Shoulda Been a Cowboy (Rough Riders 7)

They rocked in tandem. In opposition. He nipped, licked and rubbed on her neck like a gigantic cat. A hungry cat if the scrape of his teeth from her earlobe to her ni**les was any indication.

But Domini liked that he hungered for her. She liked his unintelligible mutters that sent tingles racing across her bare skin. She liked everything about being with this man.

Her belly tightened in warning. Gripping his closely shorn scalp, Domini tipped Cam’s head back and smashed her mouth to his, kissing him crazily as her second orgasm hit.

He swallowed her cries and his rhythm never faltered as he rode out the storm with her.

Just as she was about to rip her mouth free, a shiver worked through Cam like he’d been zapped with an electric current. Hot liquid spurted on her belly as he came with a drawn-out groan. His hips bumped up three more times, slowed, and stopped.

He nestled his forehead in the curve of her neck and breathed hard. She breathed hard.

Her whole body shook with the glow of two fantastic orgasms. Would Cam run if she told him he was exactly the type of lover she’d been searching for?

Probably. Especially since he’d played it cool for months after that steamy kiss.

Yet, another part of her wondered if he’d run if she didn’t say anything. If she didn’t reassure him that she didn’t want this to be a onetime thing.

Take a chance. Tell him the truth.

Domini hitched her shoulders back. Her smile died and her hopes fell when she noticed Cam’s face read pure panic.

In fact, he stayed frozen, not even looking at her face.

She ignored the urge to flee. Instead she slowly swung her left knee over his lap and rolled to her feet. Keeping her back to him, she tried to figure out what she’d done wrong.

Why do you always assume you’re to blame?

When Domini faced Cam, she noticed he’d already yanked his pants up and was hastily stuffing the handcuffs in the leather pouch.

Maybe Cam was just distracted and he’d murmur something sweet and normal when he wasn’t so flustered.

But it seemed to be a long wait.

Almost nervously, Cam rubbed the top of his head and glanced at his watch. “Wow. I didn’t realize it was so late.”

Lame excuse, Cam.

Domini retreated to her bedroom for a robe, allowing Cam time to get his head in order. He stood by the door when she returned. If he’d worn a hat, he’d be wringing it in his hands.

“I better get home and see if Keely has destroyed my house.”

“I understand.” Liar. “Drive safe.”

“Thanks. Remember to lock up after me.”

“The second you leave, the door will be shut, locked, and I won’t reopen it for you, Deputy. Not even if you beg.”

Cam frowned at her rare sarcasm but didn’t comment. “Good. I’ll see you.” And he was gone.

After Domini slammed the door and flipped the locks, she listened as he lumbered down the stairs. She pressed her head to the cool wood frame until she heard him land safely at the bottom. Stairs gave him fits with his prosthesis, not that he’d ever admit it.

Maybe he’s the type of man who won’t ever admit anything, especially his feelings.

The outer door shut. She listened. Sure enough. Cam tested the outside doorknob to make sure the door locked behind him.

Why was he so concerned about her safety if he didn’t care?

Because Cam McKay is a cop. He cares about everyone’s safety.

The truth of that statement didn’t sit well with her.

Domini trudged into the bathroom and didn’t like the confusion and bleakness staring back at her from the mirror.

Her hair was a tangled mess. Her lips were swollen from giving Cam a blowjob and his harsh, deliciously wicked kisses. Marks from his razor stubble scored her chest. He’d even sucked a big purple hickey above her collarbone. Under other circumstances, with Cam standing behind her, kissing his passionate marks, she might’ve laughed. Or begged for more. But now? She just looked used.

Used. Right. Cam didn’t even want to have sex with her. He got off and he got gone.

Why?

You’re defective. He knows it. He doesn’t want to get tangled up with you because it can’t go anywhere. So if he comes back for more, retain the upper hand. Keep it casual.

Come back. Right. Cam had left so fast he’d probably scorched her carpet.

Better burn marks there than on your heart.

True. She clicked off the light and crawled in bed.

Domini hadn’t scheduled herself to work in the diner the next day. But after spending part of the morning at the park with her friend Nadia’s son, Anton, while Nadia ran some mysterious errands, she knew she’d go stir-crazy sitting in her apartment, obsessing over Cam’s retreat.

Cooking appeased her. She waited until the lunch rush ended and snuck into Dewey’s kitchen.

“Just can’t stay away, can you?”

She smiled sheepishly at Beatrice, her second-in-command.

Beatrice set her elbows on the steel prep counter. “Please tell me you’re whipping up goodies full of chocolate and sugar.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Goody! Lucky me.”

“No, I’m lucky to have you and that sweet tooth as my secret taste tester.”

“Almost as good as having a secret admirer.” Beatrice winked, casting a look over her shoulder. “Lemme know when you need me to lick the spoon.”

Creaming butter and powdered sugar together released a familiar sugary scent, way better than any expensive aromatherapy. Domini sifted the dry ingredients into the industrial mixer. She poured in white chocolate chips, and butterscotch chips and hand stirred the thick mixture, keeping the consistency between cake batter and cookie dough.

She dumped the mix into a rectangular cake pan and set it on the middle rack of the smallest oven. She grabbed a saucepan, determined to nail down a souped-up version of mole sauce she’d been messing with for months.

After the timer dinged, she deposited the brownies on a wire rack to cool. She’d finished the sauce but wasn’t sure if she’d gotten the proportions equal. She yelled, “Bea, could you please come here?”

Beatrice peered around the corner. “You bellowed?”

“Yes.” Domini waved a spoon coated with dark sauce. “Taste.”

“At your service.” Beatrice popped the spoon in her mouth. She swallowed and licked her lips. Then her face became fire-engine red. She sputtered, “Too much chili powder!” and raced for the sink to gulp from the stream of water.

Domini sighed. “Sorry. I always screw this up.”