Chapter 35 First Time
Dominic gasped as he pulled her into his embrace.
Calliope’s waist was so thin that he could easily wrap his arm around it while lifting her chin with his other hand.
I feel as though her pink lips and clear eyes are quietly seducing me. This sensation that I’m feeling… It’s like my body is on fire right now. With that thought in mind, he continued fixing his intense gaze on her.
While avoiding his stare, she found her breathing quickening too as she blushed. His heated chest, powerful heartbeats, and masculine vibe made her body go limp. Before he could land a kiss on her, she gently pushed him away.
“Don’t.” An embarra**ed grin surfaced on her countenance. “I still need to prepare dinner.”
Dominic froze as a dark look flashed past his eyes.
“Later, at night…” Calliope barely managed to utter those words in a weak voice before her face turned as red as a tomato. “Come sleep in the room with me instead of sleeping on the couch. It’s not comfy on the couch.”
Dominic was stunned. That’s probably the boldest thing she’s ever said.
Stifling his urge to laugh, he brushed his thumb on her reddened earlobe and replied hoarsely, “Okay.”
After dinner was over, Dominic went straight to the bathroom.
Usually, it only took him ten minutes to finish up. However, that time around, he remained in the bathroom for nearly an hour. Meanwhile, Calliope cut some fruits and watched television while waiting for Dominic. However, a long while later, he still didn’t emerge from the bathroom. The occasional sound of running water was the only thing she heard coming out of the bathroom.
Calliope blushed, put on her pajamas, and uneasily sat on the side of the bed.
She was so nervous that she wasn’t sure what to do. What will he do to me later? I bet he’s stronger than ordinary people, considering how beefy he looks…
Pursing her lips, she grinned to herself. Then, she found her thoughts a little too inappropriate and lowered her head.
It was then the sound of running water finally stopped. She froze and gripped the hem of her nightgown tightly.
His footsteps sound so close yet so far away. Calliope’s heart raced as she crossed her legs, waiting in anticipation.
She used to read romance novels in the past, and the description of wedding nights in the
novels was so beautiful that she yearned to experience it herself. Back in her youthful days, she had once envisioned marrying her prince charming and enjoying a wonderful night with him.
While our wedding night has pa**ed, this is my first time doing it with Dominic. I hope tonight will be as marvelous and unforgettable as it is in those books I’ve read. A sweet smile formed on her face.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang urgently.
Calliope jumped in fright and went to open the door. She was bewildered to see Caleb standing outside with wounds and bruises all over his body. The moment he saw her, he burst into tears.
“What happened?” Hastily, she pulled him into the building. “Did you have a fight with
someone?”
“Calliope…” He stared at her with tear-filled eyes as he struggled to complete a sentence while sobbing.
Calliope was so anxious that she forgot all about Dominic until she heard him clearing his throat behind her. After slowly turning around, she saw the confusion and frown on his countenance, which made her heart skip a beat. Oh yeah, I’m Penelope right now, and Penelope doesn’t have a brother…
“This is my cousin, Caleb.” Calliope forced a smile and discreetly gave Caleb a look, hinting at him to play along.
It took a second for Caleb to process what she meant. So this is the man she’s married to… I don’t think he knows who I am, so I mustn’t expose Calliope’s identity.
“Greet your cousin-in-law, Cay,” she urged softly.
After doing as she asked, Caleb hid behind Calliope and stared at Dominic fearfully. There’s an overwhelming vibe about him. Doesn’t she feel pressured to live with someone like him every day?
Dominic nodded, wordlessly grabbed the first-aid kit, and gestured for Caleb to sit on the couch so he could tend to his wounds for him.
Caleb was badly injured. His forehead was swollen and his thigh had a bloody gash so serious that his pants were plastered on the wound.
As gentle as Dominic was while treating his wounds, Caleb still paled and sweated profusely when the former peeled his pants away from the injury.
“What happened? Who beat you up?” Tears streamed down Calliope’s cheeks. “Who did you offend?”
Sadly, Caleb pursed his lips and remained silent. Calliope grew anxious and continued pressing for answers, but Caleb stubbornly refused to speak.
Dominic patted her shoulder and gave her a rea**uring look before escorting Caleb to the balcony. Soon after the balcony door was closed, Caleb spoke to Dominic as he wept.
When Dominic came back in from the balcony, Calliope hurriedly asked, “What happened?”
“He was bullied at school.” A touch of rage was present on his cold expression.
Calliope’s heart wrenched, and she almost couldn’t suppress the urge to cry.
“A few seniors thought he was an easy target to bully and blocked his path to school every day to demand money from him. If he doesn’t have any, he’ll get beat up.” He bit his lip. “Earlier, when they didn’t get any money from him, they smashed his head on the wall, which is why there’s a serious injury on his forehead.”
Upon hearing that, Calliope gasped and wanted to head to the balcony to check on her brother, but Dominic stopped her.
He whispered, “Don’t go to him yet. Boys his age are prideful. He doesn’t want you to see him like that. Let him calm down first before talking to him.”
“Okay.” She nodded and felt somewhat bemused. Why did my own brother hide the fact that he was bullied from me but was willing to tell Dominic, whom he had just met?
As though he had read her mind, he grinned and clarified, “Some things are only between men.”
Shaking her head, Calliope refuted, “He’s only sixteen! He’s not a man yet.”
“Don’t underestimate sixteen-year-olds. When I was his age, I had already-” He abruptly cut himself off and swallowed his words.
“Already what?”
