Dominic’s hand traced slow circles on Emilia’s thigh, his touch quiet but confident. She shifted in his lap, feeling his body respond beneath her. Their kisses had grown deeper, hungrier, each one leaving her a little more breathless.
He paused, brushing her hair back with careful fingers. His gaze searched her face for any sign of hesitation. In the warm light, his eyes looked darker, more open than she’d seen before.
“Tell me if you want to stop,” he said, voice low. “Or if you need something different.”
Emilia’s answer came easily. “I want more.”
Dominic’s hand slid higher, his palm warm against her bare skin. She let her head fall back as his lips moved from her mouth to her jaw, then lower to her neck. Each kiss was slow, precise. He teased her with gentle bites, his breath tickling her skin.
Her fingers found the buttons on his shirt, unfastening them one by one. She felt the muscles of his chest under her hands, the steady rhythm of his breathing. He pulled her closer, his arm strong around her waist.
He drew back, holding her gaze. “You’re sure?”
She nodded, her voice husky. “I’ve never been more sure.”
Dominic moved with a patience that drove her wild. He guided her to lie back against the sofa, his body half-covering hers, never rushing, never careless. His hands traced the line of her leg, her hip, her waist. She arched into his touch, needing more.
He slipped a hand beneath her dress, fingers skating along the inside of her thigh. Emilia shivered, her breath catching. He watched her, gauging every reaction, reading her body as easily as the words she’d shared with him earlier.
She reached for his belt, her hands unsteady with desire. He caught her wrist, pausing long enough to meet her eyes.
“Go slow,” he murmured.
She nodded, her heart pounding. She let herself enjoying the moment, the anticipation, the way his heat pressed into her. His lips found hers again, deep and unhurried, as if they had all the time in the world.
He whispered her name, the sound of it making her tremble. His hand slid higher, finally finding her. She gasped, her body arching into him, and he smiled against her lips.
“Let me take care of you,” he said, his voice a promise.
Emilia surrendered, her world narrowing to the feeling of his hands, his mouth, the quiet strength of his body. He guided her gently but firmly, never letting her forget that she was safe, that she was wanted.
He drew out every moment, every sound she made, pushing her to the edge and holding her there. When she finally let go, it was with a shudder that left her breathless and flushed.
Dominic held her close, stroking her hair, his voice soothing in her ear. “You’re incredible.”
She smiled, her body still humming with pleasure. “You make it easy.”
They stayed tangled together, not speaking for a while. Emilia felt a new sense of trust settle between them—a certainty that she could give herself to this, to him, without fear.
When she finally looked up, Dominic kissed her forehead. “You’re safe with me. Always.”
She believed him. The night was far from over, and for the first time, she wanted everything it had to offer.