Here Comes the Bride (13 page)

His eyes were closed. He couldn’t possibly be asleep, could he?

This time she tried to move her leg, but his calf held tight and she saw a smile tug at his mouth.

“Dominic, are you awake?”

“Somebody’s been sleeping on my side of the bed again.”

“I’m sorry. I can’t seem to help myself.”

He rolled over so that she was snuggled beneath him, his body hovering over hers as he used his elbows to stop himself from crushing her. He kissed her neck. “Are you ready to end this foolishness?” he asked, moving his lips to her chin next.

“Are you asking me if I’m ready to make love to you?”

He kissed her cheek and then her ear. “That’s exactly what I’m asking.”

His kisses left her breathless. “Are you saying you’re ready for a relationship?”

“Define relationship.”

“A meaningful attachment between two individuals,” she said, trying to ignore the scorching heat caused by his sensuous lips.

“I can live with that. Yes, I’m ready for a relationship.”

“A meaningful and emotional relationship,” she amended. “That means we trust each other and tell each other where we’re going during the day and night.”

“Trust takes time.”

“True, but how can we ever expect to trust each other if we don’t tell each other things?”

“Hmm. This sounds like much more than a relationship.”

She laughed and pushed at his pecs. “Get off me. You’re not ready to move on to the next level.”

“Why are you playing so hard to get?”

“Because I don’t want to have sex with you just for the sake of having sex. I want it to mean something more.”

“You’re afraid I’ll lose interest afterward?”

“That might be part of it.”

“We understand each other,” he said, “and you make me laugh. I think we’re ready.” But Sam had already slid off the bed, ready to start her day.

Chapter Seventeen

Dominic spent the next day sneezing. The cat was going to have to go, especially after scratching Rex twice on the nose, letting the dog know who was boss. After Sam went for a run on the beach, he left to run some errands. He knew she wanted to leave the house at five so they wouldn’t be late for dinner at her parents’ house. It was five thirty by the time they managed to climb into the car and head to Pasadena.

They were on the freeway for less than five minutes when Sam spotted a dog limping on the side of the road and pleaded with Dominic to pull over.

After bringing his car to a stop on the side of the road, Sam jumped out before he could stop her.

His heart beat double time when he saw her running too close to traffic. His adrenaline soared, but he was afraid if he got out of the car the dog would freak out and run into the middle of the road, bringing Sam along with it, so he stayed put.

Sam was inches from the dog when the blast of a horn sounded. Before the dog could dart out into the road, Sam lunged for the frightened animal, pulling it into her arms, scraping her elbows and risking her life in the process.

As she approached the vehicle, Dominic jumped out of the car, opened the back door, and helped her get in. Once everyone was safely inside, he looked back at her. “You could have been killed.”

“But I wasn’t,” she said cheerfully as if she hadn’t nearly died out there. “I’m fine.”

“You are not fine. You’re bleeding and I’m serious. Don’t ever do that again!”

Their gazes locked.

“The only one who almost got himself killed,” she said calmly, “was this poor half-starved mutt.”

“Next time I pull over to save an animal, I’ll be the one getting out of the car. Not you. Do you understand?”

“Honest to God, I hope you’re joking right now.”

Dominic sat behind the wheel while Sam sat in the backseat holding the shaking dog. He pointed a finger at her, his face stern. “You scared the shit out of me.”

“For a guy who’s made it clear he doesn’t care about me, you sure are making a big deal out of nothing.”

“Who said I didn’t care about you?”

“You did. You’re not interested in having a real relationship. Every morning your expression turns grim and you close up. You disappear for hours on end. If it will make you feel better, I’ll give you your damnable exclusive back because I don’t know how much longer I can share a room with a man like you, let alone a bed.”

“I’m not the one crawling to your side every night and sucking on your earlobes. If you don’t want me bothering you, then all you have to do is stay on your side of the bed.”

She growled.

The dog squirmed.

“Oh, no. The poor animal is bleeding. You have to find an animal hospital fast.”

***

A jumble of emotions swirled through Sam as they once again headed for Pasadena and her parents.

They had taken the dog to the closest veterinarian hospital. The poor mutt would be having surgery soon. According to the vet, the dog had been hit by a car, but somehow managed to keep on walking.

The moment they had arrived at the animal hospital, Dominic had taken charge, rushing the dog inside. She and Dominic would return to get the dog in the morning.

As they drove along, neither of them said a word.

One moment he was concerned and caring and the next he was reserved, tucked away in his shell. If he wanted to remain aloof and distrustful of the world, then so be it. The other morning in the kitchen she’d hoped for a breakthrough when he’d opened up about his parents. Unfortunately, not even their wonderful day at the festival had changed anything.

Dominic exited the freeway and continued on North Arroyo Parkway.

“Is something wrong?”

“I’m fine,” she lied. “How about you?”

“I’m good, too.”

He made a right onto El Molina.

“It’s the brick house on the right,” she told him.

Sam didn’t get home often these days, but when she did, the English Tudor house with its perfectly manicured landscape always seemed cold to her.

Dominic pulled into the driveway and shut off the engine.

“And you give me a bad time about living in such a big house?”

She answered with a smirk.

They climbed out of the car, both somber, as if they were walking to their deaths. He followed her to the main entrance. Instead of just entering the home where she’d grown up, she knocked on the front door and waited as if she were a stranger in her parents’ home.

A minute later, their longtime butler opened the door.

“Jeremy,” Sam said, throwing her arms around the old man’s waist, hugging him tight. “I’d like you to meet my husband, Dominic.”

They shook hands.

“Nice to meet you, sir. I’ve read all about you. You starred in one of my favorite movies.” He snapped his fingers. “The one with Bob Ryan.”

“That’s right,” Dominic said. “
Into the Light
.”

“Great movie.” Jeremy’s gaze fell on Sam and he frowned. “Are you bleeding?”

“No, I’m fine. We found an injured dog on the way here. He’s at the animal hospital, but the doctor said the dog will be fine.”

“You always were a softie when it came to animals.” Jeremy gestured for them to come inside. “Everyone’s waiting. Your mom’s worried, afraid you two got in an accident on the way here.”

“How about Dad? How’s his mood?”

“Same as always,” Jeremy said as he led them into the living room.

“You made it,” Emma said, rushing over to give Sam a hug. “What happened to your shirt?”

“We found an injured dog on the side of the road.”

“Where’s the dog?”

“He’s at the animal hospital, but he’s going to be okay.”

“Thank God.” Emma looked at Dominic next and blushed. “You’re even better looking in real life.” She pulled out her iPhone. “Mind if I get a picture with you so I can brag to my friends?”

“Not at all.” Dominic and Emma spent the next few minutes taking pictures together while Sam crossed the room to talk to her father.

“What do you have on?” he asked, stopping her from wrapping her arms around him. “You look like a homeless person.”

Despite the warm day, Sam’s father wore a cashmere sweater vest over a long-sleeved shirt. Her dad had a barrel chest and his hair and moustache were peppered with gray.

“On our way here, I made Dominic stop so we could help an injured dog on the side of the freeway.”

“Still a bleeding heart. That sort of work isn’t going to get you anywhere in life.”

Sam didn’t bother responding. Instead, she turned back to Dominic. “Dominic, this is my father, Cameron.” She then gestured toward a tall, slender man with blond hair. “This is my oldest brother, Taylor, and that’s my brother Kevin over there.”

“So,” Kevin said, “you two are really married, huh?”

“We are,” Sam said with a sigh.

Taylor looked Dominic over, not even trying to hide his disgust with their disheveled appearance. “Truthfully, we always thought our sister would marry Ken. She dated him for five years. Isn’t that right, sis?”

“I’ve met Ken,” Dominic cut in. “I wasn’t impressed. It took me all of five minutes to see that he didn’t deserve Sam.”

Taylor’s eyes narrowed.

“That’s so true,” Emma said. “Ken is a weasel and a half.”

“Emma,” Taylor said. “What did I tell you?”

“No talking about inappropriate subjects,” she mimicked. “Don’t talk out of turn. No cursing. Wash my hands. Did I miss something?”

Sam couldn’t help but smile at her niece. The list sounded familiar.

Everyone grew quiet.

Her brothers and her father adored Ken and they didn’t like what Dominic had to say about him. Heck, they didn’t even care that Ken had left her for another woman.

Dominic made his way around the room, shaking hands as he went along.

“Where’s Mom?” Sam asked.

“Dad didn’t think she was dressed appropriately, so she went to change. That was before we saw the two of you.”

“So, out with it, little sister, what’s really going on with you and this gigolo?”

“Excuse me?” Dominic said, his jaw hardening.

“What do you mean?” Sam asked.

“We weren’t born yesterday,” Kevin said, obviously clueless to the fact that he was about to get decked. “Why would a famous celebrity such as Dominic DeMarco, a man who could have any woman in the world, marry a little mouse like you?”

“It’s true,” Taylor chimed in. “We’ve all seen the types of women your husband is photographed with on the red carpet and at all the ritzy parties he attends. The two of you together makes no sense at all.”

“Dad,” Sam pleaded. “Are you going to let them talk to me like this?”

“Well, we all have been speculating.”

“I can’t believe this family,” Emma said. “Sam is the prettiest, funniest, smartest girl in the whole world. What’s not to like? Geez.”

“Thanks, Emma.”

Sam looked at Dominic. Judging by the look on his face, he wanted nothing more than to put them all in their place.

Thankfully, her mom joined them before Dominic could say a word or put a fist to one of her brother’s faces. Clearly, judging by the look on his face, that’s what he wanted to do.

With open arms and a loving smile on her face, her mom crossed the room and pulled Sam into her arms. When she straightened, she looked at Dominic with warmth in her eyes that reminded Sam of better days.

“Dominic,” Sam said, “this is my mom, Rebecca.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Rebecca told Dominic, ignoring his offered hand and wrapping her arms around him instead.

“I don’t mean to rush things, but dinner is almost ready,” she said after pulling away. “If we could all have a seat at the main table, dinner will be served shortly. I hope you like roast beef with mashed potatoes and gravy.”

“My favorite,” Dominic assured her.

“You know,” Mr. Johnston said, “it would be nice if you put more thought into the meal next time we have guests.”

An awkward moment ensued before Mrs. Johnston managed to regain her composure. “I thought you would enjoy having your favorite meal with your new son-in-law.”

Mr. Johnston grunted.

Everyone found a place to sit, except Sam’s father, who poured himself another Scotch and then turned to Dominic, who was pulling out a chair for Sam.

“Just so we’re straight with each other, I think you should know that I’m not happy about this marriage of yours.”

Dominic held his gaze. “You’ve made that clear.”

“Perhaps if you had paid me a visit and asked for my daughter’s hand in marriage, I might have considered it. No, no,” he quickly amended, “I would have said
no
and sent you packing.”

“Why is that?” Dominic asked.

“The fact that the two of you didn’t have enough respect to dress appropriately or arrive on time tonight is reason enough.”

Dominic was about to respond, but Sam’s father was much too fast.

“It boggles the mind,” Mr. Johnston went on, “to think Americans put so much importance on escapism and make-believe. I don’t like actors—vacuous souls wasting our time with—”

“Dad,” Sam cut in, “that’s enough.”

“It’s okay,” Dominic told her. “Nothing I haven’t heard before.”

“Damn straight,” one of her brothers muttered.

The doorbell rang and Mrs. Johnston excused herself to see who was at the door.

“The other reason I would not have allowed you to marry my daughter,” Sam’s father went on, “is because she still has a lot to learn about life. Samantha should have carved out a life for herself years ago, but she’s a female. She’s never been one to make good choices when it comes to her career. Unfortunately, she has my father-in-law’s blood running through her veins. Why else would she want to be a reporter? He, too, had a creative side that took him nowhere in life.”

“And marrying a man you hardly know?” Kevin asked. “I always knew you weren’t anything like the rest of us, Sammi, when it came to business, but as far as relationships go, I thought you were smarter than this. Ken has been waiting for you to return from New York. He’s sorry for what he did and he wants to make it up to you.”

Dominic slammed a fist against the table before he stood, his face red, his teeth clenched. “Samantha is
my
wife now and you will talk to her with respect or you will not talk to her at all. Not only is she beautiful, she is kind-hearted, unlike any of the men in this room.”