Shoulda Been a Cowboy (Rough Riders #7)(11)

“Yes, but I am entitled to point out you’re a lot meaner than my other brothers.”


“No, I’m just not buffaloed as easily as they are.”


Keely harrumphed and remained unusually quiet for the rest of the drive.


When Cam pulled up the driveway leading to his house, he experienced a sense of joy, a swell of pride, a feeling of peace. This place was the first thing he’d owned outright, finally obtaining the space, freedom and solitude he’d given up during his years in the army. He’d spent his adult years living in barracks or in tents with just a cot and a footlocker to call his own. Meals, showers, hell even sleep was a group affair.


Not here. Cam rarely had visitors and he preferred it that way. Sometimes on his days off he stretched out on his couch and stared at the walls in complete silence just because he could. He’d created an island of peace for himself even surrounded by the turbulent sea of his family.


He parked on the concrete slab and the yard light clicked on. His dog, Gracie, raced back and forth along the fence, yipping with excitement. Cam turned to Domini. “Sit tight. I’ll be right back and then I’ll run you home, okay?”


“I didn’t know you had a dog.”


“There’s a lot you don’t know about me, princess.”


“The same could be said about me, Deputy,” she murmured.


Was that a…challenge? From sweet Domini?


“Are you gonna let me out, or what?” Keely complained. “I hafta piss like a racehorse.”


“Classy, Keely.” Grumbling under his breath, Cam exited the car quickly, wincing at the sharp pain in his hip. Upon opening the rear door, he heard, “—what I said about getting naked.”


Don’t ask what Keely is babbling about. You’re better off if you don’t know.


At the front door he rattled off, “Stay out of my room. Stay out of my bathroom. Stay out of the liquor cabinet. Don’t f*ck with my TV. Leave Gracie outside. I’ll deal with her when I get home in a little bit.”


“There’s no need for you hurry back, bro. I can take care of Gracie.” Keely stepped into the foyer. “In fact, I hope I don’t see you until well after the sun rises.”


“Brat.”


She grinned and slammed the door in his face.


Cam counted to ten and backtracked to the car. He took his time getting in, not because he was stalling, but because his stump was starting to chafe inside the socket.


As soon as they were on the paved road, Domini said, “Is your leg hurting?”


How had she picked up on that so fast? “You wouldn’t think so, bein’s half of the damn thing is gone.”


Silence.


“Sorry. It’s been a long day.”


“Are you off duty now?”


“Yeah. I’ve been off since I finished up at Twin Pines.”


“I’m sorry you have to drive me home.”


I’m not.


The conversation died. Cam flipped on the defroster. Why was his windshield fogging up at the end of freakin’ August?


Because Domini Katzinski is smokin’ hot. She makes your heart pound. She makes you sweat. She makes you breathe hard. She makes you imagine what it’d be like pounding into her, both of you covered in sweat as you breathe in the scent of her.


Dammit. Think of something else. Do something else.


He fiddled with the police radio. Then he drummed his fingers on the dash.


Domini placed her cool palm over his knuckles.


Cam looked at her. “What?”


“Do I make you nervous, deputy?”


Yes. “No. Why?”


“Because you constantly fuss whenever you’re around me.”


“It’s just a habit.”


“An annoying habit.” She threaded her soft fingers through his until her palm rested on the back of his hand. “Can you keep still now?”


He shrugged. But he didn’t remove his hand. Actually, he was shocked she’d touched him so freely. Domini was usually so…reserved.


Normally silence didn’t bother him, in fact, Cam preferred it. But tonight, he wanted to talk, if only to hear her voice. “Did you have fun before the cops showed up?”


“Yes. We danced and drank and gossiped. I’ve never actually seen a bar fight.”


Cam snorted. “You must not hang out with Keely much. That girl is always finding trouble.”


“She seemed pretty pleased she’d popped my cherry tonight.”


He nearly wrecked the car. “What?”


Domini blushed. “It was my first Wyoming bar brawl. Keely came up with the cherry-popping phrase, not me.”


“It figures. I’m curious. What else did you ladies gossip about?”


“Family. Babies. Men. Sex.” Domini’s gaze pierced him. “You.”


“Me? What about me?”


“Your sister asked if something was going on between us.”


His stomach dropped at the thought of his family gossiping about him. “What did you say?” Cam eased the patrol car alongside her building.