Page 29 of Frost Bitten
A smirk spreads across my face as I turn to gaze up at him. He only chuckles and shrugs. “Just how did you do that?” I ask, handing Lily a couple of sets of gloves to try on.
“You forget, I met the boys when they were only a few years older than she is, and I was only a few years older than you. I learned quickly how to relate, otherwise, I’d never have gotten them to train.”
A giggle spills from my lips, imagining the guys as teenagers. “Damn, that’s impressive,” I muse.
He lifts his eyebrows, smirking back at me, before shuffling his stance. “I, uh, I’m glad I ran into you,” he stammers, and my eyes widen in surprise.
“Oh? What for?” I ask.
“So, the guys were thinking about inviting you to a weekend training trip coming up. I wasn’t sure if they mentioned it or not, because of everything that has happened. I figured they might have been distracted or forgotten about it. But we’re heading to the mountains this weekend if you want to tag along. They will have to spend some time training, but they have a fair amount of downtime. We all usually have dinner the one night we stay over. I was actually thinking about taking the guys out to a bar, and while I know you aren’t old enough to buy drinks, I’m sure we could make it work for you. If you wanted to come hang out, that is.”
The last bit of his little speech rushes out like he’s nervous. Dom is absolutely adorable like this, and I can’t help the small smile that graces my lips. “I’ll need to make sure Mom doesn’t need me for the troublemaker over there.” I nod my head in Lily’s direction. “But I can let you know tonight. Would there be anything I need to bring?”
His eyes brighten with the suggestion that I might be able to make it. “Just let me know if you can, and I’ll take care of it. I do have to go, I have a meeting upstairs to prepare for, but I’ll be expecting to hear from you, Cait.” The strength and promise in his words stir my insides, and I can’t help flirting back.
“Oh, you’ll definitely be hearing from me, Dominic.”
* * *
“Sunshine, you are so fucking gorgeous.” Corey is waiting for me when I pull into the parking lot at Giovanni’s. I exit my Jeep, dressed in slim-fitting jeans, heeled calf-high boots, and a cozy sweater that I covered with my favorite coat. The chill is really setting in, so I slip my gloves back on, not needing them with the heat on while I drove.
“You’re looking good, yourself,” I whisper against his lips as he pulls me in for a tender kiss. Corey knows my weakness for him wearing dark jeans and boots, and the cream Henley shirt underneath the jacket he’s wearing brings out the warm umber tones of his skin. I have to control myself because the sight of this man brings back memories of the things we did the night before, and I don’t need to ruin my panties.
“Bast is here?” I ask, pulling back. The grin Corey gives me at my urgency to see his friend spurs my own smile, and I know this is going to be a nice evening. I was worried about this “date” on the way here, but Corey’s happiness right now helps relieve my anxiety a bit.
“He’s inside. We just got here, and he wanted to get the table, so we could just go on in.” He tucks my hand into the crook of his elbow, holding it there with his other hand as we approach the doors. They open, and Bast stands there waiting for me. A grin widens from my existing smile, and Corey pushes me toward Bast, and my other man pulls me into his warm embrace.
“Hi, Angel,” he whispers into my ear, and chills run down my spine as I wrap my arms around him.
“Mmmm,” I hum back into his broad chest. He leans back, grips my chin, and bends slightly to capture my lips with his. His full, soft lips envelop mine, and the sweet kiss that I think he meant to give is quickly left by the wayside. I reach my arms up and around his shoulders, and by the time Corey clears his throat, drawing attention to the fact we’re in the lobby, I’m a panting mess. I pull back, sliding my hands down Bast’s firm arms, and a giggle slips from me.
“Oops,” I admit, but I don’t hide. My boyfriends are sexy, and I have no shame, at least about our relationship. They both want me, and they are happy that I’m with both of them, so that’s all that matters.
We do eventually make it to the table, and when Giovanni comes by with a bottle of wine, he immediately pulls me into a hug. That right there tells me just how much these guys are loved by Gio and his family. They really are like his nephews, and he accepts me into the family without question.
The entire meal is delicious, and the conversation is light. I find out more about Bast and his family’s move to the US when he was thirteen. He tells me of how he learned to snowboard in Canada, but when they realized he had the potential to go places, they organized a big move and bought the house here in Golden. It wasn’t long after that he turned fourteen and then met the guys the next winter.
Once we’re all done, Gio brings tiramisu for me to try – heavenly, by the way – and I decide to bring up Dom.
“So, um, I ran into Dominic today,” I begin slowly.
“Oh, yeah?” Corey asks.
“Yeah, I was at the store today getting Lily some winter supplies, and he kind of ‘handled’ her rambunctiousness like he said he used to ‘handle’ you guys,” I say with a smirk.
Corey immediately scoffs. “No way, I don’t know what he’s talking about. He didn’t need to ‘handle’ us.” I look at Bast before we both burst out laughing. “What?” Corey protests, not understanding the joke.
Once I’m able to control my laughter, I continue. “He said you all wanted to invite me on a training trip. He mentioned you all likely forgot once Halloween happened, so he extended the invite to me himself. I still need to check that Mom doesn’t need me this weekend, but I wanted to make sure it was ok with you both before I tell him I want to join you. I was able to get my shifts covered at the last minute, so I hope you all don’t mind if I go.”
Corey and Bast exchange glances before they both grin. Bast then turns to me, reaching for my hand, to explain. “Angel, we’re both totally on board with this. We just think it’s amusing that he brought it up.”
“Why is that funny?” I ask, unsure of the inside joke.
“Because he’s fighting his feelings for you,” Corey explains. “He invited you like that, saying we wanted to invite you, but he’s definitely interested in you, too. I’m sure he’ll find a way to spend some time with you. Honestly, Cameron is enamored with you as well, but his guilt at pushing you away is holding him back.”
“What are your thoughts about that, Angel?” Bast takes in my puzzled expression, and he immediately is there to help uncover my issues.
“I’m unsure what to think. They both like me? Want to spend time with me?”
