Through the Fire (2 page)

wedding reception stopped his thoughts, nor

did any of the other consequences. There

would definitely be more than a few people who

would have a problem with his plans.

Dominique’s brothers and father would be at

the top of the list.

Brandon snorted just thinking about

Dominique’s father. You would’ve thought the

man was at a business dinner rather than his

youngest daughter’s wedding. Instead of

enjoying the festivities, he spent the evening

flitting from one table to another, talking shop.

His wife, the regal Olivia Shaw, sat with friends.

She was a beauty just like her daughters.

Sighing, Brandon ordered another drink

from the bar. “Scotch straight.”

Nodding, the bartender quickly fixed his

drink and slid it across the bar.

Thanking the bartender, Brandon’s gaze

swept the room again seeking out Dominique,

willing her to look his way.

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His father’s voice interrupted his eye-

stalking. “You okay, son?”

Brandon turned and looked into his

father’s eyes before answering. “I’m fine, Dad.

Why do you ask?”

“Hmm, Chad’s sister looks beautiful

doesn’t she?”

“Yes, Diamond makes a beautiful bride,”

Brandon said shifting his gaze towards

Diamond and Rafe.

“Yes, Diamond makes a stunning bride,

but I wasn’t referring to Diamond, son. I was

talking about Dominique.”

Brandon glanced up at his father again.

Did he know about him and Dominique?
No.

He was just making an observation.

Or was he? Who knew with his father?

“They’re a beautiful family, Dad,”

Brandon responded cautiously.

“I don’t think Xavier and Chad would like

being referred to as beautiful.” His father

laughed before returning his eagle-eyed gaze to

his son. “You sure there’s nothing wrong, son?

You haven’t been around much since that

incident with Alisha.”

“I live in New York, Dad. I’m not exactly

around the corner,” Brandon hedged. Though

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19

he wasn’t looking, his eyes immediately keyed

in on Dominique. She had stopped dancing

and was making the rounds chatting up friends

and relatives. It was a nice thing to do but not

necessary, especially since the bride and groom

were also making the rounds. Brandon knew

what she was up to; she was avoiding him. His

eyes followed her every move, like a predator

eying his prey.

Fine. Since she refused to come to him,

he was going to her.

Dominique must’ve felt his eyes on her.

She turned and their gazes locked. Brandon

lifted his brow slightly and gave her his

predatory smile. The look she returned was

panic-stricken. He masked his smile with a

cough into his hand to keep from laughing out

loud. Dominique broke eye contact with

him…but not before she gave a slight tilt of her

chin towards the exit of the ballroom. She

wanted him to follow her. His heart leapt in his

chest. He gave a slight nod of understanding

and watched the gentle sway of her slim hips as

she exited the room. He waited a few endless

seconds before following.

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SERENITY KING

The sound of his father pointedly clearing

his throat stopped him. “You know I’m

available if you need to talk.”

Brandon turned back to his father. “I

know, Dad. Maybe I’ll take you up on your offer

soon. Look, there’s something I have to…see

you later,” Brandon finished lamely as he

walked off. Normally, he wouldn’t be so

disrespectful but he was too distracted to

consider etiquette.

* * *

Domino Longhorn had been watching the

ballroom all night. The hound dogs of the press

were still hanging around outside. It would’ve

been a three-ring circus had he not hired extra

security. He was part of that extra security.

This was his brother’s wedding and he didn’t

want any problems. And there wouldn’t be. As

a former special ops and a former Texas

Ranger, he’d been trained to be observant, and

observant he was.

His eyes had constantly scanned the

crowd of over two hundred guests. He’d caught

site of Brandon a few times and realized quickly

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21

how intensely Brandon was looking at

Dominique Shaw.
Hmm, interesting indeed
.

Domino couldn’t help but grin when he

saw the panicked look in Dominique’s eyes as

Brandon, very discreetly, made his way towards

her.
Obviously, Brandon was tired of waiting

on her.
He chuckled again.

“You seeing what I’m seeing?” his brother

Solomon whispered to him.

“Yes,” he whispered back. His chest

rumbled with contained laughter.

“Think it’ll be a problem?” Solomon

asked.

“I don’t think so. If he carried our sister-

in-law out of here,
that
would be a problem.

But I don’t think anyone else noticed the by-

play other than you, me and the elder Cameron.

Brandon needs this. Maybe it’ll bring him out

of whatever’s been ailing him lately. Something

has been bothering him for a while, and I’m

convinced that it has nothing to do with what

happened with his office and Alisha.”

Both he and Solomon turned at the sound

of the feminine giggle and glanced around for

the source.

Domino studied the brown-skinned

beauty that was a part of the bridal party.

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SERENITY KING

“Wrong. I noticed when it first started. You two

shouldn’t worry about Dominique and

Brandon. You have a bigger problem.”

“We do?” he and Solomon said

simultaneously.

“Yes. By the way, the name’s Tabitha.”

“Tabitha,” they both murmured.

“Look across the room, on the other side

in the far corner and you’ll see what I’m talking

about. I doubt anyone noticed but me. See

y’all,” she said with a smirk as she got up from

the dais and walked away.

He and Solomon both turned to look in

the direction in which Tabitha was referring.

Their gazes came to rest on Sinjin, Tristan and

Brandon’s complicated younger brother.

“Oh, damn!” Domino murmured as he

noticed Sinjin watching Asia, Alisha’s sister.

Solomon started laughing.

* * *

“Shit!
Why isn’t there ever an empty

room when I need one?” Dominique whispered

to herself. She was beginning to get frustrated

and was about to turn back when she felt strong

arms grab her around the waist a moment

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23

before she was pulled into a darkened room.

Hearing the door slam shut, Dominique yelped

in surprise. Surprise, not fear. She’d know

those arms anywhere, especially since they

belonged to her husband.

“Brandon what the—?” she asked when

she found herself backed up against the closed

door.

Whatever she was about to say was

stopped by his full lips sweeping down on hers.

Of their own accord, her arms came up and

around his neck. Her body relaxed into his as

she kissed him with the same intensity that he

was kissing her. Their tongues met and danced

together, and they took their fill of one another,

until sanity returned and she pulled back.

“Wa—wait. Brandon we can’t do this

here,” she whispered against his lips.

“I know. I know,” he said, resting his

forehead against hers.

“But you smell so good, Dominique. I

need to taste you,” he said as he unzipped her

dress far enough to expose her breasts.

Brandon wasted no time tasting her them.

Dominique gasped at the feel of his hot,

moist mouth on her breast. Throwing her head

back, she moaned as he did wicked things with

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SERENITY KING

his tongue. Twirling his tongue around her

nipple, he then flicked it over the tip, before

pulling the chocolate treat into his mouth,

sucking hungrily.

She knew she should stop him, but she

was feeling too good. Instead of protesting, she

wished he would pleasure her forever. Running

her fingers through his hair, she crushed his

face firmly against her breast and groaned

aloud at the sensation.

“Shush,” he said against her breast. “You

want someone to hear us?”

Dominique’s eyes shot open at the

mention of someone hearing them. “Oh, Shit!

Brandon, I have to get out of he—”

Noticing the supplies, she stopped

midsentence. “You pulled me into the storage

closest?”

Looking around, Brandon grimaced.

“You were taking too long looking for whatever

the hell you were looking for. I took the first

thing that was available. It’s an empty room,

isn’t it? We need to talk Dominique,” he added

more seriously as he helped her adjust her

clothes.

“I can’t talk to you now, Brandon. I have

to go.”

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25

His firm grip on her waist stopped her.

“Uh, uh. We need to talk and I’m not

letting you out of here until you agree.” He

scowled down at her.

Dominique realized that it was fruitless to

argue with him. At the same time, she noticed

that the voices on the outside appeared to be

getting closer and louder.
We can’t get caught

here, like this.
She sighed deeply and asked,

“Where? We can’t talk here, and I leave for

home on Sunday. Most of the family is staying

here for the weekend. I have a room, but you

know my family is liable to show up at my door

anytime.”

“I have a room here as well. Meet me in

my room.”

“Your family is just as bad as mine. You

know one of your brothers is bound to show up.

I’ll call you when I get back to Atlanta.

Promise,” she said in a rush.

“I don’t think so. If you think that I’m

waiting for you to get back to Atlanta for our

discussion, you have another think coming,

Dominique. I’ll get another room here and call

your cell with the room number. Meet me there

when this thing is over,” he said in a voice that

left no room for argument.

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SERENITY KING

Still, Dominique might have argued, but

she heard someone outside ask where she was.

Panic hit her. “Shit! What am I going to do

now? I can’t be seen coming out of the storage

closest with you.”

“Hold on.” Brandon easily lifted her away

so he was standing closest to the door. Then he

opened it and peeked out. “Go on, the coast is

clear. Dominique, don’t make me come looking

for you,” he added, placing a quick kiss on her

lips.

“I won’t. Now move.” She rushed out of

the closet and down the hall, trying to make

sure her hair and clothes were back in order.

She heard her name being called the

moment she reached the door of the reception

hall. An anxious Diamond was heading her

way.

“Hey, Dominique, where’d you get off

to?” Diamond asked. “I’ve been looking for you

and so has Mom.”

Diamond was absolutely stunning in her

pearl-encased wedding dress. “Did I tell you

how beautiful you look today, sis?” Dominique

said, only partly trying to change the subject.

“You know you did,” Diamond replied

with a smile. “But thank you again. Well, my

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27

husband is in a hurry to leave and so am I. Let’s

get me changed out of this dress. Mom’s

already in the room.”

“Okay, let’s go. No one keeps Olivia Shaw

waiting. The nerve,” Dominique said haughtily,

sending Diamond into spiels of laughter. They

loved their mother to pieces but once she got on

her soap box, it was over. Dominique was just

grateful that they’d gotten off the subject of

where she’d been.

Her gratitude came too soon.

“Dominique, where have you been? We’ve

been looking all over for you. Diamond’s ready

to change,” Olivia Shaw said, in a fit.

“And here she goes,” Dominique

whispered to Diamond. “I’m sorry, Mommy, I

had no idea you guys were looking for me. I