Nerves tickle my belly with both fright and excitement as Dash and I drive down the familiar streets of his hometown and my heartbreak. The city feels like it hasn’t changed at all. Except, I’m not that naïve eighteen-year-old girl anymore.
Déjà vu slams into my psyche as the car passes through the same street where Rosa and I shared an apartment. The sun rises, blinking at me from above as I gaze out the window. Never in a million years had I thought I’d be returning to this place with bittersweet memories. In fact, I had vowed to myself I would never come back.
But if I truly want to let go of the hold of my past, I need to face my fears. With Dash and his comforting presence beside me, I am confident I will. It’s like he said… Time to turn those awful memories into pleasant ones.
“Do you still own your house?” I ask Dash, who has my hand on his lap.
The fear of running into Niall is a constant and crushing weight on my chest. Once I left, I never found the courage to confront him and neither did he try to win me back or apologize. Of course, the urge to call him arose when the intimate memories became too much, but Rosa was always there to talk me out of it.
Dash continues to rub circles with his thumb as he meets my gaze and answers, “No. I sold it. Even if I had, I would have never taken you back there.”
His thoughtfulness brings a smile to my lips and a swarm of butterflies. “Where are we staying then?”
“My apartment. We’re almost there.”
“I know we haven’t discussed this but what will happen between us when you have to move back?” I ask, trying to feign nonchalance. Even though I’m desperate and holding my breath to hear his answer. The funny thing is my biggest fear has been getting cheated on and yet, I’ve never once doubted Dash’s devotion. Despite his playboy reputation. Strangely enough, he’s always made me feel as though I’m the only girl in the world. “Your whole life is here and mine is back home.”
“I go where you go, kitten.”
My heart soars and beats faster as though he hung the moon. “But what about your company here?”
“I’ve already talked to Kian and we’ll be promoting someone to run the branch here while I relocate to the new branch.”
“When?” I gasp, shocked.
“The day we got married.”
“That was presumptuous,” I tease. However, my blushing cheeks betray my true feelings. “You didn’t even know if I liked you.”
“We’re inevitable, kitten. I would’ve waited as long as it took.”
“Does this mean we won’t divorce like we planned once Arya is married?”
I squeal when in a flash, he yanks me until I’m straddling his lap. His rough and large hands grab my ass and he spanks me once, right where the driver can see through the rearview mirror.
“Dash!” I whisper-hiss, turning crimson red.
“Say anything about leaving me again and I’ll do more than spank your ass,” he growls. One hand travels up my spine and tangles in my hair. I bite my lip to swallow the moan elicited by his raw display of dominance. “You sealed your fate to mine once you signed those papers. Whatever our future holds, we’ll make it work. I’m never spending another second, let alone a minute, without you again, wifey.”
Using his grip, he crushes my mouth against his and kisses me roughly. I forget about our audience and moan against his lips, seeking friction against my aching clit as I grind my hips against the fly of his jeans.
I swear he wore casual clothes today on purpose. I just know he wants to drive me crazy and feel aroused throughout our whole flight. When I saw him dressed in a dark green tee with denim jeans, I was brought back to the past. His knowing smirk told me he knew where my mind went.
I’m in a daze when he rips his mouth away and I chase his lips, wanton for his taste. He’s fighting the same battle and it takes me a second to realize we’ve arrived at his place. The driver is no longer in the front seat and groaning, I hide my face in Dash’s shaking chest.
“I’ll have to add ‘new driver’ to my list now.” He growls in my hair.
“What? No. Stop firing people on my behalf.”
“He knows the sound of your moans, kitten. If I see him again, finding a new job will be the least of his worries.”
I freeze at the possessiveness in his tone and notice something dark reflecting in his eyes. Shaking my head, I lightly tease him to dissolve the savage look he’s wearing. “Or maybe next time, don’t spank me.”
“We’ll take the limos instead.”
My jaw drops at his idea and before I can sass him, he slides out of the car and takes me with him. Gently dropping my feet to the ground, he takes my hand and guides us toward the tall building. It is way more stunning than the one we live in back home.
The doorman greets Dash formally before giving me a small smile. As we walk down the lobby toward the elevator, I casually ask, “Which floor is yours?”
“All of them.”
I almost stumble at his smooth answer and whip my head to his. “All?”
“I only reside in this building and own it completely.”
He’s not joking. “What do you need the whole damn building for?”
“My cars.”
I’m afraid to ask how many he has and shut my mouth as we climb up the stairs to the penthouse. I understand now why he bought my building, too, but I’m unable to comprehend why he gave up this gorgeous one to live in mine. Even the inside of the elevator is high tech and luxurious. I can’t imagine what the rest of the floors look like.
“I’ll give you a tour later,” he softly informs me and I smile.
The elevator opens straight into the hallway, lit with bright lights and white tiles. The walls have abstract paintings adorning on each side. A myriad of dark and intricate colors that match the personality of the man who owns it.
Dash is quiet but I can sense his intense gaze observing me as I glance around his home—his sanctuary. It is sleek and modern. The walls in the living room are painted off-white and furnished beautifully. The rich black rug, a stark contrast. Like it was pulled out of a magazine.
Yet for all its lavishness and grand architecture, it still lacks the homely feel. The one that blossoms into your chest when you enter. The feeling of belonging.
“You have a beautiful place, Dash,” I compliment, turning to him.
He stands, leaning against the island in the open kitchen with his arms crossed. His lips tilt to the side in amusement and he says, “You hate the place, kitten. I can read you like a book.”
I glance away sheepishly and he chuckles.
“I’m not offended. Money can buy everything, but not a family.” His tone is dry and emotionless. “My home is proof of that.”
Crossing the distance, I rest my hands on his broad shoulders while his circle around my waist. “You have me.”
As my words linger between us, his gaze softens and I feel his heartbeat race against my chest. He looks at me like I gave him the world while the sharp angles of his handsome face almost become boyish. Without wasting a second, he lifts me into his arms and carries me toward another hallway.
Ripping the front of my summer dress, he grunts, “I’m going to fuck you on every surface of this place until it’s your scent I’m breathing in, in every room I walk into.”
