D/L 15- Dangerously In Love.

-Still Don't Own Them-

Thanks for all the reviews thus far. I've gotta admit, I'm glad you're all enjoying the story because I'm getting frustrated that I can't get to where I want to be with it. I just keep telling myself slow and steady wins the race- ironic considering this is a Fast And The Furious fic, but whatevs.

Also- as I have in past chapters, I've borrowed dialogue. This time the inspiration comes from Dangerously In Love 2, and Beyonce Interlude by Beyonce. (Whom, along with Michelle, I wouldn't mind being in my next life.)

Surveying the room slowly, I gave them all the evil eye just like how Dom's grandma taught me when I was eight. Maria, Dominic, my mother and grandmother all ignored me and went about their business. Nobody cared that the suspense was killing me.

Sacrificing my pride on the alter of dignity, I pleaded with them one last time in hopes of getting at least a clue about what was going on. "Will somebody please tell me what's going on?"

My mother shook her head.

"Nope."

Maria didn't even bother to look at me as she started in on the dishes.

"Nyet."

Abuela put her hands in the air and waved me off.

"No."

Leaning back in his chair, Dom put his feet up on one of the empty seats next to him and folded his arms across his chest.

"Fuggedaboutit."

I let my hair down and ran a frustrated hand thru my tangled mane. "Ugh. This is crazy. Fine. If I go take my shower and get dressed, will you at least give me a clue when I get back?"

"Nope."

"Nyet."

"No."

"Fuggedaboutit."

"Ugh! This is crazy! You people are crazy! Loco!" I stomped upstairs, one part irritated, one part intrigued, and one part amused by the laughter that filled the room upon my melodramatic exit.

After a long hot shower, I borrowed my mother's hair drier and grabbed the big round brush I'd need to blow my hair out straight. I'd gotten just enough curl from the Dominican side of my family that I needed to spend a little extra time on my hair if I wanted it to be sleek and smooth. Whatever the day had in store for me, I was going to look mah best.

Wrapped in only a towel, I went to my closet to find something nice to wear. As fun as it is to be ghetto fabulous, I decided to wear the dress that Maria had picked out for graduation. If Dom wants to torture me, I might as well have some fun torturing him too.

Slipping into it, I nodded my head and checked myself out in the mirror, half a smile playing on my face. What was it they said? Bourghetto. Classy with that street edge simmering just under the surface. Better watch out Dom, these curves are dangerous.

I picked up a simple pair of sandals from Nine West and a pair of simple black shades, transferred my things into my girly wallet and headed downstairs so that Maria could do my make up. As I walked into the kitchen, I found the three female co-conspirators huddled around the table looking at bridal magazines talking about color schemes and party favors and shit.

Shaking my head, I slipped into the empty seat and sighed. "I think I'm going to o.d. on all the estrogen in here."

"Miss the garage already huh?" Maria glanced up once, then again when she realized what I was wearing. "Un vestido? You're one to complain about the estrogen overload. Hoy es tu compleanos, huh chica? We didn't even have to fight with you to put it on. Somebody's growing up."

I shrugged and flipped thru one of the magazines Tia had brought with her. "I thought I'd torture Dom a little since he's playing it all strong and silent today."

"A simple, 'I wanted to look nice today,' would have sufficed mija," Mama tsked flipping the magazine she was looking at shut and looking at me over it's edge. "I may pretend to be cool, but I'm still your mother. The less I know, the less I have to worry."

I grinned and made a funny face at her to make her laugh while I waited for Maria to get her make up bag. "I wish Mia could be here for this," I said wistfully. "She loves playing dress up and sh- stuff," the swift and literal slap on the hand from my grandmother making me alter my original choice of words.

"I know sweetie," Mama said, squeezing my hand from across the table. "But you'll see her later. Assuming Maria can get you out the door on time." Turning toward the living room, my mother called out over her shoulder to my aunt. "She has 15 minutes Maria, get a move on. Dominic is going to be here any minute now."

"I'm coming, I'm coming." Maria powered back into the room, nearly running.

Exactly fifteen minutes later, Maria was just putting the finishing touches on my lips when Dom knocked on the back door. Holding my chin in my hand, she kept me from looking up to see him. "Now listen carefully Leticia. Just because I used color seal does not mean you two get to make out like mad before you get your picture taken, got that?"

I batted my eyes innocently and looked up at her innocently.

Snorting, Maria shook her head and let me go. Obviously she didn't buy it.

I turned toward the door and found Dom standing nervously in the doorway with a single spray of the most beautiful purple orchids I'd ever seen. He was dressed in khakis and a white button down shirt and wearing simple tan dress shoes. I can't remember him ever wearing honest to god dress shoes- it was always Timberlands when he dressed up for… for other girls.

"Wow," he said swallowing hard. He looked frozen in place until my grandmother gave him a little push, propelling him forward awkwardly. Thrusting the orchids forward, he offered them to me. "These, I mean this- um their for you," he sputtered.

A soft smile on my lips I nodded and took the flowers from him carefully. I stood without a word and put it in a small vase sitting above the sink. I gave my mother, grandmother and aunt each a hug, brushing my lips across their cheeks before offering Dom my hand and walking out the door with him.

For some reason my heart was beating loud and fast in my chest as I stood next to his car, letting him open the door to it for me. I took a step toward the car just as Dom took a step away from it. His cologne filled my nostrils and suddenly I was high. I leaned forward, bracing myself against his chest with the palms of my hands on his chest. My eyes fluttered as he gazed down at me thru his own hooded eyes.

Without moving a muscle, Dom somehow surged forward with each breath he took. I could feel his heart beating under my hand. Seven beats later I felt the heat of his finger tips just above my skin. His right hand hovered at my hip while his left teased a wisp of my hair just between my jaw line and the crook of my neck.

Dom swallowed hard once again which teased a smile out of me. I let my hands drop from his chest to his belt loops and kissed the base of his neck and his pulse point. His breath hitched, which made my heart swell painfully.

"I love you," Dominic whispered as if he was the one in pain. "Baby I love you. You are my life. My happiest moments aren't complete if you're not by my side… I am in love with you. You set me free." Pausing to compose himself, Dom tilted my chin up and looked deep in to my eyes. "I can't do this thing called life without you here with me cause I'm dangerously in love with you. I'll never leave. Just keep loving me the way I love you loving me."

My stomach clenched tight when I realized his eyes were glazed over. A whimper tore from my throat when I saw a single tear roll down his cheek. I reached up and stopped it with my finger. Resting my forehead against his chin, I tried to find the right words. I didn't know what to say. There was nothing- I couldn't- What could I possibly say that would show him how I felt?

"Say something…" Dom implored.

"I- I can't. I don't know how to say it. I don't know the words, not in English, not in Spanish. Everything you said, I know it's true because I feel it too. Yesterday I tried to paint you, but the colors weren't beautiful enough. My love goes beyond what I can say." My voice never stopped shaking as I forced the words out and kept the tears in. "I want to show you. Please tell me that we have time tonight for me to show you how I feel."

The rumble of Dom's laughter reverberated thru me. "May—be. If you're lucky." He kissed my forehead and stepped away regretfully. "But for now, we gotta get you to the D.M.V." Handing me the keys he walked around to the passenger side and slid in. (I know you didn't think I was going to sit bitch on the way to get my license!)

Two hours later I was a proud and legally licensed driver in the state of California. As I walked toward Dom, freshly minted license in my hand, he stood up and rushed toward me as well. Tossing me up in the air, he let out a woop so loud that half the room turned around and saw him spin me around as if I weighed nothing.

"That's my girl!" Dom shouted proudly and giving me a loud playful kiss before dropping me lightly. "I knew you could do it!"

"I learned from the best," I said, grinning from ear to ear.

"Let's get out of here before we give these people a show," Dom growled, pulling me toward the parking lot.

"Do we get to have the sex now?" I ask jokingly as I let him lead me back to his Integra.

"Nope, and because you tried to figure out the schedule, you don't get to drive," Dom scolded.

"No fucking way! Come on Dom, please? What's the good of having a license if you're not going to let me use it?" I grabbed a hold of both his back pockets, slowing him down with my pouting.

Dom shook his head, unimpressed. "Nope." Taking the keys from me, he turned off the car alarm and leaned against it suavely. He gave me a brief kiss full of promise and then tweaked my nose. "And even if you hadn't been a brat, you still couldn't drive 'cause you don't know where we're going," he teased.

I pretended to frown as I slipped my arms around him. Using all my charm, I arched forward, knowing he didn't have anyplace to go. "You sure you don't want to give a hint?" Standing up on my tip toes I licked his neck from his ear to his collar bone, something I know drives him absolutely crazy.

"You're the devil woman," he growled, his hands reaching down and cupping my ass. "You have no shame, do you?"

I could feel him growing hard against me and I looked up at him coyly, shaking my head no. "Not when it comes to this. I want you too much to be ashamed about it."

Groaning, Dom pushed me away. "Fucking schedule! God I wish I could just take you away." Cursing under his breath, Dom rubbed his forehead as he walked around the car and got in behind the wheel. Windows down and turned the air on high, much like I had done the day Jesse was in the car with us. "Get in. We're going to be late as it is."

As I slipped in next to him, I couldn't help but laugh at his obvious discomfort. Maybe I should get a "Caution" sign tattoo somewhere. It would only be fair to give the poor boy a warning, right?