Seducing a Good Girl (Book 3 of the Billionaire Bad Boys)

8

Nicki rolled over and reached across the bed finding it empty. Opening her eyes, she looked around the room. The morning sun was flooding the room. Nicki looked at the clock on the nightstand and rubbed her face to wake her up. It was late. She never slept this late. Nicki got out of bed and got dressed. She limped her way over to her cane and left the room looking for Dominic. She checked the whole main floor but couldn’t find him.

She walked out onto the deck and looked out at the beach and water. A warm breeze blew in from the ocean and washed over her. It smelled good. It smelled different from the farm. The farm smelled like animals which she was used to, but this smell was much better.

Nicki heard a sound inside. That must be Dominic. Nicki went back inside and gasped when she saw two other men. They looked at her and her at them and then she screamed and lifted her cane to fend them off. She swung her cane and hit one in the head while the other attacked her and tackled her to the couch.

She tried to fight him off, but the man she hit helped pin her down. Her heart was beating wildly as every one of her fears flooded back. They would kill her this time. Nicki could hear other voices, women yelling at the men to keep her down. “Get off me!” Nicki screamed as she struggled.

“Stay down you crazy bitch.” The man on top of her growled.

“Call the cops.” The other ordered one of the screaming women.

Dominic appeared above them both, and he grabbed the guy by the shirt and dragged him off her. “Get off her!” Dominic tossed her attacker into the armchair and came to her side. He helped her up and dusted Nicki off. “Are you ok? You’re shaking like a leaf.” He then glared at the other men. “You scared her.” He scolded.

“Scared her? She attacked us.” The one she hit said. “Who the hell is she?”

Nicki stayed close, Dominic’s embrace made her feel safer. Clearly, they knew each other. Both men were young with the same dark hair. The younger one looked like Dominic while the other had green eyes but the same rugged good looks. “She hit Justin.” The older one said.

“She hit you because you scared her.”

“Who is she?” Justin asked again.

“Her name is Nicki; she’s with me.” Dominic looked down at Nicki, “Sorry doll; I didn’t know they were coming.”

“Put the phone down; she’s with Dominic,” Justin said to one of the girls in the corner.

“Dominic, what’s going on?” Nicki asked.

“Nicki these are my brothers, Brandon and Justin. What are you two doing here? I thought you were at school and you were in Saudi Arabia?”

“I got back last week,” Justin informed him.

“And you?” He asked Brandon.

“Summer break, I thought we would kill some time here for a few weeks, brought some of the girls from school to hang out. What are you doing here? I thought you were in New York.”

“I’m touring?” Dominic explained. He then looked at the women that came with his brothers. “New girlfriends?” He commented.

“Like she’s your assistant?” Justin countered with the same level of sarcasm.

“This is Alice and Pat; they go to school with me.” Brandon introduced them. “They’re both pre-med.” Funny, Nicki thought, they didn’t look smart enough to be pre-med. Both women were what Nicki would expect from Dominic’s luxurious lifestyle, breathy busty blonds. “Are you my brother’s most recent model?” Brandon asked with a cocky smile.

“I’m a farmer.” She informed him still staying close to Dominic. Even though they turned out to be harmless, she was still rattled.

Brandon and Justin shared a look and then received a death glare from Dominic. None of them spoke a word, but it was as if they were communicating telepathically. “How long you in town for?” Justin asked.

“A few days and you?”

“The whole summer,” Brandon said. “After freezing my ass off in Massachusetts all winter, I want to spend the summer on the ocean.” Brandon then turned to Justin. “Why don’t you show the girls to one of the bedrooms and let them settle in.”

“What room are you in?” Justin asked as he and the girls headed for the stairs.

“The one down here,” Dominic said. “I got my things upstairs, but I’ll just bring them down, and you can give me room to one of the ladies.” Then he paused and looked down at Nicki as if she were an afterthought. “You don’t mind if we bunk together, do you?”

Nicki shook her head; she supposed not, they were already sleeping together.

Dominic moved away from Nicki and picked up a brown paper bag and a takeout tray of paper cup coffee. He handed them both to Nicki as she sat down on the couch.

“I picked up some breakfast; there was no food in the house.” He explained his absence. “You start without me, and I’ll be right back.”

***

Dominic marched up the stairs side by side with Brandon who lowered his voice so Nicki couldn’t hear them as they reached the second-floor landing. “So, how’d you hook up with a farmer? Big city boy with a small-town girl.” He asked.

Dominic didn’t want to admit how they met, Brandon was only going to make fun of him, but he figured there was no reason to lie to him. “We met online.” Brandon burst out laughing just like Dominic suspected he would. “Shut up.” Dominic shoved him.

Brandon sniffed around like he could smell something on Dominic. “What’s that? What do I smell? That’s the smell of desperation.” He laughed only to be punched in the arm by Dominic. “What you meet her on Lowered Expectations.com?”

“Shut up. Mom set me up on the damn site; I was humouring her when I met Nicki. My expectations are not lowered, she’s a perfectly lovely woman, and she’s smart too.” Dominic scolded his brother. “I like her so be nice.”

“I have to ask, what’s with the cane?” He asked putting down his suitcase.

“Don’t draw attention to it; she’s very self-conscious about it. She was attacked last year by some thugs in a home invasion. They left her crippled. Pretend like you don’t notice, and tell Justin to keep his trap shut too. She’s a hard nut to crack, and I’m finally making some progress don’t mess it up for me.” He said as they went into the bedroom where Dominic’s things were. “What’s with the bimbos?”

“Thought they would be some fun.” Brandon shrugged. “We hang out together at some parties, so I figured what better way to spend the summer than with babes in bikinis.”

Dominic stuffed his things back in his suitcase. “Are they pre-med?”

“Yes.”

“They don’t look like they have a brain cell between them.”

Brandon smiled. “I didn’t invite them for their sparkling conversation skills.” He said tossing his suitcase on the bed. Brandon was taking this room. “Hey, I got an idea. Let’s call-up Lance and Lucas and take the yacht out. How often do the five of us get to hang together?”

“Every Thanksgiving and Christmas.” Dominic reminded him.

“Well, it’s not often enough. What do you say? I’ll call the boys.” Brandon offered. Dominic didn’t see why not, he was planning on taking Nicki out on the yacht today anyway.

“Ok but make sure you spread the word. No one is to say anything about the scar on her leg or the cane in her hand.” He warned.

“I’ll spread the word,” Brandon promised. “We’ll all be on our best behaviour.”

Dominic frowned. “Do you think you can be a little nicer than that?” He knew his brothers; they were all in their ways, not so very nice, especially Lance. His big brother Lance was absolutely the worst. He was vicious and cruel with absolutely no verbal filter. Why his wife put up with him at all Dominic would never know.

“I make no promises.” Brandon chuckled. “I think your girl needs to grow a thicker skin.”

Dominic left the room and carried his suitcase down to Nicki’s room. He then joined Nicki on the couch and took his breakfast sandwich from the bag. “So, they’re staying?” Nicki asked.

“Looks like. Sorry, I wanted to be alone, but I can’t kick them out. They have as much right to be here as we do.” He said taking a bite.

“It’s ok; we’ll be alone at the next place.” She then paused. “No one else is going to show up, are they?”

“Well Lucas and Lance may show up, but they both live in California so they wouldn’t spend the night.” This was as good a time as any to prepare her. “The boys are talking about taking the yacht out on the water today. It will be fun.” Nicki cringed. He knew what she was thinking. She didn’t want to be in a bikini in front of other people. She was worried about showing off her scar. He had an idea. “Come with me.” He said putting down his sandwich.

He took Nicki back into the bedroom and sat her down on the foot of the bed. Dominic then opened the closet and fished through the things his parents had left behind. He knew his mother had a silk bathing suit wrap she liked to wear. It was just long enough to cover the scar on Nicki’s knee without making her look like she was trying to hide something. He found it on the shelf and brought it over to Nicki.

“Here we go you can wear this.” He said handing it to her.

“It’s pretty.” She said accepting it and running her hand over the silk.

They returned to their food and then changed into their bathing suits and took a walk on the beach. They left her cane back at the house, so Nicki clung to his supportive arm as they walked through the water lapping at their feet. It was just the right temperature. Cool and refreshing yet still warm.

Dominic dragged Nicki into the water pulling her deeper showing her the pockets of life in the shallows. The young crabs, clams, and oysters. They saw an eagle perched on a sandbar nearby. Dominic urged her closer to the bird to see how close they could get. They got a good ten feet away before it took flight. The sudden movement startled Nicki and Dominic had to keep her upright.

When she started complaining her leg hurt they made their way back to the beach where Dominic lowered Nicki to the sand letting her sit down and rest. He sat beside her with his back to the ocean face to face with Nicki. They spent the afternoon by the water talking about philosophy until Dominic looked back at the beach house and saw Brandon waving at him. He then saw Lance standing beside Brandon, and he got to his feet. His brothers were all there, and they were ready to take the yacht out.

Dominic offered Nicki his hand and helped her to her feet. She limped back to the house where Dominic offered her back her cane. They went into the house where everyone was getting ready to go out. Everyone was in their swimsuits and Justin and Lucas were carrying a large cooler of snacks and booze.

***

Nicki slowly made her way into the house to find four more people than there had been when they went out. Two men who looked like twins and two young women in bikinis. A dark-skinned Latino woman and a dark-haired beauty that looked like a supermodel. “You ready to go to the marina?” The one helping Justin with the cooler asked.

“Ready when you are,” Dominic said putting his arm around Nicki’s shoulders. “I want to introduce Nicki.” He said to his brothers.

“Nice to meet you.” One of the twins said shaking her hand. “I’m Lance, and this is my wife, Cassia.”

“The fashion photographer, right?” Nicki asked trying to keep them all straight.

Lance smiled. “Yep that’s me, and Cassia is a model.”

“I’m Lucas.” The man holding the cooler introduced himself. “And this is my wife Max, she’s ex-D.E.A., and I jump dirt bikes for a living.” He said proudly.

“I wish you wouldn’t.” Max frowned, she looked like she might be pregnant, not too far along but noticeably pregnant. “One day you’re going to break your neck.”

“Don’t worry baby ain’t no grave going to hold me back.” Lucas grinned. “Come on I’m dying to get on the water.”

They all made their way out to the driveway where they loaded up the various cars with their coolers and other things. Everyone took their cars to the marina ten minutes away from where their family yacht was docked. They made their way down the dock to the large two-story yacht (three if she counted the lower hull) at the end of the dock with everyone carrying a cooler to stock the ship.

Nicki lagged allowing the faster people to pass. Dominic hung back offering Nicki his arm to steady herself as they awkwardly made their way up the gangplank. It was a stunning long white ship with light hardwood deck and dark tinted windows. While Lance and Justin put the snacks and drinks away below deck Lucas went up to the second story where the wheel was and skillfully pulled them out of the dock and out into open water. Brandon went to a stereo system built into the main floor hull. He put on a CD and cranked the volume, and the party was underway.

The movement of the yacht forced Nicki off balance, and she almost fell over, but Dominic’s strong arms wrapped around her and helped to keep her on her feet. He slowly walked her over to a plush white sitting area at the bow and sat her down. He sat down with her as the yacht sped out into open water. The sea breeze blew through her hair, and the smell of the salt water was so fresh it was relaxing.

Once they were far enough out Lucas brought the ship to a stop and dropped the anchor. He came down to the main deck and joined the party. The women Brandon and Justin had brought were already dancing to the blaring music with Brandon leaning against the banister watching, and their baby brother Justin was right in the thick of it bumping and grinding. Lance brought out drinks for everyone, a cooler full of ice-cold beers.

Across the deck on another seat sat Maxine and Lucas whispering to one another with big bright smiles. Nicki watched as Lucas whispered into his wife’s ear and then playfully nibbled at her lob making her giggle. His arm was around her shoulders pulling her close. Then she looked over at him, and their lips met in what looked like a sexually suggestive kiss.

“And that’s why those two are pregnant again,” Dominic whispered in her ear.

Nicki blushed, she’d been caught staring. “They certainly seem to enjoy one another’s company.”

Dominic snickered. “I’d say. This is baby number four in as many years. Lucas can’t keep his hands off of her.” It must have been wonderful to be wanted that much. “I think they fit so well together because they’re both completely crazy. Honestly, it’s a miracle Lucas hasn’t killed himself yet with the insane crap he does.”

Nicki was finding it difficult to tell Lance form Lucas. Were it not for the fact that Lucas was in black trunks and Lance in yellow they looked pretty much exactly alike. “How do you tell them apart?” She asked softly.

Dominic smiled. “Yeah I suppose it could be tricky for someone outside looking in, but once you get to know them, it’s fairly easy. Lucas and Lance are night and day. They’re the flip side of the same coin. Lucas is wild and crazy; he lives for jumping bikes and racing cars. If you look at his hands, he’s usually got axel grease and motor oil under his fingernails, whereas Lance is more reserved. He’s meaner, and he dresses better, he’s arrogant and almost never smiles unless he’s making someone cry.”

Strange, Lance didn’t look like he was mean and vicious. He looked like he was having fun and he and his wife were talking, and she was all smiles. He couldn’t possibly be as bad as Dominic said he was. Why would any woman stay with him if he was? “He seems nice enough.”

“That’s because Cassia brings out the best in him. If she weren’t around, he’d be an absolute Scrooge. Real nasty. But don’t get me wrong. Lance is a good guy just bitter and mean. He’s had a rough time with women until Cassia came along. It’s left him rather jaded.”

Nicki’s gaze drifted to Brandon who was off on the side by his own drinking his beer contently just watching his brother and the girls dance. “What’s his story?” She found it odd that he’d brought these two women but wasn’t getting in on the action.

“Brandon is a great legal mind. He’s always watching and thinking. He can argue any point even if it’s completely wrong and still win. He’s in school right now, but when he passes the Bar, he’ll be a great success.”

“Why does he stand off to the side like that?”

“He’s thinking.”

“About what?’

“Probably about which one of these girls he’s going to fool around with and which one he’ll give to Justin.”

“Give?” She said looking back at Dominic.

“Boys and their toys.” He smiled.

“They’re not toys they’re people.”

“I know that, and you know that, but they don’t care. Brandon brought these girls out here for one reason only.” It was deplorable. “What can I say their young, rich, and single. Guys do this sort of thing.”

“Did you?”

“I did when I was younger, but now I look for substance.” He said brushing a lock of dark hair out of her eyes. “Eventually we all have to grow up.” His smile erased her annoyance. The song changed, and Dominic got up. “I love this song.” He said taking the bottle from her hand and placing it on a ledge nearby. He took her hands and pulled Nicki to her feet. “Come on doll let’s dance.”

“I can’t dance.” She said trying to sit back down, but he wouldn’t have it. He pulled her into his arms and began to rock and sway.

“Sure, you can.” He said with a confident smile. He held her close. “If you can move as you did in the hot tub you can dance.” Nicki felt her cheeks flush red with embarrassment and Dominic just laughed. “Are you going to turn beet red every time I mention s*x?”

“Lower your voice.” She whispered looking around to see if anyone had overheard. “Someone is going to hear you.”

“You are way too concerned with what other people might think of you.” He said. “Everyone here already knows we’re having sex.” He whispered.

“Oh god.” She said burying her face behind her hand.

“Nobody cares.” He promised her.

“I care. I’m not like these women. I don’t do this sort of thing so casually.” She said wanting to shrink away out of sight.

“Yeah, I know.”

“Your family probably thinks I’m easy. I mean I’ve only known you for such a short period, and now we’re sharing a bed, and everyone knows.” She said with a rising level of anxiety. She was going to hyperventilate. She could already feel her pulse racing.

“Wow, calm down it’s not that bad. No one thinks you’re easy.”

“Yes, they do.”

“Well we both know different, and that’s all that matters.” He said quietly. His hands framed her face, and his eyes locked with hers. “Just breathe, calm down.” When she didn’t Dominic grabbed her cane and put his arm around Nicki’s shoulders and ushered her away from the group toward the entrance to the interior of the yacht.

They went inside where they could be alone, and Dominic sat Nicki down on the couch that ran the length of the port side hull. There was a wooden coffee table mounted to the floor and along the starboard side a fully equipped kitchenette. There was a wooden door that was open and looked like it opened into a washroom. Next to the door was a staircase that went below, she wasn’t sure to what.

Dominic went to the small kitchenette and took a bottle of water out of the small fridge and offered it to Nicki. She accepted the bottle and took a big drink. “Why are you so self-conscious?” He asked leaning against the counter. “You’re wound tight.”

She didn’t know why perhaps it was because she didn’t feel comfortable here in his lavish world. Always waiting for something horrible to happen or for someone to point out that she didn’t fit in, or that she wasn’t good enough for a man like Dominic. She couldn’t get over the feeling like people were laughing at her. “I should have never come. What was I thinking? I don’t fit in here with these people. I should have stayed where I belonged.”

“Don’t say that.” He said coming to join her on the couch. He put his arm around her shoulders.

“It’s true I’m not like those women out there. I’m not beautiful or accomplished.”

“You are beautiful.” He said caressing her face. “I think you’re very beautiful.” He said gazing into her eyes. “And you know what I’m going to prove it.” Dominic got up and took her hand. “Come with me.” He said leading her toward the steps. He offered his arm for support as Nicki navigated the narrow winding steps to the lower deck.

At the bottom of the steps was a short hallway with five doors. They moved down the hall to the bow of the yacht. He opened the wood door and stepped aside to let Nicki enter. It was a small bedroom with a large bed with a white comforter and black silk pillows. The walls were wooden panelled walls, soft pot lights embedded in the ceiling, and vases of white lilies mounted on the walls. The flowers looked fresh. They must have had someone that kept the ship prepped at all times just in case the family showed up. Having that kind of money must be nice.

“Wait here,” Dominic said and left Nicki alone in the room. She sat down on the foot of the bed waiting for him to return. He returned shortly with a tin of pencils and what looked like a midsized sketchpad. “Sit back.” He said urging Nicki back on the bed.

“What are you going to do?” She asked shifting up the bed until her back was against the wall.

“Sketch you.” He smiled. “I’m going to show you what I see when I look at you.”

“I’m not getting naked.” She said firmly.

Dominic grinned, his silvery eyes sparkling with mischief. “You don’t have to.”

“Ok so what do I do?” She asked watching him sketch as he sat on the foot of the bed.

“You don’t have to do anything, just sit there.” He said sweetly.

“Will it take long?”

“You can’t rush perfection.”

“I don’t see how this is going to make me more confident.”

“Would you rather go back upstairs and rejoin the party?” He asked eyeing her with a knowing smile.

“No this is fine.” She said making herself comfortable.

“So, tell me about your family.” He said, focussing on his sketch.

“What do you want to know, you’ve already met them.”

“Where’s your mother? Are your parents divorced?”

Nicki lowered her eyes as sadness consumed her. She tried not to think about her mother it was too sad. “My Mother died five years ago.”

Dominic paused and looked up at her with surprise. “Oh, I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to be so insensitive. How did she die?”

“Breast cancer.”

He looked down at his paper and continued sketching. “I’m sorry; we don’t have to talk about this.”

“It’s ok.” She said trying to smile.

“Did she at least go quickly?”

“She fought for three years,” Nicki said softly. “Four surgeries but the cancer spread so quickly they couldn’t get it all. The radiation made her sick. In the end, she was just wasting away in a hospital bed. The doctor gave her a shot of morphine. She just closed her eyes and went to sleep.”

Dominic was watching her now with sadness. She didn’t want him to look at her that way. She could tell he wanted to say something, but he didn’t know what.

***

Dominic was speechless. What could he say? She had lost her mother in a horrible way and then she’d been brutally attacked and lost the use of her leg so young. Nicki’s life had been rough there was no doubt about that. There was no wonder she was so inhibited.

“Please don’t look at me like that.” She said her eyes cast down.

Dominic returned his eyes to the sketch he was working on. He was working on her eyes, the soul was in the eyes, but Nicki’s were so sad. She was like a flower sprouting up between the cracks of a sidewalk being beaten down by a rainstorm. Dominic wanted to protect her, to shelter her from the cruelties of her world. He wanted to see she had justice.

He dragged the soft lead along the paper but he wasn’t satisfied, it looked like her, but it was so sombre. He wanted to show her she was beautiful not make her feel pitiful. He had to put a smile back on her pretty face. Dominic put his sketchpad and pencil set down which got Nicki’s attention.

“What are you doing?” She asked curiously.

Dominic smiled and crawled across the mattress to her. His lips claimed hers in a soft kiss. “I can think of something better to do right now.” He said coaxing her to lie down beneath him. His mouth ate at hers, and his hand slowly moved up her thigh pushing the silk wrap up and out of his way. His fingers caressed her through the sheer fabric of her swimsuit bottoms drawing from Nicki a sweet moan that made him shudder. Her pleasure pleased him. It felt good to make her want him. To make her forget herself if even for just moments.

His hand slipped down the front of her bottoms and pressed two fingers inside her ever-dampening womanhood. She closed her eyes and bit her bottom lip trying to stop from moaning. That would never do. He wanted her mad with need, the way she was back in the hot tub last night. Nicki returned his kiss with such longing it stirred his body and brought him to full arousal. She was sweet, innocent, inexperienced; her naivety excited him, it drove him wild with desire. He had to have her.

Dominic untied the wrap from her waist. He pulled the string of her top free and removed it then did the same with her bottoms. She didn’t resist as he undressed her. Nicki’s hand moved over his abs and down the front of his trunks wrapping her hand around his arousal. It was a bold move for such a timid woman.

He eagerly pushed his shorts down his legs and kicked them off then he positioned himself between her legs and sunk deep into her. Dominic moved quick, and deep drawing panted breaths of excitement form her lush lips. She was so responsive in heightened his enjoyment to make her mindless with passion. Her fingers dragged down his back and over his bottom pulling him closer.

It was heated and primal, an all-consuming animalistic need that brought them both to the edge and pushed them over. It was a powerful climax, a mutual release, and Dominic dropped onto the bed beside Nicki trying to catch his breath. Dominic lay on his side watching Nicki with a smile. She smiled contently, which was exactly what he’d wanted. To see that sparkling smile that lit up those deep dark eyes. Dominic pulled the blanket up around them and took Nicki into his arms. She nuzzled up close resting her head on his shoulder.

She didn’t say a word, and after a few moments, Dominic could hear her breathing in a steady rhythm. Nicki had dozed off. Very carefully Dominic eased Nicki out of his arms trying not to wake her then he crawled out of bed and was pulling his shorts back on when the door opened with Lucas and Maxine stumbling through in one another’s arms.

They noticed Dominic and Nicki asleep in the bed. “Sorry,” Lucas smirked, “We’ll find another room.”

“Be quiet about it, or you’ll wake her up,” Dominic warned.

Lucas placed his finger to his lips and took his wife’s hand pulling her back into the hall closing the door as they left. Dominic picked up his sketchpad and settled in on the bed next to Nicki. Now that she was asleep he could finish his drawing without those sad eyes. When she woke, she’d see what he did. He’d show her just how beautiful she was.