Avery (Shattered Love Duet Book 1) Read online

  He looks away biting the side of his bottom lip, before his eyes return to mine.

  “I live for you.” It’s a hushed whisper but I feel as if he’s shouted at me.

  It kills me seeing him this way. Unsure of my love. He wasn’t given love freely until me, to him love was cruel and unkind. Those who were meant to love him left him in the cold. He never spoke of his past; it’s something he keeps hidden from even me. I’ve seen the scars on his body, some bigger than others. He was a survivor.

  When I look at him, I can’t deny his strength. Nothing with him is ever reckless, it is always thought out, planned... controlled.

  Dominic might be strong, but his heart is still fragile—the same heart he placed in my hands. Giving me something he has never given anyone else - his love - trusting that I would forever hold it safe, and I will.

  “I’m sorry.” I hold his face in my hands, his stubble rubbing against my palms as he leans into my touch, before turning and placing a kiss against there.

  He picks me up as if I weigh nothing, carrying me to our bed. Placing me down, he stares at me. I see, in this very second, his eyes darken and his pupils grow large. His muscles tense as he crawls over me. Nostrils flare and there’s a look on his face like he’s found his prey. My mouth dries at the sight, tongue poking out to wet my lips.

  Staring at me, his gaze flits between mine and my mouth, showing me everything he can’t say, all the words he can’t find are displayed. His lips land on mine and it’s the gentlest of brushes, a ghost of a kiss. Quickly deepening the moment he steals the remainder of my air until I’m left with nothing but him consuming me.

  I might belong to him, but he belongs to me too.

  This doesn’t happen every day, for some people, it never happens...

  It’s our every dream, our every wish, and our greatest masterpiece.

  Dominic Stone is my story, but most importantly my happily ever after...

  I walk into work the next day with a huge smile on my face, thinking of how he made right on his word last night. He spent the whole night proving just how much he loved me. To Dominic, love was shown through sex; using his body to say what he can’t.

  Cecelia's eyebrow rises as I enter. “I’m so jealous,” she starts, “Not only are you married to a man that makes Abercrombie models look like pimply teenagers, but he leaves you smiling like that.”

  I laugh in response. Cecelia was a quiet type of person, always polite and put together. Even down to appearance -- her soft, golden hair never out of place, ice-blue eyes surrounded by the thickest dark lashes I had ever seen (you would swear they were fake) with the pouty, perfect lips to match. Additionally, her skin was just as flawless with only a sparse amount of makeup that looked cover worthy. And still she remained just as beautiful on the inside.

  We had quickly become friends once she started working at the school three years ago.

  I wiggle my brows, bumping her shoulder. “How's Brax?”

  Brax is who everyone thinks Cecelia is dating, even though she completely denies it. She speaks of him constantly, but I have yet to meet him. Supposedly, he lives in her hometown, a small neighborhood just outside of Seattle. I've asked Cecelia to bring him down, and even invited him to our wedding, but she never mentioned it again. Instead, she was the one that made regular weekend trips visit him.

  Her ice-blue eyes light up. “He’s great. We went to the zoo.”

  This is the reason I couldn’t hate Brax, and the reason I know she loves him. Nothing makes her face light up as much as the mention of his name or her description of their lazy weekends together. Baking and lying on the sofa watching movies.

  Although there are signs of this now, there’s something she’s not saying. I know her well enough to suspect when something is up.

  “Hey, is everything okay?”

  She smiles but it's forced, more pageant style and not the one that lights up her face. “Yeah, just hate leaving him… I miss him.” The fake smile drops as she studies the wall like it has all her answers, eyes distant as she gets lost in her own thoughts.

  I couldn’t imagine only seeing Dominic on weekends, even when he was on the midnight shifts, I could never properly fall asleep until I felt that dip in the bed, and his arms circling my waist as he buried his head in my hair.

  Walking to our classrooms, I clasp her arm, stopping her just before she goes in. “If you ever need me--” My sentence is cut short.

  She studies me before nodding, with a timid smile.

  The day drifts in a quick hurry of learning, teaching a multitude of eight-year-olds and trying to keep their attention while making it fun to learn.

  I walk into the staff room not much later, a few hairs askew from my ponytail and a smudge of lipstick in the wrong place. I spot Cecelia. She turns around and I have to bite my lip from bursting out laughing.

  “What happened?” I ask, signaling to the paint splashed all over her.

  “Harry happened.”

  Harry may be one of my favorites, but he’s a mischievous boy. She’s still trying to wipe the paint smudges off her top, but the only thing she accomplishes is spreading it further.

  “You’re not going to get that out using a towel, you’ll have to wash it.”

  Looking down at her multi-colored top, throwing her hands in the air in defeat.

  “I’m supposed to hand my assignment in; I can’t walk into college looking like this!”

  I can’t hold in my laughter anymore and she soon joins in. “Here—take mine. I’m going straight home.”

  Her mouth falls open slightly and her eyes widen. “You’d do that?”

  Voice sounds more vulnerable than normal, her lip trembling, I know how important college is to her and she only has a year left until she graduates.

  “Of course.”

  Instantly her eyes fill with tears and one spills over, trailing down her cheek.

  “Thank you!”

  I shrug. “It’s a T-shirt, no biggy.”

  Cecelia and I walk toward our cars before she wraps me in a hug and then hurries off towards hers.

  The car wheels roll up to the drive, and in front of my our dream house. Dominic is stood beside his trusted friend and work-pal, Carter, his sleeves rolled up and his hands resting on his hips. They haven’t noticed me yet, which gives me a perfect amount of time to watch him lean against the patrol car, wearing that crooked grin that succeeds in making me melt. There was a time when he didn’t smile frequently. In fact, the only expression was his stone-cold mask with no hint of emotion, those jade green eyes narrowed, a frown creased between his brows, lips tight.

  Since we’ve been married, he seems more relaxed in himself, finally starting to believe in my love for him. Comforted in the emotion he once didn’t understand.

  Dominic’s eyes snap up to mine as if he can feel me; his smirk turning into a genuine smile, which brings a boyishness to his face. No longer interested in the conversation with Carter, he’s already making his way toward my car. Carter looks as to what’s caught his attention and a big smile crosses his face when he sees me, holding his hand up in ‘hello’.

  I smile, waving back. Carter is the polar opposite of Dominic. He had a stable upbringing, comes from a kind family, and hasn't been tainted by life. Whereas Dominic is of the knowledge that evil can live behind the prettiest of faces.

  Somehow, they make the perfect partnership. And Carter, remains the only other person he’s let into the very small circle of those he trusts.

  My car door opens, and Dom leans in, taking my mouth hungrily. Every touch and feeling from the night before flashes before my eyes.

  “Has your shift ended?” I ask, between our kiss, his hand running along my side, out of view. He’s scanning every inch of me, searching for the question and answer only he knows. His lips curl up into a smirk as he continues surveying me, like he knows how much my body desires him right now.

  “She’s not going to disappear.” There is laughter in Cart
er’s voice.

  I blink, breaking the trance. I shuffle away from his hold and out of the car, smiling over my shoulder as I grab the books and bags from the car. “How’s Molly?”

  He actually flinches. “Stressed... that's why I’m here.”

  That's when I note the dark circles under his eyes, the way his hair is messed like he had been running his fingers through it. Molly is a sweetie, but she can be a firecracker when she wants. I can only imagine how my friend has been this last week. She will definitely keep him on his toes.

  “You’re hiding out.” I bite my cheek to try and hide the smirk.

  His sun-bleached hair hangs in front of his face, his brow raising as he shakes his head, those dark brown eyes turning cold. He can’t keep ahold of that stern look for long, and erupts into wolfish chuckles.

  “Brat!” He laughs, my knowing look having cracked right through his bad armor. “No, I wanted to know if you wanted to go out for dinner.”

  Raising my brow. “You know I’m married, right? I’m pretty certain you were there.” I wiggle my hand, showing off the wedding ring.

  “That’s my husband right there.” I point toward Dominic, and he growls at Carter. Yes, my husband actually growls, it’s a lot sexier than it sounds.

  He pulls my body flush against his, placing his arms around my waist. I feel him tense behind me and I bite my lip to keep from full-on smiling.

  Carter’s eyes widen as he shakes his head, taking a step back, holding his hands up in mock surrender. “No… no. You know your his red fucking button.”

  He’s possessive over me, and he is no exception, even if he is Dom’s best friend. Dominic’s eyes flick down to mine, the glint telling me he knows exactly what I’m doing and it’s working by the way his eyes darken. I’ll give him two minutes before he goes territorial.

  “So, I thought we could all go for dinner at the new Italian restaurant.”

  Dominic is already rushing me up the path.

  “Seven okay?” I shout back.

  I don’t hear his answer as Dominic slams the door, forcing me against it, his knuckles running down my cheeks.

  “You need me, baby.” He whispers, knowing the game I’m playing. Quickly, he alters the rules so he’s in charge.

  His pupils dilate and nostrils flare slightly as I reply. “Always.”

  A low growl escapes his mouth as he pins my wrists above my head, bags and books crashing to the floor. His other hand trails down my arm, making my body shiver, leaning in, the tip of his nose traces my jaw before his lips discover mine, devouring me until we’re both gasping for oxygen.

  Releasing my wrists, he hoists me skyward; my skirt tightening as he wraps it in his fists before tearing the fabric, the shredded material falling between us.

  “This is going to be hard and fast.” He says, watching me, waiting for words.

  Unable to speak, I nod.

  Hastily pushing my panties aside, he runs his knuckle through the wetness, teasing and taunting. Sucking in a breath between his teeth, watching as he guides himself in, both of us moaning at the contact. Filling me in one hard thrust before pulling out and repeating the same action, making my climb quicker to the brink of ecstasy.

  “Harder.” I whimper, knowing what my words did to a man like him.

  A primal expression overcomes him, his lips slightly parted as he tilts his head back, fingers biting into my ass. He hits that spot that makes me see stars, stripping me of my breath. Leaning closer to me in that moment, I now feel a bite between my shoulder and neck, his cock filling me.

  I scream his name as the orgasm takes over me. Quick, fast and shuddering every nerve throughout my legs and stomach. I was consumed enough to barely hear my name leave his mouth, slamming into me one last time.

  Gradually getting our breathing under control, he pushes the damp hair out of my face. “Hey.”

  I don’t have time to answer before he lowers his lips, kissing my mouth like he has a lifetime to do it. Each sigh that escapes, he inhales like he wants to capture it all.

  Why is it that men can never place their clothes in the basket right next to where they dump their clothes? I thought as I stepped from the steamed shower, picking up Dominic’s work clothes as I went. Such a thing was only a mystery that women will could never understand.

  I quickly check his pockets knowing he is bound to leave something in them, recollecting the time I put his cellphone through a cold wash cycle. My fingers find a crisp piece of paper, pulling out a smooth note, with the words ‘Back off’ scribbled in what appears to be a child’s handwriting. No doubt from some kids Carter and he had warned on the job today. I crunch it up into a small ball and unthinkably toss it into the bin, just as Dom appears.

  “Clothes in basket.” I tell him, to which he smiles, taking his clothes out of my hand, placing them in the laundry basket. Just as he gets to the door he whips his towel off, chucking it so it lands on top of the basket, his pert ass on show as his back shakes from silent laughter.

  “Dick!” I laugh below my breath, watching him leave.

  The Italian restaurant was charming, small and rustic, with just the right flavors in the air. The exterior was brick with ivy trailing over selected sections, lanterns of yellow light ahead, and candles dripping with overflowed wax, differing in height and width.

  Carter was right, poor Molly was extremely stressed. The whole night she couldn’t stop fidgeting with her napkin or tapping away at her phone. She had barely looked up at us, taking uncomfortable pauses when they weren’t needed, and laughing when the jokes weren’t flowing. It wasn’t until she took a trip to the bathroom that she came back looking more in control. She was acting strangely; even Carter seemed slightly unsettled by her behavior.

  “Do you think I should go speak with Molly?” Dominic jerks his hand in their direction, toward Carter guiding her outside, both heads bent in thick conversation. Using my fork, grabbing a piece of steak, lifting it towards his mouth for a quick bite. His eyes widen as he surveys the room slightly, shaking his head before he takes the food off my fork, his eyes widen as he chews.

  “Good, right?” I ask.

  Nodding, his hand discovers mine under the table, intertwining our fingers, his calloused fingers stroking the back of my hand. Just as I look up, Carter and Molly come through the door, both smiling and looking a lot happier.

  “I’m so sorry,” She says, sounding rather embarrassed. She lowered herself to her seat, Carter tucking in beside her. “I never guessed I would be the woman to turn into a bridezilla.”

  Laughing awkwardly, she plays with a gold necklace that I never noticed before.

  “It’s okay, we understand.” I was quick to mediate, watching her shoulders instantly loosen from the weight of the tension she had been holding. The lantern light catches the necklace, glimmering the gold in the right angle. Hung thinly by a thread of expensive twine was a scorpion, its bright gaze but two crimson rubies. Molly notices where my eyes are before she smiles tightly, tucking it quickly below her blouse.

  Dominic and Carter leave a little after to grab some more drinks. It was a mild night, the air holding that summer magic smell.

  I feel Molly's eyes on me, digging in enough to finally bring my attention over. I go to start small conversation, though I’m surprised that it’s her that fills the quietness between us. “Carter has repeatedly spoken about you and Dominic… saying he’s never met two people so in love.”

  The statement hinders me. Molly and I had become friends after she started dating Carter, but we hadn’t double dated until tonight. Though something feels off with the way she spoke, something I can’t quite put my finger on.

  Tilting my head, wondering where this was coming from, I take the supportive approach and laugh it off. “You and Carter are the same.”

  A slight frown appears between her manicured brows, shaking her head, staring off into the hazy air. When she eventually looks back at me, she doesn’t seem upset, but questioning… full of
wondrous awe, as if I bared the answers to all of her queries. I almost flinch from her gaze.

  “Yes, we love each other, there’s no doubt about that. But the way Dominic looks at you… It’s…” She pauses, thinking quietly. Then the light bulb moment has popped alive, and a softer smile takes her mouth. “Intense... How did you do it? Get him to see no one but you?”

  I’m flattered by her honesty, and answer with the same cusp of truth as she’s given me. “I can’t answer for him, but for me? Loving Dominic is like breathing. He is my air. I don’t know how to not love him.”

  Molly’s gentle gaze flickers to my shoulder, and I realize she’s studying something in the distance. Glancing back, it’s then that I see him… Dominic, with his forever serious appearance. In this moment, he’s anything but. He's overheard everything, I realize.

  He reaches me in two long strides, grabbing my waist, hauling my body flush against his. Dominic’s mouth assaults me and I willingly accept, slowing the kiss until it's barely a touch. My eyes flutter open slowly to see him staring down, his knuckles running down my cheek before giving the smallest of nods. Silently telling me he feels the same.

  When I wake up, I quickly realize something isn’t right. My head feels like I drank an entire case of wine, rather than shared one bottle with Molly.

  Reaching the toilet just in time, it’s after a few gags and grumbles that I feel a cool cloth against my forehead, a weak groan escapes me as it soothes my heated skin.

  “Baby?” His voice is low, a dark uncurrent.

  Shifting slightly to see Dominic has his brows lowered, a cold flannel in one hand a handful of my hair in the other, keeping those strands from drifting into the toilet. His lips are twisted into a narrow line, the muscles in his jaw ticking the more he examines me. He hates seeing me sick. Always has.