Chapter 40 Forty
The first light of morning filtered through the large windows, spilling across the marble floors and plush furniture of Dominic’s mansion. The house was quiet, except for the faint hum of the air conditioner and the occasional chirp of birds outside.
Izzy stirred under the soft covers, wrapped in the robe she had worn the night before. For a moment, she didn’t move, just listening to the peaceful sounds of the house. Dominic’s side of the bed was empty, but she could feel the warmth of where he had been.
She got up carefully, trying not to wake him, and walked to the large kitchen.
The sunlight made everything look almost unreal.… polished countertops, sleek appliances, a small breakfast setup already arranged: fresh fruit, croissants, and steaming mugs of coffee.
“Good morning pumpkin.”
Izzy turned and saw Dominic leaning against the counter, arms crossed, shirt neatly pressed, hair slightly messy from sleep.
His usual coldness was there, but softer somehow... a look reserved only for private moments like this.
“Good morning,” she replied, voice a little shy.
He pushed off the counter and came closer, standing a few feet away. “Sleep well?” he asked, tilting his head.
“I… did,” she said honestly. “Better than I expected.”
He gave a small, approving smile. “Good. That’s all I wanted... for you to be comfortable.”
Izzy poured herself a cup of coffee, trying to act casual, even though her heart was still racing from last night and the early hours of the morning.
She took a sip, letting the warmth spread through her.
“I have to ask,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady. “About last night… are we really doing this?”
Dominic leaned against the counter, his hands resting on the marble. “Doing what?”
“A… a sexual arrangement,” she said, meeting his eyes. “Are we just… that? Or… I don’t know…”
He studied her carefully, his expression unreadable for a moment. Then he stepped closer. “Izzy… we agreed to be honest about what we want. And I told you… I can’t give you what you want, not right now.
But what I can give, I’ll give fully. And I don’t want you to be confused about it.”
She felt a lump in her throat. “And if I… start feeling something more?”
His hand reached out, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. “Then we deal with it. But tonight, this morning... right now … I want you to feel safe, wanted, and enjoy the moment. Nothing else matters right now.”
Izzy nodded, letting herself relax slightly. His words were grounding, and his presence... calm, attentive, made her feel like the world had slowed just for them.
They sat down at the breakfast table, each with their coffee. Dominic poured her a little orange juice. “You should eat,” he said simply. “I know you skip breakfast sometimes.”
She smiled faintly. “You’re really bossy outside the office too.”
“I can be,” he admitted, a faint grin tugging at his lips. “But only when it matters.”
Breakfast was quiet at first, comfortable. They talked about mundane things... the layout of the mansion, the view from the balcony, a little about the staff. Each topic was light, but it allowed them to exist in the same space without pressure.
“Do you normally live like this?” Izzy asked, gesturing at the expansive kitchen and large living area.
Dominic laughed softly. “Not really. Most of the time I’m in the office or traveling. This house… It’s for when I actually want to stay out of sight. Rarely happens.”
Izzy took another sip of her coffee, noticing the small lines around his eyes from the smile. She realized she had never seen him like this... calm, approachable, and just normal.
Dominic noticed her stare and raised an eyebrow. “Something on your mind?”
“Just thinking… you’re different here,” she admitted. “Less… intimidating.”
He leaned back slightly. “I try. Don’t get used to it,” he teased lightly, though his eyes softened.
They laughed quietly, the tension from the night before easing into a more natural warmth. For the first time, Izzy felt she could look at him without the nerves that usually knotted her stomach.
After breakfast, Dominic stood and gestured toward the balcony. “Want to see the view?”
Izzy nodded. The morning air was crisp and fresh. Standing side by side, looking out over the rolling hills and sparkling lake below, it felt like time had slowed. She could hear the gentle lapping of water and the distant call of birds.
“I never imagined it would be this peaceful,” she said softly.
Dominic glanced at her, the corners of his lips curling. “Peaceful… but temporary. You know it won’t stay this quiet for long. There's a construction going on.”
Izzy smiled faintly, leaning just slightly toward him. “Then I’ll enjoy it while it lasts.”
He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he rested a hand near hers on the railing... close enough to touch, but not quite.. and for a long moment, they simply watched the view together.
It was quiet. Comfortable. And somehow, exactly what they both needed before the world and work and everything else pulled them back in.
After standing on the balcony for a while, they headed inside.
“Do you always keep it this clean?” Izzy asked, stepping carefully around a polished side table.
Dominic smirked. “I have staff for that. But I like to keep things in order myself sometimes.”
Izzy chuckled. “I can see that. Everything’s… so precise.”
He walked beside her, hands tucked casually in his pockets. “It’s how I work. Predictable, organized. Keeps the chaos out.”
“I’m guessing your office here is like this too?” she asked, peeking toward a study with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves.
“Exactly. And it’s boring, trust me.” He shot her a glance, a spark in his eyes. “But maybe you’d like a tour? I can show you my favorite spots.”
Izzy tilted her head, curious. “Your favorite spots?”
He gestured to a spiral staircase leading up to a loft. “Yep. Not everyone gets to see them. You’re my guest, though… so you do.”
She followed him up the stairs, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. The loft was smaller than the main house but cozy... a reading nook, a small sitting area, and windows that overlooked the lake. Sunlight poured in, making the room glow.
“This is… nice,” Izzy said softly, looking around.
“I like to come here when I want to think. Or when I need peace,” he said. He leaned against the window frame, watching her quietly.
“Do you ever let people in here?” she asked, trying to keep her tone casual.
He shrugged. “Rarely. Only people I trust. I guess that makes you special.”
Her cheeks warmed, and she smiled faintly. “I’ll take it as a compliment.”
He grinned, a little mischievous. “Good.”
They moved through the house slowly, Dominic pointing out little things... a painting he loved, a small library, even a hidden wine cellar.
She asked questions, and he answered, keeping the conversation light but filled with those little teasing glances that made her pulse quicken.
“You really like showing off your house,” Izzy said as they reached the terrace outside.
“Maybe,” he said, leaning against the railing next to her. “Or maybe I just like seeing your reactions.”
Izzy raised an eyebrow, half-smiling. “Reactions to what?”
“Everything,” he said simply. “How you look, how you smile, how you… pay attention.” His voice dropped just slightly, almost a whisper.
She felt heat rise to her cheeks. “I’m just… curious. That’s all.”
Dominic turned to face her, his expression softening. “And I enjoy you being curious.”
They stood there a moment, looking out over the lake again, the sunlight reflecting in the water. The tension was quiet but electric... a pull between them that didn’t need words.
Izzy tried to focus on the view, on the calm morning, but she couldn’t ignore how close he was.
He moved slightly, his hand brushing lightly against hers. She didn’t move away. Instead, she let herself feel the warmth, the closeness.
“You know,” he said quietly, “you don’t have to act like everything’s fine with me.”
“I am fine,” she said softly, though her voice wavered slightly.
He leaned closer, his forehead nearly touching hers. “No. I mean… You don’t have to pretend. I see you, Izzy. All of you. Even when you think I don’t.”
Her breath caught.
Finally, Dominic straightened, giving her a small, teasing smile. “Come on. I’ll show you one more thing before lunch. And maybe… we can finally pick something to do today isn't sex.
Izzy smiled faintly, her chest fluttering. “Alright. I’m curious.”
As they walked back inside, side by side, she felt the unspoken promise of the day ahead.. playful, teasing, intimate in a way words didn’t capture. And for the first time in a long time, she felt like she could just… be with him, without the weight of the office, the distance, or the rules.