Watch Over Me (Danvers #7)(33)
He turned in his seat, looking at her over his shoulder. “Yeah, is this okay with you?”
“Oh, yes! This is wonderful.” She laughed. “I can’t believe you thought of it.”
Dominic got off the bike and helped her up before answering. “I was just here last week. They’re interested in hiring us to replace their current security company. There’s also a park and some nature trails. I hoped it might be something you’d like.”
“Thank you,” she beamed. “I haven’t been to the zoo since I was in college.”
Dominic stored their helmets before clasping her hand in his. “I take my nephews almost every time I visit.” Looking amused, he added, “I think the zoo there is about ready to pay me never to bring them back again. Last time we were there, they had the monkeys all pissed off by trying to impersonate the sounds that they made. I thought we were going to get kicked out.”
Gwen laughed, imagining the scene he had described. It sounded like the perfect day to her. “I’m afraid things weren’t that crazy when I went. My sister got me a yearly membership for my birthday because I liked spending the day there studying when I was in school. It might not sound ideal, but I would find a bench in one of the quieter areas and spread my books out. It was much better than sitting in a dark corner of the library for hours.”
Dominic stopped to purchase their tickets before asking, “Where did you go to school?”
Snuggling into his side as he dropped his arm around her, Gwen said, “I went to the University of South Carolina.” Pointing to her chest, she added, “You’ve got a loyal Gamecock fan right here. Hey, how about you? Did you go to college or straight into the military?”
Pulling her close as they walked toward a bird exhibit, Dominic said ruefully, “I was fully educated by Uncle Sam. It’s what I call a degree in life.”
They stopped for a few moments to laugh at the parrots before Gwen asked softly, “Was it hard? Your time in the Marines?”
He was quiet for so long, she was starting to wonder if he’d heard her. Then he began speaking slowly as if searching for the right words. “It was—tough some days. It taught me the true meaning of unity and trust because I would have died to save a brother or a sister and I know that they would have also, without thought. We were a family, and as such, there were days you would want to choke one another and would give anything for just some peace. But none of that mattered when we were on patrol. Then we just watched our partner’s back no matter what.” His voice thickened as he continued. “As careful as we were, we still lost people, and that’s something you never forget. I considered being career military, but when Mac and the others left, I just didn’t have it in me to stay. I missed my family, and I needed a change.”
Running her hand soothingly up and down his back, Gwen said, “So, here you are.”
“That’s right,” he agreed, “and I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be.”
“Me, either.” Thinking they needed to change the subject to something lighter, she stepped out of his arms and grabbed his hand. “If I don’t see those penguins now, I’m just going to freak out!”
Dominic’s face, which had been so somber a minute earlier, now carried an easy smile. “Well, we certainly can’t have that. And it’s funny you should mention that because it’s one of the surprises I have for you.”
Gwen had jumped up and down before she caught herself. Yikes, she must look like a sight, bouncing braless in a zoo full of children. When she glanced down, she was grateful to see her jacket still covering enough to keep her PG-rated. “What is it?” She tugged on his hand as he looked at her indulgently.
He checked his watch before answering. “In about fifteen minutes, we have an appointment to help feed the penguins.” When she could only stare at him in shock, he added, “That means you get your own bucket of fish.”
Squealing loud enough to pop a few nearby eardrums, Gwen launched herself into his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. He staggered for a moment from her surprise attack before wrapping his arms around her and pulling her even closer. “I can’t believe that,” she shrieked. Her heavy boots started to lose purchase, and she would have slipped down if not for his hands tightening on her hips and holding her steady.
“Me thinks my baby likes,” he teased as he dropped a kiss on her upturned mouth before putting her gently onto her feet. “If I’d known it was this easy to impress you, I’d have had you here months ago.”
Gwen gave him a skeptical look. “I don’t know what my response would have been had you shown up on my doorstep offering to show me some penguins.”
Leering, he asked wolfishly, “How about if I’d asked to see your monkey instead?”
Biting her lip to hold in her laughter, she swatted his arm before taking it and pulling him forward. “Come on, pervert, I don’t want to be late.” Suddenly, she halted in her tracks and looked around. When she saw that no one was near, she stopped a few inches from his body and pulled her jacket open. He looked confused for a moment before he zeroed in on her taut nipples pushing against the thin material of the tank top. “As a special thank-you for this trip, I might show you my monkey later . . .” Pulling her jacket closed, she took off, walking quickly to the penguin habitat. Dominic was still standing where she had left him, looking like a man battling for control when she turned back. When she waved and motioned him forward, he narrowed his eyes at her and put his hands in his jean pockets. She figured he was trying to make some more room in his boxers as discreetly as possible. “Problem, honey?” she teased as he reached where she was standing.