Whirlwind Romance

By Elise & Rose

May 5^th 2008

Dominic walked past the pizza place and finally found the bookstore on the corner. He’d seen the place a few times but only rarely went in. This time, it was closing in on Mother’s Day and his mum loved books.

As he opened the door, he glanced over to see a girl standing in the display window. For any sheila he would have looked, but for this one, he really looked. Dominic looked long enough to gain her attention away from the new books she was arranging. When their eyes met, he grinned and nodded a ‘hello’ before he went inside.

Jess nodded back at the handsome bloke walking into the store. As she stacked books and arranged the display Jess would glance at him. Wondering just what kind of books a guy like that would like to read. Watching him move to the next shelf he looked up and she grinned and went back to the display with a bit of color in her cheeks. After a few minutes she saw him go to the counter. Walking in she smiled and picked up the first book. A historical romance. She couldn't suppress the grin as he shifted his feet and said they were for his mum for Mother's Day.

May 19th, 2008

The handsome bloke had come in a few more times over the last couple of weeks. They had exchanged names and Jess had been patient. Today he set his book on the counter and she set it down as she scanned it. Writing in the cover her number and, "How many books are you going to buy before you ask me out?"

Dominic smiled as she put his book inside a bag and handed it to him. He'd been in often enough to have lost track of how many books he'd bought, or how many times he'd seen her smile. This last time when she smiled, he cleared his throat, trying to find the courage to ask her out. Instead, he grinned softly and turned to leave.

It wasn't until he got home that he saw the note Jess had penned inside the book. Dominic's smile was still there the next morning when he went back in. He approached the counter with a note of his own for her: "How many books do I have to buy before you say 'yes'?"

Taking the note from him she grinned then read it and giggled. On the note she wrote her address the: Pick me up Friday at seven. Then walked around the counter and put the note in his pocket as she kissed his cheek. Dominic was a sweetheart she wasn't about to let get away.

May 23rd, 2008

Two shirts were strewn across the bed. Dom looked in the mirror, shook his head then peeled off the green shirt. Tossed it with the others. After pulling on the blue one, he looked in the mirror, smiled and nodded. Parking in front of Jess' apartment, Dom grabbed the bouquet of flowers and darted up to her door. He knocked enthusiastically until she answered. When she pulled the door open, he smiled shyly and offered the flowers. "Hello Jess love."

She loved it when he called her ‘love’, taking the flowers she kissed him on the cheek. "Hello Dom, you look handsome." Picking up her purse she took his offered arm happy to be with him. "Where are we going?"

That was twice she'd kissed his cheek. He could feel his face getting warm. He wasn't going to say 'blush'. Only sheilas blushed. Dom took her hand. "It's a surprise" He led her downstairs and then into the car. As he drove, Dominic couldn't remember the last time his car smelled so good. Jess' sweet scent filled his senses.

After the movie, they sat at a cafe overlooking the water.

The night was so beautiful and the full moon reflected in the water it all seemed perfect. Dominic was as sweet as he had been in the store. Sitting next to him Jess leaned her head against his shoulder and laced her fingers with his.

His hands were a bit rough from working on cars. But they were warm and gentle. Jess smiled as his other arm went around her shoulders. Relaxing against him she felt warm and content.

Dominic slowly walked Jess to her apartment. Stopping at her door, he let out a quiet sigh as he smiled at her. He was in no hurry for their date to end. He'd never felt so relaxed around girls. They usually made him nervous. And most didn't appreciate the hint of grease that seemed to be forever on his hands.

Jess was different. Several times he'd pictured her as the 'one'. He thought it again as they stood at her door. Her deep brown eyes looked into his. Her lips looked soft. Her skin even softer. Dominic caressed her cheek then brushed his thumb lightly over her lips as he leaned in to kiss her.

The moment his lips touched hers Jess knew she was gone for him. Dominic's easy smiles had her falling for him but this night sealed the deal. Her heart was now in his hands and she didn't care if it got a bit of grease on it at all.

As they parted and she looked into his beautiful multi hued eyes in love. "Would you like to come in?"

June 7th, 2008

"Would you like to come in?" He'd heard her words many times. Her voice was heavenly. Why oh why didn't he say 'yes' that night?

Several dates passed by. Dinner out. Dinner in. Movies in the theater. Sometimes a rental in the DVD player while they cuddled on the sofa poshing away. Dom's hands roaming more and more. Just as hers did.

Tonight, they could no longer hold back the mounting passion. The date passed by in a blur. The door to his apartment flew open. Kissing each other deeply, they filled the room with the soft sounds of their want for each other. Dom kicked the door closed and he walked with Jess down the hallway towards his room, shedding clothes as they went.

Jess hadn't been in his bedroom before but right at the moment she didn't want to look around. Lips, hands, and bodies were too busy touching and kissing. Looking into his eyes she saw her need for him reflected back as his need for her.

She helped him as he struggled with the hook on her bra. Falling to his bed with both laughter and passion Jess knew he was the one. Dominic was the man her heart was made for. They had made love though the night and now lay wrapped in each other as the moon shone in on them. Jess nuzzled close taking in the scent and feel of Dom until sleep claimed them.

September 30th, 2008

Dominic woke to see Jess lying next to him. He always liked the vision and he got more used to it each time. This morning when he saw her smiling up at him and stretching the sleep from her body, Dom knew he wanted to wake up to her every morning.

After work, he went to the bookstore to pick her up. They were supposed to go out to dinner, but he pretended to be too tired. He didn't like the disappointment on her pretty face, and he hated to trick her, but it would be worth it.

He threw together a couple of sandwiches and sat down across from her. As she took a sip from her drink, Dom slid a little velvet box across the table. Inside was a key to his apartment tied to a red ribbon. "Jess love," He grinned. "I want you to stay here with me."

With a wide smile Jess got up and sat in his lap wrapping her arms around him. "I would love to stay here with you, Dom." Kissing him deeply her heart grew even more for him. "I can't think of anywhere else I would rather be."

Dom smiled and tightened his arms around her. "That's great, love. I think we should celebrate. Go put on a pretty dress and we'll go out."

Smiling the whole time she got ready quickly fixed her hair and put on his favorite dress. It hugged her curves just right. With a final check in the mirror she walked out and twirled for him with a giggle.

He was all smiles as he watched her. Jess was excited. So was Dominic. But he had another reason for excitement. If he could get through it. He slid his arm around her waist and pulled her close. With a kiss to her neck, he grinned. "Gorgeous."

They sat in the same restaurant, at the same small table, overlooking the same ocean. The thoughts of their first date filled his mind. Jess was even more beautiful. No longer just in lust, Dominic was deeply in love with Jess and his heart was filled with the knowledge that she loved him too.

He waited until dessert was served. It had been a long wait. At least that's what his nervousness told him. She smiled up at him and part of his nervousness melted away. Dominic moved out of his chair and slid to his knee beside her. He pulled the velvet box from his pocket and glanced shyly at the other eyes in the restaurant that fell to him.

He swallowed and offered Jess a soft smile as he opened the box. "Jessamine, you've given me more, loved me more than I could have imagined and I can't imagine a day, an hour…a minute without you. I love you, Jess. Marry me."

Jess couldn't believe it. There he was so handsome with a nervous smile asking her to be his wife. A few tears escaped as she nodded unable to find her voice. Dom slid the ring on her finger and she smiled hugging him. "Yes, yes I'll marry you Dominic Maloney. I love you so much."

Slipping the ring on his finger as he pulled her into a tight embrace, Dominic smiled and kissed her passionately. The sound of applause fell into the background. All Dominic could hear were the sweet words she was whispering into his ear.

December 1st, 2008

It was a small wedding. At first. Once Dominic's mom got together with Jess' mom, the wedding got much bigger and filled with relatives Dom had forgotten he had. The biggest surprise was the wedding gift his dad had given them. It was enough to buy a house.

Everything was perfect. Especially the feeling that came over Dominic as he stood at the end of the aisle and saw Jessamine walking towards him. Her dress moving softly over her body. Flowers clutched in her hand, more pinned into her hair. She looked like an angel.

He took her hand in his and couldn't stop smiling as he slipped the ring on her finger. His vows spoken to her. "I do" the most important words he'd ever uttered.

The day felt like a dream everything was perfect. As she walked toward him her heart nearly burst with how happy she was. Jess listened to Dominic say his vows then slide the ring on her finger. The smile plastered to his face made hers even wider.

Her turn came and she placed the ring on his hand and spoke her vows with pride and happiness to have been chosen as his wife. The pastor proclaimed them husband and wife as Dom kissed his bride. Caressing his cheek she whispered to him ‘I love you’ before they marched out to their new life.

December 22nd, 2008

Dominic turned over and smiled at the beautiful woman lying next to him. Their first night in the boarding house behind them. It was time to start looking for a new house. A place to raise a family someday. But first, breakfast. Dom got up quietly, dressed, and kissed Jess lightly before disappearing downstairs to get breakfast.

Walking back up to the room, Dom couldn't help the excitement he felt. He had a new wife, a new job waiting for him at Colin's garage, and hopefully a new house. As soon as he and Jess could find the right one.

He slipped inside the room and set the food on the table. Sliding into bed next to Jess, his arm went around her waist and he pressed a kiss to her lips. "Jess love, time to wake up."

Blinking as she took in a deep breath filled with his scent...and eggs? Jess smiled he was so good to her. "Good morning my husband. Do I smell breakfast?"

He grinned and nodded. Giving her a kiss, he moved off the bed then came back with breakfast. He offered her a biscuit and a small bowl of the honey she couldn't have biscuits without.

Dominic pulled a flower from beneath the napkin he'd hidden it under. He smiled and held it out for her as kissed her cheek. "Happy three week anniversary, Mrs. Maloney."