Her Secret Dom (23 page)

When he proposed to Pam, he’d done it on the traditional bended knee and with a big ring. He’d planned it for weeks. Dinner first. A little dancing. A nightcap at his place. When he brought out the velvet box, she’d been truly stunned. He remembered how his throat had tightened at her shocked expression, but instead of refusing him, she had said yes.

Finally, she was all his—almost two years after they met. So worth waiting for. Jared sighed in contentment and tightened his hold.

Midway through the song, he opened his eyes.

Not five feet away, Alexander and Kate swayed to the hypnotic sounds of the song. Strange, since Alex never danced if he could help it. And definitely not slow dances. But he held Kate close, his chin resting on the top of her head while one large hand curled around her shoulders and the other spanned the small of her back.

Baby brother hadn’t wasted any time, Jared mused with a mixture of surprise and admiration. He must have grabbed Kate before she hit the bar.

He knew there was nothing especially noteworthy about the maid of honor and best man dancing together. Indeed, it was expected. And of course, Alex and Kate had spent a good deal of time together in recent days after her arrival from New York. Alex dutifully picked her up at the airport as a favor to Pam, and in Jared’s estimation, they seemed to get along. He was pleased when both Kate and Alex took their responsibilities to heart and worked as a team during the wedding rehearsal.

They were seated next to each other at the rehearsal dinner the following evening. Within minutes, Jared noticed Alex’s interest in the pretty blonde went past the bonds of their shared duties. Further into the dinner, though, he’d overheard Alex suggest to Kate they meet for coffee to discuss the best man and maid of honor speeches. Instead of consenting, she hastily declined with some lame excuse. Alex responded with an arched brow and a wry smile, although his “That’s too bad” was polite enough.

This tense exchange, and Kate’s sudden and out-of-character coolness toward Alex, had piqued Jared’s interest. He hadn’t had a chance to ask Alex what had transpired to make her so edgy, and his curiosity had nagged him ever since.

Now here they were on the dance floor, locked in a tight embrace. As soon as the tune faded and another song began, though, Kate tried extricating herself from Alex. Without a word, he gripped her upper arms and tugged her back toward him. Teetering a bit, Kate placed her hands on his chest to brace herself. Jared watched her mouth form a surprised O at his brother’s silent demand, but interestingly enough, she didn’t protest.

Their gazes locked. Soon, a deep flush spread over her cheeks, and Jared glanced in Alex’s direction to see what had caused her reaction.

The Dom stare. Alex looked uncompromising, determined. Jared wasn’t sure his brother was aware of it. But there it was, all the same.

Kate broke eye contact and her gaze wandered over the joyous crowd. Still, she didn’t pull away from Alex’s embrace. If anything, she leaned in a bit.

Alex cupped her cheek with a gentle hand and turned her face up to his. Jared could almost swear he saw Kate tremble. Alex pulled her closer, his fingers closing around her nape while a possessive hand rested above her ass. Then he lowered his mouth…

“Why did you stop dancing, Jared?” Pam asked, startling him. “Everything all right?”

“It’s all good,” Jared mumbled. No way was he telling her his badass brother was hitting on her sweet little bridesmaid. Not yet, anyway. “Let’s get a drink.”

He hustled Pam off the dance floor and into a quiet corner. He’d just handed her a glass of champagne when Kate showed up.

“You okay, Kate?” Pam exclaimed. “You’re looking a bit flustered.”

“Oh. I’m all right,” Kate reassured her. “It’s a little warm is all.”

The air-conditioning was on full blast, but Jared felt it best not to mention it.

Pam smiled. “More like you’re still running around, still helping Constance and Alicia. I see you haven’t gotten yourself any refreshments.”

Jared stifled a laugh. Running around with his mother and sister? More like running
away
from Alexander.

“Everything is under control, girl,” Pam said soothingly. “They’ve hired enough people to make it run like clockwork.”

Jared glanced up. Speaking of control…

“Hey, everyone.” Alexander’s deep bass cut into the conversation. He nodded at Pam and winked. “Looking good, sis.” He clapped Jared on the shoulder. “Make sure you always deserve her.”

“I will,” Jared promised.

“Good.” Alex turned to Kate. “So, Kitty, why did you run away and make me chase you?”

Jared watched as her back stiffened. “I told you not to call me that stupid nickname,” she said low, although she continued smiling through gritted teeth.

“Why not?” Alex asked with an air of innocence he almost managed to pull off.

She glared up at him, her blue eyes now chips of ice. “First of all, I’m not a cat. Or a kitten. Or any kind of pet, for that matter.”

Alex took a moment to digest her assertions. “Maybe not, although you do have a kittenish air about you.”

Now she was spitting fire. “Stop it. I’m sure you know the term kitty has…” Impatiently, she gestured to him, and Alex bent down. “An inappropriate sexual connotation,” she whispered in his ear.

“Is that so?” Alex replied. “In what way?”

Kate stared at him with suspicion, her nostrils flaring. “Like you don’t know.”

“Enlighten me, please.” Alex’s sober tone and placid expression were so convincing, Jared might have believed him had he not known him all too well.

Kate ignored him. “Well, I’m going to see if anyone needs me,” she said to Pam, who appeared quite intrigued with the exchange. “I’ll pop by again a little later, Pam. I promise.”

“If you can catch us,” Pam replied with a laugh. “Now’s the time for us to meet and greet, and press the flesh.”

“I’ll find you.” Kate peered at them, and her eyes misted over. “Oh my God, I’m so happy for you both. It was an awesome ceremony. Love ya.” She hugged and kissed Pam, then Jared. Giving Alex a glance, she muttered, “Bye, Alexander,” and flounced away.

Alex stood rooted to the spot, then turned to Jared with a look of incredulity. “Did little Kitty just roll her eyes at me? Tell me I hallucinated.”

Jared nodded. “You’re not hallucinating. She did roll her eyes at you. Quite deliberately.” Pam tsked with disapproval at his instigation, but inwardly, he cackled with glee. He wasn’t sure what pleased him more—Kate’s feisty spirit or his brother’s much-needed comeuppance.

Alex leveled a predatory gaze to the retreating figure. “Oh, man, my hand is itching like crazy right now. Someone needs to smack that a—” He stopped himself in time and peered at Pam with chagrin.

“You were saying?” Jared asked helpfully.

Alex shrugged. “Oh, whatever. Nice girl, though a bit uptight.” Leaning down, he pecked Pam on the cheek, then lightly punched Jared on the arm. “I guess you need to greet your guests now. See you both later.”

Alex headed in the same direction as Kate. He was officially on the prowl.

“I think your brother likes Kate,” Pam observed. “It’s sort of obvious.”

“Yes,” Jared agreed.

Pam’s eyes turned dreamy. “It reminds me of the way you pursued me when we first met. It was kind of hot.”

Jared lifted her hand to his lips and placed a kiss on her palm. “Are you suggesting that I’ve let up in the chase? That I’ve become neglectful?”

“Well, now that you mention it…” Pam said with a coy look. “Maybe a bit of teasing on my part would teach you a lesson.”

She was racking up punishment points fast. Jared raised a brow at her. “And how will you manage that when I have you tied to the headboard, my pet?”

Pam smiled. “I have my ways. But I’ll keep them to myself.” She hooked her arm through Jared’s. “Ready?”

“I am.”

Pam stayed put, her furrowed brow indicating deep thought. “You know…this is our first real foray into the world as a married couple. I’m a little nervous but so happy.” She gazed up at him, her eyes now an exquisite violet. “I love you more than anything, Jared.”

Joy flowed through him. “And I love you too, Pam.”

They turned in unison and, with arms clasped tight, headed toward a promising future.

Loose Id Titles by Samantha Cote

Her Secret Dom

Samantha Cote

Samantha Cote has enjoyed reading steamy romances ever since she was an adolescent devouring naughty books under the bedcovers. Although she still reserves a special place in her heart for those bodice-ripping romances of her misspent youth, she’s delighted to write smoking-hot romances devoid of all purple prose and euphemism. She believes it is her calling to kick open the characters’ bedroom doors and describe what’s going on between the sheets in excruciating detail.

She lives in New York with her mucho sexio husband and a cat they spoil rotten.