But now... now I cared what he thought. And I hated that.

I huffed out a breath and yanked off my clothes. I swapped it for a pair of black denim shorts and pulled a form-fitting black t-shirt over my head. I kept the fishnets on underneath—just out of spite. My makeup stayed too. Screw him.

I looked at myself in the mirror again and drew in a slow breath.

Fine. This was me.

I grabbed my phone and headed downstairs.

The boys were all in the kitchen. Max was animatedly talking to our dad about something, waving his arms around with a juice box in hand. Dominic stood by the fridge, drinking water out of a glass. He looked up as I came down, his eyes flicking over me—taking in the shorts, the shirt, the fishnets.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught it: his expression changed. Just for a second.

He looked… guilty. Maybe a little relieved. Like he noticed I’d changed and was glad I had, even if he didn’t say it.

I didn’t meet his eyes.

Dad turned and smiled when he saw me. “You look cute, sweetie. You ready to go?”

I forced a smile and nodded. “Yup.”

I headed toward the door, clutching my phone, just wanting to get out of there, when Dad’s phone started ringing. He answered immediately.

His face fell a little as he listened. “Okay. I’ll be right there.” He hung up and looked at me with an apologetic smile. “Sorry, sweetheart. I can’t drop you off—my client got himself arrested again. I need to get to the station.”

Of course he did.

I opened my mouth to say it was fine, I’d just skip the game—when he turned to Dominic.

“Dom, can you drop her off? You said you were heading out anyway, right?”

My stomach sank.

Dominic nodded, not even hesitating. “Yeah, I can take her.”

“Thanks, kid.” Dad kissed my cheek and was out the door before I could say anything.

I stood there for a second, clutching my phone, every nerve in my body buzzing. I could feel Dominic’s eyes on me but I didn’t look at him.

Instead, I took a deep breath, the kind that filled my lungs with frustration and nerves, and tried to keep it together.

Tonight was supposed to be fun. Supposed to be simple.

Now I was stuck in a car alone with him.

Perfect.

The car ride was… quiet. Uncomfortably quiet. I didn’t say a word. Didn’t even look at him. I just stared out the window, arms crossed, trying to ignore the tension that settled like thick smoke between us.

I could feel his glances, like heat against my skin. I was waiting—daring—him to crack first.

He did.

Dominic let out a heavy breath and muttered, “I’m sorry.”

I didn’t answer right away. I glanced at him from the corner of my eye. His jaw was tight, flexing hard as he gripped the steering wheel. Whatever was going on inside his head, it wasn’t calm.

“I just…” he started, eyes still on the road, “I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

I furrowed my brow, confused and… a little frustrated. I shifted slightly in my seat and turned toward him. “Why do you care so much about what happens to me?”

He hesitated. Just for a second. But I caught it.

“Because I am…” his voice faltered again, softer this time. “…your stepbrother. It’s my job now.”

My heart thumped once, loud and sudden. That pause… That wasn’t what he was originally going to say. I felt it.

I relaxed my shoulders slightly, keeping my voice even. “I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time, Dominic. I’m perfectly capable of doing it.”

He didn’t respond right away. Then he turned slightly in his seat, one hand still on the wheel, the other moving—hesitantly—toward me. His fingers brushed against my bare thigh, and then rested there.

“You shouldn’t have to,” he said quietly.

My breath caught.

I should have pushed his hand away. Or said something. Moved. Anything.

But I didn’t.

I froze.

And let his hand stay.

The warmth of his palm. The quiet pressure of his fingers. It felt dangerous and safe at the same time—and I didn’t know what to do with that.

Neither of us said another word the rest of the drive.

We pulled up to the school parking lot where clusters of students crowded around the entrance and field. Bright stadium lights lit the sky. I spotted Marty and Finn by the bleachers, waving excitedly when they saw me. Dominic noticed them too—his shoulders relaxed a little. At least he knew I wasn’t alone.

He took a breath and gave my thigh a gentle squeeze. “Just be smart, Ken.”

My name on his lips did something to me I wasn’t prepared for.

I bit my lip and nodded, not trusting my voice to say anything. If I opened my mouth, I was afraid the words wouldn’t come out right… or at all.

Reluctantly, he pulled his hand away, fingers lingering just a second too long.

I opened the door and stepped out, the warm night air brushing my skin. I started walking toward my friends but glanced back over my shoulder.

Dominic was still watching me from the car.

He gave me a small, crooked half-smile.

I swallowed hard… then turned away.

And didn’t look back.