"Everything is beautiful when you look at it with love."
Willa
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The first thing I register is warmth. A solid, steady warmth pressed against my back. The second thing is the scentâclean, familiar, and a little smoky, like cigarettes and leather. My pillow doesn't smell like that.
Then the third thing hits me.
There is someone in my bed.
I jolt up so fast I nearly fling myself off the mattress. Before I can, a strong arm hooks around my waist and tugs me back against something solidâno, not something. Someone.
"Relax, Butterfly," comes a low, amused murmur against my hair.
My heart is a jackhammer against my ribs as I twist around, blinking against the dim glow of the streetlights slipping through my curtains.
Dominic.
Lying in my bed. In my bed.
His head is propped on one arm, the other lazily resting on my stomach. He's shirtless, because of course he is, and his dark hair is mussed like he's been here for a while. His gaze is heavy-lidded, deep and unreadable, like he's been watching me sleep.
I open my mouth, but all that comes out is a bewildered, strangled noise. "Whâ"
He smirks. "Good morning."
"It's not morning!" I whisper-hiss, shoving at his chest, which, unfairly, does absolutely nothing. "What the hell are you doing here?"
His smirk fades into something softer, quieter. "Couldn't sleep."
I hesitate. The way he says it, the way his fingers press ever so slightly into my side, makes my chest ache.
"And naturally, you broke into my house?" I deadpan.
"Your window was open."
I groan and rub a hand down my face. "I'm going to start locking it."
"No, you won't." His voice is low, sure.
And damn it, he's right.
I flop back against my pillow, exhaling sharply. "I hate you."
"No, you don't."
Unfortunately, also correct.
There's a beat of silence before Dominic lets out a thoughtful hum. "I gotta say, baby, I expected more from your sleepwear."
I blink at him. "Excuse me?"
His lips twitch like he's trying not to laugh. "You sleep in little cartoon cats?"
I glance down at my pajama shirt, the one with tiny sleeping kittens on it, and scowl. "Shut up."
"I mean, I figured you for the sexy lingerie type," he continues, clearly enjoying himself now. "Something silky. Maybe lace. Insteadâ" He tugs lightly at my sleeve. "Kittens."
I yank my arm out of his hold. "I will suffocate you in your sleep."
He smirks, shifting onto his back, arms folded behind his head. "Admit it. You knew I'd break in one day and wanted to test me."
"Oh, yeah," I say dryly. "I plan my entire wardrobe around potential intrusions."
Dom turns his head to look at me, his smirk softening. "You should. I'm not the only one who'd climb through your window."
Something about the way he says it, low and almost possessive, makes my stomach tighten. I roll onto my side, propping myself up on my elbow, watching him.
"You know," I say, aiming for casual, "most people send a text when they want to talk. Or, you know, knock."
His gaze flickers, and something passes over his face. "Didn't wanna risk you telling me to leave."
I press my lips together. Because I probably would have. Not because I want him to goâI never doâbut because this...whatever this is between us, is confusing and messy and hurts in ways I don't always know how to handle.
"You really couldn't sleep?" I ask after a moment.
Dom shakes his head, staring up at my ceiling. "Not since coming back here."
I reach for his neck with hesitant fingers, his skin radiating heat as I gently tug, urging him to look at me. "Why?"
He doesn't answer right away. Then, quietly, "Too many memories."
I exhale, my chest tightening. I don't push. I just lie there, watching him, letting the silence stretch.
Eventually, I shift closer, until our noses are nearly touching. "Is everything gonna be okay?"
Dom's eyes flick to mine, holding. The air between us is heavy, charged. Then his hand lifts, brushing my hair from my face, fingers skimming over my cheek with a gentleness that makes my throat burn.
"For you?" His voice is low, rough. "I'll make everything okay."
Something shatters inside me.
I don't say anything. I just slide closer, pressing my forehead against his. His breath stirs against my lips, his hand still on my face, his thumb brushing absently against my cheekbone.
"Go to sleep, butterfly," he murmurs.
I'm warm. Safe. Sleepy. I close my eyes.
Just as I'm slipping into unconsciousness, his voice reaches me again, so quiet I almost think I dream it.
"I love you, butterfly."
I don't know if I respond. I don't know if I even fully register it.
I fall asleep without feeling alone.
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GUYS THIS IS THE SHORTEST CHAPTER I'VE WRITTEN AND IM SORRY BUT I COULDN'T MERGE IT WITH ANOTHER CHAPTER SO IT HAD TO GO ALONEððð
I will make it up to u guys in the next 4 chaptersððð