Dominic's Touch

  Published by EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING ® at Smashwords

  www.evernightpublishing.com

  Copyright© 2019 Jenika Snow

  ISBN: 978-0-3695-0031-1

  Cover Artist: Jay Aheer

  Editor: Karyn White

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  AUTHOR’S NOTE

  This story was previously published under the title Uncle Dominic’s Touch. It has since been completely revised, re-edited, and additional content has been added.

  DOMINIC’S TOUCH

  The Forbidden Series, 1

  Jenika Snow

  Copyright © 2019

  Prologue

  It was a hot summer day, so hot that all she wanted to do was go to the pool, spend all day swimming and lying out, eating ice cream before it melted, and not have to wear this funny little lilac dress her mom had given her to put on.

  Chloe stood among the other bridesmaids, all of the women at least fifteen years her senior. All of them, except Chloe, filled out their dresses. And here she was, fifteen years old, a child compared to the thirty-something-year-olds beside her. She felt out of place, silly, really. But her Aunt Clara had chosen her to be a part of this big day, her big day, so Chloe would stand here and suck it up, and pretend she didn’t feel the beads of sweat dotting her body.

  She glanced over at where her Aunt Clara’s soon-to-be-husband stood.

  Dominic, with his short dark hair, his big, muscular body wrapped up in a black and white tux, looked like he’d just won the lottery as he grinned and stared down the aisle. He was handsome, and years younger than Aunt Clara.

  They’d been dating for years, since Chloe was only twelve, and she’d always known him as Uncle Dominic.

  And so here they stood, waiting for Aunt Clara and Uncle Dominic to tie the knot.

  The “Wedding March” sounded and everyone turned and faced the aisle. Chloe saw her Aunt Clara emerge, the white wedding dress she wore so gorgeous, just like her. It also looked expensive, probably was given the fact this entire wedding reeked of money.

  But then again, Clara was a very important person, just like Chloe’s mom and dad.

  Doctors. Chloe had a family of physicians.

  Chloe looked at Uncle Dominic again. He was so different than Clara, than the other men Chloe had seen her with in the past. He hadn’t gone to college like Aunt Clara. He was a military man, a man who served his country, as her mother said. Chloe had heard people talk about how heroic Dominic was, how powerful and strong he was … how lucky Clara was to have such a hero in her life.

  They called him a SEAL, and although she knew what that meant—kind of—from listening to him talking with her parents, she didn’t fully know what it all meant. What she did know what that it was important.

  What Chloe knew was they were lucky to have each other.

  And then Aunt Clara started walking down the aisle, but Chloe couldn’t help but stare at Uncle Dominic. He wore a big smile, his attention solely on his soon-to-be wife. Chloe adored her Uncle Dominic. He was the only one who told her stories of the faraway places he’d been, the only one who’d played the knight to her princess when she was younger.

  He was the only one who was never too busy for her.

  Maybe that was why she liked him the best. When everyone else was too busy to be bothered with Chloe, Uncle Dominic was always there.

  When Aunt Clara stopped in front of Uncle Dominic, she turned and smiled down at Chloe. This had all been rehearsed yesterday. Chloe was nervous, but she forced herself to step forward and take Aunt Clara’s bouquet without any mistakes, even though she felt anxious.

  Uncle Dominic turned and looked down at Chloe. He smiled, but then she saw how he crossed his eyes. It took every ounce of control Chloe had not to start laughing.

  The ceremony finished without fault, and Chloe found herself stuck in the corner, watching as champagne was passed around. The pool was sounding better as time passed.

  “Why the frown, Chloe?”

  She knew that voice, deep and slightly scratchy. Lifting her head, she stared into Uncle Dominic’s bright blue eyes. They always reminded her of the ocean. She had seen enough pictures to know the color was the same.

  “What’s wrong? Not enjoying the party?”

  “I am. It’s fine.” She wouldn’t tell him how she felt, wouldn’t tell him she knew things were going to be different now. They wouldn’t be around anymore, wouldn’t invite her to the cottage on her summer vacations. They’d have their own life, have their own vacations as a married couple.

  God, Chloe couldn’t believe how much she was thinking about all this. She should only feel happiness.

  When she stayed quiet, he spoke again. “I thought we could tell each other anything.” He pulled up a chair in front of her and sat down. “Whatever’s wrong, I’m here to listen.” He chucked her under the chin with his finger. “We’re family now.”

  “I’m fine. I promise.”

  He leaned back in his chair and looked at her with a frown.

  “I can see something’s bothering you, but we don’t have to talk about it, not until you’re ready. If you’re ready. Okay?”

  She nodded.

  He looked at the wedding party, and long moments passed where neither of them spoke. Then he glanced back at her. “Listen. No matter what, I’ll always be here, okay?”

  “Dom. Come here, Dom!”

  Chloe looked behind his shoulder at her aunt. Clara had a drink in hand and waved him over with enthusiasm.

  But he didn’t go to Aunt Clara right away. He looked at Chloe and smiled. “When we get back from Europe, we’ll have you, your mom, and dad over, okay? We'll go on the boat and I’ll tell you some more stories. Sound good?”

  She nodded. “Yeah, that sounds good.” She smiled, and he leaned over and kissed her on the forehead, and for a small moment she let herself enjoy that small, innocent kiss.

  Maybe a little too much.

  Chapter One

  Present day

  Chloe stood beside her mom while her father took yet another picture. She smiled when her father yelled, “Cheese!”

  Her high school graduation had finally come, and although she knew what she wanted to do with her life, knew she’d follow in her family’s footsteps and go to med school, she wanted this summer to just not … worry. She wanted these last couple months before school started to just enjoy being … free of rules and constraints.

  “You’re all packed up?” her mom said and turned to face her, the pride in her face evident.

  Chloe nodded. “As packed as I’ll be, I guess.”

  “Good, because we’re leaving for Clara and Dominic’s first thing in the morning.”

  They were set to leave for the cottage, and for the next several weeks it would be nothing but relaxation, swimming in the lake and not worrying about being an adult.

  It would be like the old days when she was younger, before she started really focusing on high school, did her part-time job at the pool, and had to do the obligatory volunteering positions her mother secured for her.

  Her parents, Edward and Johanna Crawford, had made it clear that securing her future was much more important than visiting the cottage during the summers.

  The truth was, Chloe secretly resented her parents for denying her that one pleasure in life, for allowin
g her to spend her free time at the cottage with her aunt and uncle.

  But what she missed most about her time at the cottage was waking up before anyone else, going to the deck, seeing Uncle Dominic sitting there, and watching the sun rise together. He’d let her share his coffee, and although it had tasted horrible, she’d felt like one of the grownups spending that special time with him.

  Those times were what she thought about most, what she missed most.

  “Jake! Jake, honey, come here and take a picture with Chloe.” Her mother's loud voice had Chloe’s ears ringing.

  Chloe looked behind her shoulder and watched Jake, her boyfriend of two years, stride toward them. He sidled next to Chloe, arm around her waist, his grin big as he wore the same matching graduation gown as she did.

  Jake was going into law, a profession her parents approved of immensely. She loved her parents, but it was all about titles and status to them.

  “Hey,” he said beside her ear and kissed the side of her cheek.

  “So, Jake honey, are you excited to start Columbia in the fall?”

  “Oh yes, Mrs. Crawford.” Jake took Chloe’s hand and brought it to his mouth for a gentle kiss. “I’m also so happy Chloe will only be a few hours away.”

  Her mother smiled. “Yes, Edward and I couldn’t be happier that she got into Johns Hopkins. Just both of you remember that you need to focus on your studies.”

  “Oh yes, ma’am.”

  As Chloe stared at Jake, she felt the familiar sensation of being with him, of the touch of his hand on her waist that was the same as all the other times, of knowing that when someone thought of Jake they thought of Chloe, and she felt like something was missing. It felt like there was so much more to life than what she’d always known.

  What difference would it make if you had all the money in the world, a prominent career, and people looking up to you, if you weren’t happy, if the life you were leading was the exact same day in and day out?

  Sometimes she wondered if her mother and father were happy. When was the last time she saw them kiss or hold hands? When was the last time she’d seen them being affectionate with each other, or with her?

  She didn’t want to end up like that, fighting without saying anything, miserable because happiness and love were absent in her perfect little life.

  Chloe wanted to have a life, a love, that was written about in books.

  ****

  “I’m so glad that’s done and over with,” Jake said from the driver’s side seat and she glanced at him.

  “It’s kind of exhausting, right?”

  He snorted. “Kind of?

  Chloe rested her head back on the seat and stared at him. He had the whole All-American boy next door thing going on. A star football player, good grades, an aspiring profession in the works … he was every girl’s dream come true, right? But as she stared at him and wondered what she really saw in him, Chloe realized that her feelings for him had all but disappeared over the last two years.

  He looked at her and smirked, and she knew that expression on his face. She’d seen it countless times recently.

  His collar was unbuttoned, his tie wrapped haphazardly around his neck. He reached out and placed his hand on her thigh. “You look pretty in that graduation cap and gown.”

  Now it was her turn to snort.

  He inched his hand slowly up her thigh.

  Placing her hand over his, she stopped his ascent. “You excited about coming to the cottage?” she asked, changing the subject, diverting what he planned on doing, she hoped.

  He smirked again. “I’m excited about skinny dipping in the lake.”

  She rolled her eyes.

  “When are we leaving tomorrow?”

  “First thing in the morning,” Chloe said and gently moved his hand off her thigh when she felt him inch it up a little more.

  Clearly, he didn’t take the hint as he leaned close, his warm, minty breath brushing against her neck. “I can’t wait until we get to the cottage, Chloe. I’ve been looking forward to this for weeks. Us all alone, staying under the same roof. I can sneak into your room at night.”

  “Yeah, probably not gonna be doing any of that.” She chuckled.

  Over the two years they’d been together, Chloe had successfully maintained a “no sex” rule. Despite Jake's adamant speech about how they should express their feelings for each other in a physical way, he’d respected her decision and didn’t press her on it.

  Or at least he hadn’t. He’d slowly started becoming more adamant, more aggressive in his needs, in wanting to be with her.

  It wasn’t that she didn’t want to have sex with Jake, or in general, but she just felt like waiting was the best thing to do at this time in her life. She couldn’t place her finger on why she needed to keep that part of herself to, well, herself, but it was so strong that she just kept telling him she wasn’t ready.

  She knew she was probably one of the only virgins in her school. Hell, most of her friends were so experienced in the sex department they could make a porn star raise an eyebrow.

  You wouldn’t guess it by looking at the private school she went to, though. The students who attended Hawthorne Prep came from prestigious families, had wealthy backgrounds, and although you’d assume the majority of the students were conservative, the truth was, they were freaky as hell.

  He groaned as he kissed and licked at her neck, and she glanced toward her house.

  “Jake, my parents could open the front door and see us.”

  “Let them,” he moaned. “I’m so hard for you right now, Chloe.” Jake continued to whisper against her neck, his hand now pressed against her inner thigh.

  And still she felt nothing, not the tingle of arousal, not the desire to give in.

  Chloe pushed him away and he didn’t force anymore, but the look on his face told her he was frustrated.

  “What the fuck, Chloe?” He curled his hands on the steering wheel, his knuckles white. “You’re always turning me down.” He looked at her. “Don’t you want me?”

  “I’m not getting into this with you right now, Jake.”

  “Fuck this,” he growled out. His anger was tangible, obviously fueled by impatience.

  She exhaled, feeling frustrated and so damn tired. “I just want to wait. I don’t want to feel pressured into this. And I don’t want my first time to be—”

  “Chloe, honey, are you two coming in?” Her mother shouted from the front door, and Chloe looked out the passenger side window. Her mother waved at her and Jake.

  For once, she said a silent thanks to whoever was listening for letting her mother butt in at just the right time. It saved Chloe from having to be forceful in stopping this, which would in turn probably have them getting into a low-key fight.

  Chloe turned to look at Jake, smiling, and seeing the frustration on his face once again. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning, okay?” She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek before climbing out. She didn’t want to start another argument over how he thought they were past time in being together physically. He’d either learn to accept her decision, or she’d have to come to some decisions on the fate of her and Jake.

  Chapter Two

  By the time they pulled into Aunt Clara and Uncle Dominic’s driveway, the sun was high above them, a promise of how hot it was outside of the air-conditioned car. It was only the end of May, but already the heat was steadily climbing.

  Her father pulled around the wraparound driveway, and when he stopped the car in front of the porch that led to the front door, everyone climbed out.

  The car ride had been a grueling five hours, and despite the fact that Chloe should have been used to the trip, her body ached.

  Before they even reached the front door, it opened, and Aunt Clara rushed outside, a wide smile on her face, although it looked a little forced.

  “I am so glad you guys made it here safely.” Clara wrapped Johanna in a tight embrace and then did the same with Edward, Jake, and then Chloe.
r />   Clara took a step back, arms still wrapped around Chloe’s waist, and eyed her almost quizzically. “I’m sorry we couldn’t be there for your graduation, honey. I got called into an emergency surgery, and Dom had a meeting with new recruits. It’s just been insane here.” Her aunt's comment seemed less than sincere.

  “That’s okay. I’m just glad we’re finally here.” And she was. Chloe had instantly felt peace when she arrived at the cottage. It was as if the stress of all the years of schooling had melted away.

  Clara smiled, but even that seemed forced. Her aunt wasn’t known for her gentle nature or sincere attitude, but Chloe knew there was definitely something bothering her. Gripping Chloe under the chin, Clara turned Chloe’s head from side to side. “You sure have grown up, haven’t you? No more little girl.”

  “You just saw me in December.” Chloe forced a laugh and stepped back from Clara’s unyielding grip. She forced her own smile.

  “Oh, to be so young again. How I remember when I was your age.” Her aunt had a whimsical tone in her voice. “You know, I had every guy eating out of the palm of my hand.”

  Chloe loved her aunt, but Clara had a way about her. Conceited wasn’t even a word that fully described her. “You act like you’re ancient. You’re only in your thirties.”

  Clara scowled but then seemed to catch herself and laughed halfheartedly, but didn’t respond. She turned away from Chloe and ushered everyone into the house.

  Chloe didn’t want to go inside yet. She felt the sun hit her back and turned to enjoy the scenery. Memories crashed through her, and it felt as though she couldn’t get enough air into her lungs. She always felt at home here.

  Looking out over the lake, she watched as the sun cast an orangey glow across the water. It was like millions of tiny diamonds twinkling back at her. The sight reminded her of the day her aunt and uncle got married. The water had looked exactly the same. The horizon towered in the distance, and the snowcapped mountains seemed majestic and imposing all at the same time.