Chapter 87 The massive bedroom felt oddly empty with just Marissa and Dominick inside .
Watching him lying there with his eyes closed , Marissas emotions were all over the place .
For the longest time , shed convinced herself she was irreplaceable in Dominicks life .
That feeling had only gotten stronger after his divorce from Paisley .
But these past four years , Paisley had tried every trick in the book to push their relationship past that invisible barrier , but nothing had worked .
Paisley had even gone as far as selling photos and videos of their meetings to paparazzi and gossip sites , desperately trying to paint this picture of them being super close .
All just to get people thinking she was Dominicks fiancée .
Shed hoped to test Dominicks reaction with those posts , too .
But to her surprise , the news had barely hit the trending topics before Vanderbilt Groups PR department swooped in and shut it all down .
Before Paisley showed up , Marissa could tell herself comforting little lies.
Maybe Dominick was just protecting the companys image , keeping himself off the entertainment headlines .
Or maybe he just wanted to keep his private life under wraps .
But then .
Paisley came back .
Marissa had to admit it .
Paisleys return had thrown her completely off balance , especially after that dig about how she still wasnt Dominicks wife after four whole years .
That one stung Now , watching Dominicks peaceful face as he rested , Marissa knew this was her shot .
Her chance to change everything .
Dom ! she called out softly .
Dominicks eyelids fluttered but didnt open , his sleep undisturbed , Marissa let out a quiet breath of relief and leaned forward , drawing closer to him .
Her eyes traced over his features , now just inches away , and her breathing grew heavy and uneven .
Unable to resist , Marissa reached out with trembling fingers to undo the buttons of his shin .
As she inched closer , her crimson lips hovering over his .
In that split second , Dominicks eyes snapped open .
His gaze was razor sharp , almost predatory , the kind of instinctive alertness that kicks in when danger lurks nearby : Marissa froze , her lips just inches from his face .

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Their eyes met , and she felt a chill run down her spine at the fierce intensity in his stare .
Her fingers stayed frozen mid button , her whole body going rigid .
Only when recognition flickered across Dominicks face did that dangerous edge fade from his eyes .
Marissa ! His voice came out rough and low , still heavy with alcohol Marissa snapped back to reality at the sound of Dominicks voice .
She quickly straightened up , caught off guard .
He had been dead asleep just seconds ago , after all .
p an eye on you You had too much to drink , Marissa said , keeping her voice steady as she flashed her usual polished smile .
I stayed to keep Dominick sat up , feeling a cool draft across his chest .
Looking down , he realized half the buttons on his dress shirt were already undone .
I just wanted to help you change Marissa explained smoothly , her face a perfect mask of innocence .
Your shirt reeks of alcohol .
Marissa was playing it cool , like she was just being helpful , nothing more , nothing less .
Dominick started rebuttoning his shirt , one by yone .
Go keeping it together enough to talk to her .
o get some rest , he said .
Im fine .
His voice came out soft , clearly still tipsy .
He was barely Come on , Dom .
Were family .
Marissa pressed , not backing down .
Of course I should stay and take care of you The truth was that Marissa noticed how deeply he was sleeping and figured he couldnt do anything to her .
Her real plan was to snap some cozy photos and send them to Paisley .