Shoulda Been A Cowboy (33 page)

BOOK: Shoulda Been A Cowboy
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Okay.” Ky and Anton rounded the deck toward
the garage. Gracie whined on the deck.

Anton stopped and looked at Cam. “Can she come
with us?”


Sure. Say ‘come' and pat your leg.
But if she jumps up on you, bump her aside with your knee and make
her sit. I don't need her knocking me over.”


Come, Gracie.” Anton slapped his thighs.
Gracie took off like a shot, tail wagging.

The air between Cam and Cord was heavy with tension.


Don't be stubborn, Cam. Us wantin' to
help you ain't a reflection of your disabilities. There's
no sense in you fightin' them stairs when you don't have
to.”

Cam crossed his arms over his chest. “I appreciate
the offer.”


But you're turnin' it down flat,”
Cord said.


Yep.


Goddammit. This is asinine. We all just want—”


To humiliate the cripple?” Cam snapped.
“Hell, why don't you invite Colt, Kade, Buck, Quinn and
Ben too? So everyone in the whole fuckin' family knows that I
can't take care of—”


Cam. Stop.” Domini planted herself in front
of him. “Take your brother's help.”

He scowled. “I don't need it.”


Yes, you do. And if you don't take it, I'll
move all the stuff by myself.”


Like hell,” Cam and Cord said
simultaneously.


See? You two can agree on something.”

Cord's smile was as slow and as lethally sexy as
Cam's. “I am so gonna love sayin' ‘listen to
your wife' little bro, since you get such a huge fuckin'
chuckle outta sayin' it to me all the damn time.”

Cam relaxed. Smirked. “I can't wait.”


Seriously. Let us help you.”


Fine. As long as it's only you and Colby.
Not Ma and Dad, not anyone else.”


Not a problem.”


There's not much anyway, maybe one load, I
don't have much,” Domini said. “And Anton's
stuff is still boxed up in the entryway so that'll be easy.”


Maybe we oughta just go get it done now.”
Cord's look challenged Cam. “Will it piss you off if I
suggest you stay here with the boys?”


Yep.”


Then I'll say it.” Domini stood on
her tiptoes to whisper, “Stay here and save your strength for
tonight because you're gonna need it, husband.”

He growled.


We won't be long. And if Anton and Ky get
hungry, just feed them mac and cheese.”

Domini and Cord returned three hours later. Cord stacked
the boxes on the deck and Cam insisted on taking them into the house.
Once Cord's truck was unloaded, he and Ky took off.

Anton sat on the steps with Gracie.


She seems to like you,” Domini said.

He didn't answer.


We picked up your stuff from your mom's
house.”

No answer.


Want to see your room?”


I guess.”

Domini wondered why Anton was surly. She showed Anton
his room. “The bathroom is across the hall.”


Where is your room?”

She pointed. “Right there. I'm not far.”


I'm hungry.”


Didn't Cam feed you?”


Yeah, but he burned it. Tasted so crappy the dog
wouldn't even eat it.”


Anton! That's not nice.”


But it's true.”


Come on, I'll fix you something.” She
whipped up a couple grilled cheese sandwiches. While Anton devoured
the entire plate, she jotted down grocery items. Good Lord the man
was a bachelor to the core when it came to food. That'd have to
change.

Cam entered the kitchen through the sliding glass door.
“I thought I smelled food.”


You want a grilled cheese?”


Sure.” He came up behind her and kissed her
neck, sending a delicious shiver through her. “Better make it
two.”


We'll need to hit the grocery store later.”


I figured.”

Domini looked over at Anton. “Anything special I
need to put on the list?”


Oreos. Chips. Mountain Dew. Cap'n Crunch.”


No, no, no, and maybe.” She'd seen a
box of Peanut Butter Cap'n Crunch in the cupboard, so she knew
Cam liked it. “Name something healthy.”


Why?


Because eating that stuff is bad for you.”


It's what I like. My mom never said I
couldn't have it.”

Anton already played the “my mom” card?
“Your mother and I had very different ideas about food,
remember? So for now, we're doing it my way.”


Your way sucks.”


Hey,” Cam said sharply, “let's
get one thing straight up front. You don't get to talk to her
like that. Ever.”

Anton hopped down from the breakfast bar.


Where you going?” Domini called out.

The slam of his bedroom door was the answer.


That went well.”

Cam tugged her into his arms. “It's going to
be an adjustment. I'll cut him a little slack because he just
lost his mother. And now he's living in a strange place. But I
won't stand for him disrespecting you. Or me. Let's just
let him be for now and see what happens, okay?”


Okay.”

He brushed his mouth over her ear. “I want you.”

Her belly fluttered.


I know it ain't gonna happen until he's
tucked in for the night, but I can't help myself. I can't
get enough of you.”


I should hope you haven't gotten enough of
me, since we've only been married one day.”


He goes to bed early, right?” he murmured.

Domini figured her own bedtime had just gotten a lot
earlier too.

 

 

Week Two…


Anton. Why are there still markers all over the
floor? I've told you three times to pick them up.”


I'm doing it. Geez, you don't have to
get all freaked out.”

Domini counted to ten. “Yes, I do, because Cam
could slip on any one of these and fall.”


You always take his side,” he muttered.


Side? What side? Safety and consideration have a
side?”

After Anton shoved the markers in the box, he said, “Can
I go out and play with Gracie now?”

Yes. Please. And stay out there for at least an hour
so I don't snap at you.


Don't go far.”


You say that every time.”


That's because I worry.”

Anton snorted. And slammed the door on his way out.

The first week of marriage had been the week from hell.
Anton showed extremely bratty behavior at every opportunity. Cam
worked overtime to make up for the days he missed, leaving Domini to
deal with Anton and Gracie. Oddly enough, Gracie was the least of her
problems.

Domini had the mixer whirring on full power, so she was
surprised when she turned around to see Cam leaning against the
counter watching her.

Would she ever get used to the way this hunky man
devoured her with unabashed hunger? His very smug, very male grin
indicated he too, was reliving last night's sexcapades.

Those sinfully sensual memories bombarded her. Facing
each other in the Jacuzzi as the heat and the steam created a sultry
haven. The rushing sound of the water jets and the darkness formed an
erotic cocoon. The feel of his slippery chest gliding against hers as
he fucked her slowly. His mouth sucking on her neck. On her breasts.
The naughty words he growled in her ear. Cam's hands gripping
her ass as he lifted and lowered her. How the tight binding around
her wrists left her completely at his mercy.

She'd loved every second of it. And she couldn't
wait to see what Cam had in store for her tonight. Anton's
presence down the hall seemed to challenge Cam to become even more
inventive when it came to sex. She smiled and walked straight into
his arms.


Mmm. Now that's a welcome home a man could
get accustomed to.”


How was your day, Deputy?”


All the better now that I'm here with my
wife.” Cam bussed the top of her head. “How was yours?”

Trying.

Don't burden him with Anton's issues
,
her internal voice cautioned. While another countered with,
why
not?
Anton is as much
Cam's responsibility as he is yours.

But as many times as Domini reminded herself in the last
two weeks, it'd never fully sunk in. Mostly because Cam seemed
to…tolerate Anton. He wasn't unpleasant, but he didn't
go out of his way to engage the boy in conversation, either.

Be patient. These changes will take time. You've
had two years to get to know Anton, Cam has had two weeks.


Domini?”


Sorry. I've been distracted all day.”


Distracted thinking about our water games last
night?” he purred in her ear.


Uh-huh. And I'm wondering what you've
planned for tonight.”

Cam chuckled. “I ain't telling.”

The timer on the oven buzzed and she pushed away from
him. She punched the “off” button and grabbed the
potholders. She set three loaves of bread on the wire cooling racks.
When she looked up, Cam wore the strangest expression.

 

Domini stood in his kitchen wearing smiley face oven
mitts.

Smiley face oven mitts for Christsake.

The unfamiliar rush of love for her contracted his
heart.

Tell her.


Cam? What's wrong?”

Nothing. Everything is utterly perfect in my life and
I don't want to fuck it up by doing or saying something to make
you leave.


Don't you like wheat bread?”

He cleared his throat. “No, I like it.” He
pointed to the mixer. “More bread dough in there?”


No, silly. Bread dough is best when it's
hand kneaded. I'm also making cookies.”


For Anton?”


And for you. White chocolate chip macadamia nut
are your favorite, right?”


Yeah. How'd you know?”

Domini lightly smacked him with the oven mitt. “Need
I remind you of all the meals you've eaten at Dewey's the
past two years? I've memorized your favorite foods and the ones
you hate.”

Cam lifted an eyebrow. “Now you have me worried,
princess.”


Why?”


Because if we ever have a fight, I'll come
home to a plate of liver and onions for supper, won't I?”


Yep, so don't tick me off.”

He snagged her around the waist. Cam swallowed her
surprised squeak, kissing her with coaxing, dreamy kisses until she
melted into him.

The sliding glass door whooshed open. Gracie yipped and
her toenails clattered as she tore around the corner of the breakfast
bar. Domini froze. Cam had a split second to shove Domini behind him
before Gracie jumped up on Cam's left side.


Gracie! Sit. What the hell is wrong with you?”

Gracie whined and cowered on the floor, recognizing her
master's angry tone.

Domini's hand clutched his shoulder. “Cam.
It's okay.”


No, it's not. She never used to do this.
Took me damn near a year to get her trained not to jump up.”
His gaze zoomed to Anton. “Have you been letting her jump on
you?”


She just does.”


And you haven't tried to stop her like I
showed you?”

Anton shrugged. “I don't mind.”

Fury charged Cam's system. He managed a curt, “
I
mind. And you'll either follow my rules concerning my dog, or
I'll separate the two of you, understand?”

A stricken look settled on Anton's face.

Cam knew Anton had bonded with Gracie, which was good
for both boy and dog, but he wouldn't put up with Anton's
blatant disregard of Gracie's training or of the rules he'd
laid down.


Cam, I think—”

BOOK: Shoulda Been A Cowboy
7.81Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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