Chapter 74: I am ready Dom

Dominic lay on the bed, stealing glance after glance at Clara.

It had been a while since she had finished ranting about Hannah refusing to let her tag along to Eric’s wedding. Strangely enough, after all that complaining, she had suddenly become sensible, saying she trusted Hannah and believed she could handle everything on her own.

Dominic was still trying to get used to his wife’s unpredictable personality. One moment she was ready to crash a wedding uninvited. The next, she was wishing Hannah the best of luck.

What he couldn’t get used to, however, was the silence.

For the past several minutes, Clara had been lying beside him without sparing him so much as a glance.

(She’s really not going to look at me? I’ve been waiting all day to see her, and she spent more time talking to everyone else than to her own husband.)

(At this rate, the pillow is getting more attention than I am.)

Unable to take it any longer, Dominic finally broke the silence.

"What took you so long to come home?"

Only then did Clara turn to look at him.

Earlier that day, after signing the contract with Prestine Group, Logan had handed her the guest list for the charity event. To her delight, Dominic’s name had been on it.

So while her husband continued sulking beside her, Clara simply smiled instead of correcting his assumptions.

"Dom," she announced dramatically, "I’m going to be rich!"

Her sparkling eyes made Dominic’s heart skip a beat.

(Rich? No wonder I kept sneezing all day. My wife must’ve been thinking about me every second.)

Clara nearly laughed.

Poor Dom. He really must’ve sneezed himself silly today. I couldn’t stop thinking about him.

"I got my first order from Prestine Group!" she said proudly. "But... I won’t be able to attend the charity event with you because I’ll be working there."

Dominic’s eyebrows shot up.

"How did you—" Before he could finish, Clara rolled over and climbed on top of him.

Her palms rested lightly on his chest while her fingertips lazily traced small circles over his shirt.

"I saw your name on the guest list," she admitted honestly.

Ever since Clara had decided to fully accept both Dominic and their marriage, she had promised herself she wouldn’t hide things from him unless absolutely necessary.

Dominic looked at her for a few seconds before nodding.

Now that she had been chosen to handle the event’s catering, it made perfect sense that she had access to the guest list. What pleased him most wasn’t that she knew—it was that she had told him without hesitation.

"Dom..." Clara called softly.

"Hmm?"

"Do you think I can really handle such a huge order?"

Despite all her confidence, there were moments when even Clara needed reassurance.

Growing up, she had always run to her mother whenever she doubted herself.

Now...

She found herself wanting Dominic to be that person.

Dominic studied her quietly.

(Is my fearless wife actually doubting herself after she already signed the deal)

The corners of Clara’s lips twitched. Here she was expecting Dominic to give her some motivation, but instead he was mocking her in his mind. Not wanting to hear anything from him, Clara was about to turn when Dominic gently brushed a few loose strands of hair behind her ear before running his fingers through her hair.

"I know you can do it."

Clara froze. Those four simple words carried far more weight than any long speech.

A bright smile spread across her face as she threw herself into his arms.

"Thank you." She squeezed him tightly. "I really needed to hear that."

She hugged him even harder.

"Dom... you’re seriously too nice."

Dominic let out a muffled grunt.

(Am I being hugged... or slowly crushed to death?)

After a few more seconds, Clara finally released him.

Dominic took a deep breath as though he had just survived a wrestling match.

(...Worth it.)

"I’ve decided," Clara declared with a grin. "Once the charity event is over, I’m throwing you a celebration party."

"For me?"

"Of course. You deserve one."

Satisfied, Clara turned onto her side, ready to sleep. However the next second, Dominic gently caught her wrist and rolled her back toward him.

"Dom?"

Her eyes widened as he leaned closer.

"You forgot something."

"What?"

"My goodnight kiss."

(And before you ask... yes, I’ve been waiting for it all evening.)

Clara’s eyelashes fluttered. She had assumed Dominic had forgotten about that drunken night when she had stolen a kiss from him first before leaving him hanging.

Apparently, he remembered every single detail.

A teasing smile curved her lips.

"So..." she whispered, "just a goodnight kiss?"

Dominic smiled helplessly.

Clara laughed softly before closing the remaining distance between them. Their lips met in a warm, lingering kiss filled with affection rather than words.

When they finally pulled away, Clara rested her forehead against his with a contented smile.

"Do you... want me to finish what I started that night?"

Clara knew it was time for them to take their relationship to the next step.

The patience Dominic had shown her over the past weeks only made her feel more guilty. She knew he had been giving her all the time she needed, never once pressuring her or making her feel uncomfortable.

But she also knew he had his own needs.

Their kisses had become more frequent, yet Clara knew they weren’t enough. More than once, she had woken in the middle of the night to find Dominic missing from bed, only to discover he had gone to take a cold shower.

He never complained.

He never asked for more.

Still, Clara couldn’t bear the thought of her husband constantly denying himself just because he was afraid of crossing her boundaries.

Dominic let out a quiet sigh before meeting her gaze.

"Not until you’re truly ready," he said gently.

His voice carried no disappointment, only reassurance.

He was about to settle back against the pillow when Clara reached out and held his hand.

"I am ready, Dom."

Her quiet but unwavering words made him pause.

The moment their eyes met, Dominic realised she meant every single word.

For several long seconds, he simply looked at her, as though making sure she wasn’t forcing herself for his sake.

Only after seeing the certainty in her eyes did he slowly reach up and begin unbuttoning his shirt.

"Don’t take those words back," he murmured, his voice low but filled with emotion.

Clara smiled warmly and shook her head.

"No chance."

She gently cupped his cheek.

"I’m sure."

The hesitation in Dominic’s eyes melted away. He leaned forward, closing the distance between them before capturing her lips in a deep, lingering kiss, holding her as though she were the most precious thing in the world.