Page 59 of Miss Treated

Her giggle made me smile.

“Stay the night with me?”

She pulled back so she could make eye contact, her head tilting to the side. “I thought I already was?”

“I always want you to feel like you have a choice.”

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Kelsey

Dammit, I didn’t want to cry in front of Dominic again. But he had no idea how much his words meant to me. Or maybe he did, and that was why he’d said them. After being in a relationship where all of my choices had been manipulated, it was a wonderful relief to be asked for a change.

“I’d love to stay the night with you.”

As we each got ready for bed, brushing our teeth together at the double vanity, I couldn’t believe how quickly we’d slipped into a domestic routine. I fought the panic in my chest about us moving too quickly and settled for one burning question.

“It’s nine o’clock on a Friday night. Aren’t you typically out having fun somewhere?”

He rinsed his mouth and chuckled. “No. I’m a homebody, especially after a long week in the office. Just ask Lady. I’ve never been much on late nights in clubs or bars. Not my scene. Why? Are you bored with me already and want to go out?”

He pinned me against the sink, his front to my back, his hands on my hips. Damn, we made an adorable couple in the mirror. “Not at all. My brother owns some nightclubs. He and his girlfriend love the excitement of it. But I’ve always preferred to stay in.”

“Thank God, because you should know something. Dancing and I are not compatible.”

“You asked me to dance at the gala.”

“Yeah, but it was slow dancing where you basically turn in a circle and don’t need rhythm.”

Considering the way the man had performed earlier in bed, I very much doubted his lack of rhythm. My incredulity must have shown on my face.

“Don’t believe me?” He turned to shout into the bedroom, “Alexa, play dance music.”

In half amusement, half shock I watched as he began to dance like, well, like something no words could describe. He was a gyrating, swinging-his-hips, hopping, thrusting, big hot mess.

And I was laughing so hard there were tears leaking out of my eyes. “Alexa, stop,” I finally shouted, unable to take any more. As if I didn’t already know Dominic was a goofball, he had to go and dial it up. “I believe you. You officially can’t dance.”

He did a poor imitation of the robot. “Are you saying my milkshake doesn’t bring the girls to the yard?”

“No, definitely not.” Although if I was being honest, even his horrible dance moves were attractive in the most unexpected, hilarious way.

He suddenly lifted me up and over his shoulder. After striding out to the bedroom, he tossed me gently on the bed. “Guess I’ll have to rely on my other skills, then.”

“Yes, please.”

I was hot. Too hot. Suffocating hot. As if I was an outside spectator, I could see myself in bed with Joel. He refused to let me leave. The more I struggled, the harder it became to move. My bed was like quicksand. I tried to scream, but for some reason I couldn’t access my voice. Didn’t matter. There was no one who could hear me. But I couldn’t give up. I wouldn’t. I fought harder against my quicksand bed, trying anything to escape.

“Kelsey.”

I heard my name in a voice I couldn’t place.

“Kelsey, honey, wake up.”

“What?” My voice was working again. I opened my eyes to see Dominic hovered above me in the moonlight, looking concerned. “I was having a nightmare I guess.” I rubbed my hands over my face, hoping to erase the lingering webs of my dream.

“You started tossing and turning like you were fighting something.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.”