Page 41 of Under the Lights (The Big Boys of BRU #2)

Thirty Three

Sierra

“I can’t believe you told him I needed a big dog ! You’re impossible, Dominic Kincaid.” I glared at him, but all I got in response was one of his everlasting, maddening smiles.

And it was a pretty one, too. Fucking hell .

“Was I wrong?” He wasn’t even trying to deny it. I guess at least he wasn’t lying to me … again.

“Yeah, I’m not into big dogs .” Was I trying to convince myself or him ?

He chuckled, offering a shrug with one shoulder. “Well, your taste must’ve changed. For the better, might I add.”

A gust of wind stirred the crisp air, carrying the scents of roasted coffee, wet concrete, and crushed leaves’ dying sweetness.

I scoffed at his cockiness. “Keep dreaming, Hotshot.”

“Don’t need to. I’m right where I want to be already.”

I had to catch my breath there for a second. Where did he come up with this shit? “So, what did David want?”

“I think his main mission was just to be a douchebag.” He sucked his teeth, unimpressed.

A leaf somersaulted down the walkway in front of us, chased only by the wind. The fall breeze freshened, blowing rogue strands of hair into my face, as he walked by my side.

There was hardly a day that went by now where he wasn’t a constant presence. When had I gotten used to that?

“Nothing new, then,” I muttered, slightly delayed by my wandering thoughts.

“Based on my interactions with him so far, I’m inclined to agree.”

I stopped walking, and it took him merely a second to notice I wasn’t at his side anymore.

“What’s going on?”

“You know you don’t have to fight my battles for me,” I said, pursing my lips.

Dom scoffed. “That wasn’t fighting your battles, Darlin’. That was protecting what’s mine.”

“You’re kinda stuck on that, huh?”

“Hey, the words came out of your mouth.” He shrugged, his smirk turning wicked, causing the butterflies in my stomach to flutter like crazy. The effect he was starting to have on me was concerning. He was chipping away at my walls — and it was working, too.

“Yeah, right, you coerced them out of me.” I scoffed. “Blackmailed me with orgasms.”

“Keep fighting, Darlin’. I love the chase.” He shook his head in amusement. “You know, at this point, one might think you’re only doing it to humor me.”

“As always, you’re delusional.”

He sucked his teeth. “And yet, you’re still here.”

I was. And I didn’t want to leave either. Trying to gloss over this sticky moment, I cocked my head to the side. “No one has ever done that.”

“What?” He stepped closer, always holding my gaze, giving me his full attention. Like he always did. There wasn’t a moment spent with Dom where I didn’t feel like I was the center of his focus. And that scared the shit out of me.

“Defended me like that. People usually assume I either don’t care or leave me to defend myself, which by the way, I’m more than capable of.” I raised my brows meaningfully.

“Well, that’s bullshit. And for the record, I know you’re more than capable of that.”

I recoiled a little. “What do you mean, bullshit?”

He shrugged, his eyebrows drawn together slightly. “I mean, that’s fucking bullshit. Just because you’re a badass doesn’t mean you don’t care about anything or that you don’t deserve to have someone having your back.”

There was a pause, and I slowly set off again, swirling the ice in my cup. Dom fell into step with me, a silent, massive presence at my side. Strands of my hair danced in the wind, and I swept them out of my face.

“I just … I guess I’ve never thought of it this way.” I broke the silence, feeling heat crawl up my neck. “I’m used to just … oh my God, that sounds terrible. I’m used to being alone. Taking care of things alone.”

This time he pulled me to a stop, his rough palm loosely wrapped around my wrist, tingles shooting up my whole arm at his gentle touch. He drew me close, his hand gliding up my arm, a fucking shower of sparks dancing across my skin.

Cupping the side of my neck, his thumb stroked across my skin.

Dom ducked his head, pressing his forehead against mine, our gazes interlocked. I swallowed hard. “Take on the whole fucking world for all I care. I’ve got you.”

Heat rose to my cheeks as I looked around. “There are people everywhere.” Even I knew I was trying to deflect.

“Still want to run?”

Brilliantly white teeth flashed in a sharp smile, then his lips descended on mine, sucking every coherent thought out of my body. Who cared about what others thought, after all.

Right now, all I cared about was Dom’s big body pressed against mine, dwarfing me, and his insanely talented tongue working his magic.

I should be scared of this, of how my feelings were changing, taking control of my actions. And even worse — how easily he disarmed me. I was in so much trouble.