Just a Bit Shameless (Straight Guys 8)

Dominic stared at him. Although he had researched Luke Whitford’s past extensively, he hadn’t realized how deeply that desire for commitment went. “You want a man completely committed to you.”

“I want a man who will listen and hear my thoughts, a man who will put me first in his life and take care of me,” Luke said quietly. “ I really like you, Dominic, but it looks like you aren’t that man, either.”

Fuck.

Dominic glanced toward Sammy. “Is this about Sammy? It’s not what it looks like. He’s just a child.”

“He isn’t a child,” Luke said with a laugh. “Open your eyes. He’s only about five or six years younger than me.” He shook his head. “And it doesn’t matter, anyway. Even if it really isn’t what it looks like, he’s extremely important to you. And maybe it’s selfish of me, but I’m sick of getting crumbs of someone’s attention and affections. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. I think I deserve better. Everyone does. You, too.”

Dominic had to suppress the urge to swear. He’d never failed a mission so spectacularly. Or jeopardized so much. He could already imagine Amanda’s reaction when she found out why Luke Whitford broke things off with him.

But there was nothing he could do.

He had to play his role till the end.

Dominic leaned down and kissed Luke on the cheek. “I really like you, Dimples. If you change your mind, you know where to find me.”

Nodding, Luke stepped away. “Thanks for everything, Nick,” he said softly. “And sorry if I led you on. I didn’t mean to. I really thought we could work—that I could fall in love with you.” He gave Dominic a lopsided smile. “You’re kind of everything I’ve looked for in a man. But I’m starting to see it’s not enough. So, yeah, sorry if I unintentionally led you on.”

Dominic gave a laugh. “Having a gorgeous, sweet guy on my arm wasn’t exactly a hardship for me.”

“Flatterer,” Luke said with a chuckle, kissing him on the cheek. “I’ve got to go before your Sammy kills me for trying to steal his sugar daddy.”

“Ha-ha, hilarious,” Dominic deadpanned.

Luke just grinned, waved at Sammy, and got into his car.

Dominic waited for his car to disappear out of sight before allowing himself to swear. It did nothing to rid him of his frustration.

“What happened?”

Dominic chuckled, picking up his suitcase. “I just failed the mission, that’s what happened.” He strode inside the house, trying to rein in his anger. Mostly, it was anger at himself, but there was irrational anger at Sammy too.

“What?” Sammy followed him inside. “Why?”

Dropping his suitcase on the couch, Dominic turned and walked toward him. There must have been something in his body language, because Sammy’s eyes became wary. He took a step back, and then another, and another, until his back hit the door. “Nick?” he said uncertainly.

“Why do you think?” Dominic said, putting a hand on the door above Sammy’s head and looming over him. Looking at Sammy’s confused face, he wanted to… The fingers of his free hand flexed, itching to touch. “He dumped me. Apparently he thinks I’m too attached to you to make a good boyfriend for him.”

Sammy’s Adam’s apple moved. “You mean you failed the mission because of me?”

Dominic’s lips twisted. “I failed the mission because Amanda thought it was a great idea to assign me to a sugar daddy mission and compromise my cover. And then I failed to make Luke believe that I gave you a home because I felt sorry for you, that you’re just a kid I feel sorry for.” He chuckled. “Luke wanted a man who would put him first. Instead of convincing him that I could be that man, I told him that your presence in my house wasn’t up for discussion.” Dominic gave a laugh, unable to believe he’d really said that. “It’s like I can’t fucking think when… I have no idea how I’m going to explain this to the higher-ups.”

And to make things worse, he didn’t feel like going to headquarters and giving the report, as he should. He would have to pull away from Sammy for that. Dominic pressed his nose against the side of Sammy’s face. Taking a deep, greedy breath, he grated out quietly, “What did you do to me?” He couldn’t believe what had happened to his priorities. All he wanted at the moment was to breathe in Sammy, touch him everywhere, press their bodies closer, and bury himself in him. He was inhaling Sammy’s scent like a man obsessed, his scruff leaving stubble burn on Sammy’s soft cheek.

He could feel Sammy’s breathing turn ragged. “Nick…”

Dominic wanted to drag his mouth down Sammy’s neck and suck on that perfect, milky skin. “What?”

“You’re confusing me,” Sammy said, fingers clenching and unclenching in Dominic’s hair.

Dominic laughed into Sammy’s skin. “That makes two of us.” He had given it a lot of thought since his call to Sammy, but he still had no idea what this was. It was undeniable that he had a possessive streak a mile wide where this boy was concerned. He could hardly deny it when he hated the idea of men—men other than him—touching Sammy.