Just a Bit Shameless (Straight Guys 8)

Dominic felt his smile fade. He didn’t like what Luke was implying. It didn’t bother him when Sammy made jokes about being his sugar baby, but it rubbed him the wrong way that Luke was implying that their relationship was a mutually beneficial arrangement based on money.

“I’m sure,” he said, sharper than he had intended. “Sam doesn’t stay with me because of my money. I’m his family.” He did like spending his money on Sammy and he knew Sammy secretly liked all the pampering and attention, but it wasn’t about money. That Dominic was sure of. Money wasn’t the point.

“Sorry,” Luke said, looking a little bewildered. “I’m asking only because he didn’t seem happy to see me. He looked… a bit threatened.”

Dominic sighed, running a hand over his face. “Sammy is insecure. He thinks I’ll get rid of him when I start my own family.” He looked Luke in the eye. “He’s wrong. He’s not going anywhere, no matter what anyone thinks.” Again, his voice came out harder than it should have. Dammit. This… thing was compromising his mission. Dominic tried to smooth it over. “He’s a kid in need of a home. He has no one but me.”

Luke nodded but still seemed a little reserved for the rest of the conversation.

As soon as the call ended, Dominic swore elaborately. He needed to do something about his Sammy problem before he completely blew the mission. What the fuck was wrong with him? If Amanda saw that clusterfuck of a conversation, she’d have his balls and she would be absolutely right. Nothing had ever made him lose his composure in such a way during a mission.

Until Sammy.

Sammy Sammy Sammy. Goddammit. He’d had a one-track mind lately.

Things couldn’t continue like that.

Chapter 28

Dominic had never been one to be impatient to get home. He’d always lived alone and there had never been anyone waiting for him at home when he returned from his work trips. So the impatience brimming under his skin as he sat in the cab was a very foreign feeling. It felt like his skin was crawling with it and he caught himself drumming his fingers over the seat of the cab.

Finally, the cab arrived. After paying the driver and grabbing his suitcase, Dominic got out of the car, his heart lurching in his chest when he saw Sammy running toward him.

“Nick!”

Dominic took his sunglasses off and grinned, opening his arms just as Sam collided into him. Dominic hugged him tightly, burying his face in the boy’s neck. Fuck. This felt—

Noticing a movement in his peripheral vision—Luke Whitford stood by the porch, watching them—Dominic tensed, momentarily annoyed and angry that he couldn’t be himself even at his own home. He would wonder how he had managed to miss Luke or his car, but he was well aware that he had something akin to tunnel vision when it came to Sammy.

He didn’t look Luke’s way, pretending not to see him.

Taking a deep breath, he slipped into the role of the Dominic Bommer Luke knew—the one who was a kind man who had given a home to a homeless child out of the goodness of his heart.

“Okay, let me look at you,” Dominic said, pulling back to look at Sammy. “Have you grown another inch in a week? At this rate, you’ll be taller than me soon.”

But Sammy didn’t seem to realize that he was supposed to play a role, his green eyes staring at Dominic hungrily.

“I missed you,” he blurted out, tightening his arms around Dominic again. He whispered, barely audibly, all but clinging to him. “Take me with you next time.”

Swallowing the sudden tightness in his throat, Dominic smiled and hugged back, dropping a kiss on the top of the boy’s head. “Me, too, Sammy,” he said, trying to keep his voice light and amused for Luke’s benefit. He had a feeling he wasn’t entirely successful.

He looked Luke’s way, pretending to notice him just now. He smiled at him over Sam’s shoulder.

Luke gave him a weak smile. “Hi.”

Reluctantly, Dominic let go of the boy in his arms and strode toward Luke. “Hey. I was planning to call you. Didn’t expect you to meet me here. Not that I’m unhappy to see you.” Acutely aware of Sammy’s gaze on his back, he leaned down to brush Luke’s lips with his, but Luke turned his head so the kiss landed on his cheek. Dominic pulled back, studying the other man with a frown. “All right?”

Luke crossed his arms over his chest. “I… I don’t think I want to be your boyfriend.”

Dominic could count on his fingers the number of times he’d been so taken aback. “Can I ask why?” he said.

Pushing his fringe out of his eyes, Luke shrugged, something uncomfortable about his expression. “I just… I’ve had my share of bad relationships. My first boyfriend turned out to be married with kids. My second boyfriend ditched me for someone kinkier when I refused to do some of the things he wanted to do. The third freaked out and ditched me when I told him I didn’t really do casual and wanted a family at some point. The fourth freaked out when he found out who my father was.” He gave Dominic a wry smile. “And my father always had more important things to do than to be a dad for me. You probably get the picture now.”