Shoulda Been a Cowboy (Rough Riders #7)(79)

“Really. When you come home from school you should be doin’ your homework, or chores, or outside playin’ with Gracie.”


Gracie barked and they both looked up to see Domini walking toward them.


“Don’t tell her about what I said about my mom.”


“I won’t. It’ll be our secret. But I think you probably should tell her.”


Anton nodded.


“Hey guys. You’ve been out here awhile. Is everything all right?”


“Yeah, except I’m getting my TV taken away,” Anton said glumly. “And I hafta do chores every day.”


“That sounds fair,” she said cautiously. Domini gazed at Anton with such softness and sweetness Cam was a little jealous. She loved the kid. She was good to him. Good for him.


“Maybe you should get a head start on chores by clearing a path in your room for when we haul the TV out,” she suggested.


“All right.” Anton tapped his leg. “Gracie. Come.” Boy and dog tore off.


Domini nestled her face in Cam’s neck. “I’m sorry.”


“For?”


“For you having to deal with that. Not only him hitting you, but his anger.”


“Which is entirely justified.” He clasped his hands together on her lower back, bringing her closer.


“It’s not the first time he’s been that upset, but I’ve always been able to calm him down.”


Guilt socked him in the gut. Domini shouldn’t have to deal with Anton’s issues alone. “Who calms you down?”


“You. When you’re not heating me up.”


Cam kissed the top of her head, working his way to her succulent mouth.


The unhurried kiss soothed rather than inflamed.


Domini shivered and he forced his lips from hers. “It’s getting chilly. We should go in. Supper’s done anyway.”


“Mmm. Think we can pick up where we left off after he goes to bed?”


“If I can stay awake. I’m so tired lately.”


“I’ve got plenty of ideas on how to keep you up,” he murmured.


“Isn’t that supposed to be my line?”


“Smarty. Just for that, I think I’ll drag out the nipple clamps tonight.”


“Promise?”


Cam swatted her on the ass. “Feed me, woman. I’ll need to keep up my strength.”


Chapter Twenty-One


Two weeks later…


“Please no. Come on.” Domini turned the ignition key again.


Nothing.


“I don’t have time for this. I really don’t.”


The next try had the same result of an empty click. The damn car was dead.


Domini wanted to beat her hands on the steering wheel in pure frustration. She knew nothing about cars. Nothing. At least the stupid thing had broken down in the school parking lot and not in the middle of the road.


“What are we gonna do?” Anton asked.


“Walk to the diner, I guess. And hope the repair shop can look at it tomorrow.”


“Why can’t Cam look at it now? He probably knows a lot about cars.”


Domini froze. She’d handled every little thing in her life for so long it never crossed her mind to ask someone for help.


Cam’s not someone. He’s your husband.


She reached for her cell phone and dialed. She was patched straight through to him.


“Hello, wife. You never call me at work. What’s the occasion?”


“Nothing that will make you happy. My stupid car died.”


“Where are you?”


“In the school parking lot.”


“Hang tight. I’ll be there in five.”


“But—” and she heard a dial tone. She looked over at Anton.


He smirked. “Told ya.”


As soon as Cam arrived, he checked the engine and did mysterious manly stuff beneath the hood. Then he sauntered over to where Domini and Anton waited.


“What’s wrong with it?”


“The starter is shot. The repair shop will have to order the part so it looks like we’re carpooling for the next couple days.”


“That won’t work. I need my own car. I have to be—”


“Well, princess, we don’t have a choice about sharing a ride, unless you stashed another vehicle someplace I don’t know about?”


Domini shook her head.


“Then that settles it.”


“I’m working from five until close tonight. Do you really want to wake Anton up at eleven and drive back into town to get me?”


“No, but I’d do it.” Cam’s eyes held a challenge. “What’s wrong with you driving my truck tonight?”


“You’d trust me with it?”


“I trust you with everything, Domini.” Cam touched her cheek. “Every. Damn. Thing.”