Shoulda Been A Cowboy (22 page)

“
So how long have
you
known Cam?” he asked.

“
He's been coming into the restaurant I
manage for a while. Only recently have we…started seeing each
other outside of working hours.”

“
You're very diplomatic, Domini. Where are
you from? Switzerland?”

“
No, the Ukraine.” Her head snapped up.
Blood tinged her cheeks. “I get it. Neutral. Switzerland.
Funny.”

Brock shrugged. “I'm guessing it wasn't
a picnic living in the Ukraine after the Chernobyl disaster and the
fall of the Soviet Union.”

“
It was bad, which was why I left.”

“
Not as a mail-order Ukrainian bride, I hope.”

“
No. That was never an option for me.”

“
Why not?”

I'm damaged goods
. “The
Evangelical Church of Hope got their hooks in me before the marriage
brokers did and they offered me a better way out of the country. I
eventually found a way to escape them too.” She chugged her
beer and boldly changed the subject. “You've known Cam
for a long time.”

“
Yep.”

“
Can I ask you something about him?”

“
Sure. Doesn't mean I'll answer.”

That flip reply might've stung if she hadn't
suspected Brock's passive aggressive responses were his way of
protecting his friend. “Was Cam always…such a…”
Domini struggled with the right word.

Brock's eyes narrowed. “Such a what?”

“
The type of guy who's loyal. Polite.
Thoughtful. Generous. He'd walk a little old lady across the
street. He'd jump in front of a bus to save a baby in a runaway
stroller. He'd give up his seat to a pregnant woman. He'd…”

“
Throw himself on a grenade to save your life?”
Brock supplied.

“
Exactly. Has he always been that way? Or did he
become that way after his injury?”

“
What do you think?” he asked without guile.

“
I think he's always been the selfless guy
who does the right thing. No matter what. No matter the personal
cost.”

“
You'd be exactly right. And you're
the first person who's picked up on that…except for me,
of course.”

“
Of course.”

“
I owe him my life. He'll tell you the
reverse is true, but it's not. He saved my dumb ass more times
than I care to count. I will do
anything
for that man. Cam is one of a kind and he deserves the best—”
his cool appraisal moved over her and he frowned, “—in
everything.”

Stung by his less than flattering perception that she
wasn't good enough for Cam, she stood. “I should go.
Please give Cam the shirt.”

“
Chill out. Finish your beer. I didn't mean
to run you off.”

She allowed him time to consider his statement, then
challenged, “Didn't you? Didn't you really?”

Brock attempted to stare her down, but gave up and
laughed. “Man, you ain't a pushover at all, are you?”

“
Some people confuse a quiet nature with timidity.
There is a difference, Mr. Tennyson.”

“
I see that now.” Brock snatched her hand
and kissed her knuckles with exaggeration. “Call me Brock. I
owe you an apology, delectable Domini.”

“
Apology accepted.”

His right eyebrow winged up. “I'm forgiven
that fast?”

“
No point in holding a grudge. You were only
looking out for Cam's best interest and I can't fault you
for that.”

“
Hmm. Gorgeous, quiet and forgiving. Will you
marry me?”

She laughed. “Let's stick to being friends.”

“
Oh woman, I am so gonna try to change your mind.
Let's have a toast to celebrate our new friendship.” He
leapt to his feet. “Have any idea where Cam keeps the tequila?”

“
No. But I hope his liquor cabinet is better
stocked than his refrigerator.”

“
You and me are gonna get along just fine.”

 

 

Cam was surprised to see Domini's car parked in
the drive. He was even more surprised to enter the kitchen and see
Brock and Domini laughing over a row of empty shot glasses.

A possessive roar filled his head.

“
Cam! My man. I was just telling Domini about the
time—”

“
I kicked your butt for drinkin' all my
tequila?”

“
No, about the time we got into that bar fight
in—”

“
I'm sure Domini ain't interested in
hearing our old war stories, Brock.”

“
Yes I am.”

Damn she looked good. Color on her cheeks. A sparkle in
her eyes. Amusement tilting the corners of her mouth.

He forced a smile. “Looks like I have some
catching up to do. Pass me that bottle, will ya?”

“
Sure thing.” Brock poured three fingers of
tequila and slid it across the bar.

“
Why don't you tell me one of your wild
stories?” Domini asked him.

“
I'll pass because I don't lie nearly
as smoothly as Brock does.”

“
That's true,” Brock said. “We
called him George behind his back because of that ‘I cannot
tell a lie' bullshit.”

Cam confided, “And we called him Pinocchio.”

“
Really? I'm stunned. All your stories have
been an outrageous…lie?” she said with mock shock.

“
Not all. Once I wrassled a bear with my bare
hands. I have pictures.” Brock peeped at her with those big,
dark puppy dog eyes that always got him laid. “Wanna see them?”

“
I assume you're bare naked on the bear skin
rug after you killed the beast with your bare hands?” Domini
mused.

“
Yep, but unlike the pictures of those white boys
who ain't smart enough to hunt bears the right color, like
polar bears, my brown ass blends perfectly with the grizzly I
slayed.” Brock leaned closer. “Is this getting me
anywhere with you, hot stuff?”

Domini and Brock continued to flirt like Cam wasn't
in the room. This playful side of Domini fascinated him. He'd
seen her various sides, sweet and fiery and obedient and occasionally
pushy, but never shamelessly charming. Or was it just shameless?

Regardless, it was hot as sin watching her enchant
Brock—a man who was not easily enchanted.

An hour later, Cam was on his third shot and Domini and
Brock had quit drinking entirely.

But they hadn't stopped the sexy banter, arguing
the pros and cons of mail-order brides. “Not speaking the same
language would be a huge bonus,” Brock pointed out. “Then
she couldn't nag me.”

“
You, Brock Tennyson, are trying to get under my
skin.”

“
No, sweetheart, I'm trying to get into your
pants.” He waggled his eyebrows suggestively. “Is it
working?”

She laughed—a little nervously—but she
didn't say no.

“
I'm gonna take your silence as a yes. Hot
damn!” Brock grabbed her hand, acting like he was dragging her
away.

“
Stop. I know you were kidding.” Domini sent
Cam a questioning look. “Right?”

Tension hung in the air.

“
You're a big girl, Domini. Do what you
want.”

“
But…” She looked torn. “Don't…aren't
you supposed to…”

Scream no, you're mine! Yes.
Cam tossed off a cool, “Give you permission?”

She nodded warily.

Brock sucked in a breath. “Shit, Cam. She said you
two had one date and I thought… Why didn't you tell me
it was that way between you two?”

Domini spun on Brock. “What way?”

“
Cam's way.”

“
How do you know—”

“
Because I've known him a long time, Domini,
and I know what he prefers.”

Cam flashed Domini a wolfish smile. “Surprised?”

She shook her head before addressing Brock. “And
you aren't like Cam?”

“
No.” Brock slurped from a water bottle. “I
like to watch. Damn, do I like to watch. Sometimes I join in. When
control freak here lets me.”

Cam caught the flare of interest in Domini's eyes.

Whoa. That reaction was unexpected. But then again, Cam
hadn't delved much into finding out Domini's sexual
fantasies because he'd been fulfilling his role as her dominant
lover and that'd been enough for him.

But was it enough for her?

Right then Cam knew he'd have to decide how far he
was willing to let them take this flirtation. He and Brock had shared
women in the past. It'd been no big deal.

But now it was different. Could he orchestrate a sexual
situation between his best friend and the woman he'd fallen in
love with? Or would he want to rip the hands off the man who'd
saved his life just because he'd put them on her?

Did Domini think she could handle a threesome?

Too fucking bad. No way in hell was Brock touching her,
no matter what she thought she wanted. No. Way.

What kind of lover would you be if you didn't
see to her sexual needs? Even if they were in direct conflict with
yours?

Fuck that. She's mine.

Is she? Does
she
know that?

No.

Dammit. If he snarled and showed jealousy, not only
would Domini realize he'd developed serious feelings for her,
but so would Brock.

What better way to prove his control over her than to
command her to satisfy another man? And bonus: it'd prove to
Brock that Cam McKay might've lost his leg, but he hadn't
lost his edge. He still owned the ability to bend a woman to his
sexual whims.

Decision made, Cam casually asked, “Domini. Have
you ever been with two men at once?”

“
Umm. No.”

“
Does the thought of two men fucking you at the
same time turn you on?” When her response was a long time
coming, he said, “Answer me.”

Domini didn't look away. “Yes.”

“
If I were to demand you blow me while Brock
watches, you'd do it.”

Not a question, yet she nodded anyway.

“
Then come here.”

She sauntered over, her head held high, her white-blonde
hair flowing around her angelic face, her arctic eyes bright, her
mouth curved in a small smile.

Cam curled his hand around her neck and centered her
body between his legs. He brought his mouth down on hers hard, taking
the brutal kiss he craved. When he'd thoroughly flustered her
with his possessive kiss, he slid his lips to her ear. “If you
don't want to do this, princess, say so now.”

Her voice was so subdued he strained to hear it. “I
gave myself to you without restriction. Whatever you want, you can
have.”

“
Good answer, baby. And you can show me. Now.”

He walked to the fireplace in the living room, expecting
Domini to follow. From the corner of his eye, he saw Brock flop on
the couch. The move looked lazy. Bored. Cam knew it was anything but.

As Domini approached him, he unbuttoned his shirt. She
didn't lower her eyes or keep her hands clasped behind her
back. The subservient posture and attitude crap didn't appeal
to either of them, thank God. But she did not balk at letting him
have complete control.

She said, “You didn't wear a T-shirt.”

Cam smiled. “See? I listen to you.”

“
I'm glad.” Her fingers trailed over
the sprinkling of chest hair. Her palms smoothed his pecs, his ribs,
and his belly. She angled her head to lap at the hollow of his
throat.

A tremor threatened to break free from that sexy
innocent lick.

Domini's delicate butterfly touches were a
stunning contrast to the hard nips and deep sucking kisses she used
on his nipples.

“
Enough. Unbutton my pants.” The khakis were
loose enough once she'd released the snap, they pooled around
his ankles. “On your knees.” She looked up at him and Cam
couldn't resist brushing the hair from her face. “Your
hands can be on my hips or my ass. Choose.”

She peeled the boxers down and didn't spend
significant time gawking at his prosthesis, but neither did she
ignore it. She mouthed the length of his shaft, teasing it with hot
breath and firm nibbles. Then she sucked it into the wetness and heat
that never failed to make his breath catch.

Cam braced his right hand on the oak mantel and gathered
her hair in his left hand, keeping a clear shot for Brock. He knew
how hot the visual looked—Domini's bobbing head as his
cock pumped in and out of her hungry mouth.