The night felt different—heavier—as Elijah lay awake in Dominic's massive bed, staring at the ceiling. The moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting eerie shadows on the walls.
He had no idea how long he'd been awake. The heat of Dominic's touch was still burned into his skin, but the confusion and the storm brewing in his mind wouldn't let him sleep.
What the hell was he doing?
Elijah had never been the type to fall into any kind of trap—especially not one that Dominic Moretti was setting. But every time Dominic's gaze met his, it was like he was being pulled further in.
And it pissed him off.
Elijah sighed, turning his head to glance at the clock on the nightstand. It was 2:30 AM.
Dominic hadn't come back to bed after their heated moment in his office. He'd left without a word, like it was just another thing he could control. Elijah didn't want to admit it, but it pissed him off that Dominic could just walk away from him like that.
He had to stop this before it went any further.
But the more he thought about it, the more he realized—he didn't want to stop.
The door to the bedroom creaked open, and Elijah's heart skipped a beat. He didn't even have to turn around to know who it was. The tension in the room had already told him.
Dominic.
Elijah didn't move, didn't acknowledge his presence. He stared straight ahead, pretending he didn't care, pretending the heat between them wasn't there.
"Are you still awake?" Dominic's voice was low, a little rough around the edges.
Elijah didn't answer, but he didn't need to. He could feel Dominic's eyes on him, studying him from across the room.
Dominic moved closer, and Elijah felt the bed shift as he sat down beside him. The warmth of his presence made it hard to breathe, but Elijah refused to let it show.
"Don't pretend you don't want this," Dominic murmured, his fingers brushing against Elijah's arm.
Elijah tensed but didn't pull away. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Dominic let out a quiet laugh. "You're not fooling anyone, Elijah."
Elijah closed his eyes, not trusting himself to speak. Every word Dominic said was like a shot to his chest, making it harder and harder to ignore the fucking pull he felt toward him.
"I never wanted this," Elijah said, but it was a lie, and they both knew it.
Dominic's eyes softened, just for a second. His hand slid to Elijah's cheek, his thumb grazing over his skin. "It doesn't have to be so complicated, you know."
Elijah swallowed hard, finally meeting Dominic's gaze. "It already is."
Dominic's expression hardened, the calm demeanor shifting to something darker. "I don't like being denied, Elijah." His voice dropped, a dangerous edge creeping in.
Elijah's stomach tightened, but there was no backing down now. "I'm not yours to control."
Dominic's lips curled into a smirk, but there was an edge of something else—something dangerous. "Not yet," he murmured, as he slowly leaned in, his lips hovering just above Elijah's. "But you will be."
Elijah's heart pounded in his chest. For a moment, all he could do was stare at Dominic's lips, feeling the pull, the magnetic force that was drawing him closer despite everything he told himself.
Dominic didn't give him a chance to decide. His lips crashed against Elijah's with an intensity that almost knocked the breath out of him. Elijah stiffened for a second, but then—he kissed back.
The world around them blurred, the intensity of their connection tangling around them like a web they couldn't escape. It was hot, demanding, like a fire that couldn't be extinguished.
Dominic's hands roamed, pulling Elijah closer, making him feel the heat of his body, his strength, and something uncontrollable.
But as much as Elijah felt like he was drowning in it, there was a part of him still fighting. A part of him that wanted to push Dominic away—wanted to end this before it went too far.
Dominic seemed to sense it, though. He pulled back just slightly, his forehead resting against Elijah's. His breathing was ragged, and there was something about the look in his eyes that made Elijah's heart skip.
"Elijah," Dominic breathed, "You're mine. I'm not letting you go."
Elijah's eyes narrowed, his heart racing faster. "We'll see about that."
He didn't know if he meant it. He didn't know what he was even trying to say anymore. All he knew was that Dominic Moretti was a storm, and Elijah was too drawn to him to fight it.
Dominic stood up, his hand lingering on Elijah's shoulder for a brief moment before he turned away. "Get some sleep," he said, his voice hardening again.
Elijah remained where he was, staring at the ceiling once more. The words hung in the air—"You're mine."
And he wasn't sure whether he hated it or wanted it more than anything.
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