Just a Bit Shameless (Straight Guys 8)

He was busy smiling like a loon. “Did you miss me a lot?”

Dominic rolled them onto their sides. They looked at each other, their faces inches apart and bodies still tangled so tightly it was hard to tell where he ended and Dominic began.

Dominic’s eyes were still soft and heavy-lidded from sex, but the look in his eyes became thrillingly intense as he stared at Sam. “I was this close to quitting my mission and returning to London to look for you.”

“You were abroad?”

Dominic grimaced. “Yes, Amanda tore me a new one for failing the Whitford mission and sent me to Syria. I’m sure she saw it as punishment, but I was almost glad. It gave me time to think—and realize a few things. I resigned from MI6 as soon as I returned.”

Sam frowned. “Why?”

“You know it’s been coming for a while. It’s become harder to juggle both jobs without jeopardizing either. So I made the choice.” A wrinkle formed between Dominic’s brows. “Maybe I’m getting old, but my job at Grayguard gives me a sense of stability that’s more appealing the older I get. I’m not the adrenaline junkie I once was. And lying all the time messes with me head.” Dominic’s knuckles brushed against Sam’s bottom lip. “I was so busy living false lives, I lost the only real thing I wanted. So I quit.”

“You think—you think I’m the real thing?” Sam blushed at his stammering, hating how insecure he sounded, but he’d gotten so used to thinking that Dominic would never return his feelings that it still didn’t seem real.

Dominic leaned his forehead against his, his hand cradling Sam’s nape. He chuckled softly. “You know the expression ‘crazy in love’? I thought they were just words. But I definitely feel a little bit crazy…” He gave Sam a short, greedy kiss, his hands running up and down Sam’s body. “Fuck, I would have done it, you know.”

Sam pulled back a little. “Done what?”

There was something grim about Dominic’s expression as he stared at him. “If Demidov had really shot you, I would have done what I threatened him with. I’m not proud of it, but I know I would have.”

Sam’s mouth went dry. “Don’t be silly. You’re not—you’re not that kind of man.”

“Aren’t I?” Dominic pressed their foreheads together again, his breathing harsh and unsteady, a humorless smile twisting his lips. “In some ways, Demidov and I are cut from the same cloth, Sammy. I would have killed Luke if he took you from me. An eye for an eye. He knew that. That’s the only reason he let you go.”

Sam knew he was probably supposed to be bothered, but it was hard to be bothered about anything when he was wrapped in Dominic’s arms. “Are we in danger?”

“Don’t think so,” Dominic said into his cheek, his arm tightening around Sam’s back again. “He wouldn’t have let us leave if he truly wanted revenge. There’s nothing to worry about.”

“Nothing?” Sam said skeptically.

“He knows I didn’t really want to hurt Luke and just wanted to protect you. Demidov is a right bastard, but he understands the desire to protect loved ones. Besides, Demidov has been lying low since moving to London. Rumor has it he’s been closing down the shady side of his business. It doesn’t look like he wants trouble if it can be avoided. Anyway, I’m not exactly someone he can make disappear. He will leave us alone.” Dominic kissed him on the nose. “Don’t worry. It’ll be fine.”

Burying his hand in Dominic’s hair, Sam nodded with a dopey smile. “I’m not worried. I know I’m safe with you.”

Dominic pulled back a little to look him in the eye. Sam stared back, hopelessly caught by that dark, all-consuming gaze.

“Fuck, this is messing with my head,” Dominic said.

Sam blinked, confused. “What?”

Dominic chuckled. “Sometimes I get these thoughts about you… they would creep you out—hell, I creep myself out.” He brushed his thumb over Sam’s bottom lip gently. “But at the same time, you make me want to be a better man, to be a good man.” He leaned in and sucked on Sam’s lip lightly. “It’s a bit of a mindfuck. But God, I love you.”

Feeling like his chest was about to burst from happiness, Sam grinned against Dominic’s mouth. “Me, too. But you probably knew that already.”

Dominic started laughing. “Right. ‘It’s just a crush?’ Was that supposed to be a love confession?”

Sam scowled before chuckling, too. “Oh, shut it. I was so obvious, it was embarrassing.”

Dominic’s laughter died, his gaze turning serious and intense. “Say it. I want to hear it, Sammy.”

Sam felt his face warm. “I love you,” he said, feeling ridiculously shy. “I love you more than anything.”

A flush appeared on Dominic’s cheekbones, his eyes glinting with something like satisfaction. “Christ… the things I want to do to you…”