Page 30 of Cruel Devil
Dominique doesn’t answer him. He gives Iggy a flat stare before dismissing him with a look and turning his attention back to me. “I won’t ask again, Kasey.”
I flip him off. There are a few muffled laughs from the yard, and I spot Deacon and Reed barely keeping themselves in check. Dominique sees them too.Oh, shit.He stalks in their direction.Shit. Shit.
Deacon sees him coming and squares his shoulders, nostrils flaring. Double shit. He’s not going to back down. “Dom!” I paddle my arms to reach the pool's edge but wind up spinning myself in circles. Navigation on a giant donut is not as easy as it might seem, but one of the guys is nice enough to give me a push to the shallow end and then I’m off. I jump in the thigh deep water. Gah! Cold. And hop up the steps.
Dominique is in Deacon’s face. No clue what he's saying, but it doesn't look like they’re discussing the weather. Everyone is watching. Waiting for fists to fly, but yeah, no. Not happening.
I shove myself between the guys and push Dominique in the chest as hard as I can. He moves back a few steps, but only because he was willing to.
“Happy now? I’m out.” He’s glaring over my shoulder, still not looking at me. I turn and clear my throat to get Deacon’s attenion. His eyes shift and he looks down, and then all of a sudden I’m shoved back behind Dominique and he’s all growly, saying, “Don’t fucking look at her.”
Then he’s tearing his shirt off his head and shoving it down over mine. When my head pops out he helps me get my arms through the sleeves, and then he’s back to shoving me behind him again. Whoa. He’s seriously losing it right now. I’ve never seen him like this.
“I thought I made myself clear,” he says, voice dipped low and threatening.
“What is your problem, man? She’s not your girl. Back the fuck off.”
Okay, so true, I am most definitely not his girl, but still, even I know that was the wrong thing to say.Idiot.It’s like hewantsto get his ass kicked again. The muscles of Dominique’s back tighten, and wow, is it a good-looking back. Why have I never seen his bare back like this before?
More heated words are exchanged, but I’m not really paying attention, too intent on tracing the lines between his shoulders and down his back with my gaze. That accomplished, I reach out and begin physically tracing the lines with my finger.
He stiffens. I don’t let that deter me. I follow the path, applying light pressure, and some of the tension falls away. His muscles flex and Dominique takes a deep breath, no longer talking.
When I reach the dip at the base of his spine I lean forward, resting my head against him. A tremor rolls through him. I can feel the twist of his muscles. He peers over his shoulder, but I’m not looking at him so I don’t know what he’s thinking. I should move away. Stop touching him.Why am I touching him?
That thought gets me out of my head and I jerk back, but he’s there. He turns, grabs my still raised hand, and pulls me to him. Not in an embrace or anything like that. Dominique doesn’t do public affection. Not that he’s ever been affectionate with me. No. We fight. I guess we also sometimes angry kiss and dry hump, but whether that was a one off or will be a repeat event is yet to be decided.
So no, no embrace. But I’m right beside him. The heat from his bare skin seeping into me.
“What are you doing?” he asks. I meet his dark-brown stare. He doesn’t look mad, at least not right at this moment. He looks … confused.
“Are you done?”
His brows pull together. “Am I done with what?”
“Being an asshole.”
I open my mouth to add that he needs to stop laying into Deacon over nothing, but catch myself. He’s calming down. I’d be stupid to say something I know will just piss him off again.
“You wanted me out of the pool. I’m out. Okay? Can we just … I don’t know, go inside? Cool down for a bit?”
He works his jaw, but nods. Relief sweeps through me. Good. “Come on, then.” I’m waiting to see if he’s going to follow before heading for the door when I catch sight of my brother right as he’s turning.
He sees me. Smiles. Waves. When he sees what I’m wearing, a wrinkle forms between his brows.
“What are you—” He eyes the shirt I’m wearing and then spots a shirtless Dominique behind me. “Why are you wearing his shirt?” There’s genuine confusion in his voice and my heart starts to race because shit, um … I go with the first thing that pops in my head.
“Because Dominique is an asshole.” Yep. True and relevant. Score one for me.
“Huh?” Why does he sound confused? It's not like this is a new revelation.
I decide to elaborate. “He’s a dick and made me put this on because my swimsuit isindecent.” I make air quotes and glare at Dominique for exaggerated effect. “Did you tell him to cock block me?” I add, turning my glare on my brother. “Because that shit is not cool, Aaron. I know you guys are roommates and all, but I don’t need babysitters at my own house.”
His eyes widen and he gets this look on his face that screamsabort. Abort.
I love my brother, but he’s never really been one for confrontation. Not with me, at least. I happen to have a bit of a mean streak and a solid record for always getting revenge. What I just said basically implies I’ll cock block him the rest of the year if he tries to cock block me. I should feel bad. The panic written all over his face is just too good.
“I wouldn’t do that. I—” he sputters, and I fold my arm over my chest, lifting a single brow.
