UNEDITED
She was different, a good kind of different though. She was brighter and cheerier than before, light had returned to her eyes and color to her cheeks. Dom observed.
He was glad for the change in her but he was also worried about who was behind it. Allie was his and something at the back of his mind told him to lay claim on her before someone else does.
The Allie he knew would never keep two partners but what about now? five years was a long time, long enough for someone to change.
He pushed himself off his seat and walked out of his over emphasized office.
"Gretchen, clear my schedule for the rest of today."
He told his secretary, not sparing her a glance.
"You're leaving early sir."
Ryan stated as Dom walked through his office.
It took all his manly power to stop Dom from rolling his eyes.
That's the effect of spending time with Allie.
"Yes, I have personal business to attend to."
He answered and walked out to avoid further questioning.
Only Allie and Ryan and Liam, apart from his family could question him and get away with it.
He took the elevator to the ground floor and made his way quickly to the parking lot.
His frown deepened at the thought of Allie with someone else, it hurt to think about it.
He wanted her in his life. No. He needed her in his life. Loving her was easy, it required no effort just like breathing.
As Dom stepped on the top floor of his friend's firm.
He smiled at the top floor receptionist who motioned for him to go in.
He stepped into Allies office. She was busy on the phone and it sounded important, her eyes shined when she saw him.
He walked around her desk to stand behind her. Allie smacked stomach when he leant in and kissed behind her ear.
She glared up at him and went back to jotting down on her little notepad.
He hooked his finger in her hair band and pulled it away, freeing her hair.
She elbowed his stomach in response.
"Completely Sir, yes. Thank you. We'll get back to you soon."
She said, still glaring at him. He grinned innocently at her.
"Okay. That would be nice."
She finally said and put down the receiver.
"Dominic, what is wrong with you!?"
She half yelled, half whispered.
"Do you know how many hours I spent taming my hair?"
He smiled and turned her chair around to face him.
"Is that how to to say hi to a boyfriend you haven't seen for more than twenty-four hours?"
He asked, feigning hurt.
"Is that how to show love to the girlfriend you've been dying to see?"
She countered, frowning up at him.
Smiling, he used his thumb to rub her eyebrows.
"Allie shouldn't frown when Dom is around."
He said, shaking his head.
"Now stand up."
He pulled her up by her arms.
"...and say hi."
She grinned up at him "Hi."
"Is that it?"
He asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
Allie chuckled, stood on the tip of her toes and pecked his cheek.
"What was that?"
He asked in a desperate tune.
Allie giggled.
"A kiss."
He took her hand and tugged her into his embrace.
"Is that your version of a kiss?"
She nodded, stifling a laugh.
"Let me show you my own version"
He purred before his mouth sought hers.
She groaned and clung to him, weaving his mane through her fingers.
"Dominic O'Malley, would you kindly let go of my Secretary, she has work to do"
Allie jerked away from him at the sound of Liam's voice. She reddened and turned her back to them.
Dom glared at his friend. Way to ruin the mood.
"I swear sometimes I feel like killing you, but I don't want to do the world such a great favor."
Dom said in mock annoyance.
Liam eyed Dom curiosly.
"I know you did not come here to make out with my employee. State your business here."
Despite his serious words, Dom could see the humor bouncing in his friend's eyes.
"What a lousy businessman you are, your reception is poor."
Liam laughed at him.
"Dude, you don't need reception. Come on."
Liam said and walked off.
"I won't be long, please round off for today, I'll take you home."
Confused, Allie starred at the door he just walked through.
She shrugged and turned back to her work.
#
"She's changed man, she's different."
Dom grumbled to his friend.
"I thought I was the only one that noticed it."
Liam leaned backwards into his chair.
"What if someone else did this?"
Liam threw his pen at his friend's face.
"Allie will stop seeing you if she's with someone else."
Liam said with a note of finality.
"I can't loose her, I only just got her back."
Dom sighed into his palm and shot his laughing friend a cold glare.
"Dude, you're scared! Look at you."
Liam said between laughter.
Dom picked up Liam's stress ball and threw it at Liam, successfully hitting his head.
"I'm here to take her out. So you're going to call her and tell her she can leave."
Dom turned on the intercom, daring his friend to refuse.
A silent conversation passed between them.
"Yes sir?"
Allie's voice came through the intercom.
"You have the day off. I can manage."
Liam said, still holding Dom's glare.
"Ohh... Right."
She said and turned it off.
They glared into each others eyes until Dom blinked and look away.
"Thanks man."
Dom said, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Get your whipped ass out of my office."
Liam snapped.
"I'm whipped and I love it."
Dom winked at his friend.
"I gotta go."
He said and stood up.
Liam scowled at him.
"Go back to work son."
He teased before walking out of Liam's office.
#
Allie noticed he was starring, intently and he barely touched his wine.
She patiently waited for him to say something.
"How did you feel when you found out you were pregnant with James?"
Finally asked.
"I was scared."
she said simply, tightening her lips.
"why?"
he arched one perfect brow.
she looked at him in disbelief.
"really?! having a child with a man I had no idea where he was, having no idea on how to raise a child or be a parent, that's enough to freak anyone out."
she said casually, picking up her drink.
"I was scared too, I felt inadequate, I didn't have what it takes to be a dad."
he brushed his knuckles over her chin, starring intently at her.
"I wished you were with me, to help me, you'd have figured out a way to do it."
she couldn't look away from his burning stare.
"I wouldn't have been useful anyway, I was as clueless as you."
she said and rubbed her stomach instinctively.
"I read books online."
Allie chuckled lightly.
"it takes patience and love to raise a child."
she said, tearing her eyes away from his.
"did you breastfeed James?"
he asked, never taking his eyes from her.
she nodded in response and turned in time to see his eyes brighten up.
"you want to know why I guess."
it was his turn to nod.
"it helped us bond. initially, I didn't want to, but there was this force pulling us together."
she shrugged and continued.
"I decided to try it once, it really made him happy. then I tried it again and I couldn't stop."
his lips curved up into a wide smile.
"that's super cool."
he said in awe.
They remained in silence like that for a while.
"Can I kiss you?"
He asked quietly.
"You've become a gentleman overnight huh?"
she teased.
He just smiled and looked down at their hands.
He raised his free hand, brushed her hair aside, and cupped her nape.
scooting closer to her, he held her eyes with his.
Allie couldn't look away from him, she wanted him to kiss her badly, she loved the feel of him against her.
she sighed deeply as his lips touched hers.
"Dom..."
She whinned in displeasure when he didn't kiss her.
he chuckled before claiming her mouth with a kiss so long and so sweet that Allie wished had lasted forever.
She went still when she heard the door open, trying to break the kiss but Dom groaned and deepened it.
she whimpered, knowing that would stop him.
As expected, he broke the kiss abruptly and searched her face.
"I needed air and our food is here."
he released her neck and gave her a wink.
Allie shifted in her seat, trying to hide her flushed face.
"thanks Jen"
Dom said, smiling at Jen.
He watched her walk out, fuming.
He chuckled, looking down to see his Allie eating silently.
"hungry are we?"
she just shrugged.
he watched her eat her well flavoured ribs, glad he brought her here. she looked hungry. he smiled and dug to his own food.
#
Dom played with her hair, letting it brush between his fingers.
It was getting late, and he didn't want the night to end just yet. After their meal, he drove them to a nearby park, where they talked random things.
She finally opened up on why she quit her job at the hospital.
He noticed that she'd relax and then tense up again like she remembered something.
Now stretched out on a park bench with her head on his lap, they stayed silent, enjoying each other's company.
She was beginning to feel drowsy as Dom's fingers played with her hair and scalp.
She sighed and let her eyelids close over her eyes, tiredness taking his toll.
"Peaches, let's get going, it's late."
Dom tapped her gently.
She groaned and slapped his hand away.
"am sleeping!"
she snapped and draped one hand over her eyes.
he chuckled and lifted her head from his lap.
He stood up, gently placed her head on the bench.
after stretching his stiff joints, he scooped her up.
"it's almost ten."
He said as he headed towards his car.
she just groaned and made herself comfortable.
Dom nearly stopped walking when her bare shoulder touched his bare arm, her skin was hot, abnormally hot.
"sweetness, are you okay?"
Allie heard the worry lacing his voice but felt too lazy to open her eyes.
she nod slowly and snuggled closer to the warmth his body provided.
After a whole lot of struggle, Dom finally managed to strap her seatbelt around her.
he touched her forehead with the back of his hand.
hot, real hot. and he could feel the veins on her head pulsing.
Maybe she has a cold.
he closed the door quietly as not to disturb her and then walked to the driver's side and got in.