Daddy dominic, p.4
Daddy Dominic, page 4
What was it about this guy?
He couldn’t be a Dom, right?
She was going to kick Reuben’s ass for putting these ideas in her head. It was like she was now seeing Daddy Doms everywhere.
“You can do better than that, can’t you?”
Shit.
He was definitely gently scolding her. She wasn’t used to gentle, or to anyone caring about her manners.
“I wasn’t sure if you were genuine,” she explained. “I don’t know you. For all I know, you could have been going back to your truck to get something to knock me out and kidnap me. I’ve lived in New York for years and a girl on her own can’t be too careful.”
“Hey, Dom!” a man called out.
She turned, groaning as she saw Deputy Stick-In-The-Mud walking toward them.
“What’s wrong?” Dominic asked, staring down at her with concern.
“I have to go.”
But before she could make some sort of graceful exit, the deputy reached them.
“Hey, Jace,” Dominic said cheerfully. “How are you?”
Of course, they knew each other. Just her luck.
“Just walking past and thought I’d check you were both okay. You know Ms. Anderson here?”
Shit. He remembered her name? What kind of town was this?
A small town, Gwen. Where everyone knows everyone else.
She missed the anonymity of the city. Especially as she had the feeling that Deputy Stick-In-The-Mud was about to tattle on her. Not that it mattered if he told Dominic. He was only a cowboy stalker who’d offered her chocolate.
“Do you have that chocolate right now?” she asked desperately.
Dominic’s eyebrows rose. “Ah, no. It’s in my truck. We can walk by and get it after dinner, though.”
“The two of you are going for dinner? Are you dating?” the deputy asked.
Wow, not only was he a stickler for the rules—which was such an unattractive quality for a deputy sheriff to have—he was also nosy as heck.
“I don’t believe that’s any of your business, deputy,” she told him.
“Gwen,” Dominic said in a warning voice, giving her a look.
Yikes.
That shouldn’t make her squirm and want to apologize.
“Don’t worry about it,” the deputy said, amused. “I think Ms. Anderson is just worried I was going to tell you about this afternoon.”
“What happened this afternoon?” Dominic asked.
“I don’t think we need to talk about it,” she said hastily.
“I pulled Ms. Anderson over for speeding.”
“Oh, did you?” Dominic drawled.
“Yep. But if I knew she was yours, I’d have called you straight away. Glad to know you’ll take care of things.” Jace smacked his hand down on Dominic’s back.
What the heck did that mean? She stared up at Dominic as he looked down at her in amusement.
“Sure. Thanks for letting me know, Jace.”
“No worries. I don’t expect to catch you speeding again, Ms. Anderson.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure of that,” she muttered, drawing frowns from both men.
Sheesh. What was that about?
“I better go. I’ll leave you two to go have dinner. Have a nice night.”
“Thanks, Jace,” Dominic said.
“No worries, be seeing you around, Ms. Anderson. You’ve got a good guy here.”
“Hey, wait, no!” She went to follow him, needing to set him right, but Dominic lightly grabbed her arm.
“How about we go and get that dinner I owe you?”
“But you just let him leave thinking that we’re an item.”
“So?”
“So, I just met you today. And I’m still not convinced you’re not a stalker.”
“Would you go out to dinner with your stalker?” he asked as he started walking along the sidewalk, taking her with him.
She only went because she didn’t want to be pulled over. It wasn’t because he smelled so good or that his hand on hers made her heart race.
Nope. Not at all.
You are so fucking delusional.
“I don’t know. I might if he promised me burgers and fries.”
“Yeah? That’s the way to your heart, huh? Burgers and fries?”
“It’s carbs, and some of those carbs are deep-fried. Duh. I didn’t get this ass by eating salads and tuna.”
He stilled and looked down at her for a long moment. She almost started squirming.
What was wrong with her? This guy had her squirming like a naughty toddler.
“I know that we don’t know each other and that perhaps my opinion isn’t wanted, but I happen to think you are gorgeous. And I don’t like hearing you say bad things about your body.”
“You’re right. We don’t really know each other well enough for you to say things like that.”
“Well, as your official stalker, I guess I’ll be getting to know you well enough to say things like that. And then you’re going to be in trouble, Shortcake.”
“Hey, I’m not that short.” At five-six, she’d say she was average.
“That’s not the reason for the nickname.” He started walking again. She noticed that he was walking at a slow pace so she could easily keep up.
That was thoughtful.
“What is the reason, then?” she asked.
“Sorry, can’t tell you that until we know each other better.” He reached a diner that looked like it had seen better days. But she’d learned that sometimes the best places to eat were the ones that looked the worst.
“It’s not quite Delicious décor, but I can assure you the burgers are awesome. Delicious seems to be more about being seen than what you eat.” He placed a hand on the small of her back and held the diner door open with the other.
She took it back. He did have nice manners.
“I’m not sure anyone was actually eating in that place,” she said.
“Likely not. I don’t think Davidson opened it in order to serve food. Weird as that sounds.”
Yeah, that’s what she’d thought too.
A young server bounced up to them. Damn, had Gwen ever had that sort of energy? “Dom! Good to see you! Come this way.”
“Do you know everyone in this town?” she asked as the server led them to a booth at the back.
“I’ve lived here a while,” he replied. “Thanks, Liv.”
“What’ll you have to drink?”
“I’ll have water,” he replied. “You, Shortcake?”
Oh, dear lord, he wasn’t calling her that in front of people, was he?
Seemed he was.
“Coffee, thanks.”
He frowned slightly but didn’t say anything.
“I’ll get right on it.” The server skipped away, and Gwen sighed forlornly.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Just remembering what it was like to have that much energy.”
“Yeah, sometimes I miss being that young. Then I remember all of the idiotic things I did when I was in my twenties and I think I’m probably better off now.”
She let out a small laugh. “You’re not wrong there.”
Liv brought over their drinks, setting them down. “Do you need a few more minutes?”
“Actually, we want two burgers and fries. Anything you’re allergic to, Shortcake?” he asked.
“Just anything green.”
“Oh, um, there’s lettuce on the burgers.” Liv looked at her worriedly. “Would you like me to ask the cook to take it out? I don’t know if there’s anything else green in them.”
“Oh, no, that’s okay. It was just a joke.”
“It was?” Liv asked.
“Yep.” Apparently, not a very funny one. Although Dominic was smiling.
However, she was pretty certain he was laughing at her.
“Right. Sorry. My mom and dad make jokes I don’t get, either.” She skipped off.
“I’m old enough to be that girl’s mom, aren’t I?” she asked, feeling ancient.
“I think she’s just out of high school, sooo . . .”
“Yeah, I know that’s your diplomatic way of saying I’m old enough to be her mom.” She sighed.
“You don’t have any kids?” he asked.
“Nope. Never been the right time or the right person. You?”
“No. Although I wanted them, once upon a time.” He looked away, seeming sad.
She didn’t like that. She preferred Dominic when he was teasing her. Heck, she’d even take him scolding her over this sad look on his face.
“You realize that deputy thinks that we’re dating, right? Why didn’t you set him straight?”
He grinned. “Because now he’ll call me every time you get into trouble.”
Her mouth dropped open. “No way.”
“Oh yep. He thinks you’re mine. I’ll be able to keep tabs on you, Shortcake.”
She just stared at him. He wasn’t for real right now, was he?
He laughed, and she relaxed. Whew. He’d been joking.
“I’m too old to need someone keeping an eye on me,” she told him dryly.
“I don’t know about that. Seems like you get into plenty of trouble.”
Rude. She rarely got into trouble.
“You going to be able to sleep tonight after drinking that?” he asked, nodding to her coffee.
“One coffee won’t keep me awake. I don’t usually go to bed until after midnight, anyway. I live on caffeine back home. Pretty sure that if there was no caffeine running through my veins, I’d die.”
Urgh, that had been another thing on that stupid doctor’s list, though.
Cut down on caffeine.
Awesome.
“You okay?” Dominic asked gently.
“What? Me? Of course, I’m always all right.”
“You just looked worried.”
“Just some things I’ve got on my mind.” Her stomach grumbled loudly, making her groan. “Shoot. That’s embarrassing. Sorry.”
His lips twitched. “Nothing to be sorry about. I’m the one that sent your dinner flying.”
“Eh, I wasn’t going to eat it, anyway. Not to be rude to their chef, but it didn’t look very appetizing, and the owner kind of turned me off.”
“Yes, the owner is a bit . . .”
“Of a dick?” she supplied.
“Something like that. Not many locals eat there.”
“So you’re saying people travel from other towns to eat subpar food and get leered at by that creepy dick?”
That was weird.
“Wait . . . he leered at you. Exactly what happened?” He stiffened, a frown creasing his forehead. “Did he do or say anything inappropriate?”
Whoa. Was he upset on her behalf? This was new. The only person who ever worried about her was Reuben.
“No. He wasn’t interested in me. I’m not young and gorgeous with big boobs. Well, they are pretty big, but when you take my bra off, they droop. I should probably get a boob job, but I feel too old now. I can’t really be bothered, you know? And I really wish you’d have stopped me talking about three sentences ago.”
His gaze narrowed as he gave her a stern look. “I thought we spoke about you putting yourself down.”
She pointed her teaspoon at him. “It’s not speaking badly about yourself if it’s the truth.”
“You might think that’s true. I don’t.”
“Ahh, but how can you know? You haven’t seen me without a bra.”
Amusement filled his face. “Was that an invitation, Shortcake?”
6
“It was not! And I don’t think I like that nickname.” It didn’t suit her. She wasn’t short and sweet.
She was fiery and tough. Definitely an acquired taste.
Her stomach rumbled again. Shoot.
“That’s too bad,” he muttered quietly.
He hadn’t just said that, right? There’s no way he’d want to see her naked. She didn’t want to see herself naked.
“Did you actually eat lunch?” he asked.
“Umm.” Shoot. She’d forgotten that she’d told him that. “Not exactly. But I had a few snacks.” If you counted some energy drinks, countless cups of coffee, and a packet of gum as snacks.
She had a feeling he wouldn’t.
Oh well, she wasn’t his problem.
But if she didn’t start eating more healthily, she was going to be in big trouble.
“Is that so? Somehow, I don’t believe you.”
She gave him a charming smile. Hmm, that didn’t really seem to work. If anything, he seemed more suspicious.
Liv brought over their food, setting the plates in front of them, and Gwen’s mouth watered.
God, that looked so good.
Her healthy diet could start tomorrow, right? She rubbed at her chest, feeling a strange flutter.
You’re okay.
Just nerves.
Yep, tomorrow she’d be good.
“I want to see most of that plate emptied,” Dominic told her in a low voice.
What? Was he serious?
And didn’t that seem like something a Daddy Dom would say?
Daddy Dominic. No, nope. She was not going there.
“And what about your plate, buster?” she asked, trying not to let on how much she liked his bossy command.
How could it be that a virtual stranger actually cared what she ate?
“Well, I happen to have eaten breakfast and lunch,” he told her. “But I’ll do my best.”
She didn’t know where to start. Reaching for a french fry, she picked it up and promptly dropped it as the heat burned her skin.
“Ow. Ouch!” She shook her hand, blowing on her fingers. “Hot.” Unable to wait, she reached for another fry.
“Whoa. Wait.” Dominic slid the plate away from her.
“Hey, that’s mine.” She pouted.
Whoops. Where had that pout come from?
“Nobody is stealing your dinner, Shortcake,” he soothed. “But you can’t keep burning yourself. Let’s see your fingers.”
“Oh, they’re fine.” Damn, had she just made an idiot of herself or what?
“Let me see,” he said firmly, holding his hand out.
She stared down at his palm. How was it possible for a hand to be sexy?
“You’re used to getting your way, aren’t you?” she asked.
“I sure am. And I’m not going to be denied now. Hand. Please.”
She thought the ‘please’ sounded like an afterthought. But she placed her hand in his. He checked her fingers, then brought them up to his mouth.
He wasn’t going to kiss them to make them feel better, was he? Because she might just melt in a pile on the floor. But nope, he blew on them softly.
Which might almost be worse. Because she swore a shiver ran through her body all the way to her clit.
Then he picked up a napkin and stuck it in his water, before wrapping it around her finger and thumb.
“Does that feel better?”
“Ah, yes, but I think this might be overkill, don’t you?” she asked.
“Your skin was red. If you don’t cool it off, it will hurt even worse later.”
She couldn’t actually argue with that. She burned herself often and there was nothing worse than jumping into bed and having your burning skin flare up and keep you awake.
“Yeah, but how long do I have to wait? I want to eat now.”
He picked up a french fry and broke it in two, eating one half.
Wow. She hadn’t seen a mean streak in him . . . but she was seeing it now. What kind of person ate in front of someone who was starving?
Then, to her surprise, he held out the other half of the fry.
“It’s okay, it’s not too hot anymore.”
She reached for it with her other hand, eating it quickly.
“That’s a good girl.”
She could feel herself blushing from the praise. Shit. This was pathetic. She should not want to melt at this guy’s feet just because he’d called her a good girl.
“Have some more.” He held out another one and she took it without thought.
“How’re you all going?” Liv asked, walking up to them just as she was swallowing. She started to choke, reaching for the glass of water only to knock it over.
“Gwen!” Dominic flew out of the booth and around a shocked Liv. He started pounding on her back. “Spit it up. Spit it up, right now!”
To her shock, he put his hand under her mouth just as the french fry came back up.
Tears were streaming down her face, everyone was staring at her, and she knew she had to look a complete fright.
This was humiliating. A sob escaped.
Yep. Humiliation completion.
“Whoa. You’re okay. Come here,” he urged, pulling her close to his chest with his free arm.
She took a moment to bury her face in his chest, wishing they were on their own.
“Is she all right?” Liv asked worriedly. “What can I do?”
“Ah, maybe get some milk for her throat, please? And some more water.”
“I’ll get it.”
“Oh God, that was embarrassing. I’m so sorry. Here, let me help you clean up.”
She tried to turn away from his chest, even though that was the last thing she wanted to do. But he tightened his hold on her.
“Shh, just stay where you are. I need to hold you for a moment, okay? Can you let me do that?”
Let him?
“Sure. I can do that. Yep. Totally . . . ”
“Hush. You’re okay. Just stay where you are for a moment. There’s no rush to move.”
Great. She’d been rambling out loud. Could the day get any more humiliating? Gradually, she could hear the people in the diner making noise again. Had they stopped staring? She wasn’t sure that she was ready to look yet.
“Here is some milk and more water,” Liv said, startling her. “I’ll clean up the spill.”
“Thanks, Liv. We’ll take care of it,” Dominic replied.
“I’ll get you a napkin for your, uh, hand,” Liv said.
She cringed.
“I’ve got it.”
“Let me know if you need anything more. Hope you’re okay there, ma’am.”
Great. Ma’am again.
Screw her life.
This time, when she pulled back, he let her. Kind eyes stared down at her without disgust or pity.
