In Love With Him

Chapter 51

Dominic – POV

The front door creaked open as I eased it shut behind me, careful not to let it click too loud. The house was dark and quiet, save for the low murmur of Bob’s Burgers playing from the living room.

I stepped in, barely making a sound, but then I saw her—curled up on the couch, fast asleep.

Kennedy.

The soft glow of the TV illuminated her face just enough for me to see the way her lashes rested against her cheeks. Her lips were parted slightly, her chest rising and falling in a slow, steady rhythm. She looked… peaceful. Serene in a way I didn’t think she could be anymore. Not after everything she’d been through.

I dropped to one knee beside the couch, just watching her sleep like a complete creep, but I couldn’t help it.

God, she was beautiful.

It wasn’t just her face. It was the way her brows stayed relaxed in sleep, the way her body curled inward like she felt safe here. With me. The idea that I could be the reason for that…

My chest ached.

I knew this was wrong. I knew. She’s my stepsister. I shouldn’t feel like this. I shouldn’t want her like this.

But I did.

And the f****d-up part? Even if I could turn it off, I wouldn’t. I didn’t want to.

Because somewhere along the line, between the teasing and the late nights watching Euphoria, between carrying her when she was too weak to walk and brushing her damn hair in the mornings… I’d fallen in love with her.

Deeply. Desperately. Irreversibly.

My hand moved before I could stop it. I reached out and gently ran my fingers through her hair, slow and careful, savoring the softness. Her scent was still there—vanilla and something warm and sweet that drove me insane.

I wanted to kiss her.

Not just because she looked like a dream right now, but because I needed to. I needed to taste her again. To feel the electricity of her lips against mine. To make sure that night—the first kiss—wasn’t just a drunken illusion.

But then she stirred.

Her eyes fluttered open, groggy and unfocused at first, until they landed on me.

A sleepy smile curved on her lips.

“You’re home,” she mumbled, her voice raspy from sleep.

My heart clenched. I smiled back, brushing a knuckle across her cheek.

“I’m home, princess,” I whispered. “Come on. Let’s get you to bed.”

She nodded slowly, too tired to argue. I helped her sit up, her movements sluggish. She leaned into me as I wrapped an arm around her and gently helped her up the stairs. Her body molded to mine like it belonged there.

Like she belonged with me.

Once we made it to her room, I helped her into bed and pulled the covers over her. She was already out by the time her head hit the pillow.

I stood there for a second, just watching her again. Memorizing her face.

Then I leaned down.

My lips brushed her forehead in the softest kiss I could manage, lingering for half a second longer than I should have.

“Goodnight, my princess,” I whispered.

Then I turned and walked out before I did something I couldn’t take back.

---

Kennedy – POV

Thanksgiving was over, and things slowly fell back into rhythm.

Kyle and Morgan left the morning after, but not before Kyle pulled Dominic aside to apologize for dinner. I couldn’t hear what he said, but I watched from the hallway as Dominic just gave a small nod before pulling his brother into a hug. A real one—not forced or awkward. It was short-lived, but I could tell it meant something.

Kyle promised they’d be back for Christmas and planned to stay longer for the wedding. I liked Morgan. She was grounded and calm—she brought out a softness in Kyle that surprised me.

And now, Monday. First day back to school after break.

Amber was back in full swing, making up for lost time by throwing dagger stares at me anytime I breathed in her direction.

But whatever. She didn’t matter.

I was standing at my locker, when I heard a familiar voice.

“Hey.”

I turned my head and saw Liam standing a few lockers down. His hands were tucked in his hoodie pockets, smile tilted just slightly to the side like he was nervous.

“Hey,” I replied softly.

“How was your break?” he asked, stepping a little closer.

I hesitated, my brain stalling for a second before I managed to say, “It was… okay.”

He smiled. “Good. I, um… I was wondering…”

He looked down, his nerves showing through, then met my gaze again.

“I was wondering if you’d like to… catch a movie sometime?”

I blinked.

Did he just ask me on a date?

My pulse did a weird flutter. I panicked—why, I don’t know. Maybe because I wasn’t expecting it. Maybe because my brain was still fogged with Dominic and things I didn’t want to admit.

Still, I heard myself say, “Sure?”

Liam exhaled a small breath of relief and grinned. “Great. I’ll pick you up Friday night at 7.”

I nodded, silent.

He smiled again, then turned and walked away down the hall.

I stood there like a frozen Sims character until I heard two loud voices barreling down the corridor toward me.

“KENNEDY!”

I flinched, slamming my locker shut right as Marty and Finn threw themselves against me like golden retrievers on espresso.

“OW!” I groaned, clutching my stomach. “Easy! Still healing, you heathens!”

They both stepped back, panting, trying to speak over each other.

“Sorry! Sorry! But—”

“—you won’t believe—”

“—seriously guess what the play is this year!”

I narrowed my eyes, recovering from their full-body tackle. “I dunno. Willy Wonka?”

They both gave exaggerated groans of disappointment, then beamed at me in unison.

“SWEENEY TODD!!!” they shrieked like children on Christmas morning.

My jaw dropped. “No f*****g way. Are you serious?!”

They nodded vigorously. “We just saw the announcement posted outside the theater office. It’s confirmed. Sign-ups are today.”

“I’m going now,” Finn said, already bouncing in place. “I’m going for Anthony.”

“And I’m obviously going for head of costume and makeup,” Marty added with a flip of his scarf. “Duh.”

They both looked at me expectantly. “What about you?”

I didn’t even hesitate. “Mrs. Lovett. Obviously.”

Marty squealed like a tea kettle. “YASSS, that’s what I was hoping you’d say!”

The three of us took off down the hallway like we were on a mission. When we got to the theater office, there was already a small line of students signing their names and grabbing audition packets.

I scribbled my name next to the role of Mrs. Lovett and took the thick audition script that was handed to me.

As I flipped through the pages, the rush of excitement hit me hard. I’d been dying to get back on stage, and this? This was the comeback I needed.

Still, in the back of my mind, I kept hearing Dominic’s voice from last night.

“I’m home, princess.”

And worse… remembering the feel of his fingers brushing the hem of my dress, his breath on my skin, the hunger in his eyes before we were interrupted.

I shoved the thought down deep, forcing myself to focus on the script.

Friday was coming.

So was Liam.

But so was whatever the hell this was with Dominic.

And that was way more terrifying than any audition.