Chapter 1 Two Holidays

Callie's POV

I felt his warm hands on me again, claiming me roughly. My back arched, and a gasp tore from my lips as his mouth closed around my nipple.

He was slow yet deliberate, like he wanted to memorise the way I trembled beneath him. His wicked tongue was circling and teasing my nipple. One hand pinned my wrist above my head and the other...

"Dominic," I breathed.

A groan escaped his lips like he was in pain. Or bliss. Maybe both. His lips moved lower, trailing heat over my skin, while his fingers were driving me insane as they slid deeper.

Just as I felt the pressure inside me tighten and was ready to snap, the sharp ring of my phone shattered everything.

I jerked upright in bed, my chest heaving. My thigh was wet and my heart was pounding harder. But I still could feel his touch on my skin. The ache that pulsed between my legs wasn't from sleep.

"Jesus," I whispered, pushing my hair back. Another dream again.

My cheeks burned as I stared into the ceiling, reliving the moment. That made it four nights in a row this week. I hated that he haunted me like this.

It had been years since I left London. Years since I'd tried to bury what I felt for him. I'd tried to grow up, date, move on and pretend I didn't see him every time I closed my eyes.

But Dominic Bennett was like a thorn in my flesh that I couldn't remove. And I was bleeding from it.

FEW HOURS LATER

By the time I stepped off the train in London, my numb hands in the cold dragged my heavy suitcase, while my steps were slow.

I was exhausted physically, emotionally and in every way that mattered. The cold slapped me hard as I hauled my suitcase through the terminal. The bitter wind bit through my coat.

Christmas decorations were in every corner of the terminal. People jostled around, with winter boots and jackets.

I hadn't planned to come back. Even if I had, not like this. But after losing my job, a failed relationship and my apartment lease all in one month, I didn't have much choice.

My parents had already gone abroad to be with my sister after her delivery, leaving me the house. They had begged me to join them in Paris, but I couldn't. I told them I needed the quirt.

But truthfully? I needed to fall apart somewhere familiar.

The house was silent when I got there. Dropping my bags, I stood in the hallway, looking at the framed photos that hadn't changed. My smile in them looked fuller and brighter. I didn't feel like that girl anymore.

The doorbell rang before I could fully settle. Before I could open it, the door flew open. My eyes flew open when I saw the person standing before me.

"Jenna?" I blinked hard. "What...?"

"My parents said you'd be alone." She grinned and pulled me into a tight hug.

Jenna and I have been friends since elementary school up to high school. She's my best friend, who's family. So she refers to my parents as hers.

"I'm your Christmas kidnapping ride. Come on, you're staying with me."

"What? No... I was just going to rest here and..." I tried to turn her down when I knew it wouldn't work. Jenna and my dad are the only people in my life who don't take no for an answer.

"Nope." She held up her keys. "I already promised your mom. "You're not sulking through the holidays by yourself."

I hesitated. "What about your dad?" I asked, sounding like I didn't really care.

"Work trip. He might not even make it back before New Year's. It's just you and me." she replied, waving it off.

Before I could say another word, Jenna pulled my suitcases out of the house, leaving me with no choice than to follow her.

The ride to her house was, as usual, chaotic. She kept talking about work, her ex-boyfriends, her current relationship, and how she was crushing on a new female colleague at work.

I just kept nodding as she spoke, I was used to it. And that's why I love her. She's just a contrast to me. I'm the shy, quiet person, while she was the sociable person who has tried to bring me out of my shell.

The moment I stepped into her house, I felt the heavy air and familiar warmth together with old memories I have always tried to forget.

I was about to follow her when I turned and saw him. Dominic Bennett, tall, broad, his sleeves rolled up. His phone in his ear like he was on a call. Then he looked up.

It felt like time stopped. My heart missed a beat, then sprinted. Even the air in the room got thicker.

Every dream I'd ever tried to bury came rushing back violently. His gaze met mine, it was steady and unreadable. And I felt something unknown pass between us.

"Callie," he called slowly.

My name had never sounded like that before. And in that moment, I knew one thing with terrifying certainty.

Coming home had been a mistake.