Jade's face darkened, he only wanted her to sleep with him. He saw her as an object. The mere idea disgusted her. She'd seen enough of how her mother was treated by Elías to ever allow herself to be treated the same way.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but that's not going to happen," she said, shoving Dominick away with a slap. "You'd be the last man I'd ever share my bed with."
"But with him, you would, right?" Dominick felt his blood boil. "You'd sleep with Robinson without hesitation."
"Yes," she said firmly. "He actually knows how to make a woman feel something. He's a real man."
"I won't allow..."
"I don't care what you think you can allow or not, Dominick. But you've hit a wall with me if you thought I'd fall into your trap like the cheap women you're used to."
She turned around and walked off quickly, full of anger and humiliation. She slipped in through the back door of the hotel, she didn't want anyone to see her in the state she was in. Her fists were clenched, and she felt the sting of tears. Rage burned in her chest, and helplessness crushed her. So many emotions were piling up. She didn't even know how she could bear so much. Her home was already hell, and now he had to come and make it worse.
Dominick
He felt fury simmering. Jade had a way of making him lose his temper in a second, and for no reason at all.
What had he done? He'd only said what he was thinking. Maybe it was a little too direct… but he wasn't the type to sugarcoat things, especially not when it came to women he wanted to sleep with.
He turned around and went for his car. Minutes later, he was at the hotel, handing over the keys to the valet. He headed straight to the bar he'd visited on Monday, telling himself this time would be different. He wouldn't make the same stupid mistake of getting drunk again. Though he still had the nagging feeling that something had been off about that whole situation...
He walked straight into the VIP section. They already knew him, so he got in immediately.
He ordered a bottle of whiskey and downed the first shot in one go. He liked the burn in his throat, it helped him relax. He let his head fall back.
For a moment, he closed his eyes. He was exhausted. Too many thoughts were spinning through his head.
And then there was her…
Jade.
The woman who had become the outlet for his frustrations, and who had now, somehow, become the object of his desire.
A whim. That's what she had to be.
He smiled. She would be his one way or another.
He straightened up and looked around, noticing a woman watching him from across the room.
He raised an eyebrow and smiled. Picking up his glass, he drank while holding her gaze.
She stood up and walked over to where he sat.
"May I sit?" she asked with a dazzling smile. Dominick looked her up and down, she was stunning. Long legs, a narrow waist, and full breasts that immediately caught his eye. He couldn't make out the color of her eyes, but her lips were a bold red, and her loose black hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall.
"Of course," he said, finishing what was left in his glass. "I see you're not afraid of anything…" he murmured close to her ear, taking advantage of how close she was now. "Not everyone walks up to a stranger like that."
"It's good to take a few risks," she replied in the same tone, turning to look him straight in the eyes, her lips brushing his.
"Reckless," he whispered against her mouth.
"Reckless?" she smiled without moving away.
Without another word, the woman kissed Dominick passionately, devouring his lips in a kiss that promised much more…
Dominick set his drink aside and focused on responding to her demanding kiss. Their tongues battled for dominance in a wild exchange.
They gasped against each other's lips, and Dominick smiled, breaking the intense kiss.
"I see you're a woman without inhibitions… I like that," he said before kissing her again with fervor. Thanks to the dim lighting, no one could see them from below. Dominick shamelessly cupped her breast, and she smiled in response.
"Let's go to my room," she murmured, not wanting to stop kissing him.
Dominick smiled against her lips.
"I was about to suggest the same."
He took her hand and stood up. She didn't say goodbye to her friends, she had already told them not to wait for her.
Dominick descended the stairs quickly. They left the bar, and he let the woman lead the way. They stepped into the elevator, and without wasting time, he pressed her against the wall. The cold metal touched her bare back, sending a shiver through her.
Their lips met in a desperate kiss. Dominick's hand found its way beneath her short dress, brushing over the soft lace.
They quickly broke apart when the elevator stopped, signaling the arrival of someone else.
Nerea's eyes widened when she saw Dominick. The woman with him didn't seem bothered at all, on the contrary, she remained calm.
A heavy silence filled the elevator.
"This is my floor," the woman announced as the doors opened. She reached for Dominick's hand.
He glanced at Nerea, who raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. Choosing to ignore her, he followed the woman into a room that looked similar to his own.
Once inside, the woman closed the door. Dominick loosened his belt and let it drop to the floor.
The woman, whose name he still didn't know, approached him slowly, removing her dress as she walked.
He took in her figure, dressed now in only black lace underwear.
"Come here," he said.
She stepped closer, standing right in front of him. Gently, she guided him to sit on the bed, and his hands eagerly explored her body.
Their lips met again in a kiss just as intense as before. The atmosphere between them ignited, and soon their clothes were forgotten, left scattered around the room. Passionate touches turned into breathless whispers and soft moans.
The night became a blur of heat and sensation. Dominick tried to stay in the moment, to let himself go completely…
But then he saw her.
Jade.
In the woman's place, her face appeared in his mind, twisted in pleasure, her arms around him, her legs wrapped tight at his waist…
He shook his head and stopped moving.
"Is something wrong?" the woman asked, confused.
He shook his head again.
"Turn around," he said, his tone serious. He didn't want to see her face anymore, didn't want his mind to betray him again.
She smiled and obeyed without question. Dominick ran a hand down her spine, positioning himself behind her.
Driven by emotion and confusion, he gave himself to the moment, letting instinct take over.
The room filled with rhythm, movement, and pleasure until both were left breathless, their bodies spent.
Dominick leaned over her, then slowly pulled away and headed to the bathroom. He stared at his reflection in the mirror and smiled faintly.
He needed that. He needed to feel like himself again.
And in moments like these, only this gave him control.
He returned to the room, pulling on his pants, while the woman's gaze followed his every move.
"Are you leaving?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"What makes you think I'm done with you?" he replied with a question of his own, pulling out another condom. "We still have plenty of time to enjoy ourselves."
She smiled, clearly pleased by his words, and once again opened her legs.
"Welcome back..."
Jade
Wednesday, January 25
7:09 am
"I couldn't sleep well last night," Jade said. Her dark circles were visible, and her hair was messier than usual.
"You look awful. Are you okay?" Nerea paused for a moment, analyzing her. "We didn't have time to talk yesterday."
Jade sighed. She felt exhausted, physically and emotionally.
"Nerea, I don't think now's the time..."
The sound of a door opening interrupted her. Both girls turned to look. Just a few steps away, Dominick exited a room looking disheveled, while a woman in a robe said something to him.
He smiled and started walking, but stopped when he saw Jade. He looked like he wanted to say something, though he didn't seem sure of what.
"Hey!" the woman called. He turned his head. "By the way, my name is Shana."
She closed the door behind her.
Jade ignored the entire scene and started walking again, pushing the cleaning cart. Nerea followed beside her, still glancing between Dominick and the now-closed door.
"Jade!" he called out, hurrying after her. "We need to talk."
She let out a bitter laugh. He looked confused.
"What's so funny?" he asked, grabbing her arm gently.
"You," she said, stopping and giving him a glare so sharp it startled both him and Nerea. "For thinking I owe you anything. So if you'll excuse me..."
She didn't wait for a reply and walked off, with Nerea trailing behind her, bombarding her with questions.
Dominick turned away, annoyed by her attitude. She had no right to...
He stopped suddenly and ran a frustrated hand down his face.
Then he left.
"Wait..." Nerea tried to keep up, but Jade was walking too fast. "We're being moved to a different room."
Jade stopped. She took a deep breath and opened her eyes, which had closed instinctively. She was shaking with anger and didn't have a reasonable explanation to give her best friend right now.
"Yeah?" she turned toward Nerea.
"Do you want to talk?" Nerea placed her hands on Jade's shoulders and softly stroked her cheek.
Jade nodded. They both entered the room they were assigned to clean and left the cart by the door.
Jade said nothing. A single tear rolled down her right cheek, and she quickly wiped it away.
"I don't know if I can keep doing this..." she confessed, covering her face with both hands.
"Hey..." Nerea sat beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "You're strong, Jade. Whatever you set your mind to, you can get through it."
"I don't know..." Jade looked at her, her eyes filled with tears. "I just want this all to end..."