In Your Image

The soft hum of the limo's engine was the only sound breaking the silence between us, and I found myself staring out the tinted window, watching the city blur past. My heart was pounding, not just because I was riding in a luxurious limo at nearly midnight, but because Dominic Carlisle was sitting right beside me, calm and collected as if this were the most normal thing in the world.

"Are you sure it's a good idea for us to go shopping right now?" I asked, finally turning to look at him. "Aren't you worried someone will recognize me?"

He glanced over at me, his expression unreadable as always. "No need to worry," he said casually, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine. "I bought out the boutique for a private party. No one else will be there."

Of course, he had. I shouldn't have been surprised, but somehow, Dominic always found new ways to make my head spin. Just as I was about to ask him something else, he lifted a silver platter from the minibar in the car, revealing a few perfectly arranged chocolate-covered strawberries.

"Open wide," he instructed, picking one up between his fingers.

I blinked in surprise, hesitating. There was something incredibly intimate about the way he was holding it, waiting for me to comply. His eyes, those piercing blue eyes, never left mine. Blushing slightly, I parted my lips, and he gently placed the strawberry in my mouth. The rich, sweet taste exploded on my tongue, but it was the way his fingertips brushed my lips that made my heart stutter. The tension between us thickened, heavy and impossible to ignore.

"You're blushing," he teased softly.

I swallowed hard, shifting in my seat. "I'm not," I mumbled, knowing full well that I was.

Dominic simply chuckled, his attention shifting back to his phone as he texted someone, leaving me to my racing thoughts. My pulse thrummed in my ears as we pulled up to a boutique that I had only ever seen in magazines—one I never imagined stepping foot inside, let alone being personally escorted in by Dominic Carlisle.

The car stopped, and a valet opened the door for us. Dominic stepped out first, his long legs moving with a grace that belied his imposing frame. He extended his hand to help me out of the limo, and I hesitated only for a second before placing my hand in his. The contact sent another jolt of electricity through me, and I had to remind myself to breathe.

We stepped into the boutique, and my breath caught in my throat. The interior was dazzling. Gowns hung from the racks like art pieces, shimmering under the crystal chandeliers. Coats, dresses, and suits lined the walls, each more extravagant than the last. Jewelry glittered in glass cases, each piece probably worth more than my college tuition.

The boutique owners greeted Dominic like an old friend, their smiles warm and welcoming. "Mr. Carlisle! It's wonderful to see you again," the man said with a bow of his head. "What can we help you with this evening?"

Dominic didn't hesitate. "She needs an entire new wardrobe," he said, his tone matter-of-fact. "Spare no expense."

My eyes widened at the sheer boldness of his statement. The owners exchanged delighted glances before turning to me. "Right this way, Miss," the woman said, ushering me toward the dressing rooms.

The next few hours were a blur. Dresses, gowns, shoes, coats—they threw everything at me. I tried on outfit after outfit, each one more luxurious than the last. Every time I changed, they paraded me out in front of Dominic, who sat in an armchair near the back of the store, sipping cognac and discussing business on his phone. He barely looked at me, offering only a quick thumbs up or a firm shake of his head before returning to his call. I felt like a mannequin, spinning in circles for his approval.

It wasn't until I was back in the dressing room, changing into yet another gown, that the boutique owner leaned in and smiled conspiratorially. "You're a very lucky girl," she said, her voice dripping with curiosity. "How long have you been with Mr. Carlisle?"

I nearly dropped the hanger I was holding. "Oh, no," I stammered, shaking my head. "I'm not with him like that."

The woman's brows furrowed, confusion settling on her face. "Really? That's strange. A few years ago, when he came in for a fitting, he wouldn't stop gushing about a girl who looked just like you. He seemed so... excited. But we haven't seen him since then."

Her words hit me like a freight train. My stomach twisted, a sinking feeling creeping into my chest. A girl who looked just like me? Gushing? I couldn't picture Dominic gushing about anyone, let alone someone who resembled me. The thought made me feel... strange. I forced a smile and thanked the woman before returning to the task at hand, but the knot in my stomach remained.

Finally, the last dress they brought out for me was a sleek, red bodycon dress that hugged every curve of my body like it was made for me. They paired it with a gold necklace and matching earrings, the jewels glinting in the dim boutique lighting. I stared at myself in the mirror, feeling like someone else entirely.

When I stepped out to show Dominic, he was no longer on the phone. His eyes, usually so cold and unreadable, widened slightly as he took me in. For a brief moment, I thought I saw something soften in his gaze, but it disappeared just as quickly.

"You look perfect," he said quietly, his voice a little rougher than before.

A strange feeling stirred inside me. I wasn't sure if it was the compliment or the way he was looking at me, but I felt something—something that made my breath catch in my throat.

After he paid for everything (which I still couldn't comprehend), we returned to the limo. The mood was quieter now, the tension from earlier still simmering under the surface. As the car pulled away, I decided to bring up what the boutique owner had said.

"Dominic," I started, trying to keep my voice casual, "the boutique owners said something weird. They mentioned that a few years ago, you came in and were... gushing about a girl who looked like me?"

The moment I said it, his entire demeanor shifted. His expression darkened, his jaw tightening. "They just like to gossip," he said shortly. "It helps increase the likelihood of a sale."

I frowned, not satisfied with the answer. "But that doesn't make sense. A few years ago, I didn't even really know you. We only met when my parents introduced me to your family to push me and Nathan closer."

The memory of that awkward dinner flashed in my mind. I had barely spoken to Dominic that night. He had sat there in silence, hardly saying a word.

Unless... he had noticed me even then?

Realization dawned on me, and my words died in my throat. My heart pounded in my chest as the implications of it hit me. He had been attracted to me back then, and I never even knew. Dominic stared out the window, refusing to respond. The tension was thick and heavy, like a storm cloud hovering between us.

"Dominic," I whispered, "I didn't know."

He remained silent, his gaze still fixed on the dark cityscape outside. The limo continued its smooth journey, but inside, the air was stifling, charged with words unsaid. I tried to thank him for the clothes, for everything, but he didn't respond. The weight of the silence crushed me.

When we finally arrived back at the estate, the servants scrambled to retrieve the dozens of bags and packages from the trunk. I was about to hurry to my room, feeling stupid for bringing it up, when suddenly, Dominic's hand shot out and gripped my wrist.

Before I could react, he yanked me toward him, his mouth crashing down on mine. The kiss was hungry, desperate, and raw, igniting a fire in me that I didn't even know existed. My initial shock quickly faded as I melted into him, my arms instinctively wrapping around his neck. He pressed me against the side of the car, his hands roaming my body, making me shiver in ways I didn't expect.

I sighed into the kiss, my mind clouded with nothing but him—his touch, his taste, the intensity of his desire. But just as suddenly as it started, Dominic pulled away, his expression twisted into a scowl.

"What's wrong?" I asked, breathless and confused.

He spat out the words like they burned his tongue. "Nathan is the only one who holds your heart, Livy. I'm not going to indulge in fantasies. It's beneath me."

His words were like a punch to the gut, leaving me speechless. I tried to call after him, to tell him he was wrong, but he disappeared into the mansion, leaving me standing there, breathless and bewildered.

For the next three days, Dominic locked himself away in his study, and I didn't hear from him once.