Opening up? Maybe

I gradually blinked awake, the remnants of unconsciousness still clouding my thoughts. As I pushed myself to my feet, my legs trembled beneath me. It was then that I noticed I was wearing a sundress, completely different from the outfit I had on earlier. A wave of unease washed over me. "Who changed my clothes?" I whispered to myself, the lingering disorientation making it hard to think clearly.

I went out and saw a maid approaching me. "Oh miss, you're awake! What should the kitchen prepare for you?" she asked, and I slightly shook my head in response. 

"Anything is fine… and if I may ask, who changed my clothes?" I inquired, assuming it was one of them. 

"Miss, sir did that himself," the maid whispered, her cheeks flushing slightly. My eyes widened in shock at her words. 

"You mean he changed everything?… even my underwear?" I asked, my voice trailing off in embarrassment. 

"Yes, miss. You were already topless so he just asked us to bring you clothes to change into," the maid replied softly, likely sensing my discomfort. 

"Umm, okay, thanks," I said with a forced smile before making my way toward Dominique's study. Standing in front of his door, I felt a wave of embarrassment wash over me as I recalled the fact that I had collapsed bare-chested—not just in front of Dominique, but also Michael.

Changing my mind, I decided to go downstairs first to cool off. I definitely couldn't face him like this!

"Why are you still standing outside?" a voice jolted me back, and I was pulled in before I could turn around. I was taken aback to see Dominique topless, which only intensified my embarrassment.

He looked like he had just stepped out of a shower, his hair still damp and droplets cascading down his chiseled body. His toned abs glistened with moisture, and the air around him was filled with a fresh, invigorating scent. The combination of his body wash and hair shampoo created a subtle mint fragrance that was both refreshing and surprisingly comforting.

"uhh—I wasn't— I didn't mean to— I was just passing by" I was too shy to look up at him as I stuttered, my words incoherent. His low chuckle made me blush Like he saw through my excuse.

"Why are you so red and why are you speaking so fast?" he asked with a smirk on his face. I knew he was doing this intentionally so I planned on playing dumb.

"What do you mean? It is probably the heat and I tend to speak fast when I'm hot" I said not minding how stupid my reason was.

"Ohh really?" he asked as he held my chin, directing it towards the air conditioner producing cold air in the room. My lie came crumbling as soon as it was said, 'You really need to think before you speak girl' I berated inwardly.

" You really do," Dominique said like as if hearing my thoughts because yeah he did. I quickly wrapped my arms around my head dramatically.

"Huh stop listening to my thoughts! That's so rude" I shouted as I shot him a glare. I didn't understand why I couldn't just keep my calm, I was so shy that I couldn't even maintain eye contact. Same me that boldly confessed earlier, and now I can't even utter coherent sentences—or lies.

"Okay but that doesn't work," he said attempting to correct my silliness. In return, I just glared back. I watched him walk leisurely into a room as he tossed the towel he was using to dry his hair to the side.

I followed behind him wanting to see where that door leads too. I mean he spends most of his time in the study and I didn't believe he could be confined to the four walls of a study. Not that it was small but he couldn't be that spartan right?

I was soon proven wrong as my lips hung wide open.

The room was bathed in the soft glow of a crackling fireplace, casting dancing shadows on the walls. Bookshelves, crammed with leather-bound volumes, reached towards the high ceiling, their titles whispering forgotten stories. A plush, velvet sofa sat invitingly in the corner, draped in a luxurious throw. 

The ceiling was a canvas of twinkling stars, mirroring the night sky above. Below it, a shimmering pool, illuminated by underwater lights, seemed to beckon with its cool, inviting depths. A grand staircase, winding its way upwards, led to a hidden balcony overlooking the pool, offering a breathtaking view of the town twinkling with lights below. The entire space was a sanctuary of hushed secrets and quiet beauty, perfect for escaping the world and losing oneself in the magic of the night.

"Oh my gosh!" I was amazed! This felt so unreal and I couldn't stop exclaiming inwardly. I mean damnnnn a place like this existed behind a boring study? Staring at the pool through the ceiling, I was tempted.

"You wanna try it out?" he asked as he walked up the stairs leading to the pool area.

I nodded my head vigorously before remembering he wasn't staring at me, "yes yes!" I exclaimed as I followed behind him, unable to contain my excitement. We soon got to the top and it felt so ethereal, I could look down and see the room we just left.

"Do you know how to swim?" he asked as he stared at me with a weird look.

"Not really, only if I get pool floaties," I said with a silly grin that was uncalled for.

"Well I can teach you how to swim," he said as he tilted my chin toward him, our eyes locked.

"Really? Okay then" I said already immersed in his eyes, so sexy!

"Strip," he said this word and the fixation on him gradually shifted.

"W-what! H-how can you talk about t-that?" I asked flustered.

"You want to swim in that dress?" He asked his eyebrows raised and a smirk on his lips. It dawned on me that I actually needed to strip to swim. Ugh!

"Erm I can't cos I'm erm— like you know…" I stuttered not knowing how to put it into words.

"I know what?" he urged enjoying my embarrassment. I glared and cussed at him inwardly.

"I mean I'm not sure I'm putting on a bra! So if I remove this dress I'd be topless" I said shouting to hide my embarrassment.

"Ooh true, I can see your nipples poking out," He said seriously but I could see that wicked smile dangling at the tip of his lips. I screamed on impulse as I turned my back to him while covering my chest.

"What? It's not like I haven't seen them already…plus since you decided to chase me shouldn't this be normal?" he said shamelessly and I couldn't find the right words to refute him.

"Nevermind! I'm not gonna swim anymore!" I asserted before turning to go back downstairs. Not knowing if it was my eyes or if Dominique used his powers, but just as I was about to pass him, with my hands still over my chest, I lost my footing and slipped. Crashing into Dominique, we both fell into the pool.

"Ahh!…*cough*" Water entered my throat as I screamed and I began to choke. But I soon calmed down as I noticed Dominique wrapped me in his arms.

"You're okay, stop panicking already" he whispered and that was all I needed to completely relax in his arms. A sense of security washed over me like the water did moments ago. Funny how in the past, this is the last place I'd feel secure in— a man's embrace.

"Haven't you gotten enough?" he asked smirking at my infatuated look. I coughed slightly before looking away. I looked up at the sky and saw the twinkling stars shining down on us. I smiled feeling quite satisfied with how things unfolded.

"Tomorrow get ready, we'll be going out," Dominique said bringing me out of my thoughts. 

"Ohh where are we going to?" I asked already interested, at this point, I'd be willing to go anywhere with him even if it was the gates of hell. 

"A business banquet" his reply concise, I could tell he wasn't willing to elaborate.

"You do business?" I asked picking up on the other topic. I thought he was just a laid-back demon, with nothing to do but immense wealth. Was I too ahead of myself?

"Something like that" he replied still not divulging too much.

" hmm okay, let's go downstairs then" I reminded, already feeling cold.

He carried me in his arms like I weighed nothing as he brought us back to the study.

"You'll need to change your clothes before you catch a cold," he said before a maid surprisingly came in with 2 sets of pajamas for me. One was a light pink lingerie and a robe, while the other was a black lacy crop top and shorts with a transparent robe.

After much contemplation, I picked the black before changing into it in the Study's bathroom. I came out drying my hair with a blow dryer while Dominique was already changed into a new pair of trousers and a white shirt that was only buttoned up to his mid-chest. 

"Aren't you going to bed yet?" his voice broke the silence.

" Nah not yet, what about you?" I replied as I sat on a sofa not far from him, taking my phone out to text Gwen.

He stared straight at me as if contemplating whether to talk, and I just gave a reassuring smile in return. I could tell he was having a hard time opening up.

"I dont know what sleep feels like" I finally heard him say.