Bound by Contract to the Alpha Chapter 63

Rebecca's POV

Dominic's expression softened. "Rebecca, if there's one thing I'm certain of, it's your independence. Your determination to stand on your own feet is admirable, if occasionally frustrating."

I looked up, meeting his gaze. "Frustrating?"

"Yes," he admitted with a slight smile. "You refuse help even when accepting it would make your life easier. You insist on taking the subway when I have a car and driver at your disposal. You work in a jewelry store despite having design talent that could earn you much more elsewhere."

I felt a flush rise to my cheeks. "I've always had to be the responsible one. Ever since I was a teenager, I've been taking care of my family in one way or another. My father's illness, my mother's anxiety, Jason's... well, Jason's everything." I sighed deeply. "It's just the way it's always been."

Dominic was quiet for a moment, his expression thoughtful. When he spoke again, his voice had dropped to a lower register. "Do you know what I find most painful about watching you?"

The question caught me off guard. "What?"

"How hard you fight to carry everything alone." His eyes had darkened, and I could see genuine emotion in them. "You're so strong, little doe, but you don't have to be strong all the time. Not with me."

Something in his tone made my heart rate quicken. The air between us seemed to change, becoming charged with an energy I couldn't quite name. Dominic rose from his seat and moved to sit beside me on the sofa, close enough that I could feel the warmth radiating from his body. His thigh pressed against mine, solid and warm through the fabric of our clothes.

"Do you know what I'm thinking right now?" he asked, his voice low and intimate.

I swallowed, suddenly very aware of his proximity. My skin prickled with awareness, every nerve ending suddenly alert. "No."

In one fluid motion, Dominic had me pressed back against the leather sofa, his body hovering over mine. The weight of him, the heat, the scent of his cologne mixed with something more primal made my pulse race. His face was inches from mine, his eyes dark with intent.

"I'm thinking that watching you stand up to your brother—seeing that fire in your eyes—made me want you in ways I probably shouldn't admit to in a professional setting."

My breath caught in my throat. A rush of heat flooded through me, settling low in my abdomen. "Dominic... this is your office."

His lips curved into a smile that sent another wave of heat coursing through my veins. "The soundproofing is excellent. And no one enters without my permission."

Before I could form a coherent response, his mouth was on mine, hot and demanding. Whatever objections I might have had melted away as I responded to his kiss, my hands sliding up to grip his shoulders. His fingers trailed down my side, then found their way beneath the hem of my blouse, his touch burning against my skin. I gasped against his mouth as his hand spread across my ribs, his thumb tracing tantalizing circles just beneath my breast.

The rational part of my brain was screaming that this was inappropriate—we were at work, in his office, in the middle of the day—but my body had other ideas. My back arched involuntarily, pressing me closer to him as his kiss deepened. I felt dizzy with want, my fingers digging into the firm muscles of his shoulders.

His hand slid higher under my blouse, his thumb brushing the underside of my breast. A small moan escaped me, and he took advantage of my parted lips to deepen the kiss further. I was drowning in sensation, in the taste and scent of him, in the weight of his body partially covering mine. The leather sofa creaked beneath us as he shifted, his thigh pressing between mine in a way that made me whimper.

With tremendous effort, I turned my head slightly, breaking the kiss. "Wait," I gasped, my voice barely recognizable to my own ears. My chest heaved with each breath, my lips tender from his kisses. "We shouldn't... not here."

Dominic immediately stopped, though I could feel the rapid rise and fall of his chest against mine. His eyes, when they met mine, were dark with desire but clear with respect for my boundaries.

"You don't want this?" he asked, his voice rough.

I let out a shaky laugh, my body still thrumming with need. "It's not that I don't want to. It's just... can we wait until we're home?" My hands remained on his shoulders, unwilling to let go completely despite my words.

---

He studied my face for a moment, then sighed and sat back, helping me to an upright position as well. I immediately felt the loss of his warmth against me, my body still aching for his touch.

"I'm afraid I won't be home tonight. I have to fly to Los Angeles for a business meeting."

"Oh." I couldn't hide my disappointment. "For how long?"

"A few days, possibly." He ran a hand through his hair, slightly disheveled from our encounter.

I nodded, trying to look supportive despite my selfish wish that he could stay. As I straightened my blouse, fingers still trembling slightly from our interrupted passion, a thought occurred to me. "By the way, I saw Elizabeth earlier today, heading to your office."

Dominic's expression didn't change. "She was delivering a message from her father about the Collins collaboration project. Nothing more."

"I didn't ask," I said quickly, feeling my cheeks warm.

A small smile played at his lips. "No, but you ate lunch alone because you saw her, didn't you?"

I couldn't deny it. "Maybe I was a little jealous," I admitted, embarrassed by how transparent I apparently was to him.

Dominic leaned in closer, his fingers gently tilting my chin up. "You have nothing to be jealous about," he said, his breath warm against my lips. "Elizabeth is business, nothing more."

His reassurance eased something in my chest that I hadn't even realized was tight with tension. I leaned into his touch, savoring the moment of connection.

"When do you leave for L.A.?" I asked.

"My flight is at seven."

An impulsive idea struck me. "Can I drive you to the airport?"

Dominic looked surprised but pleased by the suggestion. "Of course. I'll have Raymond bring the car around at six."

He stood and walked to his desk, opening a drawer and retrieving an envelope. "I have something for you," he said, returning to the sofa.

I took the envelope, curious. "What's this?"

"Open it."

Inside was an official-looking letter bearing the Sterling Group logo alongside the emblem of the City Arts Academy. As I scanned the contents, my eyes widened.

"This is... an acceptance letter to the design program at City Arts? With a full scholarship sponsored by Sterling Group?" I looked up at Dominic in confusion. "I don't understand. I never applied."

Dominic sat beside me again, his knee brushing mine. "I took the liberty of submitting some of your sketches to the admissions committee. They were quite impressed."

I stared at him, a mix of emotions swirling through me—gratitude, excitement, but also a touch of uncertainty. "But when would I attend classes? I just started working here."

"The program is designed for working professionals. Classes are evenings and weekends." His expression grew serious. "Rebecca, your talent is extraordinary. You shouldn't have to choose between financial security and pursuing your passion."

Tears pricked at my eyes, but this time they were tears of gratitude. "I don't know what to say."

Dominic took my hand in his, his thumb caressing my knuckles in a way that sent pleasant shivers up my arm. "Say yes. Say you'll accept the opportunity."

I nodded, unable to speak past the lump in my throat. Instead, I threw my arms around him, hugging him tightly. His arms wrapped around me in return, strong and secure. I pressed my face against his neck, inhaling his scent, feeling the steady beat of his pulse against my lips.

"Thank you," I whispered against his skin. "For everything."

Dominic's hands slid up my back, one cradling the nape of my neck as he pressed a kiss to my temple. "You're welcome, little doe."