Rebecca’s story
I was desperately trying to keep my composure, but I was not succeeding. I couldn’t see anything, and the doctor’s confirmation gave me the creeps.
Despite the situation I was living at maximum intensity, I tried to follow Declan’s voice.
“Miss Holland, we’re going to do a CT Scan again. Something’s wrong and I need to find out what.”
He didn’t wait for me to answer and immediately supported me to sit down in what appeared to be a wheelchair. “Don’t be scared that it is a chair for disabled people. It’s the easiest way to carry you”
It was damn scary being carried into the unknown, but I could feel both men next to me. Dominic still hadn’t freaked out and abandoned me.
By the time I got to the room where I was going to have my CT scan, my nerves got stretched to the breaking point. “I’m going to lay you on a table, Miss Holland, and to help you not move, I’m going to strap you down. You’ll have to stay perfectly still!” repeated Declan, and it wasn’t long before I found myself alone in this machine scanning my skull.
From what I had seen on TV, both Declan and Dominic were supposed to be in an outer room watching the pictures the scanner was taking.
The torment lasted for an hour at most, during which I not only didn’t move but also had my heart beating frantically. Thousands of questions were running through my head. What could cause my blindness? Would I stay like this forever, or was it temporary? Only Declan could give me the answers as he read the X-rays.
In no time, the doctor transported me back into the room. Normally the result came within 24-48 hours, but Declan rushed it to have it today. I needed to know immediately what was happening to me.
However, I spent most of the day in the hospital and it wasn’t until the evening that Declan and Dominic came in. I had asked Dominic to leave me alone during the day, otherwise he would have stayed with me until now.
“How is it? Declan...” I asked, frightened, blinking involuntarily, as if whatever was wrong with my eyes would be pushed away.
Declan’s response was not long in coming, but it was exactly what I feared most.
“Miss Holland, I have good news and not so good news. The less good news is that you do indeed have an injury to your eye nerve, that is because of posttraumatic stress. And the good news is it’s not permanent. So your recovery could happen any time now.”
I haven’t had better news than this in as long as I can remember. Although I couldn’t see, I was glad it was temporary. If there was a dance of joy right now, I would do it.
“Okay, then if everything is as it should be and there is no more serious cause for concern, I suggest we cut to the chase and go straight home,” interrupted Dominic, who until then had been silent and seemed like he didn’t really care about my condition or that I was so happy I wasn’t blind permanently.
Although it seemed hard to believe, I tried to pick myself up piece by piece and focus on what might be important. To focus on this man’s help. Maybe I didn’t have family close by, maybe I was alone and all I needed now was a change of scenery. I’ve been through some tough times. But I’ve survived. That was the most important thing. And the next thing, although it would cost me my pride, was to allow this man who claims to be Dominic Stone to help me.
But then another terrifying thought raced through my already affected mind. What if he was not who he claimed to be, and I went to a stranger’s house? What would then happen? Who would I call to get help? I would be defenseless and unable to protect myself against this man. He seemed very tall when he approached me. Now, what was I supposed to do?
If it came to the issue of me accompanying him to his house, I might as well not show that I was afraid.
“When do you want us to leave?” I asked half-heartedly. Maybe it wasn’t to my advantage to upset him.
But again, that silence. And I knew the answer to that question would again be with Declan. Dominic seemed impatient, though.
“Declan?” His voice sounded low, deep.
“Oh, yes, Dominic... I’ll sign the discharge papers and let you two go. Do you want to stay here and help her pack?” I didn’t really expect it, but I had to admit I needed the help.
“I’d like that” And his voice was no longer serious, but suddenly jovial.
Declan left me alone with this Dominic, but I still didn’t believe in his identity. But the moment he turned his attention to me, I felt that this room was far too small and the air far too thin to breathe.
“Miss Sinclair, is it alright if I help you pack your things?” Perhaps it was time to stop being so formal.
“Rebecca, you can call me Rebecca. And you can start by passing me my clothes from the closet”
For a moment, our hands touched, but instead of pulling mine away, I kept them there. He did the same. The feeling itself was intoxicating, compelling me to want more. Wondering what sort of thrills those hands could bring to life? The thought made me shudder. The anticipation of him helping me get dressed was driving me insane. What was wrong with me? I didn’t even know this man that well. In fact, I didn’t know him at all. I felt grateful that he saved me, but from gratitude to lust and desire, that’s a long way. Or was it?
I turned away, leaving my bare back for his eyes to see. Moving closer, I felt his breath warming the small spot next to his mouth. God, he was so close. I could almost feel his lips caressing my skin. Or was it my imagination? It had to be. Then his fingers grabbed the zipper of my blouse, pulling it up. Again, their closeness made me shift reality into sweet fantasy. I felt every part of my body coming to life. It was like it had been frozen, and now it was melting beneath his enticing touch. If sin had a name, it was certainly Dominic’s name. He truly was who he pretended to be. He had to.
“I am done, Miss Rebecca. Is it ok if we go?” I could feel an excitement in his voice, as if he couldn’t wait for us to leave. But because I could not take a step, I knew the wheelchair was still close by. It was to become a good friend to me in the coming months, maybe, if not years.
“Allow me a brief second, please.” And with the same eyes I still couldn’t see, I tried to guess where the chair was. “Would you give me a hand?”
I gestured to my wheelchair so he would realize I was going to need help to get into it. In an instant, I felt his arms wrap around me and hold me. My cheek whisked his sculpted torso. I rested my face there. It was warm and welcoming.
After he placed me in the chair, I pushed it hard to the window, the only place I could envision the warm light of the sun during the day or the mystery of the moon at night. It was also the place where I could praise God, hoping He wouldn’t abandon me in my time of need. “You know, this is where I would pray to God that one day He would do me a miracle and bring me the man who saved my life... and apparently
that was what He did!”
I didn’t expect him to believe me from the first words that I was believing in him.
“But you still don’t trust me...” he interrupted my thoughts, confirming exactly what I was already thinking.
And he was kind of right. Who would do such a thing? Humanity kind of disappeared for a while now. Yet I felt the need to assure him I wasn’t that unfaithful.
“Give me some time... mister!” My politeness was so forced. But he didn’t miss a thing.
“I could ask you to address me as Dominic, as I call you Rebecca, but you still don’t think that’s my name...”
I had tried not to be rude, but his acidic retorts gave me no peace. And since I felt inferior and vulnerable anyway... words were all I had left.
“Dominic Stone would not have been in New York at the same time a few creeps attacked me and stopped the car, putting his life in danger of getting me out of there alive. What are the chances of that to happen?”
“Good question, but you certainly didn’t think that an actor like Dominic Stone wouldn’t have anything strange about being in New York. He might have had an early event and maybe he has a house in New York too”
“If we are playing this particular game, I may not be winning.” I admitted, somehow defeated again in my pride.
“That means you do believe me!” The confidence with which he stated these things drove me crazy.
“Actually, I don’t... for now. The chance is too... I don’t know...” The truth was only one. When I was around him, something was happening to me. I couldn’t even get my thoughts straight.
“Do you believe in destiny, Miss Rebecca?” I was so tempted to say yes, but I hardly restrained myself.
“I used to believe before this terrible thing happened to me, but now I feel like fate is playing so many tricks on me”
“Or perhaps you’re messing with destiny. Think about it... you were in a terrible situation, almost getting killed, but somehow you beat the odds and made it through”
“I will not take credit alone. It all was with your help, you mean”
“I just like to believe I was just a well-placed pawn on the board of your destiny. You know, the perfect fit at the wrong time. Consider it like this. It’s not about who saved you, it’s about the fact that someone saved you. It was fate that placed me there”
His modesty was incredible. Or maybe it was acceptance? Surely he would have done that for any woman, not just me.
“Whatever it was, thank you with all my heart. Dominic Stone or not, I will be forever indebted to you and somehow, don’t ask me when or how, I will make it up to you. For you know, your life, from now on, will never be the same. Taking care of a blind, disabled lady is not a straightforward thing to do”
“Why don’t you let me worry about that? And if you must redeem yourself with me, get over it. First, trust me and then I will let you do it”
I still couldn’t get used to the nonchalance with which he threw his words at me, but maybe that’s how he was. “Let’s go then. I have the car parked outside. One of these days I plan to take you someplace”
“Take me where?”
“It’s a surprise! I don’t reveal surprises”
And with that, the brief exchange of lines ended and the next thing he did was take my hand, holding our fingers together. It was like he didn’t want to lose me, even though I was in a wheelchair. I wouldn’t have gone anywhere. Suddenly, this gesture of delight sent a zillion shudders down my spine. He picked me up from the chair and placed me in his car. When I flinched, his calm, protective tone of voice restored my confidence. “Don’t be afraid. I’m here with you!”
He stretched out his hands to me, feeling their tenderness. They were large, welcoming, even sinful. It was his way of saying to me he would be here for me... forever!
Dominic’s storyHaving this woman so close will definitely make it hard for me to cope. I’ve also somehow decided not to give up acting. If I did, I’d lose my mind around her. I was trying my hardest to be a proper gentleman around her. I felt a strong desire burning inside me. That she was blind I was not rejoicing, but if she could have seen me, she would have witnessed the desire in my eyes. I barely knew her, but I had the sensation I’d known her forever.Once we were installed in my house, I realized I couldn’t let her alone while I was on set, so I had to convince one of my best friends to move in with me. And that was how I called Megan. I was certain she could be of tremendous help.And because it was a bad idea that I should be the only one with her in the house, even if she was my Luna, I would not pressure her. And Megan’s arrival seemed timely. It was imperative that she felt not only welcome but also protected. “Please feel at home, Miss Rebecca. I’ll be right back,” I
Rebecca’s storyIt was the first time I had heard such a word. It sounded more like... a woman’s name. Still, I was curious. And I felt so helpless I couldn’t see them. “Well? What is a Luna?” I insisted, sensing the tension that had risen between the two of them. I could almost see them looking at each other, wondering who should speak first. Eventually, it was Dominic’s friend Megan who did it.“My dear, first of all, it is a pleasure to meet you and I am sorry to do so under such circumstances. I would have liked to have met you over coffee. But, to answer your question, Luna...is a kind of nickname...that Dominic here...uses with...his friends. Women, especially. He would not use that kind of name for a man, was he?” Megan’s explanation was a bit forced, but I would not push it either. If I was honest with myself, I didn’t really care about that right now. All I wanted to do was recover and get on with my life. I had a lot of contracts on standby and I either had to honor them or
Dominic’s storyI couldn’t wait to get out of my own house. Rebecca’s presence was driving me crazy, especially since the wolf in me hadn’t found peace since I rescued her. Not being a pureblood, I was skeptical even about that. I thought I could control my senses and not give in to desire. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Although I had used my career as an excuse, I still called my agent and right now we were meeting at my favorite restaurant. I didn’t have any shooting, but I really needed to see Nick. He was a man of many ideas. Maybe this time he had one as brilliant as ever. “You called Megan? The Megan I also know? To help you do what, Dominic?” he asked in a deep voice, almost standing up with the whole table.The second we sat down at the table, Nick started questioning me. I’ve known Nick for over ten years. He was my best friend, almost like a brother. He also knew my other personality. Only I knew the reason I called Megan to help me, and maybe Megan herself knew it.“I
Rebecca’s storyThis house was so big for me, and without Dominic in it, it was even bigger. His friend Megan would occasionally come over to help me, just as he promised, but I got the feeling Dominic was actually avoiding me. This week he’s been home with me for barely three hours during the day, every day. He would always say he would have filming and an audition coming. At night, I would hear him coming in so late that I would lock myself up in my room so as not to disturb him. His room was right next to mine. Sometimes, if it was really quiet, I could hear his breathing through the walls.I was understanding why he brought Megan into the house. And not so I wouldn’t feel lonely. I was sensing certain behaviors in Dominic. But I didn’t want to jump to conclusions. I didn’t quite know what was happening to me when he was nearby. There were some moments when he would stand so close that I would feel overwhelmed by his masculinity. I had to admit that even without seeing him, I was
Dominic’s storyI had just walked into my room when a million thoughts made their way into my mind. How would I help her walk again or see again? So she could join me at the gala. I intended to hire the best physiotherapist in all of New York. And that could only be Declan, who I knew had such courses under his belt. And also arranged for a specialist to perform surgery and restore her sight. It was a bold and difficult plan, but not impossible. And I would be with her all the way.Just as I was getting ready for sleep...“No, Tom! No! Leave him alone, you beasts!” I immediately jumped out of bed and went into her room. She was having a nightmare, one of her many. She was calling her fiance. I reached over and grabbed her shoulders with both hands and shook her a little, then harder... She didn’t wake up. Every second she sank deeper into her dream and she was more anxious. I could feel the terror she was feeling right now. Beads of sweat caressed her angelic face. Seeing her like th
Rebecca’s storyAlthough I couldn’t see and couldn’t move, the way I felt remained the same. And Dominic’s news really shocked me. “Rebecca, I know I took you by surprise. I didn’t want you to find out this way, but I really want to take you with me to the Treasure Awards. So I need you cured in two weeks,” Dominic explained, but my mind remained on the Treasure Awards. This man, if he was indeed taking me there, was actually the actor Dominic Stone. If it hadn’t been him, how could he tell me he was taking me there? “So, I got in touch with the best physical therapist in New York, Catherine Rogers. She is actually my agent’s fiancee.” “Doctor Catherine Rogers?” Who didn’t know Catherine? He was the best, and everyone, without exception, went to him. Another reason to believe Dominic was who he claimed to be. She wasn’t a cheap doctor.The day in Dominic’s company flew by. I was supposed to meet Catherine the next morning at 8 o’clock. And as the time approached, I grew increasingly
Rebecca’s storyI knew it would be hard, but at the same time, I knew I wasn’t alone. “Miss Holland, in front of you is an exercise table I use on patients who have mobility difficulties. So I’m going to put you on that table too,” the doctor explained, and I could already hear my heart pounding to break my chest. I didn’t know if it would be painful, or how long the recovery would take. All I knew was that in the next few seconds, we’d get started. “We need to start with some light warm-up exercises. Dominic, will you help me, please? To get her on the table?” Dominic picked me up so lightly. On impulse, I wrapped my arms around his neck, leaning my head up against his chest. I didn’t need to do that. I just sensed I had to. He was like a magnet that was inevitably luring me in. My body was putting up no resistance. It seemed so perfectly normal, this nearness between us.I often tried to explain to myself why I was so attracted to him. And it wasn’t just that he saved me, it was s
Dominic’s storyThe wolf was howling so loudly inside me I barely kept it from surfacing. Rebecca had just experienced a painful and exhausting time with doctor Catherine. But I couldn’t control my eyes. My body was throbbing with desire as I felt a bright, hot, red heat in them. I’d almost let him loose. I forced him to behave normally around her. I could have sworn she wasn’t so indifferent anymore either, even though she still didn’t believe who I was. I had so many identities that I feared the time when I would have to reveal them. But if I wanted her with me for eternity, she’d have to accept me as I was. I knew I had to somehow prove to her that my love was heartfelt. She had a difficult medical condition at the moment and I didn’t want her to think I was sorry for her and that was the only reason I was sticking around. That was the last thing I would want and do. I had so many questions that I desperately wanted an answer to. What was the name of that feeling when you felt l